The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Iv Part 48

_Cur._ Hold, Sir, and do not make me guilty of a Sin, Greater than that of yours.

Enter _Salvator_.

_Salv._ G.o.ds pity me; here's fine doings!--Why, how Came this roistring Youngster into my House? Sir, Who sent for you, hah?

_Cur._ Love.

_Salv._ Love, with a Witness to whom? my Daughter?

--No, Sir, she's otherwise dispos'd of I can a.s.sure You. Be gone and leave my House, and that quickly Too; and thank me that I do not secure Thee for a Traitor.

_Cur._ Will you not hear me speak?

_Salv._ Not a word, Sir, go, be gone; unless your Highness will have him apprehended. [To _Fred._

_Fred._ No, Sir, it shall not need--_Curtius_, look To hear from me.-- [Comes up to him, and tells him so in a menacing Tone, and go out severally.

_Salv._ Go, Mrs. _Minks_, get you in.

[Ex. _Salv._ and _Lau._

SCENE II. A Street.

Enter _Frederick_ pa.s.sing in Anger over the Stage, meets _Lorenzo_.

_Lor._ O Sir, I'm glad I've found you; for I have the rarest News for you.

_Fred._ What News?

_Lor._ Oh the Devil, he's angry;--Why, Sir, the prettiest young--

_Fred._ There's for your Intelligence. [Strikes him, and goes out.

_Lor._ So, very well; how mortal is the favour of Princes! these be turns of State now; what the Devil ails he trow; sure he could not be Offended with the News I have brought him; If he be, he's strangely out of tune: And sure he has too much Wit to grow virtuous at these Years. No, no, he has had some repulse from a Lady; and that's a wonder; for he has a Tongue and a Purse that seldom fails: if Youth and Vigour would Stretch as far, he were the wonder of the Age.

Enter _Curtius_.

_Cur._ _Lorenzo_, didst thou see the Prince?

_Lor._ Marry, did I, and feel him too.

_Cur._ Why, did he strike you?

_Lor._ I'm no true Subject if he did not; and that Only for doing that Service which once was most acceptable To him.--Prithee what's the matter with him, hah?

_Cur._ I know not, leave me.

_Lor._ Leave thee, what, art thou out of humour too?

Let me but know who 'tis has disoblig'd thee, and I'll--

_Cur._ What wilt thou?

_Lor._ Never see his Face more, if a Man.

_Cur._ And what if a Woman?

_Lor._ Then she's an idle peevish s.l.u.t, I'll warrant her.

_Cur._ Conclude it so, and leave me.

_Lor._ Nay, now thou hast said the only thing that could Keep me with thee, thou mayst be desperate; I'll Tell you, _Curtius_, these female Mischiefs make Men Take dangerous Resolutions sometimes.

Enter _Alberto_.

_Alb._ _Curtius_, I've something to deliver to your Ear.

[Whispers.

_Cur._ Any thing from _Alberto_ is welcome.

_Lor._ Well, I will be hang'd if there be not some Mischief in agitation; it cannot be wenching; They look all too dull and sober for that; And besides, then I should have been a party concern'd.

_Cur._ The place and time.

_Alb._ An hour hence i'th' Grove by the River-side.

_Cur._ Alone, thou say'st?

_Alb._ Alone, the Prince will have it so.

_Cur._ I will not fail a moment. [Ex. _Alb._ --So this has eas'd my heart of half its Load.

_Lor._ I'll sneak away, for this is some fighting Business, and I may perhaps be invited a Second, A Compliment I care not for. [Offers to go.

_Cur._ _Lorenzo_, a word with you.

_Lor._ 'Tis so, what shall I do now? [Aside.

_Cur._ Stay.

_Lor._ I am a little in haste, my Lord.

_Cur._ I shall soon dispatch you.

_Lor._ I believe so, for I am half dead already With Fear. [Aside.] --Sir, I have promis'd to make a visit To a Lady, and--

_Cur._ What I've to say will not detain you long.

_Lor._ What a Dog was I, I went not When he first desir'd me to go!