The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Iv Part 117

Sir _Row._ What's here, my Rogue?

_Tw.a.n.g._ What's the matter, Gentlemen, that ye enter the House in this hostile manner?

Sir _Morg._ What, Mr. _Tw.a.n.g_, de see!

Sir _Mer._ Ay, ay--stand by Divinity--and know, that we, the Pillars of the Nation, are come, de see--to ravish.

L. _Blun._ Oh, my dear Sir Morgan. [Embraces him.

Sir _Morg._ I do not intend to ravish, like a _Jew_, in my own Tribe--

L. _Youth._ What say they, Mr. _Tw.a.n.g_, ravish? Oh, save my Honour--lead me to my Bed-Chamber, where, if they dare venture to come, they come upon their Peril.

[_Tw.a.n.g_ leads her out. Sir _Morgan_ goes to _Ter._

Sir _Mer._ Old Fellow, do'st hear? Sir _Pandarus_ of _Troy_, deliver me my _Cressida_, de see, peacefully, or I am resolved to bear her off _Vi & Armis_.

L. _Blun._ Sweet Nephew, retire, we are just upon making your Peace.

Sir _Mer._ Ha--Old Queen _Gwiniver_, without her Ruff on?

[Sir _Merlin_ takes hold of her to bear her off; she cries out: Sir _Rowland_ draws upon him. As they are going to fight, _George_ enters.

_Geo._ Is there a Man in Nature's Race so vile, dares lift a guilty Hand against his Father?

Sir _Mer._ Father me no Fathers; I fight for _Teresia_, my lawfully begotten Spouse.

_Geo._ That I once called you Brother, saves your Life; therefore resign your Sword here at his reverend Feet.

Sir _Mer._ Sirrah, you lye, Sirrah--

_Geo._ There, drag away this Brute. [Disarms him. To the Footman.

Sir _Mer._ Rogues, Dogs, bring Mrs. _Teresia_ along with you.

_Ter._ Sure this is my fine Fellow--and yet the very same that's to be married to my Grandmother; nor can that City Habit hide the Gentleman.

[_George_ speaks this while with his Father, who embraces him.

Sir _Morg._ Burnt, say you, Mrs. _Teresia_, de see--my Lady _Mirtilla_ burnt! Nay, then, 'tis time to go to sleep, get sober, and marry again.

[Goes out.

Sir _Row._ Enough, my Boy, enough; thou deserv'st my whole Estate, and thou shalt have it, Boy--This day thou shalt marry the Widow, and I her Grand-child. I'll to my Lawyers, and settle all upon thee instantly.

[Goes out.

_Geo._ How, marry to day--Old Gentleman, you must be cozen'd; and, Faith, that goes against my Conscience--Ha, the Fair, the Young _Teresia_ there--When a man's bent upon Wickedness, the Devil never wants an Opportunity to present him with, that she shou'd be in my way now--Fair Creature, are you resolv'd to be my Mother-in-law?

_Ter._ As sure as you to be my Grandfather, Sir--And see--the News of your being come, has rais'd my Grandmother.

Enter _Lettice_, my Lady's maid, and Lady _Youthly_.

_Geo._ A Pox upon her, her Ghost had been less frightful.

_Ter._ I cou'd have spar'd her now too; but see she advances as swift as Time.

_Geo._ And as old: What shall I do? I dye to speak with you--

L. _Youth._ Where--where's this Young Welcome Gentleman--Oh, are you here, Sir-- [She sees him not, but runs upon him.

_Lettice_, take _Teresia_, and get you to your Chamber, she has her Trinkets to get ready against the Wedding anon, for we'll make but one work of both.

_Ter._ Ay, 'twill save Charges, Madam--

L. _Youth._ Ay, ay, get you gone, Lovers sometimes wou'd be private.

_Geo._ Heark ye--leave me not to her mercy, by Love, if you do, I'll follow you to your Chamber.

_Ter._ Leave you! No, hang me if I do, till I have told you a piece of my mind, for I find there's no dallying.

L. _Youth._ Well, Sir, I have finish'd the Great Work.

_Geo._ I wish you had--_Teresia_, once you made me hope you did not hate me.

L. _Youth._ What says he, _Teresia_?

_Ter._ He says, he hopes you do not hate him, Madam.

L. _Youth._ No, by my Troth, Sir; I feel something for you, I have not felt before.

_Geo._ Not these Threescore Years, I dare swear--You have too much Wit, _Teresia_, to have been only pleas'd with the Embroider'd Coat, and Gawdy Plume, when still the man's the same.

L. _Youth._ What says he, Embroider'd Coat and Plume?

_Ter._ He hopes your Ladyship likes him ne'er the worse, for being without those Fopperies.

L. _Youth._ Marry do I not, I love not this over-finery in a Husband; those Fellows that dress, think so well of themselves, they never mind their Wives.

_Geo._ Are you so dull, _Teresia_, not to see, this Habit was put on, only to get an Opportunity to tell you my Pa.s.sion?

L. _Youth._ Tell me of his Pa.s.sion! was it so, alas, good Young Man--Well, well, I'll defer your Joys no longer, this Night shall make you happy, Mr. _Tw.a.n.g_ shall join us, Sir.

_Geo._ A blessed hearing--You see, Charming Maid, how very short a s.p.a.ce there is between this and the hast'ning hour; stand not on Virgin Niceties, but answer me, our time admits of no Consideration.

_Ter._ I have not been this Four and Twenty hours a Lover, to need Considering; as soon as you had my Heart, you had my Consent, and that was the first moment I saw you at the _Ba.s.set-Table_.

_Geo._ Ha! at the Ba.s.set-Table!

_Ter._ Yes, I was the frank Youth that lent you Money--but no more--your Time and Place.

L. _Youth._ What are you prating to him there?