The forc'd marriage, or, The jealous bridegroom a tragi-comedy : as it is acted at His Highnesse the Duke of Yorks theatre / written by A. Behn.

ACT III. SCENE III.

Enter Gallatea and Erminia.

Er.

And 'tis an Act below my Quality, Which, Madam, will not suffer me to flie.

Gall.

Erminia, ere you boast of what you are: Since you're so high I'le tell you what you were; Your Father was our General 'tis true, That Title justly to his sword was due: 'Twas nobly gain'd, and worth his blood and toils, Had he been satisfi'd with noble spoils; But with that single Honour not content, He needs must undermine the Government; And 'cause h'ad gain'd the Army to his side, Beleev'd his Treason must be justifi'd. For this (and justly) he was banished, Where whilst a low and unknown life he led, Far from the hope and glory of a Throne, In a poor humble Cottage you were born, Your early Beauty did it self display, Nor could no more conceal it self then day: Your eyes did first Phillanders soul inspire, And Fortune too conform'd her to his fire. That made your Father greater then before, And what he justly lost that did restore.

'Twas that which first thy beauty did disclose; Which else had wither'd like an unseen Rose; 'Twas that which brought thee to the Court, and there Dispos'd thee next my self, i'th' highest sphere: Alass obscurely else thould'st liv'd and did, Not knowing thy own charms, nor yet this Pride.

Er.

Madam in this your bounty is severe, Be pleas'd to spare that repetition here. I hope no Action of my life should be So rude to charge your generosity: But Madam do you think it just to pay Your great obligements by so false a way? Alcippus passion merits some return, And should that prove but an ingrateful scorn; Alass I am his wife, to disobey My fame, as well as duty, I betray.

Gall.

Persidious Maid, I might have thought thou'dst prove False to thy Prince, and Rivall in my Love. I thought too justly he that conquer'd me Had a sufficient power to captive thee; Thou'st now reveng'd thy Fathers shame and thine In taking thus Phillanders life and mine.

[Er. weeps

Er.

Ah madam that you would believe my tears Or from my vows but satisfie your fears. By all the Gods Alcippus I do hate, And would do any thing to change my fate; Ought that were just and Noble I dare do.

Gall.

Enough Erminia, faith I credit you, And will no other proof of it require, But that you'l now submit to my desire; Indeed Erminia, you must grant my suit, Where Love and Honour calls make no dispute. Pity a youth that never lov'd before, Remember 'tis a Prince that does adore, Who offers up a heart that never found, It could receive, till from your eyes a wound.

Er.

To your cominand should I submit to yield Where could I from Alcippus be conceal'd?

What could defend me from his jealous rage.

Ga.

Trust me, Erminia, Ile for that engage.

Er.

And then my Honour by that flight's o'rethrown.

Ga.

That being Phillanders, he'll preserve his own, And that Erminia, sure you'll ne're distrust.

Er.

Ah Madam, give me leave to fear the worst.

Enter Aminta.

Am.

Madam, Alcippus waits for your Commands, He's going to the Camp.

Gall.

Admit him.

Enter Alcippus and Pisaro.

Gall.

Alcippus, 'tis too soon to leave Erminia.

Alcip.

I wish she thought so, Madam, Or could beleeve with what regret I do so; Shee then would think the fault were much too small, For such a Penance as my soul must suffer.

Am.

No matter, Sir, you have the year before you.

Alcip.

Yes Madam, so has every Galley-slave, That knows his toil, but not his recompence; Tomorrow I expect no more content, Then this uneasie day afforded me; And all before me is but one grand Peece Of endless grief and madness: —You, Madam, taught Erminia to be cruel: A Vice without your Aid she could have learn't, And now to exercise that new-taught Art, She tries the whole experience on my heart.

Gall.

If she do so, she learnt it not of me, I love, and therefore know no crueltie: Such out-rage cannot well with love reside, Which only is the mean effect of Pride: —I merit better thoughts from you, Alcippus.

Alcip.

Pardon me, Madam, if my passion stray,

[he kneels.

Beyond the limits of my high respect; —'Tis a rude gust, and merits your reproaches: But yet the sawcy flame can ne're controul That Adoration which I owe my Princess: That, with Religion took possession here.

And in my prayers I mix you with the Deities.

Gall.

I'de rather you should treat me as a Mortal, Rise and begin to do so.

[Rises and bows.

Alcip.

Now, Madam, what must I expect from you.

Er.

Alcippus, all that's to your Vertue due.

Alcip.

In that but common justice you allow.

Er.

That justice, Sir, is all I can bestow.

Alcip.

In justice then you ought to me resign, That which the Holy Priest entitl'd mine; Yet that, without your heart, I do despise, For uncompell'd I'de have that sacrifice: —Come ease me of that pain that presses here, Give me but hope, that may secure my fear; I'me not asham'd to own my soul possest, With jealonsie, that takes away my rest. —'Tell me you'll love, or that my suit is vain. Do any thing to ease me of my pain. Gods Madam, why d'ye keep me in suspence, This cannot be th' effects of innocence; By Heaven I'le know the cause where're it lies, Nor shall you fool me with your feign'd disguise.

Pis.

You do forget your promise, and this Presence.

[aside to Alci.

Alcip.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 kindly urg'd, prithee be near me still, And tell me of the faults that look unmanly.

Gall.

Dear, if thou lovest me, flatter him a little.

[to Er. aside.

Er.

'Tis hard to do, yet I will try it, Madam.

Gall.

I'le leave you that you may the better do so. —I hope Alcippus, you'll revisit us, With Lovers speed: And whatsoever treatment now you find, At your return you'll find us much more kind.

[He bows, she goes out.

Alcip.

Can you forgive the rashness of a man, That knows no other Laws but those of passion.

Er.

You are unkind to think I do not Sir, —Yes, and am grown so softned by my pity, That I'm afraid I shall neglect my Vows. And to return your passion, grow ingrate.

Alcip.

A few more syllables exprest like these,

Will raise my soul up to the worst extream, They give me with your-scorn an equal torment.

Er.

See what a power your language has upon me.

[weeps.

Alcip.

Ah, do not weep, a tear or two's enough, For the Completion of your Cruelty, That, when it fail'd to exercise your will, Sent those more powerful weapons from your eyes, And what by your severity you miss•…•…t of, These (but a more obliging way) perform. Gently, Erminia, pour the balsom in, That I may live, and taste the sweets of love. —Ah should you still continue as you are, Thus wondrous good, thus excellently fair. I should retain my growing name in War, And all the Glories I have ventur'd for, And fight for Crowns to recompence thy bounty. —This can your smiles, but when those beams are clouded, Alas, I freeze to very Cowardise, And have not courage left to kill my self.

Er.

A fate more glotious do's that life attend, And do's preserve you for a Nobler end.

Alcip.

Erminia, do not sooth my easie heart, For thou my fate, and thou my Fortune art; Whatever other blessings Heaven design, Without my dear Erminia, I'le decline. Yet, Madam, let me hope before I go, In pity that you ought to let me do. 'Tis all you shall allow m' impatient heart.

Er.

That's what against my will I must impart: But wish it please the Gods, when next we meet, We might as friends, and not as Lovers greet.

[Exeunt.