The Works of Aphra Behn Volume I Part 69

_Lo._ I have often heard of some such thing, but durst not ask the Truth of it.

_Alon._ 'Tis so, all that I know of my self is, that a _Spanish_ Souldier, who brought me up in the Army, dying, confest I was not his Son, (which till then I believ'd) and at the Age of twelve left me to shift for my self: the Fortune he inrich'd me with, was his Horse and Arms, with a few Doc.u.ments how to use them, as I had seen him do with good success: This Servant, [Points to _Pedro_] and a Crucifix of Value. And from one Degree to another, I arriv'd to what you knew me, Colonel of the Prince's Regiment, and the Glory of his Favour.

_Lo._ Honour is the Child of Virtue, and finds an Owner every where.

_Alon._ Oh, Sir, you are a Courtier, and have much the odds of a Souldier in Parleys of this nature: but hither I am come--

_Lo._ To be undone-- Faith, thou look'st ill upon't.

_Alon._ I confess I am not altogether so brisk as I should have been upon another Occasion; you know, _Lovis_, I have been us'd to Christian Liberty, and hate this formal Courtship. Pox on't, wou'd 'twere over.

_Lo._ Where all Parties are agreed, there's little need of that; and the Ladies of _Spain_, whatever Gravity they a.s.sume, are as ready as any you ever met withal.

_Alon._ But there's a d.a.m.n'd Custom that does not at all agree with Men so frank and gay as thou and I; there's a deal of Danger in the Atchievement, which some say heightens the Pleasure, but I am of another Opinion.

_Ped._ Sir, there is a Female in a Veil has follow'd us ever since we came from Church.

_Alon._ Some amorous Adventure: See [_Enter _Olinda.] she advances: Prithee retire, there may be danger in it.

[Puts _Lovis_ back.

_Lo._ Oh then, I must by no means leave you. [_Lovis_ advances.

_Olin._ Which of these two shall I chuse? [She looks on both.

Sir, you appear a Stranger. [To _Lovis_.

_Alon._ We are both so, Lady.

_Olin._ I shall spoil all, and bring [She looks again on both.] the wrong. Sir, you should be a Cavalier, that--

_Alon._ Would gladly obey your Orders.

_Lo._ Nay, I find 'tis all one to you which you chuse, so you have one of us: but would not both do better?

_Olin._ No, Sir, my Commission's but to one.

_Alon._ Fix and proceed then, let me be the Man.

_Olin._ What shall I do? they are both well: [Aside.

but I'll e'en chuse, as 'twere, for my self; and hang me if I know which that shall be, [looks on both.] Sir, there is a Lady of Quality and Beauty, who guessing you to be Men of Honour, has sent me to one of you.

_Alon._ Me, I am sure.

_Lo._ Me, me, he's engag'd already.

_Alon._ That's foul Play, _Lovis_.

_Alon._ Well, I must have but one, and therefore I'll wink and chuse.

_Lo._ I'll not trust blind Fortune.

_Alon._ Prithee, _Lovis_, let thee and I agree upon the matter, and I find the Lady will be reasonable; cross or pile who shall go.

_Lo._ Go, Sir, whither?

_Alon._ To the Lady that--

_Lo._ Sent for neither of us that I can hear of yet.

_Alon._ You will not hear me out, but I'll end the Difference by chusing you, Sir; and if you'll follow me [To _Alonzo_.] at a Distance, I will conduct you where this Lady is.

_Alon._ Fair Guide, march on, I'll follow thee. [Offers to go.

_Lo._ You are not mad, Sir, 'tis some abuse, and dangerous.

[Pulls him back.

_Alon._ Be not envious of my Happiness: Forbear a Wench, for fear of Danger!

_Lo._ Have a care, 'tis some Plot. [Holds him.] Where did this Lady see us? we are both Strangers in the City.

_Alon._ No matter where.

_Olin._ At Church, Sir, just now.

_Alon._ Ay, ay, at Church, at Church, enough.

_Lo._ What's her Name?

_Alon._ Away, thou art fuller of Questions than a Fortune-teller: Come, let's be gone.

_Lo._ Sure you do not mean to keep your Word, Sir?

_Alon._ Not keep my Word, _Lovis_? What wicked Life hast thou known me lead, should make thee suspect I should not? When I have made an Interest in her, and find her worth communicating, I will be just upon Honour-- Go, go.

_Lo._ Well, go your ways; if Marriage do not tame you, you are past all Hopes: but pray, Sir, let me see you at my Lodgings, the _Golden Fleece_ here at the Gate.

_Alon._ I'll attend thee here, and tell thee my Adventure: Farewel.

[Exit _Lovis_.] _Pedro_, go you and inquire for the House of Don _Ambrosio_, and tell him I will wait on him in the Evening, by that time I shall get my self in Order.

[Ex. _Alonzo_ and _Olinda_; _Pedro_ the other way.

SCENE II. _Ambrosio's_ House.

Enter _Silvio_, melancholy.

_Silv._ I must remove _Marcel_, for his nice Honour Will ne'er permit that I should court my Sister; My Pa.s.sion will admit of no Restraint, 'Tis grown so violent; and fair _Cleonte's_ Charms Each Day increase to such a killing Number, That I must speak or die.

Enter _Francisca_.