The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Iv Part 60

_Behold a Prince, who never yet Was vanquished in the Field; Awhile his Glories must forget, And lay his Laurels at the feet Of some fair Female Power, to whom he'll yield._

_Fred._ What's this the Preparation?

_Lor._ Yes, so it should seem; but had you met With so many defeats as I have done to night, You would willingly excuse this Ceremony.

Musick for the Dance.

Enter _Antonio_ with _Ismena_, _Alberto_ with _Clarina_, _Laura_ and _Cloris_ with two Men more, and all dress'd in Masquerade, with Vizards; they dance. The Prince sets down: the Dance being done, they retire to one side; and _Alberto_ comes and presents him _Clarina_, and bows and retires; who puts off her Mask, and puts it on again, and retires.

_Fred._ She's wondrous fair; Sure in his whole Cabal he cannot show a fairer--

_Lor._ She resembles _Clarina_; I wish your Highness Would see further, and then perhaps this would Fall to my lot, for I love her for likeness sake.

[_Antonio_ presents _Ismena_, and retires as the other.

_Fred._ This I confess out-does the others; An Innocency dwells upon her Face, That's strangely taking, is it not, _Lorenzo_?

_Lor._ To say truth, she is very fine indeed.

[They present _Laura_.

_Fred._ Hah! I am amaz'd; see, _Lorenzo_, Dost thou not know that Face?

_Lor._ O' my Conscience and Soul, 'tis my own Sister _Laura_; Why, how now, Mistress, Do things go thus with you, i'faith?

[She shakes her Hand, as not understanding him.

_Ant._ Sir, she understands you not.

_Lor._ Is it not _Laura_ then?

_Ant._ No, Sir, it is a Stranger.

_Fred._ Let her be what she will, I'll have her.

[_Fred._ seems to talk, when she answers in Grimaces.

_Lor._ There have been Examples in the World Of the good Offices done by a Brother to a Sister; But they are very rare here, And therefore will surely be the more acceptable.

Well, Sir, have you fix'd, that I may chuse?

_Fred._ I have, and had he thousands more, [_Lor._ goes to _Clar._ I would refuse them all for this fair Creature.

Enter _Pietro_.

_Piet._ Sir, all things are ready as you desire, But my Master must first speak with you alone.

_Fred._ About the Price, I'll warrant you; Let him come in: [All go out but _Fred_, to him _Cur._ --Are you the Master of the Ceremony?

_Cur._ I am.

_Fred._ Be speedy then, and by my Impatiency To be with that agreeable Stranger, Guess at my Approbation of the Ladies, and which I chuse.

_Cur._ Your mighty Heat, Sir, will be soon allay'd.

_Fred._ Shall it?

_Cur._ Yes, Sir, it shall, for you must die.

_Fred._ Sure thou art mad to tell me so, whoe'er thou be'st, Whilst I have this about me. [Draws.

_Cur._ That, Sir, you draw in vain; stand off-- [Offers a Pistol.

_Fred._ What new conceited Preparation's this?

_Cur._ Sir, when you know this Face, it will inform you.

[Pulls off his false Beard.

_Fred._ _Curtius_! I am betray'd, oh Villain! [Offers to fight.

_Cur._ Ho, within there-- [He calls, and all the masked Men come out, and offer their Pistols at _Frederick_.

_Fred._ Hold, I am the Prince of _Florence_.

_Cur._ These, Sir, are Rogues, and have no sense of ought, But Mischief in their Souls; Gold is their Prince and G.o.d,--go, be gone-- [They withdraw.

--See, Sir, I can command them.

_Fred._ _Curtius_, why dost thou deal thus treacherously with me?

Did I not offer thee to fight thee fairly?

_Cur._ 'Tis like the Injuries, Sir, that you have done me; Pardon me if my Griefs make me too rude, And in coa.r.s.e terms lay all your Sins before you.

--First, Sir, you have debauch'd my lovely Sister, The only one I had; The Hope and Care of all our n.o.ble Family: Thou, Prince, didst ravish all her Virtue from her, And left her nothing but a desperate sense of Shame, Which only serv'd to do her self that Justice, Which I had executed, had she not prevented me.

_Fred._ In this, upon my Soul, you do me wrong.

_Cur._ Next, (Oh, how unlike a brave and generous Man!) Without a Cause, you cast me from your Bosom; Withdrew the Honour of your promis'd Friends.h.i.+p, And made me partner in my Sister's Fate; Only with this difference, that she You left to act a Murder on her self; And mine you would have been so kind to've done With your own hand, but my respect prevented it.

--Next, Sir, you ravish'd _Laura_ from me, And under a pretence of sacred Friends.h.i.+p, You prov'd your self the worst of Enemies; And that's a Crime you dare not say was Ignorance, As you perhaps will plead your Sin to _Cloris_ was.

_Fred._ _Cloris_, why, what hast thou to do with _Cloris_?

_Cur._ She was my Sister, _Frederick_.

_Fred._ Thy Sister!

_Cur._ Yes, think of it well, A Lady of as pure and n.o.ble Blood, As that of the great Duke thy Father, Till you, bad Man, infected it.

--Say, should I murder you for this base Action, Would you not call it a true Sacrifice?

And would not Heaven and Earth forgive it too?

_Fred._ No, had I known that she had been thy Sister, I had receiv'd her as a Gift from Heaven; And so I would do still.

_Cur._ She must be sent indeed from Heaven, If you receive her now.

_Fred._ Is _Cloris_ dead? Oh, how I was to blame! [Weeps.