The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Iii Part 96

_Er_. Upon my knees I beg to be obey'd, [_She kneels_.

--But if I must not, here discharge your Anger.

_Phi_. You are too great a Tyrant where you may.

[_Exeunt_ Erminia _and_ Alcippus.

_Phi_. Stay, shall I let her go? shall her Commands, Though they have power to take my Life away, Have force to suffer me to injure her?

Shall she be made a prey, and I permit it, Who only have the interest to forbid it?

--No, let me be accurst then.

[_Offers to follow_.

_Alcan_. What mean you, Sir?

_Phi_. Force the bold Ravisher to resign my Right.

_Alcander_, is not she my Wife, and I his Prince?

_Alcan_. 'Tis true, Sir: And y'ave both power and justice on your side; And there are times to exercise 'em both.

_Phi_. Fitter than this, _Alcander_?

_Alcan_. This night _Erminia's_ Promise may repose you; To morrow is your own-- Till then I beg you'd think your interest safe.

_Phi. Alcander_, thou hast peace about thee, and canst judge Better than I, 'twixt what is just and fit.

[_Puts up his Sword_.

I hitherto believ'd my Flame was guided By perfect Reason: so we often find Vessels conducted by a peaceful Wind, And meet no opposition in their way, Cut a safe pa.s.sage through the flattering Sea: But when a Storm the bounding Vessel throws, It does each way with equal rage oppose; For when the Seas are mad, could that be calm Like me, it wou'd be ruin'd in the Storm.

[_Exeunt_.

ACT III.

SCENE I. _The apartments of_ Alcippus.

_Enter_ Alcippus _and_ Pisaro.

_Pis_. 'Tis much, my Lord, you'll not be satisfy'd.

_Alcip_. Friendship's too near a-kin to Love, _Pisaro_, To leave me any Peace, whilst in your Eyes I read Reserves, which 'tis not kind to hide; --Come, prithee tell me what the quarrel was, And who 'twas with; thou shalt, my dear _Pisaro_.

_Pis_. Nay, now you urge me to impossibility: Good faith, I cannot tell, but guess the Prince.

_Alcip_. 'Tis true, _Pisaro_, 'twas indeed the Prince.

But what was th'occasion?

_Pis_. He call'd me Spy, and I return'd th'affront, But took no notice that he was my Prince: It was a Folly I repented of; But 'twas in a d.a.m.n'd melancholy Mood.

_Alcip_. Was it a going in or coming out?

_Pis_. From whence?

_Alcip. Erminia's_ Chamber; prithee let me know, For I have fears that take away my sleep, Fears that will make me mad, stark mad, _Pisaro_.

_Pis_. You do not well to fear without a cause.

_Alcip_. O Friend, I saw what thou canst ne'er conceive; Last night I saw it when I came from thee: And if thou go'st about t'impose upon me, I'll cast thee from my Soul. Come out with it, I see thy breast heave with a generous ardour, As if it scorn'd to harbour a reserve, Which stood not with its Amity to me.

Could I but know my Fate, I could despise it: But when 'tis clad in Robes of Innocence, The Devil cannot 'scape it: Something Was done last night that gnaws my heart-strings; And many things the Princess too let fall, Which, G.o.ds! I know not how to put together.

And prithee be not thou a Ridler too: But if thou knew'st of ought that may concern me, Make me as wise as thou art.

_Pis_. Sir, you are of so strange a jealous Humour, And I so strangely jealous of your Honour, That 'twixt us both we may make work enough; But on my Soul I know no wrong you have.

_Alcip_. I must believe thee, yet methinks thy Face Has put on an unwonted gravity.

_Pis_. That, _Alcippus_, you'll not wonder at, When you shall know you are my Rival.

_Alcip_. Nay, why shouldst thou delay me thus with stories?

This shall not put me off.

_Pis_. Sir, I'm in earnest, you have gain'd that Heart, For which I have receiv'd so many wounds; Venturing for Trophies where none durst appear, To gain at my Return one single smile, Or that she would submit to hear my story: And when sh'has said, 'twas bravely done, _Pisaro_, I thought the Glory recompens'd the Toil; And sacrificed my Laurels at her feet, Like those who pay their first-fruits to the G.o.ds, To beg a blessing on the following Crop: And never made her other signs of Love, Nor knew I that I had that easy flame, Till by her Eyes I found that she was mortal, And could love too, and that my Friend is you.

_Alcip_. Thou hast amaz'd me, prithee speak more clearly.

_Pis_. My Lord, the Princess has a pa.s.sion for you, Have I not reason now to be your Enemy?

_Alcip_. Not till I make returns: But now I'm past redemption miserable.

'Twas she _Erminia_ told me dy'd for me; And I believ'd it but a slight of hers, To put me from my Courtship.

_Pis_. No, 'twas a fatal Truth: _Alcippus_, hadst thou seen her, whilst the Priest Was giving thee to fair _Erminia_, What languishment appear'd upon her Eyes, Which never were remov'd from thy lov'd Face, Through which her melting Soul in drops distill'd, As if she meant to wash away thy Sin, In giving up that Right belong'd to her, Thou hadst without my aid found out this truth: A sweet composure dwelt upon her looks, Like Infants who are smiling whilst they die; Nor knew she that she wept, so unconcern'd And freely did her Soul a pa.s.sage find; Whilst I transported had almost forgot The Reverence due t'her sacred self and Place, And every moment ready was to kneel, And with my lips gather the precious drops, And rob the Holy Temple of a Relick, Fit only there t'inhabit.

_Alcip_. I never thought thou'dst had this Softness in thee.

How cam'st thou, Friend, to hide all this from me?

_Pis_. My Lord, I knew not that I was a Lover; I felt no flame, but a religious Ardour, That did inspire my Soul with adoration; And so remote I was from ought but such, I knew not Hope, nor what it was to wish For other blessings than to gaze upon her: Like Heaven I thought she was to be possess'd, Where carnal Thoughts can no admittance find; And had I not perceiv'd her Love to you, I had not known the nature of my flame: But then I found it out by Jealousy, And what I took for a Seraphick motion, I now decline as criminal and earthly.

_Alcip_. When she can love to a discovery, It shows her Pa.s.sion eminent and high; --But I am married--to a Maid that hates me: What help for that, _Pisaro_?

And thou hast something too to say of her, What was't? for now thou hast undone me quite.

_Pis_. I have nought to say to her dishonour, Sir, But something may be done may give you cause To stand upon your Guard; And if your Rage do not the mastery get, I cannot doubt but what you'll be happy yet.

_Alcip_. Without _Erminia_ that can hardly be, And yet I find a certain shame within That will not suffer me to see the Princess; I have a kind of War within my Soul, My Love against my Glory and my Honour; And I could wish,--alas, I know not what: Prithee instruct me.

_Pis_. Sir, take a resolution to be calm, And not like Men in love abandon Reason.

--You may observe the actions of these Lovers, But be not pa.s.sionate whate'er you find; That headstrong Devil will undo us all; If you'll be happy, quit its company.

_Alcip_. I fain would take thy counsel-- [_Pauses_.

_Pis_. Come, clear up, my Lord, and do not hang the head Like Flowers in storms; the Sun will shine again.