The Works of Aphra Behn Volume I Part 74

_Alon._ I fear it. Oh, had she not been honest!

What Joy, what Heaven of Joys she would distribute!

With such a Face, and Shape, a Wit, and Mein-- But as she is, I know not what to do.

_Lov._ You cannot marry her.

_Alon._ I would not willingly, tho I think I'm free: For _Pedro_ went to _Marcel_ to tell him I was arriv'd, and would wait on him; but was treated more like a Spy, than a Messenger of Love: They sent no Answer back, which I tell you, _Lovis_, angers me: 'twas not the Entertainment I expected from my brave Friend _Marcel_. But now I am for the fair Stranger who by this expects me.

_Mar._ 'Tis _Alonzo_. O how he animates my Rage, and turns me over to Revenge, upon _Hippolyta_ and her false Lover!

[Aside.

_Lov._ Who's this that walks before us? [They go out.

_Alon._ No matter who.

_Mar._ I am follow'd. [They enter again.

_Lov._ See, he stops. [_Marcel_ looks back.

_Alon._ Let him do what he please, we will out-go him.

[They go out.

_Lov._ This Man whoe'er he be still follows us.

_Alon._ I care not, nothing shall hinder my Design, I'll go tho I make my pa.s.sage thro his Heart.

[They enter at another Door, he follows.

_Lov._ See, he advances, pray stand by a little.

[They stand by.

_Mar._ Sure there's some Trick in this, but I'll not fear it. This is the Street, and hereabout's the House.

[Looks about.

This must be it, if I can get admittance now. [Knocks.

Enter _Olinda_ with a Light.

_Olin._ O, Sir, are you come? my Lady grew impatient.

[They go in.

_Mar._ She takes me for some other: This is happy.

[Aside.

_Alon._ G.o.ds! is not that the Maid that first conducted me to the fair thing that rob'd me of my Heart?

_Lov._ I think it is.

_Alon._ She gives admittance to another Man.

All Women-kind are false, I'll in and tell her so.

[Offers to go.

_Lov._ You are too rash, 'tis dangerous.

_Alan._ I do despise thy Counsel, let me go.

_Lov._ If you are resolv'd, I'll run the Hazard with you.

[They both go in.

SCENE II. _The Scene changes to a Chamber._

Enter from one side _Olinda_, lighting in _Marcel_ m.u.f.fled as before in his Cloke, from the other _Antonio_ leading in _Euphemia_ veil'd.

_Mar._ By Heaven's, 'tis she: Vile Strumpet!

[Throws off his Cloke, and s.n.a.t.c.hes her from him.

_Euph._ Alas, this is not he whom I expected.

_Anto._ _Marcel_! I had rather have encounter'd my evil Angel than thee.

[Draws.

_Mar._ I do believe thee, base ungenerous Coward.

[Draws.

[They fight, _Marcel_ disarms _Antonio_, by wounding his Hand.

Enter _Alonzo_, goes betwixt them, and with his Sword drawn opposes _Marcel_, who is going to kill _Antonio_; _Lovis_ follows him.

_Alon._ Take Courage, Sir. [To _Antonio_, who goes out mad.

_Mar._ Prevented! whoe'er thou be'st.

It was unjustly done, To save his Life who merits Death, By a more shameful way.

But thank the G.o.ds she still remains to meet That Punishment that's due to her foul l.u.s.t.

[Offers to run at her, _Alonzo_ goes between.

_Alon._ 'Tis this way you must make your Pa.s.sage then.

_Mar._ What art thou, that thus a second time Dar'st interpose between Revenge and me?

_Alon._ 'Tis _Marcel_! What can this mean? [Aside.

Dost not thou know me, Friend? look on me well.

_Mar._ _Alonzo_ here! Ah I shall die with Shame. [Aside.

As thou art my Friend, remove from that bad Woman, Whose Sins deserve no sanctuary.

_Euph._ What can he mean? I dare not shew my Face.

[Aside.

_Alon._ I do believe this Woman is a false one, But still she is a Woman, and a fair one: I would not suffer thee to injure her, Tho I believe she has undone thy quiet, As she has lately mine.