The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Iv Part 40

_Isab._ Madam, you are the same to a hair; Wou'd I might never stir If I can do any thing but wonder.

_Clar._ But hark, _Isabella_, if thou shou'dst have Heard amiss, and that thy information should not be good, Thou hast defeated us of a design, Wherein we promise our selves no little pleasure.

_Ism._ Yes, I vow, all the Jest is lost if it be so.

_Isab._ I doubt 'twill be a true Jest on your side. [Aside.

--I warrant you, Madam, my Intelligence is good; And to a.s.sure you of what I have said, I dare undertake you shall hear the same over again: For just now _Alberto_ is come to visit my Lord, Who I am sure will entertain him with no other stories, But those of his Jealousy, And to persuade him to court you.

_Clar._ 'Tis strange, since he set him that Task so long ago, He would not begin before.

_Ism._ Nay, pray G.o.d he begin now; Sister, he has. .h.i.therto took me for thee, And sometimes his Eyes give me hope of a secret Fire within, but 'twill not out; And I am so impatient till he declares himself, That if he do not do it soon, I shall e'en tell him who I am; For perhaps the Wife takes off the appet.i.te, Which would sharpen upon knowledge of the Virgin.

_Clar._ What then, you'll have all the sport to your self?

--But, _Ismena_, remember my little Revenge on _Antonio_ Must accompany your Love to _Alberto_. [Aside.

_Isab._ But why this resemblance?

For, Madam, since he never saw you, And takes _Ismena_ to be you; Might you not still pa.s.s so, without this likeness?

_Clar._ Didst thou not say _Antonio_ left the Court And City, on purpose to give _Alberto_ the more freedom To Court me?--Whilst he was away, I needed but retire, And _Ismena_ appear, and 'twould suffice; But now he is return'd, He may chance to see them together, _en pa.s.sant_, or so, And this dress will abuse him as well as _Alberto_; For without that, this Plot of ours signifies little.

_Ism._ Ay, truly, for my part, I have no other design Than doing my Sister a service.

_Isab._ The Plot is very likely to thrive I see, Since you are so good at dissembling.

_Ism._ Fie, _Isabella_, what an ill opinion you have of me?

--But, Sister, 'tis much _Alberto_ being so intimate With _Antonio_, should never see you all this whole Six Months of your being married.

_Clar._ Had you been bred any where But in a Monastery, you would have known 'Tis not the custom here for Men to expose their Wives to the view of any.

_Isab._ I hear them coming, let's away, And pray listen to the Truths I have already told you.

[They retire.

SCENE IV. The Same.

Enter _Antonio_ and _Alberto_. _Clarina_ and _Ismena_ listen.

_Alb._ Once more, _Antonio_, welcome back to Court.

_Ant._ Oh my dear Friend, I long'd for thy Embraces; --How goes the Game I left with thee to play?

What says my Wife, my beautiful _Clarina_?

_Alb._ _Clarina!_--

_Ant._ Yes, _Clarina_, have you not seen her yet?

I left the Court on purpose, for 'twas not handsome For me to introduce you, Lest she had look'd upon't as some design.

_Alb._ Seen her--yes--

_Ant._ And I conjur'd her too, to give you freedoms Even equal to _Antonio_; As far as I durst press with modesty, And with pretence of Friendship; And have you not attempted her?

_Alb._ Yes--but 'tis in vain.

_Ant._ Oh villanous Dissembler! [Aside.

_Alb._ She's cruel, strangely cruel, And I'm resolv'd to give the Courtship o'er.

_Ant._ Sure, Friend, thou hast not us'd thy wonted power.

_Alb._ Yes, all that I know I'm master of, I us'd.

_Ant._ But didst thou urge it home? did she not see Thy Words and Actions did not well agree?

Canst thou dissemble well? didst cry and melt, As if the pain you but express'd, you felt?

Didst kneel, and swear, and urge thy Quality, Heightning it too with some Disgrace on me?

And didst thou too a.s.sail her feeble side?

For the best bait to Woman is her Pride; Which some mis-call her Guard: Didst thou present her with the set of Jewels?

For Women naturally are more inclin'd To Avarice, than Men: pray tell me, Friend.

--Vile Woman! did she take them--

_Alb._ I never ask'd her that.

_Clar._ Poor _Antonio_, how I pity him. [Aside.

_Ant._ No!

_Alb_. No, I've done enough to satisfy thy Jealousy.

Here, take your set of Jewels back again; [Gives a Box.

Upon my Life _Clarina_ is all Chast.i.ty.

_Ant._ I were the happiest Man on Earth, were this but true; But what are single Courtships?--give her these, Which will a.s.sist thy Tongue to win her Heart; And that once got, the other soon will follow; There's far more Women won by Gold than Industry: Try that, my dear _Alberto_, And save thy Eyes the trouble of dissembling.

_Alb._ Content thee here, and do not tempt thy Fate, I have regard unto thy Honour, Friend; And should she yield, as Women are no G.o.ds, Where were thy future Joys?

What is't could make thee happy, or restore That true Contentment which thou hadst before?

Alas! thou tempt'st me too, for I am frail, And Love above my Friendship may prevail.

_Ant._ This will not do; No, as thou art my Friend, and lov'st my Honour, Pursue _Clarina_ further; Rally afresh, and charge her with this Present, Disturb her every night with Serenades; Make Love-Songs to her, and then sing them too; Thou hast a Voice enough alone to conquer.

_Alb._ Fool, _Antonio_! [Aside.

_Ant._ Come, wilt thou undertake it once again?

_Alb._ I would not.

_Ant._ I am resolv'd to get this tryal made, And if thou dost refuse thy Amity, I'll try a Friend more willing, though less faithful; With thee my Wife and Honour too are safe, For should she yield, and I by that were lost, 'Twere yet some ease, That none but thou wert witness to't.

_Alb._ Well, if it must be done, I'ad rather do't, Than you should be expos'd to th' scorn of others.

_Ant._ Spoke like my n.o.ble Friend; Come dine with her to day, for I must leave you, And give you all the opportunity A real Lover wishes with a Mistress.