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

SCENE III. A Wood.

Enter Cloris drest like a Country Boy, follow'd by Guilliam a Clown; Cloris comes reading a Letter.

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 undone; We make vows to all alike we see. And even the best of men, the Prince, Is not to be credited in an affair of Love. —Oh Curtius, thy advice was very kind, Had it arriv'd before I'de been undone! —Can Frederick too be false? A Prince, and be unjust to her that loves him too? —Surely it is impossible— Perhaps thou lov'st me too, and this may be

[Pointing to the Letter.

Some Plot of thine to try my constancy: —How e're it be, since he could fail last night Of seeing me, I have at least a cause to justifie This shameful change; and sure in this disguise,

[Looks on her self.

I shall not soon be known, dost think I shall?

Guil.

Why sorsooth, what do you intend to pass for, A Maid or a Boy?

Clor.

Why, what I seem to be, will it not do?

Guil.

Yes, yes, it may do, but I know not what; I wo'd Love would Transmogriphy me to a Maid now, —We should be the prettiest couple; Don't you remember when you drest me up the last Carnival, was not I the woundiest handsom lass A body could see in a Summers day? There was Claud the Shepherd as frekish after me I'le warrant you, and simper'd and tript it like any thing.

Clor.

I, but they say 'tis dangerous for young Maids to live at Court.

Guil.

Nay, then I should be loth to give temptation. —Pray forsooth, what's that you read so often there?

Clor.

An advice to young Maids that are in Love.

Guil.

I, I, that same Love is a very vengeance thing, Wo'd I were in Love too; I see it makes a body Valiant; One neither feels hunger nor cold that is possest with it.

Clor.

Thou art i'th' right, it can do miracles.

Guil.

So it seems, for without a miracle you and I could never Have rambled about these Woods all night without either Bottle or Wallet: I could e'ne cry for hunger now.

Clor.

What a dull Soul this fellow hath? Sure it can never feel the generous pains Of Love, as mine does now; Oh how I glory To find my heart above the common rate; Were not my Prince inconstant! I would not envy what the blessed do above: But he is false good Heaven!—

weeps.

[Guil. howls.

—What dost thou feel that thou shouldst weep with me?

Guil.

Nothing but hunger, sharp hunger forsooth.

Clor.

Leave calling me forsooth it will betray us.

Guil.

What shall I call you then?

Clor.

Call me Philibert, or any thing, And be familiar with me: put on thy Hat least any come and see us.

Guil.

'Tis a hard name but I'le learn it by heart. —Well Philibert—what shall we do when we come to Court

[Puts on his Hat.

Besides eating and drinking, which I shall do in abundance.

Clor.

We must get each of us a service. —But thou art such a Clown.

Guil.

Nay say not so honest Phillibert: for look yee, I am much the properer fellow of the two.

[Walks.

Clor.

Well try thy fortune; but be sure you never discover Me, what ever questions may chance to be asked thee.

Guil.

I warrant the honest Lad, I am true and trusty; But I must be very familiar with you you say.

Clor.

Yes before Company.

Guil.

Pray let me begin and Practice a little now A'nt please you, for fear I should not be sawcy enough, When we arrive at Court.

Clor.

I'le warrant you you'l soon learn there.

Guil.

—Oh Lord Phillibert! Phillibert! I see a Man a coming Most deadly fine, lets run away.

Clor.

Thus thou hast serv'd me all this night, There's not a bush we come at but thou startst thus.

Guil.

'Tis true you are a lover and may stay the danger on't, But I'le make sure for one.

Clor.

It is the Prince, Oh Gods what makes he here! With looks disorder'd too; this place is fit for Death and sad Despair; the melancholy Spring a sleepy murmure makes, A proper Consort for departing Souls, When mixt with dying Grones, and the thick boughs Compose a dismal roof; Dark as the gloomy shades of Death or Graves: —He comes this way Ile hide my self a while.

[Goes behind a Bush.

Enter Frederick.

Fred.

But yet not this nor my dispight to Laura, Shall make me out of Love with life, Whilst I have youthful fires about my heart: —Yet I must fight with Curtius, And so chastife the Pride of that fond Maid, Whose saucy Virtue durst controul my flame; —And yet I love her not as I do Cloris; But fain I would have overcome that Chastity Of which the foolish Beauty boasts so.

Clor.

Curtius I thank thee, now I do believe thee.

[The Prince walks.

Guilliam. if thou seest any fighting anon, Be sure you run out and call some body.

Guil.

You need not bid me run away when I once See them go to that.

Enter Curtius.

Curt.

Sir I am come as you commanded me.

Fred.

When you consider what you've lately done, You will not wonder why I sent for you; And when I mean to fight, I do not use to parly; Come draw.

Curt.

Show me my Enemy, and then if I am slow—

Fred.

I am he, needst thou one more powerful?

Curt.

You Sir, what have I done to make you so?

Fred.

If yet thou wantest a further proof of it, Know Ile dispute my Claim to Laura.

Curt.

That must not be with me Sir, God forbid that I should raise my Arm against my Prince: —If Laura have so little Faith and Virtue, To render up that right belongs to me, With all my heart I yield her To any but to you; And Sir for your own sake you must not have her.

Fred.

Your Reason?

Curt.

Sir you're already marryed.

Fred.

Thou lyest, and seek'st excuses for thy Cowardice.

Curt.

I wish you would recall that hasty injury, Yet this Ile bear from you, who know 'tis false.

Fred.

Will nothing move thee?

Curt.

You would believe so Sir if I should tell you That besides all this, I have a juster cause.

Fred.

Juster then that of Laura? call it up then, And let it save thee from a further shame.

Curt.

Yes so I will 'tis that of Cloris, Who needs my aids much more; Do you remember such a Virgin Sir? For so she was till she knew Frederick; The sweetest innocent that ever Nature made.

Fred.

Not thy own Honour, nor thy Love to Laura Would make the draw, and now at Cloris name, Thou art incens'd, thy eyes all red with rage: —Oh thou hast rows'd my Soul; Nor would I justify my wrongs to her, Unless it were to satisfy my jealousie, Which thou hast rais'd in me by this concern. —Draw or I'le kill thee.

Curt.

Stay Sir, and hear me out.

Fred.

I will not stay, now I reflect on all thy Former kindness to her—

Curt.

I will not fight, but I'l defend my self.

[They fight.

Fred.

We are betray'd,

Curt.

Yes Sir, and you are wounded.

[Guil. runs bawling out, they are both wounded.

Clor.

Oh Heaven defend the Prince.

[She peeps.

Fred.

I hear some coming, go be gone, And save thy self by flight.

[Fred. stands leaning on his Sword.

Curt.

Sir give me leave to stay, my flight will look like guilt.

Fred.

By no means Curtius, thou wilt be taken here, And thou shalt never charge me with that Crime of betraying Thee: when we meet next wee'l end it.

Curt.

I must obey you then.

[Exit Curt.

Enter Cloris.

Clor.

Sir, has the Villain hurt you?

[She supports him.

—Pray Heaven my sorrows do not betray me now, For since he's false, I fain would dy conceal'd.

[Aside.

—Show me your wound and I will ty it up. Alas you bleed extreamly—

Fred.

Kind youth thy succours are in vain though welcom, For though I bleed I am not wounded much.

Clor.

No? Why did you let him pass unpunisht then, Who would have hurt you more?

Enter Guillam with a Galliard.

Serv.

Where was't?

Guil.

Look ye Sir there, don't you see them.

Serv.

How does your Highness? this fellow told me Of a quarrel here, which made me hast.

Fred.

Be silent, and carry me to my own apartment.

Serv.

Alas Sir, is it you that fought?

Fred.

No more questions.— Kind Boy pray leave me not till I have found A way to recompence thy pretty care of me.

Clor.

I will wait on you Sir.

[Exeunt all but Guillam.

Enter Lorenzo.

[Peeps first.

Lor.

What's the matter here? the Prince is wounded too. Oh what a Dog was I to know of some such thing, And not secure them all?

Lorenzo stands gazing at Gill.

Guil. stands tabering his Hat and scruing his face.

—What's here? Hah, hah, hah, this is the pleasantest

Fellow that ere I saw in my life. Prethee Friend what's thy Name?

Guil.

My Name, an't shall like yee, My Name is, is Guillam.

Lor.

From whence comest thou?

Guil.

From a Village a great huge way off.

Lor.

And what's thy business here, hah?

Guil.

Truly Sir, not to tell a ly, I come to get a service here at Court.

Lor.

A service at Court; hah, hah, that's a pleasant Humour y'faith. Why fellow what canst thou do?

Guil.

Do Sir, I can do any thing.

Lor.

Why what canst thou do? canst thou dress well? —Set a Perruke to advantage, ty a Crevatt, And Cuffs, put on a Belt with dexterity, hah? These be the parts that must recommend you.

Guil.

I know not what you mean, But I am sure I can do them all.

Lor.

Thou art confident it seems, and I can tell You Sirrah, that's a great step to preferment; —But well go on then, canst ride the great Horse?

Guil.

The bigest in all our Town I have rid a thousand times.

Lor.

That's well; canst Fence?

Guil.

Fence Sir, what's that?

Lor.

A term we use for the Art and skill of handling a Weapon.

Guil.

I can thrash Sir.

Lor.

What's that Man?

Guil.

Why Sir it is—it is—thrashing.

Lor.

An Artist I vow; canst play on any Musick?

Guil.

Oh most rogically Sir, I have a Bagpipe that Every breath sets the whole Village a Dancing.

Lor.

Better still; and thou canst Dance Ile warrant?

Guil.

Dance, he, he, he, I vow you've light on My Master piece y'fegs.

Lor.

And Ile try thee; Boy go fetch some of the

[To the Page.

Musick hither which I keep in pay?

[Exit Boy.

—But hark you Friend, thoug I love Dancing very well,

And that may recommend thee in a great degree; Yet 'tis wholy necessary that you should be valiant too; We graet ones ought to be serv'd by men of valour, For we are very liable to be affronted by many here To our faces, which we would gladly have beaten behind Our backs;—But Pox on't thou hast not the Huff, And Grimass of a Man of Prowess.

Guil.

As for fighting though I do not care for it, Yet I can do't if any body angers me or so.

Lor.

But I must have you learn to do't when Any body angers me too.

Guil.

Sir, they told me I should have no need on't Here; but I shall learn.

Lor.

Why you Fool that's not a thing to be learn'd, —That's a brave inclination born with Man, A brave undaunted something, a thing that, That, comes from, from; I know not what, For I was born without it.

Enter Page and Musick.

Oh are you come? lets see Sirrah your Activity, For I must tell you that's another step to preferment.

[He dances a Iigg en Paisant.

'Tis well perform'd; well hadst thou but wit, Valour, Bon Meen, good garb, a perruke, Conduct and secresie in Love Affairs, and half A dozen more good qualities, thou wert Fit for something; but I will try thee. Boy, let him have better Cloaths, as for his Documents Ile give him those my self.

Guil.

Hah, I don't like that word, it sounds terribly.

[Aside.

[Exit. Page and Guil.

Lor.

This fellow may be of use to me; being Doubtless very honest because he is so very simple; For to say truth we men of parts are sometimes Over-wise, witness my last nights retreat From but a supposed danger, and returning to fall Into a real one. Well Ile now to Isabella, And know her final resolution; if Clarina will

Be kind, so; if not, there be those that will. —And though I cannot any Conquest boast, For all the time and money I have lost, At least on Isabel Ile be revenged, And have the flattering baggage soundly swinged; And rather then she shall escape my Anger, My self will be the Hero that shall bang her.

[Exit.