The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Ii Part 107

_Lau. Julio_!

_Gal_. What of him? [_Aside_.

_Cor_. Being just now arriv'd at _Rome_--

_Lau_. Heavens, arriv'd! [_Aside_.

_Cor_. Sent me to beg the Honour of waiting on you.

_Lau_. Sure, Stranger, you mistake.--

_Cor_. If, Madam, you are _Laura Lucretia_.--

_Gal. Laura Lucretia_! by Heaven, the very Woman he's to marry.

[_Aside_.

_Lau_. This would surprize a Virgin less resolv'd: But what have I to do with ought but Love? [_Aside_.

--And can your Lord imagine this an Hour To make a ceremonious Visit in?

_Gal_. Riddles by Love! or is't some Trick again? [_Aside_.

_Cor_. Madam, where Vows are past, the want of Ceremony may be pardon'd.

_Lau_. I do not use to have my Will disputed, Be gone, and let him know I'll be obey'd.

_Cor_. S'life, she'll out-wit me yet,-- [_Aside_.

Madam, I see this Niceness is not general, --You can except some Lovers.

_Gal_. My pert young Confident, depart, and let your Master know he'll find a better welcome from the fair vain Curtezan, _la Silvianetta_, where he has past the Night, and given his Vows.

_Lau_. Dearly devis'd, and I must take the hint.

[_Aside smiling_.

_Cor_. He knows me sure, and says all this to plague me. [_Aside_.

My Lord, my Master with a Curtezan! he's but just now arriv'd.

_Gal_. A pretty forward saucy lying Boy this; and may do well in time.-- Madam, believe him not, I saw his Master yesterday,--convers'd with him.

--I know him, he's my Friend;--'twas he that parted hence but now, he told me all his Pa.s.sion for a Curtezan scarce half an hour since.

_Cor_. So!

_Lau_. I do not doubt it, Oh, how I love him for this seasonable Lye: --And can you think I'll see a perjur'd Man, [_To_ Cor.

Who gives my interest in him to another?

--Do I not help ye out most artfully?-- [_Aside. Laughing to_ Gal.

_Cor_. I see they are resolv'd to out-face me.

_Gal_. Nay, vow'd to marry her.

_Lau_. Heavens, to marry her!

_Cor_. To be conquer'd at my own Weapon too!--Lying! 'tis a hard case.-- [_Aside_.

_Gal_. Go, Boy, you may be gone; you have you Answer, Child, and may depart--Come, Madam, let us leave him.

_Cor_. Gone, no help! Death, I'll quarrel with him,--nay, fight him,-- d.a.m.n him,--rather than lose him thus.--Stay, Signior. [_Pulls him_.]--You call me Boy--but you may find your self mistaken, Sir,--And know--I've that about me may convince ye.

[_Shewing his Sword_.

--'Thas done some Execution.

_Gal_. Prithee, on whom or what? small Village Curs?

The barking of a Mastiff wou'd unman thee.

[_Offers to go_.

_Cor_. Hold--follow me from the Refuge of her Arms; As thou'rt a Man, I do conjure thee do't:--I hope he will, I'll venture beating for't. [_Aside_.

_Gal_. Yes, my brisk little Rascal, I will a--a--

_Lau_. By all that's good, you shall not stir from hence; ho, who waits there, _Antonio, Silvio, Gaspero_?

[_Enter all_.]

--take that fierce Youth, and bear him from my sight.

_Cor_. You shall not need; s'life, these rough Rogues will be too hard for me; I've one prevention left,--farewel.

_May'st thou supply her with as feeble Art, As I should do, were I to play thy part_.

[_Goes out with the rest_.

_Gal_. He's gone, now let's redeem our blessed Minutes lost.

[_Go in_.

SCENE III. _Changes to the Street_.--Piazo d'Hispagnia.

_Enter_ Julio _alone_.

_Jul_. Now by this breaking Day-light I cou'd rave: I knew she mistook me last night, which made me so eager to improve my lucky Minutes. Sure, _Galliard_ is not the Man, I long to know the Mystery;--hah--who's here?

--_Fillamour!_

_Enter_ Fillamour _met by_ Marcella _in Man's Clothes; they pa.s.s by each other, c.o.c.k and justle_.

_Mar_. I take it, you are he I look for, Sir.

_Fil_. My name is _Fillamour_.

_Mar_. Mine, _Julio Sebastiano Morosini_.

_Jul_. Hah, my Name, by Heaven! [_Aside_.