The Works of Aphra Behn, Volume IV

_Isab._ Thou art mistaken, leave me,--whatever he says here to satisfy my Jealousy, I am confirm’d that he was false: yet this assurance to free me from this intended Marriage,...

_Cur._ They be stout and secret; ‘tis well, Is the Music and all things ready? For I’ll not be seen till my Part is to be play’d. What Arms have they?

_Down._ You are too much my Friend to be denied--_Chrisante_, do you love _Friendly_? nay, do not blush--till you have done a fault, your loving him is none--Here, take her, you...

L. _Youth._ Like Nature! Ay, but Nature’s self wants Art, nor does this Fontange suit with my Complexion--put on a little more red, _Lettice_, on my Cheeks, and Lips. [She does so.

_Maun._ Mr. _Wittmore’s_ satisfy’d of your Constancy, Madam; though had I been your Ladyship, I should have given him a more substantial Proof, which you might yet do, if you wo...

_Isab._ ‘Tis much I owe to Fortune, my dear _Lucretia_, for being so kind to make us Neighbours, where with Ease we may continually exchange our Souls and Thoughts without the a...

Sir _Cred._ Nay, delicious Lady, you may say your Pleasure; but I will justify the Serenade to be as high a piece of Gallantry as was ever practised in our Age, though not compa...

_Haz._ If I am not mistaken, Sir, you are the only Man in the World whom I would soonest pledge; you’ll credit me, if three Year’s absence has not made you forget _Hazard_.

Sir _Morg._ Good Mrs. _Manage_, remember my kind Love to my Lady Mother, and tell her, I thank her for her Posset, but never eat in a Morning after hard drinking over night.

_Britt._ Yes, Sir; and she cries as much for her wanting room for you in her House, as she would have done some forty Years ago for a Disappointment of her Lover. But she assure...

_Well._ Have you dispatch’d the Scouts, to watch the Motions of the Enemies? I know that _Bacon_ is violent and haughty, and will resent our vain Attempts upon him; therefore we...

_Maun._ I thought so too at first, Madam, till going to conduct Mr. _Knowell_ through the Garden, he finding Mr. _Wittmore_ there with _Isabella_ drew on him, and they both foug...

_Geo._ That thou art false, false as the insatiate Seas, that smiling tempt the vain Adventurer, whom flattering, far from any saving there, swell their false Waves to a destruc...

Trees of a Wood, Drums, Trumpets and the noise of Battel, with hollowing. The _Indians_ are seen with Battel-Axes to retreat fighting from the _English_, and all go off; when th...

_Clo._ [Reads.] Cloris, _beware of Men; for though I my self be one,_ _Yet I have the Frailties of my Sex, and can dissemble too;_ _Trust none of us, for if thou dost, thou art...

Enter _Olivia_ as a Man, _Teresia_ in Masquerade; the Scene opens, and discovers Lady _Youthly_, Lady _Blunder_, _Mirtilla_, _Manage_, Prince _Frederick_ in a rich Habi, _Welbor...

treatment of the situation, it must, I think, be allowed that D’Urfey has managed the jest with far greater verve and spirit. Honest Tom D’Urfey is in fact one of the least read...

_No, _Delia_, no: What Man can range From such Seraphic Pleasure? ‘Tis want of Charms that make us change, To grasp the Fury, Treasure. What Man of Sense wou’d quit a certain Bl...

L. _Fan._ Oh, damn him, I know not; if he see thee here after my pretended Illness, he must needs discover why I feign’d.--I have no excuse ready,--this Chamber’s unlucky, there...

_Ant._ Yes, _Clarina_, have you not seen her yet? I left the Court on purpose, for ‘twas not handsome For me to introduce you, Lest she had look’d upon’t as some design.

Discovers the _Indian King_ and _Queen_ sitting in State, with Guards of _Indians_, Men and Women attending: To them _Bacon_ richly dress’d, attended by _Daring_, _Fearless_ and...

_Dull._ ‘Tis very likely: Why, I am forced to be guarded to the Court now, the Rabble swore they would _De-Wit_ me, but I shall hamper some of ’.m. Wou’d the Governour were here...

_Isab._ Nay, Madam, ‘tis in vain to deny it; Do you think I have liv’d to these years, And cannot interpret cross Arms, imperfect Replies, Your sudden Weepings, your often Sighi...

_Lor._ Nay, nay, _Isabella_, there’s no avoiding me now, You and I must come to a parley. Pray what’s the reason You took no notice of me, When I came with so civil an address too?

_Well._ You heard Mr. _Dunce’s_ opinion, Gentlemen, concerning _Bacon’s_ coming upon our Invitation. He believes he will come, but I rather think, though he be himself undaunted...

Sir _Row._ Ay, but _George_ was such a Flower! He was, Mr. _Twang_, he was the very Pink of Prentices. Ah! what a rare rampant Lord Mayor he wou’d have made! And what a swinging...

_Mir._ A Husband! my Drudge, to toil for me, and save me the Expence of careful Thoughts: My Cloke, my Led-Horse, for Necessity to fill my Train--no more--but _Endimion_ waits....

_Ran._ You Rogue, ‘tis what we transport from _England_ first--go, ye Dog, go tell your Lady the Widow _Ranter_ is come to dine with her-- [Exit _Boy_.] I hope I shall not find...

_Queen._ I wish there were in Nature one excuse, either by Force or Reason to compel me:--For Oh, _Anaria_--I adore this General;--take from my Soul a Truth--till now conceal’d-...

_Sure._ This Madam _Ranter_ is so prodigious a Treater --oh! I hate a Room that smells of a great Dinner, and what’s worse, a desert of Punch and Tobacco--what! are you taking l...

Sir _Pat._ [Within.] Call up my Men, the Coachman, Groom, and Butler, the Footmen, Cook, and Gardiner; bid ‘em all rise and arm, with long Staff, Spade and Pitchfork, and sally...

_Piet._ News enough, Sir, but none good; That the Prince’s Wounds are small, So that he intends to take the Air this Evening; That he sollicits _Laura_ hard; And, Sir, that you...

_Clo._ And, Madam, ‘twas upon a Holyday, It chanc’d Prince _Frederick_ came into our Village, On some reports were made him of my Beauty, Attended only by the noble _Curtius_: T...

_Whim._ Ay, ay, that same _Bacon_, I would he were well hang’d: I am afraid that under pretence of killing all the _Indians_ he means to murder us, lie with our Wives, and hang...

_Geo._ Why do I vainly call for Vengeance down, and have it in my Hand?--By Heav’n, I’ll back--Whither? To kill a Woman, a young perjur’d Woman!--Oh, ye false Fair Ones! shou’d...

_Cur._ I wonder the Prince stays so long; I do not like these Night-works; Were I not confident of _Cloris’s_ Virtue, --Which shall no more be tempted. I hear some coming, and h...

_Ism._ Though since I had him, thou know’st I have endeavour’d To make his Will my Law, Till by degrees and Custom, which makes things natural, I found this Heart, which ne’er h...

_Clo._ Yes, my Lord, though I am young, I’ve felt the power of Beauty; And should you look upon the Object, Sir, Your Wonders soon would cease; Each Look does even animate Insen...

Sir _Row._ No trusting in these fickle Times, Madam--Why, I’ll let the young sturdy Rogue out to hire; he’ll make a pretty Livelihood at Journey-Work; and shall a Master-Workman...

_The hour of the Berjere._ L’heure du berger ou l’amant trouve celle qu’il aime favorable à ses voeux. cf. La Fontaine, _Contes. La Coupe Enchantée_. ‘Il y fait bon, l’heure du...

_Dull._ In the hither Quarter, in _Daring’s_ Tent; you’ll know them by Lanthorns on every corner--there was never better time to surprize them--for this day _Daring’s_ married,...

_Fred._ Ah Cloris! do not question what I’ve sworn; If thou would’st have it once again repeated, I’ll do’t. By all that’s good, I’ll marry thee; By that most Holy Altar, before...

_Lor._ That’s well, thou mayst come to be a States-man In time, thou art a fellow of so quick dispatch: But hark ye, Sirrah, there are a few Lessons I must learn you, Concerning...

‘Twill not sure be hard to get him, under pretence Of seeing _Clarina_, into my Chamber, And then I’ll order him at my pleasure; _Ismena_ is on my side, for I know all her Secre...

_Oliv._ Well, the Ball does not begin these three Hours, and we’ll divert our selves at my Aunt’s Basset-Table, which you see is preparing; her natural Propensity to oblige both...

_Fred._ Fy, fy, _Laura_, a Lady bred at Court, and Yet want complaisance enough to entertain A Gallant in private! this coy Humour Is not _à-la-mode_.--Be not so peevish with a...

L. _Fan._ Out of Town! Oh, I’m undone then, there will be no hopes of ever seeing _Wittmore_. [Aside.] --_Maundy_, oh, help me to contrive my stay, or I’m a dead Woman.--Sir, su...

_Lor._ So, very well; how mortal is the favour of Princes! these be turns of State now; what the Devil ails he trow; sure he could not be Offended with the News I have brought h...

_Whim._ Now we have ambusht our Men, let’s light our Pipes, and sit down and take an encouraging dram of the Bottle. [Pulls a Bottle of Brandy out of his Pocket--they sit.

_Ran._ I hope the Danger I have exposed my self to for the Honour of kissing your Hand, Madam, will render me something acceptable--here are my Credentials-- [Gives her a Letter.

_Nurs._ Sir, this young Sinner has long been privy to all the daily and nightly meetings between Mr. _Lodwick_ and _Isabella_; and just now I took her tying a Letter to a String...

L. _Kno._ _Leander_, raise your Soul above that little trifle _Lucretia_;--cannot you guess what better Fate attends you? fy, how dull you are! must I instruct you in plain righ...

same opinion. The Spanish tale turns upon the fact of Anselmo, the Curious Impertinent, enforcing his friend Lothario to tempt his wife Camilla. Such a theme, however, is common...

_Alb._ Nay, thou shalt see’t before thou dost revenge it; In such a case, thy self should be the Witness, She knows not what has past to night between us, Nor should she, if tho...

_Ah _Charmion!_ shroud those killing Eyes, That dart th’ extremes of Pleasure, Else _Celidon_, though favour’d, dies As well as him that you despise, Though with this diff’rent...

_Alb._ Thou’st taught me, Friend, to love _Clarina_; Not, as I promis’d thee, to feign, but so, That I, unless I do possess that Object, I think must die; at best be miserable.

Priestesses attending: Enter _Indian King_ on one side attended by _Indian_ Men; the _Queen_ enters on the other with Women. All bow to the Idol, and divide on each side of the...

_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...

_Lor._ Hah, the Prince--he must not see me In this pickle; for I would not lose my Reputation Of Wenching for this of Drinking; And I am sure I cannot be excellent at both, They...

_Fear._ Oh, fly, Sir, to some place of safe retreat, for there’s no mercy to be hop’d if taken. What will you do? I know we are pursu’d, by Heaven, I will not die a shameful Death.

Sir _Cred._ Within a Mile of an Oak, dear Madam, I’ll warrant you.--Well, I protest and vow, sweet Lady, you dance most nobly,--Why, you dance--like--like a--like a hasty Puddin...

_Fan._ Why, Sister, this is not the first Venture you have made of this kind, at this Hour, and in this Place; these Arbours were they tell-tales, cou’d discover many pretty sto...

_Ism._ _Alberto_ is not come yet, sure he loves me; But ‘tis not Tears, and Knees, that can confirm me; No, I must be convinc’d by better Argument. --Deceit, if ever thou a Guid...

Sir _Cred._ This sure is extraordinary, or the Devil’s in’t, and I’ll ne’er trust Serenade more. [Come forward, and all play again. --Hold, hold, now for the Song, which because...

--_Lejere_, behold me here the most unlucky Fellow breathing. Thou know’st I told thee how I was in love with a young Woman in the _Mall_: And this very Night I had this very Wo...

_Whim._ Look, Gentlemen, here’s two Evils--if we go we are dead Men; if we stay we are hang’d--and that will disorder my Cravat-string:--therefore the least Evil is to go--and s...

L. _Fan._ Oh, the agreeable Confusion of a Lover high with expectation of the approaching Bliss! What Tremblings between Joy and Fear possess me? All my whole Soul is taken up w...

The Sun that views the World, nor the bright Moon, that favours Lovers Stealths, shall ever see that Hour. Vast, as thy Beauties, are my young Desires; and every new Possession...

_Ism._ Sister, there cannot be much harm in this; ‘Tis an ill chance, ‘tis true, for by it we have lost The pleasure of an innocent Revenge Upon _Antonio_; but if understood, We...

_Wit._ That was my Policy, Madam, to pass upon your Father with. But I’m a Man that knows the value of the Fair, and saw Charms of Beauty and of Wit in you, that taught me to kn...

forth’. _The Debauchee_ (1677), Act II, i: Mrs. Saleware speaks of buying ‘fine clothes, and tours, and Points and knots.’ _The Younger Brother_ (1696), Act V, the last scene, o...

_Maun._ Now am I return’d to my old Trade again, fetch and carry my Lady’s Lovers; I was afraid when she had been married, these Night-works wou’d have ended; but to say truth,...

_Isab._ Pray Heaven I get undiscover’d to my Chamber, where I’ll make Vows against this perjured Man; hah, sure he follows still; no Wood-Nymph ever fled before a Satyr, with ha...