The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Iii Part 102

_Enter_ Alcippus _and_ Pisaro.

_Pis_. You seem'd then to be pleas'd with what she said.

_Alcip_. And then methought I was so, But yet even then I fear'd she did dissemble.

--G.o.ds, what's a Man possest with Jealousy?

_Pis_. A strange wild thing, a Lover without reason; I once have prov'd the torture on't, But as unlike to thine as good from evil; Like fire in Limbecks, mine was soft and gentle, Infusing kindly heat, till it distill'd The spirits of the Soul out at my Eyes, And so it ended.

But thine's a raging Fire, which never ceases Till it has quite destroy'd the goodly Edifice Where it first took beginning.

Faith, strive, Sir, to suppress it.

_Alcip_. No, I'll let it run to its extent, And see what then 'twill do.

Perhaps 'twill make me mad, or end my life, Either of which will ease me.

_Pis_. Neither of these, _Alcippus_; It will unman you, make you too despis'd; And those that now admire will pity you.

_Alcip_. What wouldst thou have me do?

Am I not ty'd a Slave to follow Love, Whilst at my back Freedom and Honour waits, And I have lost the power to welcome them?

Like those who meet a Devil in the night, And all afrighted gaze upon the Fury, But dare not turn their backs to what they fear, Though safety lie behind them.

Alas! I would as willingly as those Fly from this Devil, Love.

_Pis_. You may, like those afrighted, by degrees Allay your sense of terror in the Object, And then its Power will lesson with your Fear, And 'twill be easy to forgo the Fantasm.

_Alcip_. No, then like the d.a.m.n'd Ghost it follows me.

_Pis_. Let Reason then approach it, and examine it.

_Alcip_. Love is a surly and a lawless Devil, And will not answer Reason.

I must encounter it some other way, For I will lay the Fiend.

_Pis_. What would you have, _Alcippus_?

_Alcip_. I'd have fair play, _Pisaro_.

--I find the cheat, and will not to the Camp; --Thou shalt supply my place, and I'll return: The Night grows on, and something will be done That I must be acquainted with.

_Pis_. Pardon me, Sir, if I refuse you here; I find you're growing up to Jealousies, Which I'll not trust alone with you.

_Alcip_. Thou know'st perhaps of something worthy it.

_Pis_. I must confess, your Pa.s.sions give me cause, If I had any Secrets, to conceal them; But 'tis no time nor place to make disputes in: Will you to Horse?

_Alcip_. Will you not think fit I should return then?

I can be calm.

_Pis_. What is't you mean by this return, _Alcippus_?

_Alcip_. To see _Erminia_, is not that enough To one in love, as I am?

_Pis_. But, Sir, suppose you find _Philander_ there?

_Alcip_. Then I suppose I shall not much approve on't.

_Pis_. You would be at your last night's rage again.

_Alcippus_, this will ruin you for ever, Nor is it all the Power you think you have Can save you, if he once be disoblig'd.

Believe me 'twas the Princess' pa.s.sion for you Made up that breach last night.

_Alcip_. All this I know as well as you, _Pisaro_, But will not be abus'd; alas, I'm lost: Could I recal these two last days are past, Ah, I should be my self again, _Pisaro_.

I would refuse these Fetters which I wear, And be a Slave to nothing but to Glory.

_Pis_. That were a Resolution worthy of you.

--But come, 'tis late, what you resolve conclude.

_Alcip_. I am resolv'd I will not to the Camp, A secret inclination does persuade me To visit my _Erminia_ to night.

_Pis_. Comes it from Love or Jealousy?

_Alcip_. The first, good faith, _Pisaro_; thou'rt so fearful-- You shall to th'Camp before, And I'll be with you early in the Morning.

_Pis_. Give me your hand, and promise to be calm.

_Alcip_. By all our Friendships, as the Western Winds, [_Gives his hand_.

Nothing that's done shall e'er inrage me more, Honour's the Mistress I'll henceforth adore.

[_Exit_.

_Pis_. I will not trust you though.

[_Goes out another way_.

SCENE III. _The Court Gallery_.

_Enter_ Philander _and_ Alcander _in their Clokes m.u.f.fled as in the dark_.

_Alcan_. _Isillia_.

[_Calls at the lodgings of_ Erminia.

_Isil_. [_Entering_.] Who's there?

_Alcan_. A Friend.

_Isil_. My Lord _Alcander_?

_Alcan_. The same.

_Isil_. Where's the Prince?