The Works of Aphra Behn, Volume 3 | Page 4

value no Man's Reputation, because they despise their own. But
faith, I have laid aside all these Vanities, now I have thought of
Matrimony; but I desire my Reformation may be a Secret, because, as
you know, for a Man of my Address, and the rest--'tis not altogether so
Jantee.
Friend. Sir, I assure you, it shall be so great a Secret for me, that I will
never ask you who the happy Woman is, that's chosen for this great
Work of your Conversion.
Sir Tim. Ask me--No, you need not, because you know already.
Friend. Who, I? I protest, Sir Timothy--
Sir Tim. No Swearing, dear Ned, for 'tis not such a Secret, but I will
trust my Intimates: these are my Friends, Ned; pray know them--This
Mr. Sham, and this--by Fortune, a very honest Fellow [Bows to 'em] Mr.
Sharp, and may be trusted with a Bus'ness that concerns you as well as
me.
Friend. Me! What do you mean, Sir Timothy?
Sir Tim. Why, Sir, you know what I mean.
Friend. Not I, Sir.
Sir Tim. What, not that I am to marry your Sister Celinda?
Friend. Not at all.

Bel. O, this insufferable Sot! [Aside.
Friend. My Sister, Sir, is very nice.
Sir Tim. That's all one, Sir, the old People have adjusted the matter, and
they are the most proper for a Negotiation of that kind, which saves us
the trouble of a tedious Courtship.
Friend. That the old People have agreed the matter, is more than I
know.
Sir Tim. Why, Lord, Sir, will you persuade me to that? Don't you know
that your Father (according to the Method in such Cases, being certain
of my Estate) came to me thus--Sir Timothy Tawdrey,--you are a young
Gentleman, and a Knight, I knew your Father well, and my right
worshipful Neighbour, our Estates lie together; therefore, Sir, I have a
desire to have a near Relation with you--At which, I interrupted him,
and cry'd--Oh Lord, Sir, I vow to Fortune, you do me the greatest
Honour, Sir, and the rest--
Bel. I can endure no more; he marry fair Celinda!
Friend. Prithee let him alone. [Aside.
Sir Tim. To which he answer'd--I have a good Fortune--have but my
Son Ned, and this Girl, call'd Celinda, whom I will make a Fortune,
sutable to yours; your honoured Mother, the Lady Tawdrey, and I, have
as good as concluded the Match already. To which I (who, though I say
it, am well enough bred for a Knight) answered the Civility thus--I vow
to Fortune, Sir--I did not swear, but cry'd--I protest, Sir, Celinda,
deserves--no, no, I lye again, 'twas merits--Ay, Celinda--merits a much
better Husband than I.
Friend. You speak more Truth than you are aware of. [Aside.] Well, Sir,
I'll bring you to my Sister; and if she likes you, as well as My Father
does, she's yours; otherwise, I have so much Tenderness for her, as to
leave her Choice free.

Sir Tim. Oh, Sir, you compliment. Alons, Entrons.
[Exeunt.

SCENE II. A Chamber.
Enter Celinda, and Nurse.
Cel. I wonder my Brother stays so long: sure Mr. Bellmour is not yet
arriv'd, yet he sent us word he would be here to day. Lord, how
impatient I grow!
Nur. Ay, so methinks; if I had the hopes of enjoying so sweet a
Gentleman as Mr. Bellmour, I shou'd be so too--But I am past it--Well,
I have had my Pantings, and Heavings, my Impatience, and Qualms,
my Heats, and my Colds, and my I know not whats--But I thank my
Stars, I have done with all those Fooleries.
Cel. Fooleries!-- Is there any thing in Life but Love? Wou'dst thou
praise Heaven for thy Being, Without that grateful part of it? For I
confess I love.
Nur. You need not, your Sighs, and daily (nay, and nightly too)
Disorders, plainly enough betray the Truth.
Cel. Thou speak'st as if it were a Sin: But if it be so, you your self
help'd to make me wicked. For e'er I saw Mr. Bellmour, you spoke the
kindest things of him, As would have mov'd the dullest Maid to love;
And e'er I saw him, I was quite undone.
Nur. Quite undone! Now God forbid it; what, for loving? You said but
now there was no Life without it.
Cel. But since my Brother came from Italy, And brought young
Bellmour to our House, How very little thou hadst said of him! How
much above thy Praise, I found the Youth!

Nur. Very pretty! You are grown a notable Proficient in Love--And you
are resolv'd (if he please) to marry him?
Cel. Or I must die.
Nur. Ay, but you know the Lord Plotwell has the Possession of all his
Estate, and if he marry without his liking,