The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Iii Part 120

_Har_. The Ghost of a poor Lover, dwindled into a Heyho.

[_He rises from under the Table, and falls at her Feet_.

Scaramouch _enters. She runs off squeaking_.

_Scar_. Ha, My Rival and my Mistress!--Is this done like a Man of Honour, Monsieur _Harlequin_, to take advantages to injure me? [_Draws_.

_Har_. Advantages are lawful in Love and War.

_Scar_. 'Twas contrary to our League and Covenant; therefore I defy thee as a Traytor.

_Har_. I scorn to fight with thee, because I once call'd thee Brother.

_Scar_. Then thou art a Poltroon, that's to say, a Coward.

_Har_. Coward! nay, then I am provok'd, come on.

_Scar_. Pardon me, Sir, I gave the Coward, and you ought to strike.

[_They go to fight ridiculously, and ever as_ Scaramouch _pa.s.ses_, Harlequin _leaps aside, and skips so nimbly about, he cannot touch him for his Life; which after a while endeavouring in vain, he lays down his Sword_.

--If you be for dancing, Sir, I have my Weapons for all occasions.

[Scar. _pulls out a Flute Doux, and falls to playing_. Har.

_throws down his, and falls a dancing; after the Dance, they shake hands_.

_Har_. _Ha mon bon ami_.--Is not this better than duelling?

_Scar_. But not altogether so heroick, Sir. Well, for the future, let us have fair play; no Tricks to undermine each other, but which of us is chosen to be the happy Man, the other shall be content.

_Ela_. [_Within_.] Cousin _Bellemante_, Cousin.

_Scar_. 'Slife, let's be gone, lest we be seen in the Ladies Apartment.

[Scar. _slips_ Harlequin _behind the Door_.

_Enter_ Elaria.

_Ela_. How now, how came you here?--

_Scar_. [_Signs to_ Har. _to go out_.] I came to tell you, Madam, my Master's just taking Mule to go his Journey to Night, and that Don _Cinthio_ is in the Street, for a lucky moment to enter in.

_Ela_. But what if any one by my Father's Order, or he himself should by some chance surprize us?

_Scar_. If we be, I have taken order against a Discovery. I'll go see if the old Gentleman be gone, and return with your Lover.

[_Goes out_.

_Ela_. I tremble, but know not whether 'tis with Fear or Joy.

_Enter_ Cinthio.

_Cin_. My dear _Elaria_-- [_Runs to imbrace her, She starts from him_.

--Ha,--shun my Arms, _Elaria_!

_Ela_. Heavens! Why did you come so soon?

_Cin_. Is it too soon, whene'er 'tis safe, _Elaria_?

_Ela_. I die with Fear--Met you not _Scaramouch_? He went to bid you wait a while; what shall I do?

_Cin_. Why this Concern? none of the House has seen me. I saw your Father taking Horse.

_Ela_. Sure you mistake, methinks I hear his Voice.

_Doct_. [_Below_.]--My Key--The Key of my Laboratory.

Why, Knave _Scaramouch_, where are you?

_Ela_. Do you hear that, Sir?--Oh, I'm undone!

Where shall I hide you?--He approaches.

[_She searches where to hide him_.

Ha! my Cousin's Closet's open,--step in a little.

[_He goes in, she puts out the Candle_.

_Enter the_ Doctor. _She gets round the Chamber to the Door, and as he advances in, she steals out_.

_Doct_. Here I must have dropt it; a Light, a Light there.

_Enter_ Cinthio, _from the Closet, pulls_ Charmante _out, they not knowing each other_.

_Cin_. Oh, this perfidious Woman! No marvel she was so surpriz'd and angry at my Approach to Night.

_Cha_. Who can this be?--but I'll be prepar'd.

[_Lays his Hand on his Sword_.

_Doct_. Why, _Scaramouch_, Knave, a Light!

[_Turns to the Door to call_.

_Enter_ Scaramouch _with a Light, and seeing the two Lovers there, runs against his Master, puts out the Candle, and flings him down and falls over him. At the entrance of the Candle_, Charmante _slipt from_ Cinthio _into the Closet_.

Cinthio _gropes to find him; when_ Mopsophil _and_ Elaria, _hearing a great Noise, enter with a Light_. Cinthio _finding he was discovered falls to acting a Mad-man, _Scaramouch _helps up the Doctor, and bows_.

Ha,--a Man,--and in my House,--Oh dire Misfortune!

--Who are you, Sir?

_Cin_. Men call me _Gog Magog_, the Spirit of Power; My Right-hand Riches holds, my Left-hand Honour.

Is there a City Wife wou'd be a Lady?--Bring her to me, Her easy Cuckold shall be dubb'd a Knight.

_Ela_. Oh Heavens! a Mad-man, Sir.

_Cin_. Is there a tawdry Fop wou'd have a t.i.tle?

A rich Mechanick that wou'd be an Alderman?