The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Iv Part 115

_Geo._ Perhaps I may before the Morning's dawn.

_Prince._ Ha, prove it here--here, in this very House!

_Geo._ Ay, here, Sir.

_Prince._ What, in my Lodgings will she receive her Spark--by Heaven, were he the darling Son of a Monarch, an Empire's Hope, and Joy of all the Fair, he shou'd not live to rifle me of Peace.--Come, shew me this destin'd Victim to my Rage.

_Geo._ No, my Revenge is only comical--If you wou'd see how Woman can dissemble, come on, and follow me.

_Prince._ What, disturb her Rest! Didst thou not see her fainting with the Fatigues this Night had given her, and begg'd me I would leave her to Repose?

_Geo._ Yes, and wonder'd at her Art; and when you begg'd to watch by her Bed-side, with what dear Promises she put you off; while every word fell feebly from her Tongue, as if't had been her last, so very sick she was--till you were gone--Hark--a Door opens--I will obscure the Lights.

[Puts away the Lights.

Enter _Olivia._ They retire a little.

_Oliv._ Was ever Maid so near to being undone? Oh Heavens! in bed with the dear Man I love, ready to be betray'd by every Sigh.

[_George_ peeps.

_Geo._ 'Tis _Olivia_.

Enter _Manage_ groping.

_Man._ I left him here--what, by dark? _Endimion_, young, handsome Sir, where are you?

[Calls _Olivia_.

_Geo._ Do you hear that, Sir?

_Man._ Oh, are you here?-- [Runs against _Olivia_.

_Oliv._ 'Slife, 'tis _Manage_--how shall I escape?-- [Aside.

_Man._ Come, Sir, my Lady _Mirtilla_ has dismiss'd her troublesome Lovers, for your more agreeable Company.

_Geo._ D'ye hear that, Sir?

_Man._ Come softly on, Sir, and follow me.

_Oliv._ I'm all Obedience--

She cannot ravish me, and that's a Comfort. [Aside, going out.

_Prince._ Oh, _Lejere_--can this be possible? Can there be such a Woman?

_Geo._ Follow him, Sir, and see--

_Prince._ See what!--be witness of her Infamy? h.e.l.l! h.e.l.l, and all the Fires of l.u.s.t possess her! when she's so old and leud, all Mankind shun her.--I'll be a Coward in my own dire Revenge, and use no manly Mercy.--But oh, I faint, I faint with Rage and Love, which like two meeting Tides, swell into Storms.--Bear me a minute to my Couch within.

_Geo._ What have I done! now I repent my Rashness.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II. Draws off, discovers _Mirtilla_ at her Toylet, dress'd.

Enter _Manage_, leading _Olivia_ in as _Endymion_, who falls at _Mirtilla's_ Feet, whilst she's there, sings a Song; she takes him up.

_Mir._ Rise,--When Lovers are alone they pardon Ceremony.--I sent for you to end the Night with me; say--how shall we employ it?

_Oliv._ I'll sigh, and gaze upon your lovely Face.

_Mir._ Nothing but sigh, and gaze; we shall grow dull.

_Oliv._ I'll tell you Tales of Love, and sing you Songs.

_Mir._ Thy Voice, 'tis true, can charm a thousand ways; but Lovers time their Joys, these for the Day, those for the lovely Night. And when they would be silently in love, have Musick of soft Sighs and gentler Whispers.

_Oliv._ Oh, Love inspires all this--What shall I do? [Aside.

_Mir._ Nay, think not because I sent for you alone, while Night and Silence favour Lovers Stealths, to take advantage of my yielding Heart.

_Oliv._ I wou'd to Heaven she were in earnest now.

A Noise. Enter _Manage_.

_Man._ Oh, hide your Favourite, Madam--do you hear.

_Mir._ A jealous Lover only, comes in such a Storm--Dear, to my Heart, whose Safety is my Life. Submit to be conceal'd--but where--Oh Heavens, he comes--'Tis for you I fear-- [They search for a place.

_Man._ He comes--

_Mir._ Here, let my Train secure you--Till now I never found the right Use of long Trains and Farthingals.

[She kneels, _Man._ puts her Train over _Olivia_.

Enter _Prince_ and _George_, at the Door.

_Geo._ 'Sdeath, you have made these Pauses and Alarms to give her time to jilt you.

_Prince._ Pray Heaven she do--I'd not be undeceiv'd for all the Sun surveys.

[Enters.

_Mir._ My Lord the Prince! now you are kind indeed.

[Goes and embraces him.

--hah! what means this Unconcern?

_Prince._ I thought I'ad left you sick, extremely sick.

_Mir._ And are you griev'd to find my Health return?