The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Iv Part 49

Oh Impertinency, thou art justly rewarded!

_Cur._ _Lorenzo_, may I believe you love me?

_Lor._ Now what shall I say, Ay or no? [Aside.

The Devil take me if I know.

_Cur._ Will you do me a favour?

_Lor._ There 'tis again. [Aside.

_Cur._ I know I may trust thee with a secret.

_Lor._ Truly, _Curtius_, I cannot tell.

In some cases I am not very retentive.

_Cur._ I am going about a business, that perhaps May take up all the time I have to live, And I may never see thy Sister more; Will you oblige me in a Message to her?

_Lor._ You know you may command me; --I'm glad 'tis no worse. [Aside.

_Cur._ Come, go with me into my Cabinet, And there I'll write to _Laura_; And prithee if thou hear'st that I am dead, Tell her I fell a Sacrifice to her, And that's enough, she understands the rest.

_Lor._ But harkye, _Curtius_, by your favour, this is but a Scurvy Tale to carry to your Mistress; I hope you are not in earnest.

_Cur._ Yes.

_Lor._ Yes! why, what a foolish idle humour's this in you? I vow 'twill go near to break the poor Girl's Heart;-- Come, be advis'd, Man.

_Cur._ Perhaps I may consider on't for that reason.

_Lor._ There are few that go about such businesses, But have one thing or other to consider in favour of Life; I find that even in the most magnanimous:-- Prithee who is't with?

_Cur._ That's counsel: and pray let this too which I have Told you be a Secret, for 'twill concern your Life.

_Lor._ Good _Curtius_, take it back again then; For a hundred to one but my over-care of keeping it Will betray it.

_Cur._ Thou lovest thy self better.

_Lor._ Well, that's a comfort yet.

[Exeunt.

SCENE III. A Wood.

Enter _Cloris_ dressed like a Country-Boy, follow'd by _Guilliam_ a Clown; _Cloris_ comes reading a Letter.

_Clo._ [Reads.] Cloris, _beware of Men; for though I my self be one,_ _Yet I have the Frailties of my s.e.x, and can dissemble too;_ _Trust none of us, for if thou dost, thou art undone;_ _We make Vows to all alike we see,_ _And even the best of Men, the Prince,_ _Is not to be credited in an affair of Love._ --Oh _Curtius_, thy advice was very kind; Had it arriv'd before I'ad been undone!

--Can _Frederick_ too be false!

A Prince, and be unjust to her that loves him too?

--Surely it is impossible-- Perhaps thou lov'st me too, and this may be [Pointing to the Letter.

Some Plot of thine to try my Constancy: --Howe'er it be, since he could fail last night Of seeing me, I have at least a cause to justify This shameful change; and sure in this Disguise, I shall not soon be known, dost think I shall? [Looks on herself.

_Guil._ Why, forsooth, what do you intend to pa.s.s for, A Maid or a Boy?

_Clo._ Why, what I seem to be, will it not do?

_Guil._ Yes, yes, it may do, but I know not what; I would Love would transmography me to a Maid now, --We should be the prettiest Couple: Don't you remember when you dress'd me up the last Carnival, was I not the woundiest handsome La.s.s A body could see in a Summer's day?

There was _Claud_ the Shepherd as freakish after me, I'll warrant you, and simper'd and tript it like any thing.

_Clo._ Ay, but they say 'tis dangerous for young Maids to live at Court.

_Guil._ Nay, then I should be loth to give temptation.

--Pray, forsooth, what's that you read so often there?

_Clo._ An advice to young Maids that are in love.

_Guil._ Ay, ay, that same Love is a very vengeance thing, Wou'd I were in love too; I see it makes a body valiant; One neither feels Hunger nor Cold that is possest with it.

_Clo._ Thou art i'th' right, it can do Miracles.

_Guil._ So it seems, for without a Miracle you and I could never Have rambled about these Woods all night without either Bottle or Wallet: I could e'en cry for hunger now.

_Clo._ What a dull Soul this Fellow hath?

Sure it can never feel the generous Pains Of Love, as mine does now; oh, how I glory To find my Heart above the common rate!

Were not my Prince inconstant, I would not envy what the Blessed do above: But he is false, good Heaven!-- [Weeps. _Guil._ howls.

--What dost thou feel, that thou shouldst weep with me?

_Guil._ Nothing but Hunger, sharp Hunger, forsooth.

_Clo._ Leave calling me forsooth, it will betray us.

_Guil._ What shall I call you then?

_Clo._ Call me, _Philibert_, or any thing; And be familiar with me: put on thy Hat, lest any come and see us.

_Guil._ 'Tis a hard name, but I'll learn it by heart.

--Well, _Philibert_--What shall we do when we come to Court?

[Puts on his Hat.

Besides eating and drinking, which I shall do in abundance.

_Clo._ We must get each of us a Service: --But thou art such a Clown.

_Guil._ Nay, say not so, honest _Philibert_: for look ye, I am much the properer Fellow of the two. [Walks.

_Clo._ Well, try thy fortune; but be sure you never discover Me, whatever Questions may chance to be asked thee.

_Guil._ I warrant thee, honest Lad, I am true and trusty; But I must be very familiar with you, you say.

_Clo._ Yes, before Company.