The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Iii Part 109

That very Sound tears out my hated Soul, --And to compleat my ruin, I'll still behold this face where Murder dwells.

[_He looks in the gla.s.s_, Erminia _steals behind him, and looks into it over his shoulder; he is frighted_.

Ha--what does this Gla.s.s present me?

What art thou?--speak--What art thou?

[_Turns by degrees towards it_.

--Sure I am fixt, what, shall the Devil fright me?

--Me shall he fright, Who stood the Execution of a Murder?

--But 'tis that Shape, and not thy Nature frights me, --That calls the blood out of my panting Heart, That Traytor Heart that did conspire thy death.

_Er_. Sit down and hear me--

[_In a tone like a Spirit, and points to a Chair; soft Musick begins to play, which continues all this Scene_.

To disobey, thy punishment shall be; To live in endless torments, but ne'er die.

_Alcip_. Thou threatnest high, bold Rebel, [_He sits within the Scene, bows_.

Er. Alcippus, _tell me what you see, What is't that I appear to be_?

_Alcip_. My blest _Erminia_ deify'd.

Er. Alcippus, _you inform me true; I am thus deify'd by you; To you I owe this blest abode, For I am happy as a G.o.d; I only come to tell thee so, And by that tale to end thy Woe; Know, Mighty Sir, your Joy's begun, From what last night to me was done; In vain you rave, in vain you weep, For what the G.o.ds must ever keep; In vain you mourn, in vain deplore A loss which tears can ne'er restore.

The G.o.ds their Mercies will dispense, In a more glorious Recompence; A World of Blessings they've in store, A World of Honours, Vict'ries more; Thou shalt the Kingdom's Darling be, And Kings shall Homage pay to thee; Thy Sword no bounds to Conquest set, And thy Success that Sword shall whet; Princes thy Chariot-wheel shall grace, Whilst thou in Triumph bring'st home Peace.

This will the G.o.ds; thy King yet more Will give thee what those G.o.ds adore; And what they did create for thee_, Alcippus, _look, for that is she_.

_Enter the_ Princess, _who goes over the Stage as a Spirit, bows a little to_ Alcippus, _and goes off_.

_Alcip_. The Princess! [_He offers to rise_.

Er. _Be still; 'tis she you must possess, 'Tis she must make your happiness; 'Tis she must lead you on to find Those Blessings Heaven has design'd: 'Tis she'll conduct you, where you'll prove The perfect Joys of grateful Love_.

Enter _Aminta_ like Glory, _Alcander_ representing _Honour_.

They pa.s.s over and bow, and go out.

_Glory and Honour wait on her_.

Enter two more representing _Mars_ and _Pallas_, bow and go out.

_With_ Pallas _and the G.o.d of War_,

Enter _Olinda_ like _Fortune_, a _Page_ like _Cupid_, bow and go out.

_Fortune and Love which ne'er agree, Do now united bow to thee.

--Be wise, and of their Bounties share; For if_ Erminia _still was here, Still subject to the toils of Life, She never could have been thy Wife, Who by the Laws of Men and Heaven Was to another's bosom given: --And what Injustice thou hast done, Was only to thy Prince alone; But he has mercy, can redeem Those Ills which thou hast done to him.

--But see, they all return again_.

[All the Disguis'd enter again and dance, with _Love_ in the midst, to whom as they dance, they in order make an offer of what they carry, which must be something to represent them by; which _Love_ refuses with Nods, still pointing to _Alcippus_: the Dance done, they lay them at his feet, or seem to do so, and go out.

_What think'st thou of thy Destiny, Is't not agreeable to thee?

Tell me_, Alcippus, _is't not brave?

Is it not better than a Grave?

Cast off your Tears, abandon Grief, And give what you have seen belief.

Dress all your Looks, and be as gay As Virgins in the Month of_ May; _Deck up that Face where Sorrow grows, And let your Smiles adorn your brows; Recal your wonted Sweetness home, And let your Eyes all Love become: For what the G.o.ds have willed and said, Thou hast no power to evade.

What they decree none can withstand, You must obey what they command_.

[She goes out, he remains immoveable for a while.

_Enter_ Pisaro.

_Pis_. How is it, man?--what, speechless?

_Alcip_. No.

_Pis_. I left thee on the Bed, how camest thou here?

_Alcip_. I know not.

_Pis_. Have you slept?

_Alcip_. Yes, ever since you left me; And 'twas a kindness in thee now to wake me; For Sleep had almost flatter'd me to Peace, Which is a vile injustice.

Hah, _Pisaro_, I had such a Dream, Such a fine flattering Dream--

_Pis_. How was it, pray?

_Alcip_. Nay, I will forget it; I do not merit so much peace of mind, As the relation of that Dream will give me: Oh, 'twas so perfect, too, I hardly can persuade my self I slept!

Dost thou believe there may be Apparitions?

_Pis_. Doubtless, my Lord, there be.

_Alcip_. I never could believe it till this hour, By Heavens, I think I saw them too, _Pisaro_.

_Pis_. 'Tis very possible you're not deceiv'd.

_Alcip_. _Erminia's_ Spirit, in a glorious form.

_Pis_. I do believe you.

_Alcip_. Why, is't not strange?

_Pis_. It would have been, had I not heard already She has this night appear'd to several Persons, In several Shapes; the first was to the Prince; And said so many pretty things for you, As has persuaded him to pardon you.

_Alcip_. Oh G.o.ds, what Fortune's mine!

I do believe the Prince is innocent From all that thou hast said.

--But yet I wish he would dispose his Bounties On those that would return acknowledgments; I hate he should oblige me.

_Pis_. You are too obstinate, and must submit.