The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Iv Part 39

_Lor._ Stay, good _Isabella_, stay, And thou shalt hear not one word of that more, Though I am soundly urg'd to't.

_Isab._ Yes, yes, pray count them, do; I know you long to be at it, And I am sure you will find you are in Arrears to us.

_Lor._ Say you so, I am not of that opinion: but well, --Let me see--here 'tis, here 'tis-- My Bill of Charge for courting _Clarina_.

[Draws out his Table Book, and reads.

_Isab._ And here's mine for the returns that have been Made you; begin, begin. [Pulls out her Book.

_Lor._ _Item_, two hundred Crowns to _Isabella_ for undertaking.

_Isab_. _Item_, I have promis'd _Lorenzo_ to serve him In his Amour with all Fidelity.

_Lor._ Well, I own that Debt paid, if you keep Your word--out with it then-- [He crosses that out.

_Item_, two thousand Crowns in a Bracelet for _Clarina_; What say you to that now, _Isabella_?

_Isab._ _Item_, the day after they were presented, She saluted you with a smile at the Chappel.

_Lor._ And dost thou think it was not dearly bought?

_Isab._ No Man in _Florence_ should have had it A Souce cheaper.

_Lor._ Say you so, _Isabella_? out with it then. [Crosses it out.

_Item_, one hundred more to thee for presenting them.

_Isab._ Which I did with six lyes in your Commendation, Worth ten Pistoles a piece for the exactness of a Lye; Write there indebted to me--

_Lor._ Nay then thou dost deserve it: Rest due to _Isabella_. [Writes.

_Item_, Innumerable Serenades, Night-walks, Affronts And Fears; and lastly, to the Poets for Songs, and the like.

_Isab._ All which was recompensed in the excessive Laughing on you that Day you praunc'd under our Window on Horse-back, when you made such a Deal of Capriol and Curvet.

_Lor._ Yes, where I ventur'd my Neck to shew my Activity, and therefore may be well accompted Amongst my Losses.

_Isab._ Then she receiv'd your Presents, Suffer'd your Serenades, without sending her Foot-men To break your Pate with the Fiddles.

_Lor._ Indeed that was one of the best Signs; For I have been a great Sufferer in that kind Upon the like occasions: but dost thou think In Conscience that this should satisfy?

_Isab._ Yes, any reasonable Man in the World, for the First Month at least; and yet you are still up With your Expences, as if a Lady of her Quality Were to be gain'd without them.

--Let me hear of your Expences more, and I'll--

_Lor._ Oh sweet _Isabella_! upon my Knees I beg thou wilt take no fatal Resolution; For I protest, as I am a Man of Honour, And adore thy s.e.x, thou shalt only see, Not hear of my Expences more; And for a small testimony of it, here take this; There's twenty Pistoles upon Reputation. [Gives her Money.

_Isab._ Fy, fy, 'tis not brave, nor generous to name The Sum, you should have slid it into my Coat, Without saying what you had done.

_Lor._ What signifies that, mun, as long as 'tis current, And you have it sure?

_Isab._ Well, leave the management of your Affairs to me-- What shall we do? here's _Alberto_.

Enter _Alberto_.

_Lor._ Well, who can help it? I cannot walk invisible.

_Alb._ _Lorenzo_, what, making Love to _Isabella_?

_Lor._ She'l serve, my Lord, for want of a better.

_Isab._ That's but a coa.r.s.e Complement.

_Lor._ 'Twill serve to disguise a Truth however. [Aside to her.

[Ex. _Isab._ Faith, I'll tell you, Sir, 'twas such another Damsel As this, that sav'd me five hundred Pound once upon a time; And I have lov'd the whole Tribe of Waiting-women The better ever since.

_Alb._ You have reason; how was it?

_Lor._ Why, look you, Sir, I had made Love a long time to a Lady; But she shall be nameless, Since she was of a quality not to be gain'd under The aforesaid Sum: well, I brought it, Came pouder'd and perfum'd, and high in expectation.

_Alb._ Well, Sir.

_Lor._ And she had a very pretty Wench, who was to Conduct me, and in the dark too; And, on my Conscience, I e'en fell aboard of her, And was as well accommodated for my five, As five Hundred Pounds, and so return'd.

_Alb._ A great defeat to the Lady the while, a my word.

_Lor._ Ay, she smelt the Plot, and made a Vow to follow The _Italian_ mode for the future; And be serv'd in Affairs of that kind by none But an old Woman.

_Alb._ 'Twas wittily resolv'd.

_Lor._ Are you for the Presence this Morning?

_Alb._ No, I have business here with _Antonio_.

_Lor._ Your Servant, my Lord. [Exit.

_Alb._ I do not like this Fellow's being here, The most notorious Pimp and Rascal in _Italy_; 'Tis a vile shame that such as he should live, Who have the form and sense of Man about them, And in their Action Beast; And that he thrives by too.

Enter _Isabella_.

--_Isabella_, is _Antonio_ stirring?

_Isab._ He is, please your Lordship to walk in.

_Alb._ You may tell him I wait here: For I would avoid all opportunity of seeing _Clarina_. [Aside.

_Isab._ My Lord, you need not stand upon Ceremonies. [Exit _Alberto_.

Enter _Clarina_ and _Ismena_, dress'd like one another in every thing, laughing and beholding one another.

--Dress'd already! now on my conscience I know not which is which: Pray G.o.d _Antonio_ be not mistaken at night, For I'll be sworn I am by day-light.

_Ism._ Dost think I may pa.s.s thus for _Clarina_?