The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Iii Part 122

_Cin_. You may inform your self I believe, for these close Intrigues cannot be carried on without your Knowledge.

_Scar_. What Intrigues, Sir? be quick, for I'm in haste.

_Cin_. Who was the Lover I surpriz'd i'th' Closet?

_Scar. Deceptio visus_, Sir; the Error of the Eyes.

_Cin_. Thou Dog, I felt him too; but since the Rascal 'scaped me, I'll be reveng'd on thee.

[_Goes to beat him; he running away, runs against_ Harlequin, _who is entering with_ Charmante, _and like to have thrown 'em both down_.

_Char_. Ha,--What's the matter here?

_Scar_. Seignior Don _Charmante_.

[_Then he struts courageously in with 'em_.

_Char_. What, _Cinthio_ in a Rage!

Who's the unlucky Object?

_Cin_. All Man and Woman Kind: _Elaria's_ false.

_Char. Elaria_ false! take heed, sure her nice Virtue Is proof against the Vices of her s.e.x.

Say rather _Bellemante_, She who by Nature's light and wavering.

The Town contains not such a false Impertinent.

This Evening I surpriz'd her in her Chamber, Writing of Verses, and between her Lines Some Spark had newly pen'd his proper Stuff.

Curse of the Jilt, I'll be her Fool no more.

_Har_. I doubt you are mistaken in that, Sir, for 'twas I was the Spark that writ the proper Stuff To do you service.

_Char_. Thou!

_Scar_. Ay, we that spend our Lives and Fortunes here to serve you,--to be us'd like Pimps and Scoundrels. Come, Sir, satisfy him who 'twas was hid i'th' Closet, when he came in and found you.

_Cin_. Ha,--is't possible? Was it _Charmante_?

_Char_. Was it you, _Cinthio_? Pox on't, what Fools are we, we cou'd not know one another by Instinct?

_Scar_. Well, well, dispute no more this clear Case, but let's hasten to your Mistresses.

_Cin_. I'm asham'd to appear before _Elaria_.

_Char_. And I to _Bellemante_.

_Scar_. Come, come, take Heart of Grace; pull your Hats down over your Eyes; put your Arms across; sigh and look scurvily; your simple Looks are ever a Token of Repentance: come--come along.

[_Exeunt Omnes_.

SCENE III. _Changes to the Inside of the House. The Front of the Scene is only a Curtain or Hangings, to be drawn up at Pleasure_.

_Enter_ Elaria, Bellemante, Mopsophil, Florinda, _and Ladies, dress'd in Masking Habits_.

_Ela_. I am extremely pleas'd with these Habits, Cousin.

_Bell_. They are _a la Gothic_ and _Uncommune_.

_Flor_. Your Lovers have a very good Fancy, Cousin, I long to see 'em.

_Ela_. And so do I. I wonder _Scaramouch_ stays so, and what Success he has.

_Bell_. You have no cause to doubt, you can so easily acquit your self; but I, what shall I do? who can no more imagine who shou'd write those Boremes, than who I shall love next, if I break off with _Charmante_.

_Flor_. If he be a Man of Honour, Cousin, when a Maid protests her Innocence--

_Bell_. Ay, but he's a Man of Wit too, Cousin, and knows when Women protest most, they likely lye most.

_Ela_. Most commonly, for Truth needs no a.s.severation.

_Bell_. That's according to the Disposition of your Lover, for some believe you most, when you most abuse and cheat 'em; some are so obstinate, they wou'd d.a.m.n a Woman with Protesting, before she can convince 'em.

_Ela_. Such a one is not worth convincing, I wou'd not make the World wise at the expence of a Virtue.

_Bell_. Nay, he shall e'en remain as Heaven made him for me, since there are Men enough for all uses.

_Enter_ Charmante _and_ Cinthio, _dress'd in their Gothic Habits_, Scaramouch, Harlequin _and Musick_. Charmante _and_ Cinthio _kneel_.

_Cin_. Can you forgive us?

[Elaria _takes him up_.

_Bell_. That, _Cinthio_, you're convinc'd, I do not wonder; but how _Charmante_ is inspir'd, I know not.

[_Takes him up_.

_Char_. Let it suffice, I'm satisfy'd, my _Bellemante_.

_Ela_. Pray know my Cousin _Florinda_.

[_They salute the Lady_.

_Bell_. Come, let us not lose time, since we are all Friends.

_Char_. The best use we can make of it, is to talk of Love.

_Bell_. Oh! we shall have time enough for that hereafter; besides, you may make Love in Dancing as well as in Sitting; you may gaze, sigh, and press the Hand, and now and then receive a Kiss, what wou'd you more?

_Char_. Yes, wish a little more.