The amorous prince, or, The curious husband a comedy / by Mrs. A. Behn.

SCENE. IV.

Enter Antonio and Alberto.

[Clarina and Ismena listen▪

Alb.

Once more Antonio, welcom back to Court▪

Ant.

Oh my dear friend, I long'd for thy embraces▪ —How goes the Game I left with thee to play? What says my Wife, my beautiful Clarina?

Alb.

Clarina—

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 lookt upon't as some design.

Alb.

Seen her—yes—

Ant.

And I conjur'd her too, to give you freedoms Even equal to Antonio; As far as I durst press with modesty, And with pretence of Friendship; And have you not attempted her?

Alb.

Yes—but 'tis in vain.

Ant.

Oh Villanious dissembler.

[Aside.

Alb.

She's cruel, strangely cruel, And I' me resolv'd to give the Courtship o're.

Ant.

Sure friend, thou hast not us'd thy wonted power.

Alb.

Yes, all that I know I' me master of, I us'd.

Ant.

But didst thou urge it home? did she not see, Thy words and actions did not well agree? Canst thou dissemble well? didst cry and melt, As if the pain you but exprest, you felt? Didst kneel, and swear, and urge thy quality, Heightning it too with some disgrace on me? And didst thou too assail her feeble side? For the best bait to woman is her Pride; Which some mis-call her Guard: Didst thou present her with the set of Jewels? For Women naturally are more inclin'd To Avarice, then Men: Pray tell me Friend, —Vile woman did she take them—

Alb.

I never ask'd her that.

Clar.

Poor Antonio how I pity him.

[Aside.

Ant.

No!

Alb.

No, I've done enough to satisfie thy jealousie; Here take your set of Jewels back again;

[Gives a Box.

Upon my life Clarina is all chastity.

Ant.

I were the happiest man on Earth, were this but true;

But what are single Courtships— give her these Which will assist thy tongue to win her heart; And that once got, the other soon will follow; There's far more women won by Gold then industry: Try that my dear Alberto, And save thy eyes the trouble of desembling.

Alb.

Content thee here, and do not tempt thy fate, I have regard unto thy Honour Friend, And should she yield, as women are no gods, Where were thy future Joys; What is't could make thee happy, or restore That true contentment which thou had'st before? Alas thou tempt'st me too, for I am frail, And love above my friendship may prevail.

Ant.

This will not do; No, as thou art my Friend, and lov'st my Honour, Pursue Clarina further; Rally a fresh, and charge her with this Present, Disturb her every night with Serenades; Make Love-Songs to her, and then Sing them too; Thou hast a voice enough alone to conquer.

Alb.

Fool Antonio.

[Aside.

Ant.

Come wilt thou undertake it once again?

Alb.

I would not.

Ant.

I am resolv'd to get this tryal made, And if thou dost refuse thy Amity, I'le try a Friend more willing, though less faithful, With thee my Wife and Honour too are safe; For should she yield, and I by that were lost, 'Twere yet some ease, That none but thou wer't witness to 't.

Alb.

Well, if it must be done, I' de rather do 't, Then you should be expos'd to th' scorn of others.

Ant.

Spoke like my noble Friend; Come dine with her to day, for I must leave you, And give you all the opportunity A real Lover wishes with a Mistress:

[Isam.

So we have heard enough.]

Ex. Clar. and Ism.

Ant.

Oh were Clarina chaste, as on my Soul

I cannot doubt, more then that I believe All woman kind may be seduc'd from Vertue; I were the man of all the world most blest, In such a Wife, and such a Friend as thou.

Alb.

But what if I prevail Antonio?

Ant.

Then I'le renounce my faith in woman kind, And place my satisfaction in thy Amity. — But see she comes, I'le leave you to your task.

Enter Ismena and Isabella.

Ism.

Antonio not yet gone— This must secure me.

Pulls down her Veil.

Ant.

Clarina, why thus clouded?

Isab.

I see he has most happily mistaken.

Ism.

I was going, Sir, to visit Laura—

Ant.

You must not go, I've business to the Duke, And you must entertain my Friend till my return; It is a freedom not usual here amongst Ladies, But I will have it so; Whom I esteem I'le have you do so to.

Ism.

Sir, I am all obedience.

[Exit Antonio, She pulls off her Veil; Albert. salutes her with seeming-lowness.

Alb.

Oh how my Soul's divided, Between my Adoration and my Amity!

[Aside

Friendship, thou sacred band, hold fast thy interest, For yonder Beauty has a subtle power, And can undo that knot, which other Arts Could ne're invent a way for.

Enter Antonio and listens at the door.

Ant.

I'le see a little how he behaves himself.

[Aside.

Alb.

But she's Antonio's wife; my friend Antonio,

[Aside.

A youth that made an interest in my Soul, When I had language scarce to express my sense of it.

Ant.

Death, he speaks not to her.

[Aside.

Alb.

So grew we up to man, and still more fixt;

[Aside.

And shall a gawdy beauty, A thing, which t' other day, I never saw▪ Deprive my heart of that kind heat▪

And place a new and unknown fire within; Clarina, 'tis unjust.

Ism.

Sir, did you speak to me.

Alb.

I have betray'd my self— Madam, I was saying how unjust it was Antonio should leave me alone with a Lady, Being certainly the worst to entertain them in the world.

Ant.

His face assures me he speaks of no love to her now.

Ism.

Alas, he speaks not to me,

[Aside.

Sure Isabella was mistaken, Who told me that he lov'd me; —Alberto, if thou art oblig'd to me,

[Aside.

For what I have not yet observ'd in thee: Oh do not say my heart was easily won, But blame your eyes, whose forces none can shun.

Ant.

Not a word, what can he mean by this?

Ism.

Sir, will you please to sit a while?

Isab.

Madam, the inner chamber is much better, For there he may repose upon the Cushions till my Lords return; I see he is not well— —And you are both sick of one disease.

[Aside.

Alb.

I thank you, here's more air, —And that I need, for I am all on fire,

[Aside.

And every look adds fuel to my flame. —I must avoid those eyes, whose light misguides me: —Madam, I have some business calls me hence, And cannot wait my friends return.

Ism.

Antonio, Sir, will think 'tis my neglect That drove you hence; pray stay a little longer.

Alb.

You shall command me, if you can dispence With so dull company.

Isab.

I can with any thing Antonio loves.

Alb.

Madam, it is a Vertue that becomes you; For though your Husband should not merit this, Your goodness is not less to be admir'd; But he's a man so truely worth your kindness, That' twere a sin to doubt, Your passion for him were not justly paid.

Ism.

Sir, I believe you, and I hope he thinks That my opinion of him equals yours; 'Tis plain he loves me not,

[Aside.

Perhaps, his Vertue, thinking me Clarina, May hide the real passion of his Soul. Oh Love, what dangerous paths thou mak'st us tread!

Ant.

Cold, cold as Devotion, oh inhumane friendship!

Alb.

What shall I do next? I must either be rude, And say nothing, or speak of Love to her; And then my Friend thou'rt lost should I prevail, And I'me undone should she not hear my tale, Which for the world I would not have her hear; And yet I fear my eyes too much declare.

Ism.

Since he's in so ill an humour, let's leave him, I'me satisfy'd now that thou wer't mistaken.

[Ex. Ismena and Isabella unseen.

Alb.

But they shall gaze no more on hers, Nor stray beyond the limits of a just salute. —I will my Honour to my Love prefer, And my Antonio shall out-Rival her.

[Looks about and misses them.

—Ah, am I left alone! —how frail is man; That which last moment I resolv'd upon, I find my heart already disapprove, And grieve her loss; can this be ought but love? My Soul's dissatisfy'd now she is gone, And yet but now I wish't to be alone; —Inform me Love who shares the better part, Friendship, or thee, in my divided heart.

[Offers to go.

Enter Antonio and stays him.

Ant.

Whether in such haste? Thou look'st e'ne as sad as a Lover repulst, I fear that fate's, not thine.

Alb.

Now for a lye to satisfie him.

[Aside.

Prethee discharge me of this toyl of dissembling, Of which I grow as weary, as she's of hearing it.

Ant.

Indeed.

Alb.

Sure thou haste a design to make her hate me.

Ant.

Do you think so in earnest, why was she angry?

Alb.

Oh! hadst thou seen her pretty blushing scorn Which she would fain have hid, Thou wouldst have pitied what I made her suffer.

Ant.

Is't possible! And didst present her with the Box of Jewels?

Alb.

Yes.

Ant.

And kneel, and cry, and swear, and—

Alb.

All, all.

Ant.

I hardly gave thee time for so much Courtship, —But you are sure she was displeased with it?

Alb.

Extremely.

Ant.

Enough Alberto; adieu to thee and friendship.

Alb.

What mean you?

Ant.

Ask your own guilt, it will inform thee best.

Alb.

Thou canst not think Clarina has abus'd thee.

Ant.

I do not think she has, nor have you try'd her; In that you have not only disoblig'd me, But now you would impose upon my weakness; —Did I not see how unconcern'd you were, And hardly paying her a due respect; And when she even invited thee to speak, Most rudely thou wer't silent.

Alb.

Be calm Antonio, I confess my error. And hate that vertue taught me to deceave thee; —Here take my hand,— I'le serve thee in good earnest.

Ant.

And now I do believe thee, Go—thou shalt lose no time, I must away, My Soul's in torment, tell I am confirm'd Of my Clarina's Vertue; I do believe thou hast a generous shame, For what thou'st said and done to me thy friend; For could I doubt thy love: oh how ridiculous This act of mine would seem! But 'tis to thee, as to my Soul I come, Disputing every petty crime and doubt.

Alb.

Antonio, if there need an Oath between us.

Ant.

No, I credit thee; go in,

And prethee dress thy eyes in all their Charms, For this uncertainty disturbs me more, Then if I knew Clarina were a—Whore—

[Exeunt severally.