The Works of Aphra Behn Volume I Part 91

_Lov._ How! I beat him?

_Hau._ You beat him, yes, you; what a Pox do you scruple such a kindness to a Friend? I know you make no more of killing a Man next your Heart in a Morning, than I do of eating a pickled Herring.

_Lov._ But she desir'd you to do't.

_Hau._ That's all one so it be done, mun; besides, why should I run my self into a Premunire, when I need not? Your Father is bound by Agreement to mine, to deliver me the Wares (that is, his Daughter) safe and sound; and I have no more to do, but to protest against him in case of Non-performance. 'Twill be a dear Commodity to me at this rate.

[Cries.

_Lov._ Well, Sir, I'll see what may be done.

_Hau._ Spoke like a Friend now: Well, you must about it instantly, for I must be married to day.

_Alon._ Must you so, Sir?--

_Hau._ Yes marry must I, Sir-- Who the Devil's this now? [To _Lovis_.

_Alon._ That same _Alonzo_ whom you inquire for.

_Hau._ Are you so, Sir?-- Why, what then, Sir,-- _Lovis_, _Lovis_.

[Runs behind _Lovis_.

_Alon._ What then, Sir? then I tell you, I will not be beaten.

_Hau._ Look ye here now-- _Lovis_.

_Lov._ Ha, ha, ha, canst thou be angry with him? [To _Alonzo_.

_Hau._ I, can you be angry with me?

_Alon._ I know not why an a.s.s should have more privilege than any other rude Beast.

_Lov._ Ha, ha, ha, this Humour's so pleasant in thee, I wish thou wouldst pursue it a little-- _Haunce_, bear up to him, he's but a mere Huff, ha, ha, ha.

[Claps him on the Back, he goes fearfully forward.

_Glo._ I, Sir, as long as Don _Lovis_ is here, you may say what you will.

_Hau._ May I so?-- and why, Sir?-- am I, Sir-- an a.s.s, Sir?

[Runs behind _Lovis_.

_Alon._ 'Sdeath, you Rascal, do you question me?

_Hau._ Oh, hold, Sir, hold, not I, G.o.d forbid I should question it, _Lovis_-- is it, indeed, _Alonzo_, hah?

_Lov._ Yes indeed is it.

_Hau._ And wilt thou not do so much as to beat him for me a little?

_Lov._ Not I, I dare not, he's a terrible Man.

_Hau._ Why look you here now, you d.a.m.n'd Rogue, [To _Gload_.] Have not you serv'd me finely, hah?

_Gload._ Why, Sir, 'tis but crying Peccavi.

_Hau._ Peccavi, and be hang'd to you-- Lord, Sir, [To _Alonzo_.] why are you so angry? I came but to ask you a civil Question, from my Wife that must be.

_Alon._ You must ask me leave, first.

_Hau._ Yes, yes, Sir, so she said mun; for she must marry me to night.

_Alon._ Yes, you shall have it with this-- too. [Draws.

_Hau._ Why look you [_Haunce_ runs away, _Lovis_ stays him.] here now, here's d.a.m.n'd doings. For my part, I declare it here upon my Death-bed, I am forc'd to what I do, and you kill me against my Will.

_Alon._ Do'st think we are not discover'd in our Design? I'd kill the Dog if I thought we were.

_Lov._ I believe not; and perceive by my Sister's Message, that we are to come to her, and prevent this Fellow's marrying her.

_Alon._ Well, Sir, I'll spare your Life, and give your Mistress leave to marry to night.

_Hau._ How, Sir, to Night?-- But is he in earnest, _Lovis_?

_Lov._ In very good earnest.

_Hau._ Tan, ta, ra, ra, ra-- hay, Boys, what a Night we'll have on't, _Gload_, for Fiddles and Dancing.

_Alon._ Tell your Mistress I will dispatch a little Affair, and wait on her.

_Gload._ And pray, Sir, may I have leave to marry the Maid too?

_Alon._ We'll consider on't.

_Hau._ I am not such a Fool to venture tho, till I know the Coast is clear, for his very Looks are terrible; but go you, _Gload_, and tell her what he says.

[_Alonzo_ talks to _Lovis_.

Enter _Hippolyta_ from aside.

_Hip._ These be the Men that rescu'd me this morning, And are not to be employ'd in my Affair.

But yonder Stranger has a n.o.ble Look, And from him I'll intreat this Favour-- Sir-- [To _Alonzo_.

_Alon._ With me, Sir?

_Hip._ Yes, please you to walk a little this way, Sir.

[Takes him aside.

_Hau._ Well, make you sure of Fiddles, for look ye, we'll appear to night like our selves.

_Gload._ It shall be done, Sir.