The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Iii Part 103

_Phi_. Here, _Isillia_.

_Isil_. Give me your hand, my Lord, and follow me.

_Phi_. To such a Heaven as thou conduct'st me to, Though thou should'st traverse h.e.l.l, I'd follow thee.

_Alcan_. You'll come back in charity, _Isillia_?

_Isil_. Yes, if I dare trust you alone with me.

[_They go all in_.

SCENE IV.

_Draws off, a Chamber, discovers_ Erminia _in a dishabit, sitting; to her_ Philander, _who falls at her feet, on his knees_.

_Er_. My Lord the Prince, what makes your Highness here?

_Phi. Erminia_, why do ask that needless question?

'Twas Love, Love that's unsatisfied, which brought me hither.

[_Kneels_.

_Er_. Rise, Sir, this posture would become me better.

_Phi_. Permit me, dear _Erminia_--to remain thus.

'Tis only by these signs I can express What my Confusion will not let me utter.

I know not what strange power thou bear'st about thee, But at thy sight or touch my Sense forsakes me, And that, withal I had design'd to say, Turns to a strange disorder'd Rapture in me.

--Oh _Erminia_--

_Er_. How do you, Sir?

_Phi_. I am not well; Too suddenly I pa.s.s from one extreme To this of Joy, more insupportable: But I shall re-a.s.sume my health anon, And tell thee all my story.

_Er_. Dear Sir, retire into this inner room, And there repose awhile: Alas, I see disorder in your Face.

_Phi_. This confidence of me, is generous in thee.

[_They go into the Scene which draws over_.

SCENE V. _The Court Gallery_.

_Enter_ Alcippus.

_Alcip_. The Night is calm and silent as my Thoughts, Where nothing now but Love's soft whispers dwell; Who in as gentle terms upbraids my Rage, Which strove to dispossess the Monarch thence: It tells me how dishonest all my Fears are, And how ungrateful all my Jealousies; And prettily persuades those Infidels To be less rude and mutinous hereafter.

Ah, that I could remain in this same state, And be contented with this Monarchy: I would, if my wild mult.i.tude of Pa.s.sions Could be appeas'd with it; but they're for Liberty, And nothing but a Common-wealth within Will satisfy their appet.i.tes of Freedom.

--Pride, Honour, Glory, and Ambition strive How to expel this Tyrant from my Soul, But all too weak, though Reason should a.s.sist them.

[_He knocks_. Alcander _looks out at the door_.

_Alcan_. Who's there?

_Alcip_. A Friend.

_Isil_. [_Within_.] Oh Heavens! it is my Lord _Alcippus'_ voice.

_Alcan_. Peace, _Isillia_.

_Alcip_. I hear a Man within--open the door.

Now, Love, defend thy Interest, or my Jealousy Will grow the mightier Devil of the two else. [Alcan. _comes out_.

--Who's this? one m.u.f.fled in a Cloke?

What art thou, who at this dead time of Night Hast took possession here?

--Speak, or I'll kill thee.

_Alcan_. This were an opportunity indeed To do my Prince a service, but I dare not.

_Alcip_. What darest not do?

_Alcan_. Not kill thee.

_Alcip_. Is that thy business then? have at thee, Slave?

I'll spoil your keeping doors. [_Runs at him_.

[_They fight, and grapling_, Alcander _gets the Sword of_ Alcippus.

He'as got my Sword, however, I'll lose no time: It may be 'tis his office to detain me. [_He goes in_.

_Alcan_. I'm wounded, yet I will not leave him so; There may be Mischief in him, though unarm'd.

[_Goes in_.

SCENE VI. A Bed-chamber.

_Discovers_ Erminia, Philander _sitting on the Bed, to them_ Isillia, _a Sword and Hat on the Table_.

_Isil_. Ah, Madam, _Alcippus_.

_Er. Alcippus_, where?

_Isil_. I left him in a quarrel with _Alcander_, And hear him coming up.

_Er_. For Heaven's sake, Sir, submit to be conceal'd.