The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Iv Part 61

--Here thou mayst finish now the Life thou threaten'st.

_Cur._ Now, Sir, you know my Justice and my Power; Yet since my Prince can shed a Tear for _Cloris_, I can forgive him; here, Sir,--send me to _Cloris_, [Kneels, and offers his Sword.

That Mercy possibly will redeem the rest Of all the Wrongs you've done me; And you shall find nothing but Sorrow here, And a poor broken Heart that did adore you.

_Fred._ Rise, _Curtius_, and divide my Dukedom with me; Do any thing that may preserve thy Life, And gain my Pardon; alas, thy Honour's safe, Since yet none knows that _Cloris_ was thy Sister, Or if they do, I must proclaim this truth; She dy'd thy Prince's Wife.

_Cur._ These Tidings would be welcome to my Sister, And I the fitting'st Man to bear that News.

[Offers to stab himself; is held by _Frederick_, _Laura_, and _Cloris_, who come in with _Isabella_, dress'd like _Philibert_, and the rest.

_Lau._ Stay, _Curtius_, and take me with thee in the way.

_Cur._ _Laura_, my dearest _Laura_! how came you hither?

_Lau._ Commanded by your Letter; have you forgot it?

_Fred._ _Curtius_, look here, is this not _Cloris'_ Face?

_Cur._ The same; Oh my sweet Sister, is it thee?

[_Curtius_ goes to embrace her, she goes back.

_Fred._ Do not be shy, my Soul, it is thy Brother.

_Cur._ Yes, a Brother who despis'd his Life, When he believ'd yours lost or sham'd: But now the Prince will take a care of it.

_Clo._ May I believe my Soul so truly bless'd?

_Fred._ Yes, _Cloris_, and thus low I beg thy pardon [Kneels.

For all the Fears that I have made thee suffer.

Enter all the rest, first _Antonio_ and _Alberto_, without their Vizors.

_Clo._ Rise, Sir, it is my Duty and my Glory.

_Alb._ Sir, we have Pardons too to beg of you.

_Fred._ _Antonio_ and _Alberto_, what, turn'd Bravoes?

_Cur._ I am amaz'd.

_Ant._ You'll cease your Wonder, Sir, when you shall know, --Those Braves which formerly belong'd to you, Are now maintain'd by me; which _Pietro_ hir'd For this night's service; and from them we learnt What was to be done, (though not on whom) But that we guess'd, and thought it but our duty To put this Cheat on _Curtius_; Which had we seen had been resolv'd to kill you, Had been by us prevented: The Ladies too would needs be Curtezans To serve your Highness.

_Fred._ I'm much oblig'd to them, as you.

--_Cloris_, a while I'll leave thee with thy Brother, Till I have reconcil'd thee to my Father: To marry me, is what he long has wish'd for, And will, I know, receive this News with Joy. [Exit Prince.

_Lor._ Here's fine doings; what am I like to come to if he Turn honest now? This is the worst piece of Inconstancy He ever was guilty of; to change ones Humour, or so, Sometimes, is nothing: but to change Nature, To turn good on a sudden, and never give a Man Civil warning, is a Defeat not be endur'd; I'll see the end on't though. [Goes out.

_Alb._ Here, _Antonio_--imagine how I love thee, Who make thee such a Present.

[Gives him _Clarina_, who is dressed just as _Ismena_ was, and _Ismena_ in a Masquing Habit.

_Ant._ _Clarina_, can you pardon my Offence, And bless me with that Love, You have but justly taken from me?

_Clar._ You wrong me, Sir, I ne'er withdrew my Heart, Though you, but too unkindly, did your Confidence.

_Ant._ Do not upbraid me; that I was so to blame, Is shame enough: pray pardon, and forget it.

_Clar._ I do.

_Ant._ _Alberto_, to shew my Grat.i.tude in what I may, I beg you would receive _Ismena_ from me.

_Alb._ Who's this?

_Ant._ Ismena, whom I promis'd thee.

_Alb._ It is _Clarina_; do you mock my Pain? [Shows _Ismena_.

_Ant._ By Heaven, not I; this is _Clarina_, Sir.

_Alb._ That thy Wife _Clarina!_ A Beauty which till now I never saw.

_Ant._ Sure thou art mad, didst thou not give her me but now, And hast not entertain'd her all this night?

_Alb._ Her Habit and her Vizard did deceive me; I took her for this lady,--Oh bless'd Mistake!

_Ism._ I see you're in the dark, but I'll unfold the Riddle, --Sir, in the Pa.s.sage from the Monastery, Attended only by my Confessor, A Gentleman, a Pa.s.senger, in the same Boat, Address'd himself to me; And made a many little Courtships to me: I being veil'd, he knew not who receiv'd them, Nor what Confusion they begot in me.

At the first sight, I grew to great esteems of him, But when I heard him speak-- I'm not asham'd to say he was my Conqueror.

_Alb._ Oh, Madam, was it you?

Who by your Conversation in that Voyage, Gave me Disquiets, Which nothing but your Eyes could reconcile again?

_Ism._ 'Twas I whom you deceiv'd with some such Language.

--After my coming home I grew more melancholy, And by my silence did increase my Pain; And soon _Clarina_ found I was a Lover, Which I confess'd at last, and nam'd the Object.

She told me of your Friendship with _Antonio_, And gave me hopes that I again should see you: --But _Isabella_ over-heard the Plot, Which, Sir, _Antonio_ did contrive with you, To make a feigned Courtship to _Clarina_, And told us all the story.

_Alb._ Oh, how I'm ravish'd with my Happiness!

_Ism._ _Clarina_, Sir, at first was much inrag'd, And vow'd she would revenge her on _Antonio_; But I besought her to be pleas'd again, And said I would contrive a Counter-Plot, Should satisfy her Honour and Revenge.

Thus, Sir, I got a Garment like to hers; And to be courted, though but in jest, by you, I run all hazards of my Brother's Anger, And your opinion of my Lightness too.

_Clar._ 'Twas a Temptation, Sir, I would not venture on, Lest from the reasons of a just Revenge, And so much Beauty as _Alberto_ own'd, My Virtue should not well secure your Interest.

_Ant._ But why, _Ismena_, was that killing Plot, When I was hid behind the Arras? for now I confess all.

_Ism._ To make _Alberto_ confident of my Love, And try his Friendship to the utmost point.

--_Alberto_ too I found had some reserves, Which I believ'd his Amity to you.

_Alb._ Yes, Madam, whilst I took you for his Wife, I thought it crime enough but to adore you; But now I may with honour own my Pa.s.sion: I will, _Ismena_, confidently a.s.sure you, That I will die, unless you pity me.

_Ism._ She that durst tell you, Sir, how much she lov'd, When you believ'd it was a Sin to do so, Will now make good that Promise with _Antonio's_ leave.