The Works of Aphra Behn Volume I Part 70

_Franc._ What, still with folded Arms and down-cast looks?

_Silv._ Oh _Francisca_!

My Brother's Presence now afflicts me more Than all my Fears of Cruelty from _Cleonte_; She is the best, the sweetest, kindest Sister--

_Franc._ Ay, Sir, but she will never make the kindest Mistress.

_Silv._ At least she should permit me to adore her, Were but _Marcel_ away.

Hast thou no Stratagem to get him absent?

For I can think of nothing but my Sister. [Sighs.

_Franc._ I know of one, nor other Remedy for you than loving less.

_Silv._ Oh, 'tis impossible: Thou know'st I've tried all ways, made my Addresses To all the fairest Virgins in _Madrid_; Nay, and at last fell to the worst Debauchery, That of frequenting every common House: But Souls that feed so high on Love as mine, Must nauseate coa.r.s.er Diet.

No, I must still love on, and tell her so, Or I must live no longer.

_Franc._ That methinks you might do even in the Presence of _Marcel_.

A Brother is allow'd to love a Sister.

_Silv._ But I shall do't in such a way, _Francisca_, Be so transported, and so pa.s.sionate, I shall betray what he will ne'er indure.

And since our other Sister, loose _Hippolyta_, was lost, He does so guard and watch the fair _Cleonte_--

_Franc._ Why, quarrel with him, Sir: you know you are so much dearer to my Lord your Father than he is, that should he perceive a Difference between ye, he would soon dismiss him the House; and 'twere but Reason, Sir, for I am sure Don _Marcel_ loves you not.

_Silv._ That I excuse, since he the lawful Heir to all my Father's Fortunes, sees it every Day ready to be sacrific'd to me, who can pretend no t.i.tle to't, but the unaccountable Love my Father bears me.

_Franc._ Can you dissemble, Sir?

_Silv._ The worst of any Man, but would endeavour it, If it could any ways advance my Love.

_Franc._ Which I must find some way to ruin. [Aside.

Then court his Mistress.

_Silv._ The rich _Flavia_?

_Franc._ That would not incense him, for her he is to marry; But 'tis the fair _Clarinda_ has his Heart.

_Silv._ To act a feigned Love, and hide a real one, Is what I have already try'd in vain.

Even fair _Clarinda_ I have courted too, In hope that way to banish from my Soul The hopeless Flame _Cleonte_ kindled there; But 'twas a Shame to see how ill I did dissemble.

_Franc._ Stay, Sir, here comes _Marcel_. I'll leave you.

[Exit _Francisca_.

Enter _Marcel_, with a Letter open in his Hand, which he kisses.

_Mar._ Kind Messenger of Love! Thus, thus a thousand times I bid thee welcome from my fair _Clarinda_.

Thus joyful Bridegrooms, after long Despairs, Possess the yielding Treasure in their Arms: Only thus much the happier Lover I, Who gather all the Sweets of this fair Maid Without the ceremonious Tie of Marriage; That tie that does but nauseate the Delight, Be far from happy Lovers; we'll embrace And unconfin'd and free as whispering Air, That mingles wantonly with spreading Flowers.

_Silv._ What's all this?

_Mar._ _Silvio,_ the Victory's won.

The Heart that nicely stood it out so long, Now yields upon Conditions.

_Silv._ What Victory? or what Heart?

_Mar._ I am all Rapture, cannot speak it out; My Senses have carous'd too much of Joy; And like young Drunkards, proud of their new try'd Strength, Have made my Pleasure less by the excess.

_Silv._ This is wondrous.

Impart some of your over-charge to me, The Burden lightned will be more supportable.

_Mar._ Read here, and change thy Wonder, when thou knowst How happy Man can be. [Gives him a Letter.

[_Silvio_ reads.]

_Marcel_,

_Dormida_ will have me tell you what Effects your Vows have made, and how easily they have drawn from me a Consent to see you, as you desir'd,this Night in my Chamber: you have sworn to marry me, and Love will have me credit you, and then methinks I ought not to deny you any thing, nor question your Virtue. _Dormida_ will wait to throw you down the Key, when all are in Bed, that will conduct you to Your _Clarinda_.

_Silv._ d.a.m.n her for a Dissembler!

Is this the chaste, the excellent _Clarinda_, Who whilst I courted, was as cold and nice, As a young Nun the day she is invested?

_Mar._ How now, Brother! what, displeased with it?

[Takes the Letter.

_Silv._ A little, Sir, to see another's Happiness, Whilst I, where e'er I pay my Vows and Sighs, Get nothing but Disdain; and yet this Shape And Face I never thought unhandsom.

_Mar._ These be the least approaches to a Heart; 'Tis not dull looking well will do the feat, There is a Knack in Love, a critical Minute: And Women must be watcht as Witches are, E'er they confess, and then they yield apace.

Enter a _Boy_.

_Boy._ Sir, there's without a Servant of Don _Alonzo's_, who says his Master will be here to Night.

[_Marcel_ is surprized.

_Mar._ _Alonzo_! now I begin to wake From Love, like one from some delightful Dream, To rea.s.sume my wonted Cares and Shame.

--I will not speak with him. [Exit _Boy_.

Oh _Hippolyta_! thou poor lost thing, _Hippolyta_!

How art thou fallen from Honour, and from Virtue, And liv'st in Wh.o.r.edom with an impious Villain, Who in revenge to me has thus betray'd thee.

Keep thy self closer than thou'st done thy Sin; For if I find thee out, by all that's good, Thou hadst more Mercy on thy slaughter'd Honour, Than I will have for thee.

And thou, _Antonio_, that hast betray'd her, Who till profan'd by thee, was chaste as Shrines, And pure as are the Vows are offer'd there, That Rape which thou'st committed on her Innocence, I will revenge as shall become her Brother.

[Offers to go out in rage.

_Silv._ Stay, _Marcel_, I can inform you where these Lovers are.

_Mar._ Oh tell me quickly then, That I may take them in their foul Embraces, And send their Souls to h.e.l.l.

_Silv._ Last Night I made a youthful Sally to One of those Houses where Love and Pleasure Are sold at dearest Rates.

_Mar._ A Bordello; forwards pray.