The Works of Aphra Behn Volume I Part 71

_Silv._ Yes, at the Corner of St. _Jerom's_; where after seeing many Faces which pleas'd me not, I would have took my leave; but the Matron of the House, a kind obliging Lady, seeing me so nice, and of Quality, (tho disguis'd) told me she had a Beauty, such an one as had Count _d'

Olivarez_ in his height of Power seen, he would have purchas'd at any rate. I grew impatient to see this fine thing, and promis'd largely: then leading me into a Room as gay, and as perfum'd as an Altar upon a Holy-day, I saw seated upon a Couch of State--

_Mar._ _Hippolyta_!

_Silv._ _Hippolyta_ our Sister, drest like a _Venice_ Curtezan, With all the Charms of a loose Wanton, Singing and playing to her ravisht Lover, Who I perceiv'd a.s.sisted to expose her.

_Mar._ Well, Sir, what follow'd?

_Silv._ Surpriz'd at sight of this, I did withdraw, And left them laughing at my little Confidence.

_Mar._ How! left them? and left them living too?

_Silv._ If a young Wench will be gadding, Who can help it?

_Mar._ 'Sdeath you should, were you that half her Brother, Which my Father too doatingly believes you.

[Inrag'd.

_Silv._ How! do you question his Belief, _Marcel_?

_Mar._ I ne'er consider'd it; be gone and leave me.

_Silv._ Am I a Dog that thus you bid me vanish?

What mean you by this Language? [Comes up to him.

And how dare you upbraid me with my Birth, Which know, _Marcel_, is more ill.u.s.trious far Than thine, being got when Love was in his reign, With all his Youth and Heat about him?

I, like the Birds of bravest kind, was hatcht In the hot Sun-shine of Delight; whilst Thou, _Marcel_, wer't poorly brooded In the cold Nest of Wedlock.

_Mar._ Thy Mother was some base notorious Strumpet, And by her Witchcraft reduc'd my Father's Soul, And in return she paid him with a b.a.s.t.a.r.d, Which was thou.

_Silv._ _Marcel_, thou ly'st. [Strikes him.

_Mar._ Tho 'twere no point of Valour, but of Rashness To fight thee, yet I'll do't.

_Silv._ By Heaven, I will not put this Injury up.

[They fight, _Silvio_ is wounded.

[Fight again. Enter _Ambrosio_, and _Cleonte_ between; _Silvio_ falls into the Arms of _Cleonte_.

_Amb._ Hold! I command you hold; Ah, Traitor to my Blood, what hast thou done?

[To _Marcel_, who kneels and lays his Sword at his Feet.

_Silv._ In fair _Cleonte's_ Arms!

O I could kiss the Hand that gives me Death, So I might thus expire.

_Mar._ Pray hear me, Sir, before you do condemn me.

_Amb._ I will hear nothing but thy Death p.r.o.nounc'd, Since thou hast wounded him, if it be mortal.

Have I not charg'd thee on thy Life, _Marcel_, Thou shouldst not hold Discourse with him of any kind?

_Mar._ I did foresee my Fate, but could not shun it.

[Takes his Sword and goes out.

_Amb._ What ho! _Biscay_, a Surgeon; on your Lives a Surgeon; where be the Rascals?

[Goes out.

_Silv._ I would not have a Surgeon search my Wound With rude and heavy Hands: Yours, fair _Cleonte_, can apply the Balsam Far more successfully, For they are soft and white as Down of Swans, And every Touch is sovereign.

_Cleo._ But I shall die with looking on your Wounds.

_Silv._ And I shall die unless you cure them, Sister.

_Cleo._ With the expence of mine to save your Life, Is both my Wish and Duty.

_Silv._ I thank you, pretty Innocence. [Leads him in.

SCENE III. _A Grove._

Discovers _Euphemia_ veil'd, walking alone.

_Euph._ _Olinda_ stays long; I hope she has overtook the Cavalier. Lord, how I am concern'd; if this should be Love now, I were in fine condition, at least if he be married, or a Lover: Oh that I fear: hang me, if it has not disorder'd me all over. But see, where she comes with him too.

Enter _Olinda_ and _Alonzo_.

_Olin._ Here he is, Madam, I hope 'tis the right Man.

_Alon._ Madam, you see what haste I make to obey your kind Commands.

_Euph._ 'Twas as kindly done, Sir; but I fear when you know to what end 'tis, you'll repent your Haste.

_Alon._ 'Tis very likely; but if I do, you are not the first of your s.e.x that has put me to Repentance: But lift up your Veil, and if your Face be good-- [Offers to lift up her Veil.

_Euph._ Stay, you're too hasty.

_Alon._ Nay, let's have fair Play on both sides, I'll hide nothing from you.

[Offers again.

_Euph._ I have a Question or two to ask you first.

_Alon._ I can promise nothing till I see my Reward. I am a base Barterer, here's one for t'other; you saw your Man and lik'd him, and if I like you when I see you--

[Offers again.

_Euph._ But if you do not, must all my liking be castaway?

_Alon._ As for that, trust to my good Nature; a frank Wench has. .h.i.therto taken me as much as Beauty. And one Proof you have already given of that, in this kind Invitation: come, come, do not lose my little new-gotten good Opinion of thee, by being coy and peevish.

[Offers again.