The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Ii Part 105

_Lau_. 'Twas I, by Heaven, that heedless Fool was I.

_Jul_. Which I with Lover's' eager Joy perform'd, And on my Knees utter'd the hasty Words, Which she repeated o'er, and gave me back.

_Gal_. So, he has swallow'd with a vengeance the very Bait she had prepar'd for me, or any body that wou'd bite. [_Aside_.

_Jul_. But e'er I cou'd receive the dear Reward of all my Vows, I was drawn upon by a Man that lay hid in her Chamber; Whether by chance or design I know not; who fought me out, And was the same you found me engag'd with.

_Cor_. A pleasant Rascal this, as e'er the Devil taught his Lesson to.

_Gal_. So, my Comfort is, she has jilted him too most d.a.m.nably.

_Cor_. Slife, I have anger enough to make me valiant; why shou'd I not make use on't, and beat this lying Villain whilst the Fit holds?

_Gal_. And you design to keep these Vows, though you're contracted to another Woman?

_Jul_. I neither thought of breaking those, or keeping these; My Soul was all employ'd another way.

_Lau_. It shall be so, _Silvio_,--I've thought upon a way that must redeem all:--hark and observe me.

[_Takes_ Sil. _and whispers to him_.

_Jul_. But I'm impatient to pursue my Adventure, which I must endeavour to do, before the Light discover the Mistake.--Farewel, Sir.

[_Ex_. Julio.

_Gal_. Go and be ruin'd quite, she has the Knack of doing it.

_Sil_. I'll warrant ye, Madam, for my Part.

[_Ex_. Laura and Sabina.

_Gal_. I have a d.a.m.n'd hankering after this Woman: why cou'd I not have put the cheat on her, as _Julio_ has? I stand as little on my Word as he: a good round Oath or two had done the Business.--But a pox on't, I lov'd too well to be so wise.

[Silvio _comes up to him_.

_Sil_. _Con licentia_, Signior; is your Name _Galliard_?

_Gal_. I am the Man, sweet Heart,--let me behold thee--hah--_Sans Coeur's_ Page!

_Sil_. A duce of his Lanthorn, what shall I say now?--Softly, Signior, I am that Page whose chiefest Business is to attend my Lord's Mistress, Sir.

_Cor_. His Mistress! whose Mistress, what Mistress? S'life, how that little Word has nettled me!

[_Aside, listening close_.

_Gal_. Upon my Life, the Woman that he boasted of-- [_Aside, hugging of himself_.]

--A fair young amorous--n.o.ble--Wanton--a--And she wou'd speak with me, my lovely Boy?

_Sil_. You have prevented the Commands I had; but should my Lord know of it--

_Gal_. Thou wert undone, I understand thee-- And will be secret as a Confessor, As lonely Shades, or everlasting Night.

Come, lead the way.

_Cor_. Where I will follow thee, though to the Bed of her thou'rt going to, and even prevent thy very Business there. [_Aside_.]

[_Exeunt_.

SCENE II. _A Chamber_.

_Enter_ Laura, _as before, in a Night-Gown_.

_Lau_. Now for a Power that never yet was known To charm this Stranger quickly into Love.

a.s.sist my Eyes, thou G.o.d of kind Desires; Inspire my Language with a moving Force, That may at once gain and secure the Victory.

_Enter_ Silvio.

_Sil_. Madam, your Lover's here: your time's but short; consider too, Count _Julio_ may arrive.

_Lau_. Let him arrive; having secur'd my self of what I love, I'll leave him to complain his unknown Loss To careless Winds as pitiless as I--_Silvio_, see the Rooms Be fill'd with Lights, whilst I prepare my self to entertain him.

Darkness shall ne'er deceive me more--

[_Enter to_ Sil. Gal. _gazing about him_, Cor. _peeping at the Door_.

_Gal_. All's wondrous rich,--gay as the Court of Love, But still and silent as the Shades of Death; --Hah--Musick! and excellent!

[_Soft Musick whilst they speak_.

Pox on't--but where's the Woman?--I need no preparation.--

_Cor_. No, you are always provided for such Encounters, and can fall to _sans_ Ceremony,--but I may spoil your Stomach.

[_A Song tuning_.

_Gal_. A Voice too! by Heaven, and 'tis a sweet one: Grant she be young, and I'll excuse the rest, Yet vie for Pleasure with the happiest _Roman_.

[_The Song as by_ Laura, _after which soft Musick till she enters_.

The SONG by a Person of Quality.

_Farewel the World and mortal Cares, The ravished Strephon cry'd, As full of Joy and tender Tears He lay by Phillis' side: Let others toil for Wealth and Fame, Whilst not one Thought of mine At any other Bliss shall aim, But those dear Arms, but those dear Arms of thine.

Still let me gaze in thy bright Eyes, And hear thy charming Tongue; I nothing ask t'increase my Joys, But thus to feel 'em long.

In close Embraces let us lie, And spend our Lives to come; Then let us both together die, And be each other's, be each other's Tomb_.

--Death, I'm fir'd already with her Voice--

_Cor_. So, I am like to thrive.--

_Enter_ Julio.

_Jul_. What mean these Lights in every Room, as if to make The day without the Sun, and quite destroy my Hopes!-- Hah, _Galliard_ here!

_Cor_. A Man! grant it some Lover, or some Husband, Heaven, Or any thing that will but spoil the Sport.

The Lady! Oh, blast her, how fair she is!