The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Iv Part 81

_Whiff._ Ay, what can you say for your self, did you not draw your Sword, Sirrah?

_Haz._ I did.

_Tim._ 'Tis sufficient, he confesses the Fact, and we'll hear no more.

_Haz._ You will not hear the Provocation given.

_Dull._ 'Tis enough, Sir, you drew--

_Whim._ Ay, ay, 'tis enough, he drew--let him be fin'd.

_Friend._ The Gentleman should be heard, he's Kinsman too to Colonel _John Surelove_.

_Tim._ Hum--Colonel _Surelove's_ Kinsman.

_Whiff._ Is he so? nay, then all the reason in the World he should be heard, Brothers.

_Whim._ Come, come, Cornet, you shall be Friends with the Gentleman; this was some drunken bout, I'll warrant you.

_Tim._ Ha, ha, ha, so it was, Gads zoors.

_Whiff._ Come, drink to the Gentleman, and put it up.

_Tim._ Sir, my service to you, I am heartily sorry for what's pa.s.s'd, but it was in my drink.

[Drinks.

_Whim._ You hear his Acknowledgments, Sir, and when he's sober he never quarrels. Come, Sir, sit down, my Service to you.

_Haz._ I beg your excuse, Gentlemen--I have earnest business.

_Dull._ Let us adjourn the Court, and prepare to meet the Regiments on the _Sevana_.

[All go but _Friend._ and _Hazard_.

_Haz._ Is this the best Court of Judicature your Country affords?

_Friend._ To give it its due, it is not. But how does thy Amour thrive?

_Haz._ As well as I can wish in so short a time.

_Friend._ I see she regards thee with kind Eyes, Sighs and Blushes.

_Haz._ Yes, and tells me I am so like a Brother she had --to excuse her kind concern,--then blushes so prettily, that, Gad, I cou'd not forbear making a discovery of my Heart.

_Friend._ Have a care of that, come upon her by slow degrees, for I know she is virtuous;--but come, let's to the _Sevana_, where I'll present you to the two Colonels, _Wellman_ and _Downright_, the Men that manage all till the arrival of the Governour.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II. The _Sevana_ or Heath.

Enter _Wellman_, _Downright_, _Boozer_, and Officers.

_Well._ Have you dispatch'd the Scouts, to watch the Motions of the Enemies? I know that _Bacon_ is violent and haughty, and will resent our vain Attempts upon him; therefore we must be speedy in prevention.

_Down._ What Forces have you raised since our last order?

_Booz._ Here's a List of 'em, they came but slowly in, till we promised every one a Bottle of Brandy.

Enter _Officer_ and _Dunce_.

_Offi._ We have brought Mr. _Dunce_ here, as your Honour commanded us; after strict search we found him this Morning in bed with Madam _Flirt_.

_Down._ No matter, he'll exclaim no less against the Vices of the Flesh the next Sunday.

_Dun._ I hope, Sir, you will not credit the Malice of my Enemies.

_Well._ No more, you are free, and what you counsell'd about the Ambush, was both prudent and seasonable, and perhaps I now wish it had taken effect.

Enter _Friendly_ and _Hazard_.

_Friend._ I have brought an _English_ Gentleman to kiss your Hands, Sir, and offer you his Service, he is young and brave, and Kinsman to Colonel _Surelove_.

_Well._ Sir, you are welcome; and to let you see you are so, we will give you your Kinsman's Command, Captain of a Troop of Horse-Guards, and which I'm sure will be continued to you when the Governour arrives.

_Haz._ I shall endeavour to deserve the Honour, Sir.

Enter _Dull._ _Tim._ _Whim._ and _Whiff_, all in Buff, Scarf, and Feather.

_Down._ So, Gentlemen, I see you're in a readiness.

_Tim._ Readiness! What means he, I hope we are not to be drawn out to go against the Enemy, Major.

_Dull._ If we are, they shall look a new Major for me.

_Well._ We were debating, Gentlemen, what course were best to pursue against this powerful Rebel.

_Friend._ Why, Sir, we have Forces enough, let's charge him instantly, Delays are dangerous.

_Tim._ Why, what a d.a.m.n'd fiery Fellow is this?

_Down._ But if we drive him to extremities, we fear his siding with the _Indians_.

_Dull._ Colonel _Downright_ has. .h.i.t it; why should we endanger our Men against a desperate Termagant; If he love Wounds and Scars so well, let him exercise on our Enemies--but if he will needs fall upon us, 'tis then time enough for us to venture our Lives and Fortunes.

_Tim._ How, we go to _Bacon_! under favour, I think 'tis his duty to come to us, an you go to that, Gads zoors.

_Friend._ If he do, 'twill cost you dear, I doubt, Cornet.--I find by our List, Sir, we are four thousand Men.

_Tim._ Gads zoors, not enough for a Breakfast for that insatiate _Bacon_, and his two Lieutenant Generals, _Fearless_ and _Daring_.