The Works of Aphra Behn Volume I Part 62

_Beau._ Yes, yes, I know she's innocent of this, for which I owe no thanks to either of you, but to my self who mistook her in the dark.

_La Nu._ And you it seems mistook me for this Lady; I favour'd your Design to gain your Heart, for I was told, that if this Night I lost you, I shou'd never regain you: now I am yours, and o'er the habitable World will follow you, and live and starve by turns, as Fortune pleases.

_Will._ Nay, by this Light, Child, I knew when once thou'dst try'd me, thou'dst ne'er part with me-- give me thy Hand, no Poverty shall part us.

[Kisses her.

--so-- now here's a Bargain made without the formal Foppery of Marriage.

_La Nu._ Nay, faith Captain, she that will not take thy word as soon as the Parson's of the Parish, deserves not the Blessing.

_Will._ Thou art reform'd, and I adore the Change.

Enter the _Guardian_, _Blunt_, and _Fetherfool_.

_Guar._ My Nieces stol'n, and by a couple of the Seignior's Men! the Seignior fled too! undone, undone!

_Will._ Hah, now's my Cue, I must finish this Jest. [Goes out.

Enter _Shift_ and _Giant_, _Hunt_ and _Dwarf_.

_Guar._ Oh impudence, my Nieces, and the Villains with 'em! I charge ye, Gentlemen, to lay hold on 'em.

_Dwarf._ For what, good Uncle, for being so courageous to marry us?

_Guar._ How, married to Rogues, Rascals, _John Potages_!

_Blunt._ Who the Devil wou'd have look'd for jilting in such Hobgoblins?

_Feth._ And hast thou deceiv'd me, thou foul filthy Synagogue?

Enter _Willmore_ like a Mountebank as before.

_Blunt._ The Mountebank! oh thou cheating Quack, thou sophisticated adulterated Villain.

_Feth._ Thou cozening, lying, Fortune-telling, Feetaking Rascal.

_Blunt._ Thou jugling, conjuring, canting Rogue!

_Will._ What's the matter, Gentlemen?

_Blunt._ Hast thou the Impudence to ask, who took my Money to marry me to this ill-favour'd Baboon?

_Feth._ And me to this foul filthy o'ergrown Chronicle?

_Blunt._ And hast suffered Rogues, thy Servants, to marry 'em: Sirrah, I will beat thee past Cure of all thy hard-nam'd Drugs, thy _Guzman Medicines_.

_Feth._ Nay, I'll peach him in the Inquisition for a Wizard, and have him hang'd for a Witch.

_Shift._ Sir, we are Gentlemen, and you shall have the thirds of their Portion, what wou'd you more?

[Aside to the _Guar._ Look ye, Sir. [Pulls off their Disguise.

_Blunt._ _Hunt!_

_Feth._ _Shift!_ We are betray'd: all will out to the Captain.

_Will._ He shall know no more of it than he does already for me, Gentlemen.

[Pulls off his Disguise.

_Blunt._ _Willmore!_

_Feth._ Ay, ay,'tis he.

_Blunt._ Draw, Sir-- you know me--

_Will._ --For one that 'tis impossible to cozen.

[All laugh.

_Beau._ Have a care, Sir, we are all for the Captain.

_Feth._ As for that, Sir, we fear ye not, d'ye see, were you _Hercules_ and all his Myrmidons.

[Draws, but gets behind.

_Will._ Fools, put up your Swords, Fools, and do not publish the Jest; your Money you shall have again, on condition you never pretend to be wiser than your other Men, but modestly believe you may be cozen'd as well as your Neighbours.

[The _Guardian_ talking with _Hunt_ and _Shift_ and _Giant_ this while.

_Feth._ La you, _Ned_, why shou'd Friends fall out?

_Blunt._ Cozen'd! it may be not, Sir; for look ye, Sir, the _Ess.e.x_ Fool, the cozen'd dull Rogue can shew Moveables or so-- nay, they are right too-- [Shews his Jewels.

This is no _Naples_ Adventure, Gentlemen, no Copper Chains; all substantial Diamonds, Pearls and Rubies-- [_Will._ takes the Casket, and looks in it.

_La Nu._ Hah, do not I know that Casket, and those Jewels!

_Feth._ How the Pox came this Rogue by these?

_Will._ Hum, _Edward_, I confess you have redeem'd your Reputation, and shall hereafter pa.s.s for a Wit-- by what good fortune came you by this Treasure?-- what Lady--

_Blunt._ Lady, Sir! alas no, I'm a Fool, a Country Fop, an a.s.s, I; but that you may perceive your selves mistaken, Gentlemen, this is but an earnest of what's to come, a small token of remembrance, or so-- and yet I have no Charms, I; the fine Captain has all the Wit and Beauty-- but thou'rt my Friend, and I'll impart.

[Brings out _Petronella_ veil'd.

Enter _Aurelia_ and _Sancho_.

_Aur._ Hither we trac'd her, and see she's yonder.

_San._ Sir, in the King's Name lay hold of this old Cheat, she has this Night robb'd our _Patrona_ of a hundred thousand Crowns in Money and Jewels.

_Blunt._ Hah! [Gets from her.

_La Nu._ You are mistaken, Friend _Sancho_, she only seiz'd 'em for my use, and has deliver'd 'em in trust to my Friend the Captain.