The Works of Aphra Behn, Volume 2 | Page 3

Claps. The Ladies too are as resolved as they, And having Debts unknown to them, they stay, And with the Gain of Cheese and Poultry pay. Even in their Visits, they from Banquets fall, To entertain with Nuts and Bottle-Ale; And in Discourse with Secresy report State-News, that past a Twelve-month since at Court. Those of them who are most refind, and gay, Now learn the Songs of the last Summer's Play: While the young Daughter does in private mourn, Her Lovers in Town, and hopes not to return. These Country Grievances too great appear: But cruel Ladies, we have greater here; You come not sharp, as you are wont, to Plays; But only on the first and second Days: This made our Poet, in her Visits, look What new strange Courses, for your time you took, And to her great Regret she found too soon, Damn'd Beasts and Ombre spent the Afternoon; So that we cannot hope to see you here Before the little Net-work Purse be clear. Suppose you should have Luck-- Yet sitting up so late, as I am told, You'll lose in Beauty what you win in Gold: And what each Lady of another says, Will make you new Lampoons, and us new Plays.

DRAMATIS PERSONAE.
MEN.
Ferdinand, a young King of Spain, in love with Florella. Mr. Harris. Philip, his Brother. Mr. Smith. Akdelazer, the Moor. Mr. Betterton. Mendozo, Prince Cardinal, in love with the Queen. Mr. Medburn. Alonzo, a young Nobleman of Spain, contracted to Leonora. Mr. Crasbie. Roderigo, a Creature to the Moor, Mr. Norris. Antonio, | Sebastian, Two Officers of Phillip's. | Mr. John Lee. Osmin, | Mr. Percivall. Zarrack, Moors and Officers to Abdelazer. | Mr. Richards. Ordonio, a Courtier. A Swain, and Shepherds. Courtiers, Officers, Guards, Soldiers, Moors, Pages, and Attendants.
WOMEN.
Isabella, Queen of Spain, Mother to Ferdinand and Philip, in love with Abdelazer. Mrs. Lee. Leonora, her Daughter, Sister to Ferdinand and Philip. Mrs. Barrey. Florella, Wife to Abdelazer, and Sister to Mrs. Betterton. Alonzo. Elvira, Woman to the Queen. Mrs. Osborne. A Nymph, and Shepherdesses. Other Women Attendants.
SCENE Spain, and in the Camp.

ACT I.
SCENE I. A rich Chamber.
A Table with Lights, Abdelazer sullenly leaning his Head on his Hands: after a little while, still Musick plays.
SONG.
Love in fantastick Triumph sat, Whilst bleeding Hearts around him flow'd, For whom fresh Pains he did create, And strange Tyrannick Pow'r he shewed; From thy bright Eyes he took his Fires, Which round about in sport he hurl'd; But 'twas from mine he took Desires, Enough t'undo the amorous World.
From me he took his Sighs and Tears, From thee his Pride and Cruelty; From me his Languishments and Fears, And ev'ry killing Dart from thee: Thus thou, and I, the God have arrri'd, And set him up a Deity; But my poor Heart alone is harm'd, Whilst thine the Victor is, and free.
[After which he rouzes, and gazes.
Abd. On me this Musick lost?--this Sound on me That hates all Softness?--What, ho, my Slaves!
Enter Osmin, Zarrack.
Osm. My gracious Lord--
[Enter Queen, Elvira.
Qu. My dearest Abdelazer--
Abd. Oh, are you there?--Ye Dogs, how came she in? Did I not charge you on your Lives to watch, That none disturb my Privacy?
Qu. My gentle Abdelazer, 'tis thy Queen, Who 'as laid aside the Business of her State, To wanton in the kinder Joys of Love-- Play all your sweetest Notes, such as inspire The active Soul with new and soft Desire, [To the Musick, they play softly. Whilst we from Eyes--thus dying, fan the Fire. [She sits down by him.
Abd. Cease that ungrateful Noise. [Musick ceases.
Qu. Can ought that I command displease my Moor?
Abd. Away, fond Woman.
Qu. Nay, prithee be more kind.
Abd. Nay, prithee, good Queen, leave me--I am dull, Unfit for Dalliance now.
Qu. Why dost thou frown?--to whom was that Curse sent?
Abd. To thee--
Qu. To me?--it cannot be--to me, sweet Moor?-- No, no, it cannot--prithee smile upon me-- Smile, whilst a thousand Cupids shall descend And call thee Jove, and wait upon thy Smiles, Deck thy smooth Brow with Flowers; Whilst in my Eyes, needing no other Glass, Thou shalt behold and wonder at thy Beauty.
Abd. Away, away, be gone--
Qu. Where hast thou learnt this Language, that can say But those rude Words--Away, away, be gone? Am I grown ugly now?
Abd. Ugly as Hell--
Qu. Didst thou not love me once, and swore that Heav'n Dwelt in my Face and Eyes?
Abd. Thy Face and Eyes!--Baud, fetch me here a Glass, [To Elvira. And thou shalt see the Balls of both those Eyes Burning with Fire of Lust: That Blood that dances in thy Cheeks so hot, That have not I to cool it Made an Extraction even of my Soul, Decay'd my Youth, only to feed thy Lust? And wou'dst thou still pursue me to my Grave?
Qu. All this to me,