The Works of Aphra Behn Volume I Part 54

_Aria._ You see how well he far'd for being modest.

_Will._ He might be modest, but 'twas not over-civil to put her G.o.ddessship to asking first; thou seest I'm better bred-- Come let's haste to silent Grots that attend us, dark Groves where none can see, and murmuring Fountains.

_Aria._ Stay, let me consider first, you are a Stranger, inconstant too as Island Winds, and every day are fighting for your Mistresses, of which you've had at least four since I saw you first, which is not a whole day.

_Will._ I grant ye, before I was a Lover I ran at random, but I'll take up now, be a patient Man, and keep to one Woman a Month.

_Aria._ A Month!

_Will._ And a fair Reason, Child; time was, I wou'd have worn one Shirt, or one pair of Shoos so long as have let the Sun set twice upon the same Sin: but see the Power of Love; thou hast bewitched me, that's certain.

_Aria._ Have a care of giving me the ascendent over ye, for fear I make ye marry me.

_Will._ Hold, I bar that cast, Child; no, I'm none of those Spirits that can be conjur'd into a Wedding-ring, and dance in the dull matrimonial Circle all my Days.

_Aria._ But what think you of a hundred thousand Crowns, and a Beauty of sixteen?

_Will._ As of most admirable Blessings: but harkye, Child, I am plaguily afraid thou'rt some scurvy honest thing of Quality by these odd Questions of thine, and hast some wicked Design upon my Body.

_Aria._ What, to have and to hold I'll warrant.-- No Faith, Sir, Maids of my Quality expect better Jointures than a Buff-coat, Scarf and Feather: such Portions as mine are better Ornaments in a Family than a Captain and his Commission.

_Will._ Why well said, now thou hast explain'd thy self like a Woman of Honour-- Come, come, let's away.

_Aria._ Explain my self! How mean ye?

_Will._ --Thou say'st I am not fit to marry thee-- and I believe this a.s.signation was not made to tell me so, nor yet to hear me whistle to the Birds.

_Aria._ Faith no, I saw you, lik'd ye, and had a mind to ye.

_Will._ Ay, Child--

_Aria._ In short, I took ye for a Man of Honour.

_Will._ Nay, if I tell the Devil take me.

_Aria._ I am a Virgin in Distress.

_Will._ Poor Heart.

_Aria._ To be marry'd within a Day or two to one I like not.

_Will._ Hum-- and therefore wouldst dispose of a small Virgin Treasure (too good for silly Husbands) in a Friend's Hands: faith, Child-- I was ever a good religious charitable Christian, and shall acquit my self as honestly and piously in this Affair as becomes a Gentleman.

Enter _Abevile_ with Musick.

_Abev._ Come away, are ye all arm'd for the Business?

_Aria._ Hah, arm'd! we are surpriz'd again.

_Will._ Fear not. [Draws.

_Aria._ Oh G.o.d, Sir, haste a way, you are already wounded: but I conjure you, as a Man of Honour, be here at the Garden Gate to night again, and bring a Friend, in case of Danger, with you; and if possible I'll put my self into your Hands, for this Night's Work has ruin'd me-- [Speaking quick, and pushing him forwards runs off.

_Abev._ My Master sure not gone yet-- [Peeping advancing.

_Will._ Rascals, tho you are odds, you'll find hot Work in vanquishing.

[Falls on 'em.

_Abev._ Hold, Sir, I am your Page. Do you not know me? and these the Musick you commanded-- shall I carry 'em where you order'd, Sir?

_Will._ They take me for some other, this was lucky. [Aside.]

O, aye-- 'tis well-- I'll follow-- but whither?-- Plague of my dull Mistakes, the Woman's gone-- yet stay-- [Calls 'em.

For now I think on't, this Mistake may help me to another-- stay-- I must dispose of this mad Fire about me, which all these Disappointments cannot lay-- Oh for some young kind Sinner in the nick-- How I cou'd souse upon her like a Bird of Prey, and worry her with Kindness.

[Aside.] --Go on, I follow.

[Exeunt.

Scene changes to _La Nuche's_ House.

Enter _Petronella_ and _Aurelia_ with Light.

_Aur._ Well, the Stranger is in Bed, and most impatiently expects our Patrona, who is not yet returned.

_Pet._ Curse of this Love! I know she's in pursuit of this Rover, this _English_ Piece of Impudence; Pox on 'em, I know nothing good in the whole Race of 'em, but giving all to their Shirts when they're drunk.

What shall we do, _Aurelia_? This Stranger must not be put off, nor _Carlo_ neither, who has fin'd again as if for a new Maidenhead.

_Aur._ You are so covetous, you might have put 'em off, but now 'tis too late.

_Pet._ Put off! Are these Fools to be put off think ye? a fine Fop _Englishman_, and an old doating Grandee?-- No, I cou'd put the old trick on 'em still, had she been here but to have entertain'd 'em: but hark, one knocks, 'tis _Carlo_ on my Life--

Enter _Carlo_, gives _Petronella_ Gold.

_Car._ Let this plead for me.

_Pet._ Sweet Don, you are the most eloquent Person.

_Car._ I would regale to night-- I know it is not mine, but I've sent five hundred Crowns to purchase it, because I saw another bargaining for't; and Persons of my Quality must not be refus'd: you apprehend me.

_Pet._ Most rightly-- that was the Reason then she came so out of Humour home-- and is gone to Bed in such a sullen Fit.

_Car._ To Bed, and all alone! I would surprize her there. Oh how it pleases me to think of stealing into her Arms like a fine Dream, Wench, hah.

_Aur._ 'Twill be a pleasant one, no doubt.

_Pet._ He lays the way out how he'll be cozen'd. [Aside.]

--The Seigniora perhaps may be angry, Sir, but I'll venture that to accommodate you; and that you may surprize her the more readily, be pleased to stay in my Chamber, till you think she may be asleep.

_Car._ Thou art a perfect Mistress of thy Trade.