The Works of Aphra Behn Volume I Part 94

[Goes forward, sees _Hippolyta_, who justles him in pa.s.sing by; he stops and looks.

_Hip._ You seem, Sir, to be he whom I expect.

_Ant._ I'm call'd _Antonio_, Sir--

_Hip._ And I _Alonzo_; the rest we need not ask, For thou art well acquainted with my Injuries, And I with thy Perfidiousness. [Draws.

_Ant._ I know of none you have receiv'd from me, If on _Hippolyta's_ account you fight: She lov'd me, and believ'd; and what dull Lover Would have refus'd a Maid so easily gain'd?

_Hip._ Ah, Traytor, by how base a way Thou wouldst evade thy Fate?

Didst thou not know she was my Wife by promise?

Did not _Marcel_, _Ambrosio_, all consent To make her mine as soon as I arriv'd?

_Alon._ Who the Devil's that young Bully that takes my Name, and my Concerns upon him?

[Aside.

_Hip._ But why should I expect a Truth from thee, Who after so much time, so many Vows, So many Tears, Despairs and Sighs, at last Didst gain a Credit with this easy Fool, Then left her to her shames, and her despairs?-- Come, Sir-- Or I shall talk my self to calmness-- [Aside.

_Ant._ I'm ready, Sir, to justify the Deed.

[They offer to fight, _Alonzo_ steps forth.

_Alon._ Hold! hold! fair Thief that rob'st me of my Name, And wouldst my Honour too; [Puts her by.

If thou hast wrong'd the fair _Hippolyta_, [To _Antonio_.

No Man but I has right to do her justice.

Or you are both my Rivals-- tell me which, Which of you is it I must kill-- or both?

I am _Alonzo_, who dares love _Hippolyta_?

_Hip._ Let not your friendship, Sir, proceed so far, To take my Name, to take my Quarrel on you.

_Alon._ In this Dispute none's more concern'd than I, And I will keep my ground in such a cause, Tho all the Rivals that her Beauty makes me, Were arm'd to take my Life away.

_Ant._ Come, Sir, I care not which of you's _Alonzo_.

[They go to fight, she holds _Alonzo_.

_Hip._ This Gallantry's too much, brave Stranger.

_Antonio_, hurt him not; I am the wrong'd _Alonzo_, And this a perfect Stranger to the business, Who seeing me appear less Man than he, And unacquainted with my Deeds abroad, In Bounty takes my Name and Quarrel on him.

_Alon._ Take heed, young Man, and keep thy Virtue in, Lest thus misguided it become a Crime.

But thou, he says, hast wrong'd _Hippolyta_, [To _Antonio_.

And I am he must punish it.

_Hip._ Sure it is he indeed-- For such a Miracle my Brother render'd him, [Aside.

Hold, hold, thou Wonder of thy s.e.x-- [They fight.

_Alon._ Stand by, I shall be angry with thee else, And that will be unsafe--

[As _Alonzo_ fights with one Hand, he keeps her off with t'other; she presses still forward on _Antonio_ with her Sword, indeavouring to keep back _Alonzo_.

Enter to them _Marcel._

_Mar._ Sure I heard the Noise of Swords this way!

[Draws.

Hah, two against one! Courage, Sir. [To _Antonio_.

[They fight all four, _Marcel_ with _Hippolyta_ whom he wounds, and _Alonzo_ with _Antonio_, who is disarmed.

_Hip._ Good Heaven, how just thou art!

_Mar._ What, dost thou faint already?-- Hah, the pretty talking Youth I saw but now!

[Runs to her, and holds her up.

Alas, how dost thou?

_Hip._ Well, since thy Hand has wounded me--

_Ant._ My Life is yours, nor would I ask the Gift, But to repair my Injuries to _Hippolyta_.

_Alon._ I give it thee-- [Gives him his Sword.

_Mar._ How, _Antonio_!-- What unkind Hand has rob'd me of the justice Of killing thee?

_Alon._ His that was once thy Friend, _Marcel_.

_Mar._ Oh! dost thou know my Shame? [Turns away.

_Alon._ I know thou art false to Friendship, And therefore do demand mine back again, thou'st us'd it scurvily.

_Mar._ Thou knowst too much to think I've injur'd thee.

_Alon._ Not injur'd me! Who was it promis'd me _Hippolyta_?

Who his Alliance, and his Friendship too?

And who has broke them all, but thou perfidious?

Come, 'tis _Hippolyta_ that I demand.

_Mar._ By this he should not know my Sister's Shame. [Aside.

Oh, Sir, you must not have _Hippolyta_.

_Alon._ How! not have _Hippolyta_!

Tho every Step were guarded by a Brother, Tho she were circled round about with Rivals, Ye should not all have Power to keep her from me.

Not have _Hippolyta_!-- 'Sdeath, Sir, because I do not know my Birth, And cannot boast a little empty t.i.tle, I must not have _Hippolyta_.-- Now I will have her; and when you know I can, You shall pet.i.tion me to marry her.

And yet I will not do't. Come, Sir-- [Offers to fight.

_Hip._ Hold, hold, brave Man, or turn your Sword on me.

I am the unhappy Cause of all your Rage: 'Tis I, generous _Alonzo_, that can tell you What he's asham'd to own, And thou wilt blush to hear.

_Mar._ _Hippolyta_! thou wretched wicked Woman: Thus I reward thy Sins-- [Offers to kill her, _Antonio_ steps between.

_Ant._ Hold, Sir, and touch her not without my leave, She is my Wife; by sacred Vows my Wife.

_Alon._ I understand no riddling; but whoever thou be'st.