The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Iv Part 41

_Ism._ So we have heard enough.

[Ex. _Clar._ and _Ism._

_Ant._ Oh, were _Clarina_ chaste, as on my Soul I cannot doubt, more than that I believe All Womankind may be seduc'd from Virtue; I were the Man of all the World most bless'd In such a Wife, and such a Friend as thou.

_Alb._ But what if I prevail, _Antonio_?

_Ant._ Then I'll renounce my faith in Womankind, And place my satisfaction in thy Amity.

--But see, she comes, I'll leave you to your task.

Enter _Ismena_ and _Isabella_.

_Ism._ Antonio not yet gone-- This must secure me. [Pulls down her Veil.

_Ant._ _Clarina_, why thus clouded?

_Isab._ I see he has most happily mistaken.

_Ism._ I was going, Sir, to visit _Laura_--

_Ant._ You must not go, I've business to the Duke, And you must entertain my Friend till my return; It is a freedom not usual here amongst Ladies, But I will have it so; Whom I esteem, I'll have you do so too.

_Ism._ Sir, I am all obedience.

[Exit _Antonio_, she pulls off her Veil; _Alberto_ salutes her with seeming lowness.

_Alb._ Oh, how my Soul's divided Between my Adoration and my Amity! [Aside.

Friendship, thou sacred band, hold fast thy Interest; For yonder Beauty has a subtle power, And can undo that knot, which other Arts Could ne'er invent a way for.

Enter _Antonio_, and listens at the Door.

_Ant._ I'll see a little how he behaves himself. [Aside.

_Alb._ But she's _Antonio's_ Wife; my Friend _Antonio_. [Aside.

A Youth that made an Interest in my Soul, When I had Language scarce to express my sense of it.

_Ant._ Death! he speaks not to her. [Aside.

_Alb._ So grew we up to Man, and still more fixt; And shall a gaudy Beauty, A thing which t'other day I never saw, Deprive my Heart of that kind Heat, And place a new and unknown Fire within? [Aside.

_Clarina_, 'tis unjust.

_Ism._ Sir, did you speak to me?

_Alb._ I have betray'd my self-- [Aside.

Madam, I was saying how unjust it was _Antonio_ should leave me alone with a Lady, Being certainly the worst to entertain them in the World.

_Ant._ His Face a.s.sures me he speaks of no Love to her now.

_Ism._ Alas, he speaks not to me.

Sure _Isabella_ was mistaken, who told me that he lov'd me.

--_Alberto_, if thou art oblig'd to me, [Aside.

For what I have not yet observ'd in thee, Oh, do not say my Heart was easily won, But blame your Eyes, whose forces none can shun.

_Ant._ Not a word, what can he mean by this?

_Ism._ Sir, will you please to sit a while?

_Isab._ Madam, the inner Chamber is much better, For there he may repose upon the Cushions Till my Lord's return; I see he is not well-- --And you are both sick of one Disease. [Aside.

_Alb._ I thank you, here's more Air, --And that I need, for I am all on fire, [Aside.

And every Look adds fuel to my flame.

--I must avoid those Eyes, whose Light misguides me: --Madam, I have some business calls me hence, And cannot wait my Friend's return.

_Ism._ _Antonio_, Sir, will think 'tis my neglect That drove you hence; pray stay a little longer.

_Alb._ You shall command me, if you can dispense With so dull Company.

_Ism._ I can with any thing _Antonio_ loves.

_Alb_. Madam, it is a Virtue that becomes you; For though your Husband should not merit this, Your Goodness is not less to be admir'd; But he's a Man so truly worth your Kindness, That 'twere a Sin to doubt Your Pa.s.sion for him were not justly paid.

_Ism._ Sir, I believe you, and I hope he thinks That my opinion of him equals yours; 'Tis plain he loves me not; [Aside.

Perhaps his Virtue, thinking me _Clarina_, May hide the real Pa.s.sion of his Soul.

Oh Love, what dangerous Paths thou mak'st us tread!

_Ant._ Cold, cold as Devotion, oh inhuman Friendship! [Aside.

_Alb._ What shall I do next? I must either be rude, And say nothing, or speak of Love to her; And then, my Friend, thou'rt lost should I prevail, And I'm undone should she not hear my Tale, Which for the World I would not have her hear; And yet I fear my Eyes too much declare.

_Ism._ Since he's in so ill an Humour, let's leave him, I'm satisfy'd now that thou'rt mistaken.

[Ex. _Ismena_ and _Isabella_ unseen.

_Alb._ But they shall gaze no more on hers, Nor stray beyond the limits of a just Salute.

--I will my Honour to my Love prefer, And my _Antonio_ shall out-rival her.

[Looks about, and misses them.

--Ah, am I left alone! how frail is Man!

That which last Moment I resolv'd upon, I find my Heart already disapprove, And grieve her loss; can this be ought but Love?

My Soul's dissatisfy'd now she is gone, And yet but now I wish'd to be alone.

--Inform me, Love, who shares the better part, Friendship, or thee, in my divided Heart. [Offers to go.

Enter _Antonio_, and stays him.

_Ant._ Whither in such haste?

Thou look'st e'en as sad as a Lover repuls'd, I fear that Fate's not thine.

_Alb._ Now for a lye to satisfy him. [Aside.

Prithee discharge me of this toil of dissembling, Of which I grow as weary as she's of hearing it.

_Ant._ Indeed!