The Works of Aphra Behn Volume I Part 6

_Flor._ Yes, I knew him at the Siege of _Pampelona_, he was then a Colonel of _French_ Horse, who when the Town was ransack'd, n.o.bly treated my Brother and my self, preserving us from all Insolencies; and I must own, (besides great Obligations) I have I know not what, that pleads kindly for him about my Heart, and will suffer no other to enter-- But see my Brother.

Enter _Don Pedro_, _Stephano_, with a Masquing Habit, and _Callis_.

_Pedro._ Good morrow, Sister. Pray, when saw you your Lover Don _Vincentio_?

_Flor._ I know not, Sir-- _Callis_, when was he here? for I consider it so little, I know not when it was.

_Pedro._ I have a Command from my Father here to tell you, you ought not to despise him, a Man of so vast a Fortune, and such a Pa.s.sion for you-- _Stephano_, my things-- [Puts on his Masquing Habit.

_Flor._ A Pa.s.sion for me! 'tis more than e'er I saw, or had a desire should be known-- I hate _Vincentio_, and I would not have a Man so dear to me as my Brother follow the ill Customs of our Country, and make a Slave of his Sister-- And Sir, my Father's Will, I'm sure, you may divert.

_Pedro._ I know not how dear I am to you, but I wish only to be rank'd in your Esteem, equal with the _English_ Colonel _Belvile_-- Why do you frown and blush? Is there any Guilt belongs to the Name of that Cavalier?

_Flor._ I'll not deny I value _Belvile_: when I was expos'd to such Dangers as the licens'd l.u.s.t of common Soldiers threatned, when Rage and Conquest flew thro the City-- then _Belvile_, this Criminal for my sake, threw himself into all Dangers to save my Honour, and will you not allow him my Esteem?

_Pedro._ Yes, pay him what you will in Honour-- but you must consider Don _Vincentio's_ Fortune, and the Jointure he'll make you.

_Flor._ Let him consider my Youth, Beauty and Fortune; which ought not to be thrown away on his Age and Jointure.

_Pedro._ 'Tis true, he's not so young and fine a Gentleman as that _Belvile_-- but what Jewels will that Cavalier present you with? those of his Eyes and Heart?

_h.e.l.l._ And are not those better than any Don _Vincentio_ has brought from the _Indies_?

_Pedro._ Why how now! Has your Nunnery-breeding taught you to understand the Value of Hearts and Eyes?

_h.e.l.l._ Better than to believe _Vincentio_ deserves Value from any woman-- He may perhaps encrease her Bags, but not her Family.

_Pedro._ This is fine-- Go up to your Devotion, you are not design'd for the Conversation of Lovers.

_h.e.l.l._ Nor Saints yet a while I hope. [Aside.] Is't not enough you make a Nun of me, but you must cast my Sister away too, exposing her to a worse confinement than a religious Life?

_Pedro._ The Girl's mad-- Is it a Confinement to be carry'd into the Country, to an antient Villa belonging to the Family of the _Vincentio's_ these five hundred Years, and have no other Prospect than that pleasing one of seeing all her own that meets her Eyes-- a fine Air, large Fields and Gardens, where she may walk and gather Flowers?

_h.e.l.l._ When? By Moon-Light? For I'm sure she dares not encounter with the heat of the Sun; that were a Task only for Don _Vincentio_ and his _Indian_ Breeding, who loves it in the Dog-days-- And if these be her daily Divertis.e.m.e.nts, what are those of the Night? to lie in a wide Moth-eaten Bed-Chamber with Furniture in Fashion in the Reign of King _Sancho_ the First; the Bed that which his Forefathers liv'd and dy'd in.

_Pedro._ Very well.

_h.e.l.l._ This Apartment (new furbisht and fitted out for the young Wife) he (out of Freedom) makes his Dressing-room; and being a frugal and a jealous c.o.xcomb, instead of a Valet to uncase his feeble Carcase, he desires you to do that Office-- Signs of Favour, I'll a.s.sure you, and such as you must not hope for, unless your Woman be out of the way.

_Pedro._ Have you done yet?

_h.e.l.l._ That Honour being past, the Giant stretches it self, yawns and sighs a Belch or two as loud as a Musket, throws himself into Bed, and expects you in his foul Sheets, and e'er you can get your self undrest, calls you with a Snore or two-- And are not these fine Blessings to a young Lady?

_Pedro._ Have you done yet?

_h.e.l.l._ And this man you must kiss, nay, you must kiss none but him too-- and nuzle thro his Beard to find his Lips-- and this you must submit to for threescore Years, and all for a Jointure.

_Pedro._ For all your Character of Don _Vincentio_, she is as like to marry him as she was before.

_h.e.l.l._ Marry Don _Vincentio_! hang me, such a Wedlock would be worse than Adultery with another Man: I had rather see her in the _Hostel de Dieu_, to waste her Youth there in Vows, and be a Handmaid to Lazers and Cripples, than to lose it in such a Marriage.

_Pedro._ You have consider'd, Sister, that _Belvile_ has no Fortune to bring you to, is banisht his Country, despis'd at home, and pity'd abroad.

_h.e.l.l._ What then? the Vice-Roy's Son is better than that Old Sir Fisty.

Don _Vincentio_! Don _Indian_! he thinks he's trading to _Gambo_ still, and wou'd barter himself (that Bell and Bawble) for your Youth and Fortune.

_Pedro._ _Callis_, take her hence, and lock her up all this Carnival, and at Lent she shall begin her everlasting Penance in a Monastery.

_h.e.l.l._ I care not, I had rather be a Nun, than be oblig'd to marry as you wou'd have me, if I were design'd for't.

_Pedro._ Do not fear the Blessing of that Choice-- you shall be a Nun.

_h.e.l.l._ Shall I so? you may chance to be mistaken in my way of Devotion-- A Nun! yes I am like to make a fine Nun! I have an excellent Humour for a Grate: No, I'll have a Saint of my own to pray to shortly, if I like any that dares venture on me.

[Aside.

_Pedro._ _Callis_, make it your Business to watch this wild Cat. As for you, _Florinda_, I've only try'd you all this while, and urg'd my Father's Will; but mine is, that you would love _Antonio_, he is brave and young, and all that can compleat the Happiness of a gallant Maid-- This Absence of my Father will give us opportunity to free you from _Vincentio_, by marrying here, which you must do to morrow.

_Flor._ To morrow!

_Pedro._ To morrow, or 'twill be too late-- 'tis not my Friendship to _Antonio_, which makes me urge this, but Love to thee, and Hatred to _Vincentio_-- therefore resolve upon't to morrow.

_Flor._ Sir, I shall strive to do, as shall become your Sister.

_Pedro._ I'll both believe and trust you-- Adieu.

[Ex. _Ped._ and _Steph._

_h.e.l.l._ As become his Sister!-- That is, to be as resolved your way, as he is his-- [_h.e.l.l._ goes to _Callis_.

_Flor._ I ne'er till now perceiv'd my Ruin near, I've no Defence against _Antonio's_ Love, For he has all the Advantages of Nature, The moving Arguments of Youth and Fortune.

_h.e.l.l._ But hark you, _Callis_, you will not be so cruel to lock me up indeed: will you?

_Call._ I must obey the Commands I hate-- besides, do you consider what a Life you are going to lead?

_h.e.l.l._ Yes, _Callis_, that of a Nun: and till then I'll be indebted a World of Prayers to you, if you let me now see, what I never did, the Divertis.e.m.e.nts of a Carnival.

_Call._ What, go in Masquerade? 'twill be a fine farewell to the World I take it-- pray what wou'd you do there?

_h.e.l.l._ That which all the World does, as I am told, be as mad as the rest, and take all innocent Freedom-- Sister, you'll go too, will you not? come prithee be not sad-- We'll out-wit twenty Brothers, if you'll be ruled by me-- Come put off this dull Humour with your Clothes, and a.s.sume one as gay, and as fantastick as the Dress my Cousin _Valeria_ and I have provided, and let's ramble.

_Flor._ _Callis_, will you give us leave to go?

_Call._ I have a youthful Itch of going my self. [Aside.] --Madam, if I thought your Brother might not know it, and I might wait on you, for by my troth I'll not trust young Girls alone.

_Flor._ Thou see'st my Brother's gone already, and thou shalt attend and watch us.

Enter _Stephano_.

_Steph._ Madam, the Habits are come, and your Cousin Valeria is drest, and stays for you.