The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Iii Part 114

So Spark in an Intrigue of Quality, Grows weary of his splendid Drudgery; Hates the Fatigue, and cries a Pox upon her, What a d.a.m.n'd Bustle's here with Love and Honour?

In humbler Comedy we next appear, No Fop or Cuckold, but slap-dash we had him here; We showed you all, but you malicious grown, Friends Vices to expose, and hide your own; Cry, d.a.m.n it--This is such, or such a one. Yet nettled, Plague, what does the Scribler mean?

With his d.a.m.n'd Characters, and Plot obscene.

No Woman without Vizard in the Nation Can see it twice, and keep her reputation-- That's certain, Forgetting-- That he himself, in every gross Lampoon, Her leuder Secrets spread about the Town; Whilst their feign'd Niceness is but cautious Fear, Their own Intrigues should be unravel'd here.

Our next Recourse was dwindling down to Farce, Then--Zounds, what Stuff's here? 'tis all o'er my-- Well, Gentlemen, since none of these has sped, Gad, we have bought a Share i'th' speaking Head.

So there you'll save a Sice, You love good Husbandry in all but Vice; Whoring and drinking only bears a Price. _

[The Head rises upon a twisted Post, on a Bench from under the Stage. After _Jevern_ speaks to its Mouth.

_Oh!--Oh!--Oh_!

Stentor. _Oh!--Oh!--Oh_!

[After this it sings _Sawny_, laughs, crys G.o.d bless the King in order.

Stentor answers.

_Speak louder_, Jevern, _if you'd have me repeat; Plague of this Rogue, he will betray the Cheat_.

[He speaks louder, it answers indirectly.

_--Hum--There 'tis again, Pox of your Eccho with a Northern Strain.

Well--This will be but a nine days Wonder too; There's nothing lasting but the Puppets Show.

What Ladies Heart's so hard, but it would move, To hear_ Philander _and_ Irene's _Love?

Those Sisters too the scandalous Wits do say, Two nameless keeping Beaux have made so gay; But those Amours are perfect Sympathy, Their Gallants being as mere Machines as they.

Oh! how the City Wife, with her nown Ninny, Is charm'd with, Come into my Coach,--Miss_ Jenny, _Miss_ Jenny.

_But overturning_--Frible _crys--Adznigs, The jogling Rogue has murder'd all his Kids.

The Men of War cry, Pox on't, this is dull, We are for rough Sports,--Dog Hector, and the Bull.

Thus each in his degree, Diversion finds, Your Sports are suited to your mighty Minds; Whilst so much Judgment in your Choice you show, The Puppets have more Sense than some of you_.

DRAMATIS PERSONAE.

MEN.

_Doctor_ Baliardo, Mr. _Underhill_.

Scaramouch, _his Man_, Mr. _Lee_.

Pedro, _his Boy_.

Don Cinthio, Don Charmante, _both Nephews_ Young Mr. _Powel_.

_to the Vice-Roy, and Lovers of_ Elaria _and_ Mr. _Mumford_.

Bellemante, Harlequin, Cinthio's _Man_, Mr. _Jevern_.

_Officer and Clerk_.

_Page_.

WOMEN.

Elaria, _Daughter to the Doctor_, Mrs. _Cooke_.

Bellemante, _Niece to the Doctor_, Mrs. _Mumford_.

Florinda, _Cousin to_ Elaria _and_ Bellemante.

Mopsophil, _Governante to the young Ladies_, Mrs. _Cory_.

_The Persons in the Moon, are_ Don Cinthio, _Emperor_; Don Charmante, _Prince of_ Thunderland.

_Their Attendants, Persons that represent the Court Cards_.

Keplair _and_ Galileus, _two Philosophers_.

_Twelve Persons, representing the Figures of the twelve Signs of the Zodiack_.

_Negroes, and Persons that dance_.

_Musick, Kettle-Drums, and Trumpets_.

The SCENE, _NAPLES_.

ACT I.

SCENE I. _A Chamber_.

_Enter_ Elaria _and_ Mopsophil.

I.

_A Curse upon that faithless Maid, Who first her s.e.x's Liberty betray'd; Born free as Man to Love and Range, Till n.o.bler Nature did to Custom change, Custom, that dull excuse for Fools, Who think all Virtue to consist in Rules_.

II.

_From Love our Fetters never sprung; That smiling G.o.d, all wanton, gay and young, Shows by his Wings he cannot be Confined to a restless Slavery; But here and there at random roves, Not fix'd to glittering Courts, or shady Groves_.

III.

_Then she that Constancy profess'd Was but a well Dissembler at the best; And that imaginary Sway She feign'd to give, in seeming to obey, Was but the height of prudent Art, To deal with greater liberty her Heart_.

[After the Song _Elaria_ gives her Lute to _Mopsophil_.

_Ela_. This does not divert me; Nor nothing will, till _Scaramouch_ return, And bring me News of _Cinthio_.

_Mop_. Truly I was so sleepy last Night, I know nothing of the Adventure, for which you are kept so close a Prisoner to day, and more strictly guarded than usual.

_Ela. Cinthio_ came with Musick last Night under my Window, which my Father hearing, sallied out with his _Mirmidons_ upon him; and clashing of Swords I heard, but what hurt was done, or whether _Cinthio_ were discovered to him, I know not; but the Billet I sent him now by _Scaramouch_ will occasion me soon Intelligence.

_Mop_. And see, Madam, where your trusty _Roger_ comes.

_Enter_ Scaramouch, _peeping on all sides before he enters_.

You may advance, and fear none but your Friends.

_Scar_. Away, and keep the door.

_Ela_. Oh, dear _Scaramouch_! hast thou been at the Vice-Roy's?