The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Iv Part 57

_Ism._ I'm glad on't, Sir; then I have pleasant News for you, I know a Lady, and a Virgin too, That loves you with such Pa.s.sion, As has oblig'd me to become her Advocate.

_Alb._ I am very much oblig'd to her, If there be any such.

_Ism._ Upon my Life, there is; I am in earnest, The Lady is my Sister too.

_Alb._ How, _Clarina_, this from you?

_Ism._ Nay, I have promis'd her, that you shall love her too, Since both her Birth and Beauty merits you.

_Alb._ Away, false Woman: I love your Sister!

No, I will hate ye both.

_Ism._ Why so Angry?

Alas, it is against my Will I do it.

_Alb._ Did you betray my Faith, when 'twas so easy To give a credit to your tale of Love?

--Oh Woman, faithless Woman!

_Ism._ _Alberto_, with a world of shame I own That I then lov'd you, and must do so still: But since that Love must be accounted criminal, And that a world of danger does attend it; I am resolv'd, though I can never quit it, To change it into kind Esteem for you; And would ally you, Sir, as near to me, As our unkind Stars will permit me.

_Alb._ I thank you, Madam: Oh, what a shame it is, To be out-done in Virtue, as in Love!

_Ism._ Another favour I must beg of you, That you will tell _Antonio_ what is past.

_Alb._ How mean you, Madam?

_Ism._ Why, that I love you, Sir, And how I have deceiv'd him into confidence.

_Alb._ This is strange; you cannot mean it sure.

_Ism._ When I intend to be extremely good, I would not have a secret Sin within, Though old, and yet repented too: no, Sir, Confession always goes with Penitence.

_Alb._ Do you repent you that you lov'd me then?

_Ism._ Not so; but that I did abuse _Antonio_.

_Alb._ And can you think that this will cure his Jealousy?

_Ism._ Doubtless it will, when he knows how needless 'tis; For when they're most secure, they're most betray'd: Besides, I did but act the part he made; And Ills he forces, sure he'll not upbraid.

Go seek out _Antonio_.

_Alb._ You have o'ercome me, Madam, every way, And this your last Command I can obey; Your Sister too I'll see, and will esteem, But you've my Heart, which I can ne'er redeem.

[Exeunt severally.

ACT V.

SCENE I. _Laura's_ Chamber.

Enter _Laura_ and _Cloris_ like a Boy, as before.

_Lau._ Forward, dear _Cloris_.

_Clo._ And, Madam, 'twas upon a Holyday, It chanc'd Prince _Frederick_ came into our Village, On some reports were made him of my Beauty, Attended only by the n.o.ble _Curtius_: They found me in the Church at my Devotion, Whom _Frederick_ soon distinguished from the rest; He kneel'd down by me, and instead of Prayer, He fell to praise--but 'twas my Beauty only; --That I could tell you, of my strange surprize!

My Zeal was all disordered, and my Eyes Fed on the false, not real Sacrifice.

--I wanted Art my Sentiments to hide, Which from my Eyes and Blushes soon he spy'd.

_Lau._ And did you know him then?

_Clo._ Not till he left me: --But, to be short, Madam, we parted there; But e'er he went he whisper'd in my ear, And sigh'd, Ah, _Cloris_! e'er you do depart, Tell me, where 'tis you will dispose my Heart?

--Pray give me leave to visit it again, Your Eyes that gave can only ease my Pain.

I, only blushing, gave him my consent; He paid his Thanks in Sighs, and from me went.

That night, alas, I took but little rest; } The new and strange Disorder in my Breast } Can, Madam, only by your self be guest. }

_Lau._ I'll not deny that I'm a Lover too, And can imagine what was felt by you.

_Clo._ No sooner did the welcome Day appear, But _Lucia_ brought me word the Prince was there; His very Name disorder'd me much more, Than did his Sight or Touch the day before; So soon my rising Love grew up to power, So soon he did become my Conqueror.

--How pale and trembling, when he did appear, I grew, he too had marks of Love and Fear.

--But I'll omit the many visits paid, Th' unvalued Presents, and the Oaths he made, My kind Disputes on all his Letters writ, How all my Doubts were answer'd by his Wit; How oft he vow'd to marry me, whilst I Durst not believe the pleasing Perjury: --And only tell you, that one night he came, Led by designs of an impatient Flame; When all the House was silently asleep, Except my self, who Love's sad Watch did keep; Arm'd with his Ponyard, and his Breast all bare, His Face all pale with restless Love and Fear; So many wild and frantick things he said, And so much Grief and Pa.s.sion too betray'd, So often vow'd he'd finish there his Life, If I refus'd him to become his Wife; That I half-dying, said it should be so; Which though I fear'd, Oh, how I wish'd it too!

Both prostrate on the Ground i'th' face of Heaven, His Vows to me, and mine to him were given: --And then, oh, then, what did I not resign!

With the a.s.surance that the Prince was mine. [Weeps.

_Lau._ Poor _Cloris_, how I pity thee!

Since Fate has treated me with equal rigor; --_Curtius_ is banish'd, _Frederick_ still pursues me, And by a cruel Father I'm confin'd, And cannot go to serve my self or thee. [One knocks.

_Lor._ [Without.] Sister _Laura_, Sister.

_Lau._ It is my Brother, would he would be kind, And set us free; he shall not see thee, And I'll persuade him.

[As she puts _Cloris_ into her Closet, enter _Lorenzo_ with a Letter.

_Lor._ Hah, locking her Closet! now, were I a right _Italian_, should I grow jealous, and enrag'd at I know not what: hah, Sister!

What are you doing here?

Open your Cabinet, and let me see't.

_Lau._ Sir, 'tis in disorder, and not worth your seeing now.

_Lor._ 'Tis so, I care not for that, I'll see't.

_Lau._ Pray do not, Brother.

_Lor._ Your denial makes me the more inquisitive.

_Lau._ 'Tis but my saying, he came from the Prince, And he dares not take it ill. [Aside.

--Here, Sir, [Gives him the Key.