The Works of Aphra Behn Volume I Part 84

[In great Rage.

_Ant._ What said my fairest Mistress?

[Goes to her looking softly.

_Hip._ I said that thou wert perjur'd, false and base.

[Less in Rage.

_Ant._ My dear _Hippolyta_, speak it again, I do not understand thee, [Takes her by the Hand.

_Hip._ I said that thou wert perjur'd, my _Antonio_. [Sighs.

_Ant._ Thou wert to blame, but 'twas thy Jealousy.

Which being a Fault of Love I will excuse.

Give me that Mark of Anger, prithee do, It misbecomes thy Hand.

_Hip._ I've nothing left but this I can command, And do not ravish this too.

_Ant._ It is unkind thus to suspect my Love; Will you make no Allowance for my Humour?

I am by Nature rough, and cannot please, With Eyes and Words all soft as others can, But I can love as truly my blunt way.

_Hip._ You were so soft when first you conquer'd me.

[Sighs.

That but the Thoughts of that dear Face and Eyes, So manag'd, and so set for Conquest out, Would make me kind even to another Man; Could I but thus imbrace and hide my Eyes, And call him my _Antonio_.

[She leans on his Bosom, he the while gets her Dagger.

_Ant._ Stand off, false Woman, I despise thy Love, Of which to every Man I know thou deal'st An equal share.

_Hip._ I do not wonder that I am deceiv'd, But that I should believe thee, after all thy Treachery.

But prithee tell me why thou treat'st me thus?

Why didst thou with the sacred Vows of Marriage, After a long and tedious Courtship to me, Ravish me from my Parents and my Husband?

For so the brave _Alonzo_ was by promise.

_Ant._ Why, I will tell thee; 'twas not love to thee, But hatred to thy Brother Don _Marcel_, Who made Addresses to the fair _Clarinda_, And by his Quality destroy'd my Hopes.

_Hip._ And durst you not revenge your self on him?

_Ant._ His Life alone could not appease my Anger; And after studying what I had to do--

_Hip._ The Devil taught thee this.

_Ant._ Yes, and you I chose, Because you were contracted to _Alonzo_, That the disgrace might be more eminent.

_Hip._ I do believe thee, for when I reflect On all thy Usage since thou hast betray'd me, I find thou hast not paid me back one Sigh, Or Smile for all that I have given thee.

_Ant._ Hear me out.

_Hip._ Most calmly.

_Ant._ From Town to Town you know I did remove you, Under pretence to shun your Brother's Anger: But 'twas indeed to spread your Fame abroad.

But being not satisfy'd till in _Madrid_, Here in your native Town, I had proclaim'd you; The House from whence your Brother's Fury chas'd us, Was a Bordello, where 'twas given out Thou wert a _Venice_ Curtezan to hire, Whilst you believ'd it was your nuptial Palace. [Laughs.

_Hip._ Dost think I did not understand the Plot?

Yes, and was mad till some young Lovers came.

But you had set a Price too high upon me, No brisk young Man durst venture, I had expos'd my self at cheaper Rates.

_Ant._ Your Price, I pray, young Sinner?

[Pulls off his Hat in scorn.

_Hip._ Thy Life; he that durst say _Antonio_ lives no more, Should have possest me _gratis_.

_Ant._ I would have taken care none should have don't; To show, and offer you to Sale, was equally as shameful.

_Hip._ Well, what hast thou more to do? this is no Place to inhabit in, nor shall thou force me further; And back into the Town thou dar'st not go.

_Ant._ Perhaps I had been kinder to you, Had you continu'd still to give me that-- Might have begot a Pa.s.sion in me.

_Hip._ I have too much Repentance for that Sin, To increase it, at the Price of being belov'd by thee.

_Ant._ Consider what you do, this Place is silent, And far from any thing that may a.s.sist you.

Come lead me to the Covert of this Grove.

[Takes her rudely.

Enter _Haunce_ and _Gload_ drunk; _Haunce_ seeing them, offers to go out again.

_Glo._ Hold, hold, Sir, why do you run away?

_Hau._ Thou Fool, dost not see the Reason?

_Glo._ I see a Man and a Lady, Sir.

_Hau._ Why, you c.o.xcomb, they are Lovers; Or some that are going to do the deed of Love.

_Ant._ How! Men here? Your Business.

_Hau._ Prithee, Friend, do not trouble your self with ours, but follow your own; my Man is a little saucy in his Drink indeed, but I am sober enough to understand how things go.

_Ant._ Leave us then.

_Hau._ Leave us then-- good Words, good Words, Friend; for look ye, I am in a notable Humour at present, and will be intreated.

_Glo._ Yes, Sir, we will be intreated.

_Ant._ Pray leave us then.

_Hau._ That's something-- but hark ye, Friend, say a Man had a mind to put in for a share with you.

_Ant._ Rude Slaves, leave us.

_Hau._ Ha, Slaves!