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 IV. SCENE. IX.

Enter Phillander and Cleontius.

Phi.

I know he's fled to th'Camp, For there he only can secure himself.

Cle.

I do not think it, Sir, He's too brave to justifie an action Which was the out-rage only of his passion, That soon will toyle it self into a Calm, And then will grow considerate again, And hate the rashness which it prompt him too.

Phi.

That shall not serve his turn—go Tell him I'le get his pardon of the King, And set him free from other fears of justice, But those which I intend to execute.

If he be brave he'le not refuse this offer: If not; I'le do as he has done by me, And meet his hated soul by treachery.

[Cle. goes out.

—And then I've nothing more to do but dye. —Ah how agreeable are the thoughts of death, How kindly do they entertain my soul, And tells it pretty tales Of satisfaction in the other world, That I shall dwell for ever with Erminia. —But stay. That sacred spirit yet is unreveng'd, —I'le send that Traytors soul to eternall night, Then mine shall take its so desired flight,

[going out.

Enter Erminia, calls him.

Er.

Return Phillander, whether wouldst thou fly?

Phi.

What voice—is that—

[Turns, sees her, and is frighted.

Er.

'Tis I my Prince, 'tis I.

Phi.

Thou—Gods—what art thou—in that lovely shape?

Er.

A soul that from Elizium made escape

[as she comes to∣wards him he goes back in great amaze.

To visit thee, why dost thou steal away, I'le not approach thee nearer then I may.

Phi.

Why do I shake—it is Erminias form— And can that beauty ought that's—ill adorn? —In every part Erminia does appear, And—sure no Devil—can inhabit here.

[He comes on and kneels, one knocks, she steeles back in at a door.

Alcan.

My Lord the Prince.

Phi.

Ha— —Oh Gods, I charge thee not to vanish yet, I charge thee by those powers thou dost obey, Not to deprive me of thy blessed sight.

Er.

I will re-visit thee

[Enter Alcan.

Phi.

I'me not content with that.

[Alcan. comes in.

—Stay, stay, my dear Erminia.

Alcan.

What mean you Sir?

[He rises, and looks still affrighted.

Phi.

Alcander, look, look, how she glides away, Do'st thou not see't?

Alcan.

Nothing Sir, not I.

Phi.

No, now she's gon again.

Alcan.

You are disorder'd, pray sit down a while.

Phi.

No, not at all Alcander, I'me my self, I was not in a dream, nor in a passion When she appear'd, her face a little pale, But else my own Erminia, she her self, I mean a thing as like, nay, it spoke too, And I undaunted answer'd it again, But when you knock't it vanisht.

Alcan.

'Twas this Aminta would perswade me to, And faith I laught at her, And wish I might have leave to do so now.

Phi.

You do displease me with your unbelief.

Alcan.

Why Sir, do you think there can indeed be Ghosts?

Phi.

Pray do not urge my sense to lose its nature,

Er.

It is Alcander, I may trust him too.

[She p•…•…eps in on them and comes out

Phi.

Look where she comes again, credit thy eyes, Which did perswade thee that they saw her dead.

Alcan.

By Heaven and so they did—

[both seem frighted.

—Gods—this—is wondrous—strange; yet I can bear it, If 'twere the Devil himself in that fair shape.

Phi.

And yet thou shakest—

Alcan.

I do, but know not why. —Inform us lovely spirit what thou art, A God—or Devil, if either thou art welcom.

Er.

You cannot think Alcander, there be Ghosts,

[She gives her hands to him and Phi. which they •…•…fuse to touch.

No, give me your hand & prove mine flesh and blood, —Sir, you were wont to credit what I said, And I would still merit that kind opinion,

Phi.

Erminia, soul of sweetness, is it you? —How do you ravish with excess of joys?

Er.

Softly dear Sir, do not express that joy, Lest you destroy it by your doing so. I fly for sanctuary to your arms. As yet none knows I live but poor Isillia, Who bathing of my cold face with her tears, Perceav'd some signs of life, and us'd what means Her love and duty did instruct her in, And in half an hour was so reviv'd,

As I had sense of all was past and done, And to prevent a death I yet might fear, If mad Alcippus had return'd again. —Alone I came to you, where I could find Alone my safety too.

Phi.

From Gods, and then Erminia thou art safe, My best and blest Erminia.

Er.

Sir, in my coming hither I met Aminta, Whom I may fear has alarm'd all the Court; She took me for a Ghost, and ran away, Ere I could undeceive her. —Falatius too, affrighted even to death.

Alcan.

Faith, that was lucky Madam. —Hark some body knocks, you'd best retire a little.

[Lead•…•… her into the door,

Enter Gallatea and Aminta. lighted.

Gal.

Ah Brother, there's such news abroad.

Phi.

What dear Sister, for I am here confin'd, And cannot go to meet it?

Gall.

Erminias Ghost is seen, and I'me so frighted.

Phi.

You would not fear it though it should appear.

Gall.

Oh do not say so; For though the world had nought I held more dear, I would not see her Ghost for all the world.

Alcan.

But Madam, 'tis so like Erminia.

Am.

Why have you seen it too?

Alcan.

Yes Aminta.

Am.

Then there be Ghosts Alcander?

Phi,

Aminta we'le convince him.

[Phi. leads out Er. who comes smiling to the Princess.

—But how dear creature wert thou thus preserv'd.

Phi.

Another time for that, but now lets think

(Aminta imbraces her.

How to preserve her still, Since all believe her dead, but who are present, And that they may remain in that blest error I will consult with you; but you my dearest Shall as the spirit of Exminia act, And reap the glory of so good a part

It will advance the new design I have, And Sister to your care I must commit the treasure of my life.

Gall.

It was not kind, she came not first to me.

Er.

Madam, I fear'd the safety of my Prince, And every moment that I found I liv'd, Were more tormenting, then were those of death, Till I had undeceiv'd his apprehensions

Phi.

'Twas like thy self, generous and kind, my dear, Thou mightst have come too late else.

Er.

But Sir, pray where's my Murtherer? for yet A better name I cannot well afford him.

Gall.

All that we know of him, Pis•…•…ro now inform'd him, Who came just as he thought he'd murther'd thee, And beg'd he would provide for his own safety. But he who gave him sober promises, No sooner found himself out of his arms, But frantick and i'th' dark he got away. But out o'th' Court he knows he cannot pass, At this dead time of night; But he believes he is i'th' Groves or Gardens. And thither he is gone to find him out.

Alcan.

This is no place to make a longer stay in, The King has many spies about the Prince, 'Twere good you would retire to your apartment.

Gall.

We'le take your Counsel, Sir. —Good night, Brother.

Phi.

Erminia, may thy dreams be calm and sweet As thou hast made my soul, May nothing of the cruelty that's past Approach thee in a rude uneasie thought; Remember it not so much as in thy prayers, Let me alone to thank the Gods for thee, To whom that blessing only was ordain'd; And when I lose my gratitude to Heaven, May they deprive me of the joys they've given.

Exeunt.