LightNovesOnl.com

The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Iv Part 39

The Works of Aphra Behn - LightNovelsOnl.com

You're reading novel online at LightNovelsOnl.com. Please use the follow button to get notifications about your favorite novels and its latest chapters so you can come back anytime and won't miss anything.

_Lor._ Stay, good _Isabella_, stay, And thou shalt hear not one word of that more, Though I am soundly urg'd to't.

_Isab._ Yes, yes, pray count them, do; I know you long to be at it, And I am sure you will find you are in Arrears to us.

_Lor._ Say you so, I am not of that opinion: but well, --Let me see--here 'tis, here 'tis-- My Bill of Charge for courting _Clarina_.

[Draws out his Table Book, and reads.

_Isab._ And here's mine for the returns that have been Made you; begin, begin. [Pulls out her Book.



_Lor._ _Item_, two hundred Crowns to _Isabella_ for undertaking.

_Isab_. _Item_, I have promis'd _Lorenzo_ to serve him In his Amour with all Fidelity.

_Lor._ Well, I own that Debt paid, if you keep Your word--out with it then-- [He crosses that out.

_Item_, two thousand Crowns in a Bracelet for _Clarina_; What say you to that now, _Isabella_?

_Isab._ _Item_, the day after they were presented, She saluted you with a smile at the Chappel.

_Lor._ And dost thou think it was not dearly bought?

_Isab._ No Man in _Florence_ should have had it A Souce cheaper.

_Lor._ Say you so, _Isabella_? out with it then. [Crosses it out.

_Item_, one hundred more to thee for presenting them.

_Isab._ Which I did with six lyes in your Commendation, Worth ten Pistoles a piece for the exactness of a Lye; Write there indebted to me--

_Lor._ Nay then thou dost deserve it: Rest due to _Isabella_. [Writes.

_Item_, Innumerable Serenades, Night-walks, Affronts And Fears; and lastly, to the Poets for Songs, and the like.

_Isab._ All which was recompensed in the excessive Laughing on you that Day you praunc'd under our Window on Horse-back, when you made such a Deal of Capriol and Curvet.

_Lor._ Yes, where I ventur'd my Neck to shew my Activity, and therefore may be well accompted Amongst my Losses.

_Isab._ Then she receiv'd your Presents, Suffer'd your Serenades, without sending her Foot-men To break your Pate with the Fiddles.

_Lor._ Indeed that was one of the best Signs; For I have been a great Sufferer in that kind Upon the like occasions: but dost thou think In Conscience that this should satisfy?

_Isab._ Yes, any reasonable Man in the World, for the First Month at least; and yet you are still up With your Expences, as if a Lady of her Quality Were to be gain'd without them.

--Let me hear of your Expences more, and I'll--

_Lor._ Oh sweet _Isabella_! upon my Knees I beg thou wilt take no fatal Resolution; For I protest, as I am a Man of Honour, And adore thy s.e.x, thou shalt only see, Not hear of my Expences more; And for a small testimony of it, here take this; There's twenty Pistoles upon Reputation. [Gives her Money.

_Isab._ Fy, fy, 'tis not brave, nor generous to name The Sum, you should have slid it into my Coat, Without saying what you had done.

_Lor._ What signifies that, mun, as long as 'tis current, And you have it sure?

_Isab._ Well, leave the management of your Affairs to me-- What shall we do? here's _Alberto_.

Enter _Alberto_.

_Lor._ Well, who can help it? I cannot walk invisible.

_Alb._ _Lorenzo_, what, making Love to _Isabella_?

_Lor._ She'l serve, my Lord, for want of a better.

_Isab._ That's but a coa.r.s.e Complement.

_Lor._ 'Twill serve to disguise a Truth however. [Aside to her.

[Ex. _Isab._ Faith, I'll tell you, Sir, 'twas such another Damsel As this, that sav'd me five hundred Pound once upon a time; And I have lov'd the whole Tribe of Waiting-women The better ever since.

_Alb._ You have reason; how was it?

_Lor._ Why, look you, Sir, I had made Love a long time to a Lady; But she shall be nameless, Since she was of a quality not to be gain'd under The aforesaid Sum: well, I brought it, Came pouder'd and perfum'd, and high in expectation.

_Alb._ Well, Sir.

_Lor._ And she had a very pretty Wench, who was to Conduct me, and in the dark too; And, on my Conscience, I e'en fell aboard of her, And was as well accommodated for my five, As five Hundred Pounds, and so return'd.

_Alb._ A great defeat to the Lady the while, a my word.

_Lor._ Ay, she smelt the Plot, and made a Vow to follow The _Italian_ mode for the future; And be serv'd in Affairs of that kind by none But an old Woman.

_Alb._ 'Twas wittily resolv'd.

_Lor._ Are you for the Presence this Morning?

_Alb._ No, I have business here with _Antonio_.

_Lor._ Your Servant, my Lord. [Exit.

_Alb._ I do not like this Fellow's being here, The most notorious Pimp and Rascal in _Italy_; 'Tis a vile shame that such as he should live, Who have the form and sense of Man about them, And in their Action Beast; And that he thrives by too.

Enter _Isabella_.

--_Isabella_, is _Antonio_ stirring?

_Isab._ He is, please your Lords.h.i.+p to walk in.

_Alb._ You may tell him I wait here: For I would avoid all opportunity of seeing _Clarina_. [Aside.

_Isab._ My Lord, you need not stand upon Ceremonies. [Exit _Alberto_.

Enter _Clarina_ and _Ismena_, dress'd like one another in every thing, laughing and beholding one another.

--Dress'd already! now on my conscience I know not which is which: Pray G.o.d _Antonio_ be not mistaken at night, For I'll be sworn I am by day-light.

_Ism._ Dost think I may pa.s.s thus for _Clarina_?

Click Like and comment to support us!

RECENTLY UPDATED NOVELS

About The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Iv Part 39 novel

You're reading The Works of Aphra Behn by Author(s): Aphra Behn. This novel has been translated and updated at LightNovelsOnl.com and has already 595 views. And it would be great if you choose to read and follow your favorite novel on our website. We promise you that we'll bring you the latest novels, a novel list updates everyday and free. LightNovelsOnl.com is a very smart website for reading novels online, friendly on mobile. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected] or just simply leave your comment so we'll know how to make you happy.