The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Iii Part 94

_Enter_ Pisaro _alone_.

_Pis_. Ha! who's that? a Lover, on my life, This amorous malady reigns every where; Nor can my Sister be an ignorant Of what I saw this night in _Galatea_: I'll question her--Sister, _Aminta_, Sister.

[_Calls as at her Lodgings_.

_Enter_ Lysette.

_Lys_. Who calls my Lady?

_Pis_. Where's my Sister?

_Lys_. I cry your Lords.h.i.+p's mercy; My Lady lies not in her Lodgings to night; The Princess sent for her, Her Highness is not well.

[_She goes in_.

_Pis_. I do believe it, good night, _Lysette_.

_Enter a_ Page.

--Who's there?

_Page_. Your Lords.h.i.+p's Page.

_Pis_. Where hast thou been? I wanted thee but now.

_Page_. I fell asleep i'th' Lobby, Sir, and had not waken'd Yet, but for the Musick which plays at the Lodgings Of my Lady _Erminia_.

_Pis_. Curse on them; will they not allow him nights to himself; 'tis hard.

This night I'm wiser grown by observation, My Love and Friends.h.i.+p taught me jealousy, Which like a cunning Spy brought in intelligence From every eye less wary than its own; They told me that the charming _Galatea_, In whom all power remains, Is yet too feeble to encounter Love; I find she has receiv'd the wanton G.o.d, Maugre my fond opinion of her Soul.

And 'tis my Friend too that's become my Rival.

I saw her lovely Eyes still turn on him, As Flowers to th'Sun: and when he turn'd away Like those she bow'd her charming head again.

--On th'other side the Prince with dying looks Each motion watch'd of fair _Erminia's_ eyes, Which she return'd as greedily again, And if one glance t' _Alcippus_ she directed, He'd stare as if he meant to cut his throat for't.

_Well, Friend, thou hast a sure defence of me, My Love is yet below my Amity_.

[_Ex_.

SCENE VI. _Draws off, discovers_ Philander_ and_ Alcander _with Musick at the Chamber-door of_ Erminia; _to them_ Pisaro, _who listens whilst the Song is sung_.

The Song for the _Page_ to sing at _Erminia's_ Chamber-door.

Amintas _that true-hearted Swain Upon a River's bank was laid, Where to the pitying streams he did complain Of_ Sylvia _that false charming Maid, But she was still regardless of his pain: Oh faithless_ Sylvia! _would he cry, And what he said the Echoes would reply_.

Be kind or else I die, _E_. I die.

Be kind or else I die, _E_. I die.

_A shower of tears his eyes let fall, Which in the River made impress, Then sigh'd, and_ Sylvia _false again would call, A cruel faithless Shepherdess.

Is Love with you become a criminal?

Ah lay aside this needless scorn, Allow your poor Adorer some return_, Consider how I burn, _E_. I burn.

Consider, &c.

_Those Smiles and Kisses which you give.

Remember_, Sylvia, _are my due; And all the Joys my Rival does receive He ravishes from me, not you.

Ah_ Sylvia, _can I live and this believe?

Insensibles are touched to see My languishments, and seem to pity me_.

Which I demand of thee, _E_. of thee, Which I demand, &c.

_Pis_. What's all this?

_Phi_. Who's there?

_Pis_. A Man, a Friend to the General.

_Phi_. Then thou'rt an Enemy to all good Men.

Does the ungrateful Wretch hide his own head, And send his Spies abroad?

_Pis_. He is too great to fear, and needs them not: And him thou termest so, scorns the Office too.

_Phi_. What makest thou here then, when the whole World's asleep?

Be gone, there lies thy way, where'er thy business be.

_Pis_. It lies as free for thee, and here's my business.

_Phi_. Thou lyest, rude man.

_Pis_. Why, what art thou darest tell me so i'th' dark?

Day had betray'd thy blushes for this Boldness.

_Phi_. Tell me who 'tis that dares capitulate?

_Pis_. One that dares make it good.

_Phi_. Draw then, and keep thy word.

_Alcan_. Stand by, and let me do that duty, Sir.

[_He steps between them, they fight_, Pisaro _falls_.

--Here's thy reward, whoe'er thou art.

_Phi_. Hast thou no hurt?

_Alcan_. I think not much, yet somewhere 'tis I bleed.

_Pis_. What a dull beast am I!

[_Exeunt_ Prince _and_ Alcan.

_Enter_ Page.