The Works of Aphra Behn Volume I Part 122

_Des._ Ah, and with the King, the Bishops; and then, where's all our Church and Bishops Lands! oh, undone-- puff, puff.

_Ana._ How, bring in the King and Bishops! my righteous Spirit is raised too-- I say, I will excommunicate him for one of the Wicked, yea, for a profane Heroick, a Malignant, a Tory,-- a-- I say, we will surround him, and confound him with a mighty Host; yea, and fight the Lard's Battel with him: yea, we will--

_Des._ Truckle to his Pow'r-- puff, puff.

_Ana._ Nay, I say verily, nay; for, in Sadness, I will die in my Calling.

_Des._ So I doubt shall I-- which is Ploughing, Hedging, and Ditching.

_Ana._ Yea, we have the Sword of the Righteous in our Hand, and we will defend the mighty Revenues of the Church, which the Lard hath given unto his People, and chosen ones-- I say, we will defend--

_Des._ Ah, Patience, Sir, ah, 'tis a pious Virtue--

_Ana._ Ah, it is Zeal in one of us, the Out-goings of the Spirit.

Enter _Tom_.

_Tom._ Sir, will you go down to Prayers? the Chaplain waits.

_Des._ No, no, Boy, I am too serious for that Exercise, I cannot now dissemble, Heav'n forgive me.

_Ana._ How, Sir, not dissemble-- ah, then you have lost a great Virtue indeed, a very great Virtue; ah, let us not give away the Good Old Cause-- but, as we have hitherto maintain'd it by gadly Cozenage, and pious Frauds, let us persevere-- ah, let us persevere to the end; let us not lose our Heritage for a Mess of Pottage, that is, let us not lose the Cause for Dissimulation and Hypocrisy, those two main Engines that have earned on the great Work.

_Des._ Verily, you have prevail'd, and I will go take counsel of my Pillow: Boy-- call my Man to undress me-- I'll to Bed, for I am sick at Heart.

[Ex. _Tom._

_Free._ Death, what shall I do now?

[Des._ walks, she whispers _Ana.

_L. Des._ You must get my Man off, or we're undone.

_Ana._ Madam, be comforted, Heaven will bring all things about for our Advantage-- [As _Des._ turns.

_L. Des._ But he's behind the Curtains, Man--

[Des. turns from 'em.

_Ana._ Ah, let Providence alone-- [Spreads his Cloak wide, and goes by degrees toward the Bed.] --Your pious Lady, Sir, is doubtful, but I will give her ample Satisfaction.

_Des._ Ah, do, Mr. _Ananias_, do, for she's a good and virtuous Lady, _certo_ she is.

[Ana. goes close to the Bed-post, and speaks over his Shoulder.

_Ana._ Get ye behind my Cloak--

_L. Des._ Indeed, Sir, your Counsel and a.s.sistance is very comfortable.

_Ana._ We should be Help-meets to one another, Madam.

_Des._ Alack, good Man!

[L. _Des._ goes to coax her Husband.

_L. Des._ Ay, my dear, I am so much oblig'd to him, that I know not, without thy Aid, how to make him amends.

_Free._ So, this is the first Cloak of Zeal I ever made use of.

[Ana._ going, spreading his Cloak, to the Door; _Free. behind goes out.

_Des._ Good Lady, give him his twenty pieces, adad, he worthily deserves 'em.

[Gives her Gold.

_L. Des._ Indeed, and so he does, Dear, if thou knew'st all.-- What say you now, do I not improve in Hypocrisy? And shall I not in time make a precious Member of your Church?

[To _Ana._

_Ana._ Verily, your Ladys.h.i.+p is most ingenious and expert.-- Sir, I most humbly take my leave.

[Ex. _Ana._

Enter _Tom_.

_Tom._ My Lord, my Lord _Lambert_ has sent in all haste for you, you must attend at his House immediately.

_Des._ So, he has heard the News-- I must away-- let my Coach be ready.

[Ex. _Des._

_L. Des._ How unlucky was this that _Freeman_ should be gone-- Sirrah, run and see to o'ertake him, and bring him back.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II. _A fine Chamber in La. _Lambert's_ House._

Enter _Gilliflower_ and _Loveless_ by dark, richly drest.

_Lov._ Where am I, _Gilliflower_?

_Gill._ In my Lady's Apartment, Sir, she'll be with you presently; you need not fear betraying, Sir, for I'll a.s.sure you I'm an Heroick in my Heart: my Husband was a Captain for his Majesty of ever-blessed Memory, and kill'd at Naseby, G.o.d be thanked, Sir.

_Lov._ What pity 'tis that thou shouldst serve this Party?

_Gill._ Bating her Principles, my Lady has good Nature enough to oblige a Servant; and truly, Sir, my Vails were good in old _Oliver's_ Days; I got well by that Amour between him and my Lady; the man was lavish enough.

_Lov._ Yes, of the Nation's Treasure-- but prithee tell me, is not thy Lady mad, raving on Crowns and Kingdoms?

_Gill._ It appears so to you, who are not us'd to the Vanity of the Party, but they are all so mad in their Degree, and in the Fit they talk of nothing else, Sir: we have tomorrow a Hearing as they call it.

_Lov._ What's that, a Conventicle?