The Works of Aphra Behn Volume I Part 19

_Belv._ 'Sdeath I have no patience-- draw, or I'll kill you.

_Will._ Let that alone till to morrow, and if I set not all right again, use your Pleasure.

_Belv._ To morrow, d.a.m.n it.

The spiteful Light will lead me to no happiness.

To morrow is _Antonio's_, and perhaps Guides him to my undoing;-- oh that I could meet This Rival, this powerful Fortunate.

_Will._ What then?

_Belv._ Let thy own Reason, or my Rage instruct thee.

_Will._ I shall be finely inform'd then, no doubt; hear me, Colonel-- hear me-- shew me the Man and I'll do his Business.

_Belv._ I know him no more than thou, or if I did, I should not need thy aid.

_Will._ This you say is _Angelica's_ House, I promis'd the kind Baggage to lie with her to Night.

[Offers to go in.

Enter _Antonio_ and his Page. _Ant._ knocks on the Hilt of his Sword.

_Ant._ You paid the thousand Crowns I directed?

_Page._ To the Lady's old Woman, Sir, I did.

_Will._ Who the Devil have we here?

_Belv._ I'll now plant my self under _Florinda's_ Window, and if I find no comfort there, I'll die.

[Ex. _Belv._ and _Fred._

Enter _Moretta_.

_Moret._ Page!

_Page._ Here's my Lord.

_Will._ How is this, a Piccaroon going to board my Frigate! here's one Chase-Gun for you.

[Drawing his Sword, justles _Ant._ who turns and draws. They fight, _Ant._ falls.

_Moret._ Oh, bless us, we are all undone!

[Runs in, and shuts the Door.

_Page._ Help, Murder! [_Belvile_ returns at the noise of fighting.

_Belv._ Ha, the mad Rogue's engag'd in some unlucky Adventure again.

Enter two or three Masqueraders.

_Masq._ Ha, a Man kill'd!

_Will._ How! a Man kill'd! then I'll go home to sleep.

[Puts up, and reels out. _Ex._ Masquers another way.

_Belv._ Who shou'd it be! pray Heaven the Rogue is safe, for all my Quarrel to him.

[As _Belvile_ is groping about, enter an Officer and six Soldiers.

_Sold._ Who's there?

_Offic._ So, here's one dispatcht-- secure the Murderer.

_Belv._ Do not mistake my Charity for Murder: I came to his a.s.sistance. [Soldiers seize on _Belvile_.

_Offic._ That shall be tried, Sir.-- St. _Jago_, Swords drawn in the Carnival time!

[Goes to _Antonio_.

_Ant._ Thy Hand prithee.

_Offic._ Ha, Don _Antonio_! look well to the Villain there.-- How is't, Sir?

_Ant._ I'm hurt.

_Belv._ Has my Humanity made me a Criminal?

_Offic._ Away with him.

_Belv._ What a curst Chance is this! [Ex. Soldiers with _Belv._

_Ant._ This is the Man that has set upon me twice-- carry him to my Apartment till you have further Orders from me.

[To the Officer. Ex. _Ant._ led.

ACT IV.

SCENE I. _A fine Room._

_Discovers _Belvile_, as by Dark alone._

_Belv._ When shall I be weary of railing on Fortune, who is resolv'd never to turn with Smiles upon me?-- Two such Defeats in one Night-- none but the Devil and that mad Rogue could have contriv'd to have plagued me with-- I am here a Prisoner-- but where?-- Heaven knows-- and if there be Murder done, I can soon decide the Fate of a Stranger in a Nation without Mercy-- Yet this is nothing to the Torture my Soul bows with, when I think of losing my fair, my dear _Florinda_.-- Hark-- my Door opens-- a Light-- a Man-- and seems of Quality-- arm'd too.-- Now shall I die like a Dog without defence.

Enter _Antonio_ in a Night-Gown, with a Light; his Arm in a Scarf, and a Sword under his Arm: He sets the Candle on the Table.

_Ant._ Sir, I come to know what Injuries I have done you, that could provoke you to so mean an Action, as to attack me basely, without allowing time for my Defence.

_Belv._ Sir, for a Man in my Circ.u.mstances to plead Innocence, would look like Fear-- but view me well, and you will find no marks of a Coward on me, nor any thing that betrays that Brutality you accuse me of.

_Ant._ In vain, Sir, you impose upon my Sense, You are not only he who drew on me last Night, But yesterday before the same House, that of _Angelica_.

Yet there is something in your Face and Mein--