The Works of Aphra Behn Volume I Part 85

_Glo._ Slaves said you, Sir? hah--

_Hip._ Oh, as you're a Gentleman, a.s.sist me. [To _Haunce_.

_Hau._ a.s.sist thee? this Fellow looks as he would not have his Abilities call'd in question; otherwise I am amorous enough to do thee a kindness.

[Offers still to go, she holds him.

_Hip._ Sir, you mistake me; this is a Ravisher--

_Hau._ A Ravisher! ha, ha, ha, dost like him the worse for that? No, no, I beg your Pardon, Madam.

_Hip._ Have you no Manhood, Sir?

_Glo._ She is in earnest; now if I durst stay, how I would domineer over my Master; I never try'd perhaps, I may be valiant thus inspir'd. Lady, I am your Champion, who dares ravish you, or me either?

_Ant._ Rascal, unhand her.

[He comes up to them, _Gload_ puts the Lady before him.

_Hau._ How now, _Gload_ ingag'd! nay, I scorn to be out-done by my Man.

Sirrah, march off with the Baggage, whilst I secure the Enemy.

_Ant._ Rash Man, what mean you?

_Hau._ I say, stand off, and let him go quietly away with the Wench, or look you--

_Ant._ Unmanner'd Fool, I will chastise thy Boldness.

[Goes up to him with his Dagger.

_Hau._ How, how, hast thou no other Weapon?

_Ant._ No, if I had, thou durst not have encounter'd me.

_Hau._ I scorn thy Words, and therefore there lies my Sword; and since you dare me at my own Weapon, I tell you I am good at Snick-a-Sne as the best _Don_ of you all-- [Draws a great Dutch Knife.

_Ant._ Can I endure this Affront?

_Glo._ The best way to make a Coward fight, is to leave him in Danger-- Come, Lady-- [Goes out.

_Ant._ Thou base unmanner'd Fool, how darst thou offer at a Gentleman, with so despis'd a thing as that?

_Hau._ Despis'd a thing? talk not so contemptibly of this Weapon, I say, do not, but come on if you dare.

_Ant._ I can endure no longer-- [Flies at him, _Haunce _cuts his Face, and takes away, after a-while, his Dagger.

Injustice! can such a Dog, and such a Weapon vanquish me?

_Hau._ Beg your Life; for I scorn to stain my Victory in Blood-- that I learnt out of _Pharamond_.

[Aside.

_Ant._ He does not merit Life, that could not defend it against so poor and base a thing as thou: Had but _Marcel_ left me my Sword--

_Hau._ O then I perceive you are us'd to be vanquish'd, and therefore I scorn to kill thee; live, live.

_Ant._ How the Rascal triumphs over me!

_Hau._ And now, like a generous Enemy, I will conduct thee to my Tent, and have thy Wounds drest-- That too I had out of _Pharamond_.

[Aside.

_Ant._ What if I take the offer of this Sot? so I may see _Hippolyta again._ But I forget-- [Aside.

_Hau._ Will you accept my Offer?

_Ant._ For some Reasons I dare not venture into the Town.

_Hau._ My Lodging is at St. Peter's Gate, hard by; and on the Parole of a Man of Prowess you shall be safe and free-- _Pharamond_ again.

[Aside.

_Ant._ I'll trust him, for worse I cannot be. [Aside.

Lead on, I'll follow, Sir--

_Hau._ Not so, for tho the Captive ought to follow the Victor, yet I'll not trust my Enemy at my backside. Politicks too.-- [Aside.

_Ant._ You must command-- [Go out.

SCENE IV. _The Garden._

Enter _Silvio_ and _Francisca_.

_Silv._ Well, dear _Francisca_, will _Cleonte_ come, And all alone into the Garden?

_Fran._ My Lord, she will; I have at last prevail'd, to what intent she knows not; this is an Hour wherein you'll scarce be interrupted: The amorous Entertainment you have prepar'd for her, will advance your Design; such Objects heighten the Desire. Is all ready on your part?

_Silv._ It is, and I am prepared for all the Resistance she can make, and am resolv'd to satisfy my insupportable Flame, since there's no other hope left me.

_Fran._ She's coming, Sir, retire.

[Exit _Silvio_ into the Garden.

Oh, how he kills me! Well, at least this pleasure I have whilst I am dying, that when he possesses the fair _Cleonte_, he for ever ruins his Interest in her Heart, and must find nothing but her mortal Hate and Scorn.

Enter _Cleonte_.

_Cleo._ _Francisca_, why art thou so earnest for my coming into the Garden so early?

_Fran._ Because, Madam, here without Interruption you may learn what the Lady _Clarinda_ has to tell you.

_Cleo._ Is that all? go wait upon her hither then.

_Fran._ Yes, when your more pleasant Affair is dispatch'd, I will-- [Aside._ [_Exit _Francisca_.

_Cleo._ Can this be Love I feel?