The Works of Aphra Behn Volume I Part 80

_Alon._ That will not satisfy my Honour, tho 'twill my Love; that I have not _Hippolyta_, I will owe to my own Inconstancy, not theirs: besides, this may be a Cheat, as you say.

_Lov._ But does _Euphemia_ love you?

_Alon._ Faith, I think she has too much Wit to dissemble, and too much Beauty to need that Art.

_Lov._ Then you must marry her.

_Alon._ Not if I can avoid it.

_Lov._ I know this Lady, Sir, and know her to be worth your Love: I have it in my Power too, to serve you, if you proceed suddenly, which you must do, or lose her; for this _Flandrian_ Boor your Rival is already arriv'd, and designs to morrow to make his first Address to _Euphemia_.

_Alon._ Oh, he must not, shall not see her.

_Lov._ How will you hinder him?

_Alon._ With this. [To his Sword.] Where is this Rival? tell me: Conduct me to him strait; I find my Love above the common rate, and cannot brook this Rival.

_Lov._ So, this blows the flame-- His Life will be no hindrance to you in this Affair, if you design to love on.

_Alon._ Do'st know him?

_Lov._ Yes, he is a pleasant Original for you to be copy'd by: It is the same Fop, I told you was to marry my Sister, and who came along with me to _Madrid_.

_Alon._ How! _Euphemia_ thy Sister?

_Lov._ Yes, indeed is she, and whom my Father designs to cast away upon this half Man, half Fool; but I find she has Wit to make a better Choice: she yet knows nothing of my Arrival, and till you resolve what to do, shall not; and my _Dutchman_ does nothing without me.

_Alon._ If thou hast the management of him, he's likely to thrive.

_Lov._ But not in his Amour, if you please: In short, Sir, if you do really love my Sister, I am content to be so ungracious a Child to contribute to the cheating my Father of this same hopeful Son he expects, and put you upon him; but what you do, must be speedily then.

_Alon._ I am oblig'd to thee for this frank Offer, and will be instructed by thee.

_Lov._ If you're resolv'd, I'll warrant you Success.

_Alon._ I think I am resolv'd in spite of all my Inclinations to Libertinism.

_Lov._ Well, Sir, I'll get you such a Suit then, as that our Hero makes his first approach in, as ridiculously gay as his Humour, which you must a.s.sume too.

_Alon._ Content.

_Lov._ To night I must pay my Duty to my Father, and will prepare your way, and acquaint my Sister with it; 'tis but a Frolick if we succeed not.

_Alon._ G.o.d-a-mercy, Lad, let's about it then e'er we sleep, lest I change my Resolution before Morning.

[Exeunt.

ACT III.

SCENE I. _House of _Carlo_._

Enter _Alonzo_ drest ridiculously, meeting _Lovis_, they laugh at each other.

_Lov._ Very _Haunce_ all over, the Taylor has play'd his part, play but yours as well, and I'll warrant you the Wench.

_Alon._ But prithee, why need I act the Fool thus, since _Haunce_ was never seen here?

_Lov._ To make good the Character I always gave of him to my Father; but here he comes, pray be very rude, and very impertinent.

_Alon._ Lord, Lord, how shall I look thus d.a.m.nably set out, and thus in love!

Enter Don _Carlo_.

_Lov._ This, Sir, is Monsieur _Haunce_, your Son that must be.

_Alon._ _Beso los manos, signor_: Is your Name Don _Carlo_? and are you the Gravity of this House? and the Father of Donna _Euphemia_? and are you--

_Car._ Sir, I guess by all these your Demands at once, your Name to be _Myn heer Haunce van Ezel_.

_Alon._ Your Judgment's good; but to my Questions.

_Car._ In truth I have forgot them, there were so many.

_Alon._ Are you he who is to be my Father?

_Car._ 'Tis so negotiated-- and if all Circ.u.mstances concur-- For, Sir, you must conceive, the Consequence of so grand a Conjunction--

_Alon._ Less of your Compliments, Sir, and more of your Daughter, I beseech you. 'Sheart, what a formal c.o.xcomb 'tis.

[Aside.

_Lov._ Prithee give him way. [Aside.

_Alon._ By this Light I'll lose thy Sister first; Why, who can indure the grave approaches to the Matter? 'Dslife, I would have it as I would my Fate, sudden and unexpected.

_Car._ Pray, how long have you been landed?

_Alon._ So, now shall I be plagu'd with nothing but wise Questions, to which I am able to make no Answer. [Aside.] Sir, it is your Daughter that I desire to see impatiently.

_Car._ Have you no Letters from my very good Friend your Father?

_Alon._ What if I have not? cannot I be admitted to your Daughter without a Pa.s.s?

_Car._ O lack, Sir--

_Alon._ But to let you see I come with full Power (tho I am old enough to recommend my self) here is my Commission for what I do.