The Works of Aphra Behn Volume I Part 26

_Flor._ This House is haunted sure,'tis well furnisht and no living thing inhabits it-- hah-- a Man! Heavens how he's attir'd! sure 'tis some Rope-dancer, or Fencing-Master; I tremble now for fear, and yet I must venture now to speak to him-- Sir, if I may not interrupt your Meditations-- [He starts up and gazes.

_Blunt._ Hah-- what's here? Are my wishes granted? and is not that a she Creature? Adsheartlikins 'tis! what wretched thing art thou-- hah!

_Flor._ Charitable Sir, you've told your self already what I am; a very wretched Maid, forc'd by a strange unlucky Accident, to seek a safety here, and must be ruin'd, if you do not grant it.

_Blunt._ Ruin'd! Is there any Ruin so inevitable as that which now threatens thee? Dost thou know, miserable Woman, into what Den of Mischiefs thou art fall'n? what a Bliss of Confusion?-- hah-- dost not see something in my looks that frights thy guilty Soul, and makes thee wish to change that Shape of Woman for any humble Animal, or Devil? for those were safer for thee, and less mischievous.

_Flor._ Alas, what mean you, Sir? I must confess your Looks have something in 'em makes me fear; but I beseech you, as you seem a Gentleman, pity a harmless Virgin, that takes your House for Sanctuary.

_Blunt._ Talk on, talk on, and weep too, till my faith return. Do, flatter me out of my Senses again-- a harmless Virgin with a Pox, as much one as t'other, adsheartlikins. Why, what the Devil can I not be safe in my House for you? not in my Chamber? nay, even being naked too cannot secure me. This is an Impudence greater than has invaded me yet.-- Come, no Resistance.

[Pulls her rudely.

_Flor._ Dare you be so cruel?

_Blunt._ Cruel, adsheartlikins as a Gally-slave, or a _Spanish_ Wh.o.r.e: Cruel, yes, I will kiss and beat thee all over; kiss, and see thee all over; thou shalt lie with me too, not that I care for the Injoyment, but to let you see I have ta'en deliberated Malice to thee, and will be revenged on one Wh.o.r.e for the Sins of another; I will smile and deceive thee, flatter thee, and beat thee, kiss and swear, and lye to thee, imbrace thee and rob thee, as she did me, fawn on thee, and strip thee stark naked, then hang thee out at my Window by the Heels, with a Paper of scurvey Verses fasten'd to thy Breast, in praise of d.a.m.nable Women-- Come, come along.

_Flor._ Alas, Sir, must I be sacrific'd for the Crimes of the most infamous of my s.e.x? I never understood the Sins you name.

_Blunt._ Do, persuade the Fool you love him, or that one of you can be just or honest; tell me I was not an easy c.o.xcomb, or any strange impossible Tale: it will be believ'd sooner than thy false Showers or Protestations. A Generation of d.a.m.n'd Hypocrites, to flatter my very Clothes from my back! dissembling Witches! are these the Returns you make an honest Gentleman that trusts, believes, and loves you?-- But if I be not even with you-- Come along, or I shall-- [Pulls her again.

Enter _Frederick_.

_Fred._ Hah, what's here to do?

_Blunt._ Adsheartlikins, _Fred_. I am glad thou art come, to be a Witness of my dire Revenge.

_Fred._ What's this, a Person of Quality too, who is upon the Ramble to supply the Defects of some grave impotent Husband?

_Blunt._ No, this has another Pretence, some very unfortunate Accident brought her hither, to save a Life pursued by I know not who, or why, and forc'd to take Sanctuary here at Fools Haven. Adsheartlikins to me of all Mankind for Protection? Is the a.s.s to be cajol'd again, think ye?

No, young one, no Prayers or Tears shall mitigate my Rage; therefore prepare for both my Pleasure of Enjoyment and Revenge, for I am resolved to make up my Loss here on thy Body, I'll take it out in kindness and in beating.

_Fred._ Now, Mistress of mine, what do you think of this?

_Flor._ I think he will not-- dares not be so barbarous.

_Fred._ Have a care, _Blunt_, she fetch'd a deep Sigh, she is inamour'd with thy s.h.i.+rt and Drawers, she'll strip thee even of that. There are of her Calling such unconscionable Baggages, and such dexterous Thieves, they'll flea a Man, and he shall ne'er miss his Skin, till he feels the Cold. There was a Country-man of ours robb'd of a Row of Teeth whilst he was sleeping, which the Jilt made him buy again when he wak'd-- You see, Lady, how little Reason we have to trust you.

_Blunt._ 'Dsheartlikins, why, this is most abominable.

_Flor._ Some such Devils there may be, but by all that's holy I am none such, I entered here to save a Life in danger.

_Blunt._ For no goodness I'll warrant her.

_Fred._ Faith, Damsel, you had e'en confess the plain Truth, for we are Fellows not to be caught twice in the same Trap: Look on that Wreck, a tight Vessel when he set out of Haven, well trim'd and laden, and see how a Female Piccaroon of this Island of Rogues has shatter'd him, and canst thou hope for any Mercy?

_Blunt._ No, no, Gentlewoman, come along, adsheartlikins we must be better acquainted-- we'll both lie with her, and then let me alone to bang her.

_Fred._ I am ready to serve you in matters of Revenge, that has a double Pleasure in't.

_Blunt._ Well said. You hear, little one, how you are condemn'd by publick Vote to the Bed within, there's no resisting your Destiny, Sweetheart.

[Pulls her.

_Flor._ Stay, Sir, I have seen you with _Belvile_, an _English_ Cavalier, for his sake use me kindly; you know how, Sir.

_Blunt._ _Belvile_! why, yes, Sweeting, we do know _Belvile_, and wish he were with us now, he's a Cormorant at Wh.o.r.e and Bacon, he'd have a Limb or two of thee, my Virgin Pullet: but 'tis no matter, we'll leave him the Bones to pick.

_Flor._ Sir, if you have any Esteem for that _Belvile_, I conjure you to treat me with more Gentleness; he'll thank you for the Justice.

_Fred._ Hark ye, _Blunt_, I doubt we are mistaken in this matter.

_Flor._ Sir, If you find me not worth _Belvile's_ Care, use me as you please; and that you may think I merit better treatment than you threaten-- pray take this Present-- [Gives him a Ring: He looks on it.

_Blunt._ Hum-- A Diamond! why, 'tis a wonderful Virtue now that lies in this Ring, a mollifying Virtue; adsheartlikins there's more persuasive Rhetorick in't, than all her s.e.x can utter.

_Fred._ I begin to suspect something; and 'twou'd anger us vilely to be truss'd up for a Rape upon a Maid of Quality, when we only believe we ruffle a Harlot.

_Blunt._ Thou art a credulous Fellow, but adsheartlikins I have no Faith yet; why, my Saint prattled as parlously as this does, she gave me a Bracelet too, a Devil on her: but I sent my Man to sell it to day for Necessaries, and it prov'd as counterfeit as her Vows of Love.

_Fred._ However let it reprieve her till we see _Belvile_.

_Blunt._ That's hard, yet I will grant it.

Enter a Servant.

_Serv._ Oh, Sir, the Colonel is just come with his new Friend and a _Spaniard_ of Quality, and talks of having you to Dinner with 'em.

_Blunt._ 'Dsheartlikins, I'm undon-- I would not see 'em for the World: Harkye, _Fred_, lock up the Wench in your Chamber.

_Fred._ Fear nothing, Madam, whate'er he threatens, you're safe whilst in my Hands.

[Ex. _Fred._ and _Flor._

_Blunt._ And, Sirrah-- upon your Life, say-- I am not at home-- or that I am asleep-- or-- or any thing-- away-- I'll, prevent them coming this way.

[Locks the Door and Exeunt.

ACT V.

SCENE I. _Blunt's Chamber._

_After a great knocking as at his Chamber-door, enter _Blunt_ softly, crossing the Stage in his s.h.i.+rt and Drawers, as before._

_Ned, Ned Blunt, Ned Blunt._ [Call within.

_Blunt._ The Rogues are up in Arms, 'dsheartlikins, this villainous _Frederick_ has betray'd me, they have heard of my blessed Fortune.