The Works of Aphra Behn Volume I Part 30

So mean a Thought of me, Wou'd turn my Rage to Scorn, and I shou'd pity thee, And give thee leave to live; Which for the publick Safety of our s.e.x, And my own private Injuries, I dare not do.

Prepare-- [Follows still, as before.

--I will no more be tempted with Replies.

_Will._ Sure--

_Ang._ Another Word will d.a.m.n thee! I've heard thee talk too long.

[She follows him with a Pistol ready to shoot: he retires still amaz'd.

Enter Don _Antonio_, his Arm in a Scarf, and lays hold on the Pistol.

_Ant._ Hah! _Angelica!_

_Ang._ _Antonio!_ What Devil brought thee hither?

_Ant._ Love and Curiosity, seeing your Coach at Door. Let me disarm you of this unbecoming Instrument of Death.-- [Takes away the Pistol.]

Amongst the Number of your Slaves, was there not one worthy the Honour to have fought your Quarrel?

--Who are you, Sir, that are so very wretched To merit Death from her?

_Will._ One, Sir, that cou'd have made a better End of an amorous Quarrel without you, than with you.

_Ant._ Sure 'tis some Rival-- hah-- the very Man took down her Picture yesterday-- the very same that set on me last night-- Blest opportunity-- [Offers to shoot him.

_Ang._ Hold, you're mistaken, Sir.

_Ant._ By Heaven the very same!

--Sir, what pretensions have you to this Lady?

_Will._ Sir, I don't use to be examin'd, and am ill at all Disputes but this-- [Draws, _Anton._ offers to shoot.

_Ang._ Oh, hold! you see he's arm'd with certain Death: [To _Will._ --And you, _Antonio_, I command you hold, By all the Pa.s.sion you've so lately vow'd me.

Enter Don _Pedro_, sees Antonio, and stays.

_Ped._ Hah, _Antonio_! and _Angelica_! [Aside.

_Ant._ When I refuse Obedience to your Will, May you destroy me with your mortal Hate.

By all that's Holy I adore you so, That even my Rival, who has Charms enough To make him fall a Victim to my Jealousy, Shall live, nay, and have leave to love on still.

_Ped._ What's this I hear? [Aside.

_Ang._ Ah thus, 'twas thus he talk'd, and I believ'd.

[Pointing to _Will._ --_Antonio_, yesterday, I'd not have sold my Interest in his Heart, For all the Sword has won and lost in Battle.

--But now to show my utmost of Contempt, I give thee Life-- which if thou would'st preserve, Live where my Eyes may never see thee more, Live to undo some one, whose Soul may prove So bravely constant to revenge my Love.

[Goes out, _Ant._ follows, but _Ped._ pulls him back.

_Ped._ _Antonio_-- stay.

_Ant._ Don _Pedro_--

_Ped._ What Coward Fear was that prevented thee From meeting me this Morning on the _Molo_?

_Ant._ Meet thee?

_Ped._ Yes me; I was the Man that dar'd thee to't.

_Ant._ Hast thou so often seen me fight in War, To find no better Cause to excuse my Absence?

--I sent my Sword and one to do thee Right, Finding my self uncapable to use a Sword.

_Ped._ But 'twas _Florinda's_ Quarrel that we fought, And you to shew how little you esteem'd her, Sent me your Rival, giving him your Interest.

--But I have found the Cause of this Affront, But when I meet you fit for the Dispute, --I'll tell you my Resentment.

_Ant._ I shall be ready, Sir, e'er long to do you Reason.

[Exit _Ant._

_Ped._ If I cou'd find _Florinda_, now whilst my Anger's high, I think I shou'd be kind, and give her to _Belvile_ in Revenge.

_Will._ Faith, Sir, I know not what you wou'd do, but I believe the Priest within has been so kind.

_Ped._ How! my Sister married?

_Will._ I hope by this time she is, and bedded too, or he has not my longings about him.

_Ped._ Dares he do thus? Does he not fear my Pow'r?

_Will._ Faith not at all. If you will go in, and thank him for the Favour he has done your Sister, so; if not, Sir, my Power's greater in this House than yours; I have a d.a.m.n'd surly Crew here, that will keep you till the next Tide, and then clap you an board my Prize; my s.h.i.+p lies but a League off the _Molo_, and we shall show your Dons.h.i.+p a d.a.m.n'd _Tramontana_ Rover's Trick.

Enter _Belvile_.

_Belv._ This Rogue's in some new Mischief-- hah, _Pedro_ return'd!

_Ped._ Colonel _Belvile_, I hear you have married my Sister.

_Belv._ You have heard truth then, Sir.

_Ped._ Have I so? then, Sir, I wish you Joy.

_Belv._ How!

_Ped._ By this Embrace I do, and I glad on't.

_Belv._ Are you in earnest?

_Ped._ By our long Friends.h.i.+p and my Obligations to thee, I am. The sudden Change I'll give you Reasons for anon. Come lead me into my Sister, that she may know I now approve her Choice.

[Exit _Bel._ with _Ped._ [_Will._ goes to follow them. Enter _h.e.l.lena_ as before in Boy's Clothes, and pulls him back.

_Will._ Ha! my Gipsy-- Now a thousand Blessings on thee for this Kindness. Egad, Child, I was e'en in despair of ever seeing thee again; my Friends are all provided for within, each Man his kind Woman.

_h.e.l.l._ Hah! I thought they had serv'd me some such Trick.