The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Iv Part 44

_Ism._ Love you, and what would be the end of that?

_Alb._ I cannot tell, but wish you were inclin'd To make a tryal, Madam; I have no thought or wish beyond that Blessing, And that once gain'd, sure I should ask no more.

_Ism._ Were I inclin'd to this, have you consider'd The fatal Consequences which attend The breach of Vows and Friendship?

_Alb._ Madam, _Antonio_ first was false to you, And not to punish that were such a Virtue As he would never thank you for; By all that's good, till he prov'd so to you, He had my Soul in keeping; But this act makes me resolve To recompense his Folly.

_Ism._ You've found the easiest Pa.s.sage to my Heart, You've took it on the weakest side; --But I must beg you will pretend no further.

_Alb._ Divine _Clarina_, let me pay my thanks In this submissive Posture, and never rise, [Kneels.

Till I can gain so much upon your Credit, As to believe my Pa.s.sion tends no farther Than to adore you thus--and thus possess you.

[Kisses her hand, and bows.

_Ism._ Have not I dissembled finely, _Isabella_? [Aside.

_Isab._ Yes, if you could make me believe 'tis so. [Aside.

_Ism._ Rise, Sir, and leave me, that I may blush alone For what I've parted with so easily; Pray do not visit me again too soon, --But use your own discretion, and be secret.

_Alb._ Madam, the blessed Secret here is lodg'd, Which Time shall ne'er reveal to human Knowledge. [Ex. _Alb._

_Ism._ I'm glad he's gone before _Antonio's_ return.

Enter _Laura_ weeping.

--What, _Laura_, all in Tears! the reason, pray.

_Lau._ Madam, the Prince, conducted by my Brother, About an Hour since made me a Visit; The Man of all the World I would have shun'd, Knowing his amorous and inconstant Temper.

--At his approach he blusht and started back, And I with great amazement did the like.

With fear I lost all power of going from him.

As he had done of making his Address; He gaz'd and wonder'd, and I gaz'd on him, And from his silence I became amaz'd.

--My Brother stood confounded at our Postures, And only by the motion of his Head (Which now he turn'd to me, then on the Prince) We knew that he had Life.

_Ism._ Well, how recover'd ye?

_Lau._ The Prince then kneel'd, but could approach no nearer; And then as if he'd taken me for some Deity, He made a long disorder'd amorous Speech, Which brought me back to Sense again: But _Lorenzo_ told him that I was a Mortal, And brought him nearer to me, Where he began to make such Vows of Love--

_Ism._ What then?

_Lau._ Then I am ruin'd-- To all I said he found a contradiction, And my denials did but more inflame him; I told him of the Vows I'ad made to _Curtius_, But he reply'd that _Curtius_ was a Subject.

But sure at last I'd won upon his Goodness, Had not my Father enter'd, To whom the Prince addrest himself; And with his moving tale so won upon him, Or rather by his Quality, That he has gain'd his leave to visit me, And quite forbids me e'er to speak to _Curtius_.

_Ism._ Alas the day, is this all?

_Lau._ All! can there be more to make me miserable?

_Ism._ I see no reason thou hast to complain: Come, wipe your Eyes, and take a good Heart; For I'll tell thee a Story of my own, That will let thee see I have much more cause to weep; And yet I have a thousand little Stratagems In my Head, which give me as many hopes: This unlucky restraint upon our s.e.x, Makes us all cunning; and that shall a.s.sist thee now With my help, I warrant thee; Come in with me, and know the rest.

[Exeunt.

_Isab._ So, so, disguise it how you will, I know you are a real Lover; And that secret shall advance my Love-design.

Yes, Madam, now I will be serv'd by you, Or you shall fail to find a Friend of me. [Ex. _Isab._

SCENE III. The Street.

Enter _Lorenzo_ drunk, with a _Page_, and Musick, as in the dark.

_Lor._ Here's the Door, begin and play your best, But let them be soft low Notes, do you hear? [They play.

Enter _Antonio_.

_Ant._ Musick at my Lodgings! it is _Alberto_; Oh, how I love him for't--if _Clarina_ stand his Courtship, I am made; I languish between Hope and Fear.

_Lor._ Stay, Friend, I hear somebody. [Musick ceases.

_Pag._ 'Tis n.o.body, Sir.

Enter _Isabella_.

_Isab._ 'Tis _Lorenzo_, and my Plot's ripe; [Aside.

[_Lorenzo_ being retir'd the while a little further.

'Twill not sure be hard to get him, under pretence Of seeing _Clarina_, into my Chamber, And then I'll order him at my pleasure; _Ismena_ is on my side, for I know all her Secrets, And she must wink at mine therefore. [She retires.

_Lor._ Thou art in the right, Boy, I think indeed 'twas nothing. [Plays again.

Enter _Alberto_.

_Alb._ She yields, bad Woman!

Why so easily won?

By me too, who am thy Husband's Friend: Oh dangerous Boldness! unconsidering Woman!

I lov'd thee, whilst I thought thou couldst not yield; But now that Easiness has undone thy Interest in my Heart, I'll back, and tell thee that it was to try thee.

_Lor._ No, no, 'twas my Fears, away with the Song, I'll take it on your word that 'tis fit for my purpose.

_Fid._ I'll warrant you, my Lord.

SONG.

_In vain I have labour'd the Victor to prove Of a Heart that can ne'er give attendance to Love; So hard to be done.

That nothing so young Could e'er have resisted a Pa.s.sion so long.

Yet nothing I left unattempted or said, That might soften the Heart of this pitiless Maid; But still she was shy, And would blushing deny, Whilst her willinger Eyes gave her Language the lye.

Since, _Phillis_, my Pa.s.sion you vow to despise, Withdraw the false Hopes from your flattering Eyes: For whilst they inspire A resistless vain Fire, We shall grow to abhor, what we now do admire._ [Ex. _Musick_.