The Works of Aphra Behn, Volume III

by Aphra Behn

ACT V.

SCENE I. Galatea’s Apartments.

Enter Galatea, Erminia, Pisaro, Aminta.

Gal. And hast thou found him? Ease my misery.

Pis. I have, and done as you commanded me.
I found him sitting by a Fountain side,
Whose Tears had power to swell the little tide,
Which from the Marble Statues breasts still flows:
As silent and as numberless were those.
I laid me down behind a Thicket near,
Where undiscover’d I could see and hear;
The Moon the Day supply’d, and all below
Instructed, even as much as Day could do.
I saw his postures, heard him rave and cry,
’.was I that kill’d Erminia, yes ‘twas I;
Then from his almost frantick Head he’d tear
Whole handfuls of his well-becoming Hair:
Thus would he, till his Rage was almost spent,
And then in softer terms he would lament:
Then speak as if Erminia still did live,
And that Belief made him forget to grieve.
—The Marble Statue Venus he mistook
For fair Erminia, and such things he spoke,
Such unheard passionate things, as e’en wou’d move
The marble Statue’s self to fall in love;
He’d kiss its Breast, and say she kind was grown,
And never mind, alas, ‘twas senseless Stone;
He took its Hand, and to his Mouth had laid it,
But that it came not, and its stay betray’d it;
Then would he blush, and all asham’d become,
His Head declining, for awhile be dumb:
His Arms upon his Breast across would lay,
Then sensibly and calmly walk away;
And in his walk a thousand things he said,
Which I forgot, yet something with me staid;
He did consult the nature of the Crime,
And still concluded that ‘twas just in him;
He run o’er all his life, and found no act
That was ungenerous in him, but this fact,
From which the Justice took off the Disgrace,
And might even for an act of Virtue pass;
He did consult his Glory and his Pride;
And whilst he did so, laid his grief aside;
—Then was as calm as e’er he seem’d to be.

Gal. And all this while did he ne’er mention me?

Pis. Yes, Madam, and a thousand things he said,
By which much Shame and Passion he betray’d:
And then ‘twas, Madam, I stept in and gave
Counsels, I thought him fittest to receive;
I sooth’d him up, and told him that the Crime
I had committed, had the case been mine.
I all things said that might his Griefs beguile,
And brought him to the sweetness of a Smile.
—To all I said he lent a willing ear,
And my reproaches too at last did hear.
With this insensibly I drew him on,
And with my flatteries so upon him won,
Such Gentleness infus’d into his Breast,
As has dispos’d his wearied Soul to rest:
Sleeping upon a Couch I’ve left him now,
And come to render this account to you. [Bows.

Gal. Pisaro, ‘twas the office of a Friend,
And thou’st perform’d it to a generous end:
Go on and prosper in this new design,
And when thou’st done, the glory shall be thine.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II. The Bedchamber of Alcippus.

Draws off, discovers Alcippus rising from the Couch.

Alcip. I cannot sleep, my Soul is so unfurnish’d
Of all that Sweetness which allow’d it rest.
—’Tis flown, ‘tis flown, for ever from my breast,
And in its room eternal discords dwell,
Such as outdo the black intrigues of Hell—
Oh my fortune—

[Weeps, pulling out his handkerchief, drops a
Picture with a Glass on the reverse.

—What’s here? Alas, that which I dare not look on,
And yet, why should I shun that Image here,
Which I continually about me bear?
But why, dear Picture, art thou still so gay,
Since she is gone from whom those Charms were borrow’d?
Those Eyes that gave this speaking life to thine,
Those lovely Eyes are clos’d in endless darkness;
There’s not a Star in all the face of Heaven,
But now out-shines those Suns:
Suns at Noon-day dispens’d not kindlier influence.
And thou blest Mirror, that hast oft beheld
That Face, which Nature never made a fairer;
Thou that so oft her Beauties back reflected,
And made her know what wondrous power there lay
In every Feature of that lovely Face.
But she will smile no more! no more! no more!
—Why, who shall hinder her? Death, cruel Death.
—’Twas I that murder’d her—
Thou lyest—thou durst as well be damn’d as touch her,
She was all sacred; and that impious Hand
That had profanely touch’d her,
Had wither’d from the Body.
—I lov’d her—I ador’d her, and could I,
Could I approach her with unhallowed thoughts?
—No, no, I durst not—
But as devoutest Pilgrims do the Shrine.
—If I had done’t,
The Gods who take the part of Innocence,
Had been reveng’d—
Why did not Thunder strike me in the Action?
Why, if the Gods be just, and I had done’t,
Did they not suffer Earth to swallow me,
Quick—quick into her bosom?
—But yet I say again, it was not I,
—Let me behold this face,
That durst appear in such a Villany.
[He looks in the glass.

Enter Pisaro, and Erminia drest like an Angel with Wings.

Pis. Look where he is.

Er. Alas, I tremble at the sight of him.

Pis. Fear nothing, Madam, I’ll be near you still.

Er. Pray stay a little longer.

Alcip.—My Face has Horror in’t pale and disfigur’d,
And lean as Envy’s self—
My Eyes all bloody,—and my hanging lids
Like Midnight’s mischief, hide the guilty Balls,
—And all about me calls me Murderer:
—Oh horrid Murderer!
That very Sound tears out my hated Soul,
—And to compleat my ruin,
I’ll still behold this face where Murder dwells.

[He looks in the glass, Erminia steals behind him, and
looks into it over his shoulder; he is frighted.

Ha—what does this Glass present me?
What art thou?—speak—What art thou?
[Turns by degrees towards it.
—Sure I am fixt, what, shall the Devil fright me?
—Me shall he fright,
Who stood the Execution of a Murder?
—But ‘tis that Shape, and not thy Nature frights me,
—That calls the blood out of my panting Heart,
That Traytor Heart that did conspire thy death.

Er. Sit down and hear me—

[In a tone like a Spirit, and points to a Chair; soft
Musick begins to play, which continues all this Scene.

To disobey, thy punishment shall be;
To live in endless torments, but ne’er die.

Alcip. Thou threatnest high, bold Rebel,
[He sits within the Scene, bows.

Er. Alcippus, tell me what you see,
What is’t that I appear to be?

Alcip. My blest Erminia deify’d.

Er. Alcippus, _you inform me true;
I am thus deify’d by you;
To you I owe this blest abode,
For I am happy as a God;
I only come to tell thee so,
And by that tale to end thy Woe;
Know, Mighty Sir, your Joy’s begun,
From what last night to me was done;
In vain you rave, in vain you weep,
For what the Gods must ever keep;
In vain you mourn, in vain deplore
A loss which tears can ne’er restore.
The Gods their Mercies will dispense,
In a more glorious Recompence;
A World of Blessings they’ve in store,
A World of Honours, Vict’ries more;
Thou shalt the Kingdom’s Darling be,
And Kings shall Homage pay to thee;
Thy Sword no bounds to Conquest set,
And thy Success that Sword shall whet;
Princes thy Chariot-wheel shall grace,
Whilst thou in Triumph bring’st home Peace.

This will the Gods; thy King yet more
Will give thee what those Gods adore;
And what they did create for thee_,
Alcippus, look, for that is she.

Enter the Princess, who goes over the Stage as a Spirit, bows a little to Alcippus, and goes off.

Alcip. The Princess! [He offers to rise.

Er. Be still; ‘tis she you must possess,
‘Tis she must make your happiness;
‘Tis she must lead you on to find
Those Blessings Heaven has design’d:
‘Tis she’ll conduct you, where you’ll prove
The perfect Joys of grateful Love.

Enter Aminta like Glory, Alcander representing Honour.
They pass over and bow, and go out.

Glory and Honour wait on her.

Enter two more representing Mars and Pallas, bow and go out.

With Pallas and the God of War,

Enter Olinda like Fortune, a Page like Cupid, bow and go out.

Fortune and Love which ne’er agree,
Do now united bow to thee.
—Be wise, and of their Bounties share;
For if Erminia still was here,
Still subject to the toils of Life,
She never could have been thy Wife,
Who by the Laws of Men and Heaven
Was to another’s bosom given:
—And what Injustice thou hast done,
Was only to thy Prince alone;
But he has mercy, can redeem
Those Ills which thou hast done to him.
—But see, they all return again.

[All the Disguis’d enter again and dance, with Love in the midst, to whom as they dance, they in order make an offer of what they carry, which must be something to represent them by; which Love refuses with Nods, still pointing to Alcippus: the Dance done, they lay them at his feet, or seem to do so, and go out.

What think’st thou of thy Destiny,
Is’t not agreeable to thee?
Tell me, Alcippus, is’t not brave?
Is it not better than a Grave?
Cast off your Tears, abandon Grief,
And give what you have seen belief.
Dress all your Looks, and be as gay
As Virgins in the Month of May;
Deck up that Face where Sorrow grows,
And let your Smiles adorn your brows;
Recal your wonted Sweetness home,
And let your Eyes all Love become:
For what the Gods have willed and said,
Thou hast no power to evade.
What they decree none can withstand,
You must obey what they command.

[She goes out, he remains immoveable for a while.

Enter Pisaro.

Pis. How is it, man?—what, speechless?

Alcip. No.

Pis. I left thee on the Bed, how camest thou here?

Alcip. I know not.

Pis. Have you slept?

Alcip. Yes, ever since you left me;
And ‘twas a kindness in thee now to wake me;
For Sleep had almost flatter’d me to Peace,
Which is a vile injustice.
Hah, Pisaro, I had such a Dream,
Such a fine flattering Dream—

Pis. How was it, pray?

Alcip. Nay, I will forget it;
I do not merit so much peace of mind,
As the relation of that Dream will give me:
Oh, ‘twas so perfect, too,
I hardly can persuade my self I slept!
Dost thou believe there may be Apparitions?

Pis. Doubtless, my Lord, there be.

Alcip. I never could believe it till this hour, By Heavens, I think I saw them too, Pisaro.

Pis. ‘Tis very possible you’re not deceiv’d.

Alcip. Erminia’s Spirit, in a glorious form.

Pis. I do believe you.

Alcip. Why, is’t not strange?

Pis. It would have been, had I not heard already
She has this night appear’d to several Persons,
In several Shapes; the first was to the Prince;
And said so many pretty things for you,
As has persuaded him to pardon you.

Alcip. Oh Gods, what Fortune’s mine!
I do believe the Prince is innocent
From all that thou hast said.
—But yet I wish he would dispose his Bounties
On those that would return acknowledgments;
I hate he should oblige me.

Pis. You are too obstinate, and must submit.

Alcip. It cannot be, and yet methinks I give
A strange and sudden credit to this Spirit,
It beckon’d me into another room;
I’ll follow it, and know its business there. [Aside.

Pis. Come, Sir, I am a kind of Prophet,
And can interpret Dreams too.
We’ll walk a while, and you shall tell me all,
And then I would advise you what to do.

[Exeunt.

SCENE III. The King’s Chamber.

Enter Philander with the King.

King. Thou’st entertain’d me with a pretty Story,
And call’d up so much Nature to thy Cause,
That I am half subjected to its Laws;
I find thy lovely Mother plead within too,
And bids me put no force upon thy Will;
Tells me thy Flame should be as unconfin’d
As that we felt when our two Souls combin’d.
Alas, Philander, I am old and feeble,
And cannot long survive:
But thou hast many Ages yet to number
Of Youth and Vigour; and should all be wasted
In the Embraces of an unlov’d Maid?
No, my Philander, if that after death
Ought could remain to me of this World’s Joys,
I should remember none with more delight,
Than those of having left thee truly happy.

Phi. This Goodness, Sir, resembles that of Heaven, Preserving what it made, and can be paid Only with grateful Praise as we do that.

King. Go, carry on your innocent design, And when you’ve done, the last act shall be mine.

[Exeunt

SCENE IV. The Court Gallery.

Enter Aminta followed by Alcander, Erminia and Galatea; they go out: re-enter Alcander, and stays Aminta.

Alcan. Stay, dear Aminta, do not fly so fast.

Am. Methinks, Alcander, you should shun that Maid, Of whose too much of kindness you’re afraid. ’.was not long since you parted in such feud, And swore my treatment of you was too rude; You vow’d you found no Beauty in my eyes, And can you now pursue what you despise? [Offers to go.

Alcan. Nay, do not leave me yet, for still your Scorn Much better than your Absence may be borne.

Am. Well, Sir, your business, for mine requires haste.

Alcan. Say, fair Aminta, shall I never find
You’ll cease this Rigour, and be kind?
Will that dear Breast no Tenderness admit?
And shall the Pain you give no Pity get?
Will you be never touch’d with what I say?
And shall my Youth and Vows be thrown away?
You know my Passion and my Humour too,
And how I die, though do not tell you so.

Am. What arguments will you produce to prove You love? for yet I’ll not believe you love.

Alcan. Since, fair Aminta, I did thee adore,
Alas, I am not what I was before:
My Thoughts disorder’d from my Heart do break;
And Sighs destroy my Language when I speak.
My Liberty and my Repose I gave,
To be admitted but your Slave;
And can you question such a Victory?
Or must I suffer more to make it sure?
It needs not, since these Languishments can be
Nought but the Wounds which you alone can cure.

Am. Alcander, you so many Vows have paid,
So many Sighs and Tears to many a Maid,
That should I credit give to what you say,
I merit being undone as well as they.
—No, no, Alcander, I’ll no more of that.

Alcan. Farewel, Aminta, mayst thou want a Lover,
When I shall hate both thee and thy whole Sex;
I can endure your sober Cruelty,
But do despise it clad in Jollity.

[Exeunt severally.

SCENE V.

Discovers a Room hung with Black, a Hearse standing in it with Tapers round about it, Alcippus weeping at it, with Isillia, and other Women with long black Veils round about the Hearse.

Isil. I humbly beg, my Lord, you would forbear.

Alcip. Oh Isillia,
Thou knowest not what vast Treasure this incloses,
This sacred Pile; is there no Sorrow due to it?
Alas, I bad her not farewel at parting.
Nor did receive so much as one poor Kiss.
—Ah wretched, wretched Man!

Enter the Prince.

How, the Prince!
How suddenly my Grief submits to Rage.

Phi. Alcippus, why dost thou gaze thus on me? What Horror have I in my looks that frights thee?

Alcip. Why, Sir, what makes you here?
I have no more Wives, no more Erminias;
Alas, she is dead—
Will you not give her leave to rest in peace?

Phi. Is this the Gratitude you pay my Favours,
That gave ye life, after your wrongs to me?
But ‘twas my Sister’s Kindness that preserv’d thee
And I prefer’d my Vengeance to the Gods.

Alcip. Your Sister is a Saint whom I adore; But I refuse a Life that comes from you.

Isil. What mean you, Sir?

Alcip. To speak a truth, as dying Men should do.

Phi. Alcippus, for my Sister’s sake who loves you, I can bear more than this—you know my power, And I can make you fear. [Offers to go out.

Alcip. No, Prince, not whilst I am in love with dying.

Phi. Your love to that I see has made you impudent.

Isil. The Storm comes on, your Highness should avoid it.

Phi. Let him give place, I’ll keep possession here.

Isil. It is the Prince’s pleasure, Sir, you quit the Presence.

Alcip. No, this I call my Home; And since Erminia’s here that does entitle it so, I will not quit the Presence.

Phi. Gave thee a Title to’t, Alcippus?

Alcip. Me, Philander!

[They come to each other’s breast, and so draw.

Phi. Thee.

Alcip. Me, what dare you now?

Phi. I dare declare that I can hear no more; Be witness, Heaven, how justly I’m compell’d.

Alcip. Now, Sir, you are brave and love Erminia too.

[The Women run all away crying; they draw out some one way, and some another, leaving some their Veils behind them, some half off, half on.

Phi. We are here not safe, these Women will betray us.

Alcip. Sir, ‘tis a work that will soon be dispatcht, And this a place and time most proper for’t.

[A pass or two. Fal. _peeps in and runs away.

Enter_ Pisaro, runs between.

Pis. Hold, Sir, are you grown desperate? What means your Highness? [To the Prince. Alcippus, what is’t you design in this?

Alcip. To fight, Pisaro, and be kill’d.

Pis. By Heaven, you shall not fight, unless with me, And you have so anger’d me with this rash action, I could almost provoke you to it.

Enter Alcander.

Alcan. Gods, Sir, that you should thus expose your self, The World’s great Heir, against a desperate Madman!

Pis. Have you forgot your Apparition, Sir?

Alcip. Oh, ‘twas an idle lying one, Pisaro, And came but to intrap me.

To them Galatea, Aminta, and Olinda.

Gal. Ah, Brother, why so cruel to your Sister?

Phi. Here, Galatea, punish my misfortune,
For yet I want the will to injure thee.
Heaven knows what provocations I receiv’d
E’er I would draw a Sword on him you lov’d.

Gal. Unjust Alcippus, how dost thou reward me?

Alcip. Ah, Madam, I have too much shame to live.
Had Heaven preserv’d my Innocence intire,
That I with confidence might have ador’d you,
Though I had been successless;
Yet I had liv’d and hop’d, and aim’d to merit you:
But since all hopes of that are taken from me,
My Life is but too poor a Sacrifice,
To make atonement for my Sins to you.

Gal. I will not answer thee to what thou hast said, But only beg thou wilt preserve thy life, Without which mine will be of little use to me.

Alcip. Might I without a sin believe this Blessing, Sure I should be immortal.

Falatio peeps in again.

Fal. I think I may venture, the fury is past, and the great shot spent, the mad Captain General’s wounded; so, I hope ‘twill let out some of his hot blood—

Enter the King, Cleontius, and Attendants.

King. My Love, Alcippus, is despis’d I see,
And you in lieu of that return you owe me,
Endeavour to destroy me.
—Is this an Object for your Rage to work on?
Behold him well, Alcippus, ‘tis your Prince.
—Who dares gaze on him with irreverend Eyes?
The good he does you ought to adore him for,
But all his evils ‘tis the Gods must punish,
Who made no Laws for Princes.

Alcip. Sir, I confess I’m culpable,
And were it not a sin equal to that,
To doubt you could forgive me,
I durst not hope your mercy after it.

King. I think with all the Tenderness I’m guilty of, I hardly shall be brought to pardon thee.

Phi. I humbly beg you will forgive him, Sir,
I drew him to it against his will; I forc’d him,
And gave him language not to be indur’d
By any gallant man.

King. Whilst you intreat for him, who pleads for you? For you are much the guiltier of the two, And need’st a greater interest to persuade me.

Alcip. It were not just to contradict my Prince,
A Prince to whom I’ve been so late a Traitor;
But, Sir, ‘tis I alone am criminal,
And ‘twas I,
Justly I thought provok’d him to this hazard:
’.is I was rude, impatient, insolent,
Did like a Madman animate his Anger,
Not like a generous Enemy.
Sir, when you weigh my Sorrows with this Action,
You’ll find no base Design, no Villany there;
But being weary of a Life I hated,
I strove to put it off, and missing that way,
I come to make an offer of it here.

King. If I should take it, ‘twere no more than just; Yet once again I will allow it thee, That thou mayst owe me for’t a second time: Manage it better than the last I gave— [Ex. King.

Phi. Alcippus, may I credit what thou’st said, Or do you feign repentance to deceive me?

Alcip. I never could dissemble at my best,
And now methinks your Highness should believe me,
When my despairs and little love to life
Make me despise all ways that may preserve it.

Phi. If thou wouldst have me credit thee, Alcippus,
Thou shouldst not disesteem a Life, which ought
To be preserv’d, to give a proof that what thou say’st
Is true, and dispossess me of those fears I have,
That ‘tis my Life makes thine displeasing to thee.

Alcip. ‘Tis a high proof to give you of my Duty, Yet that’s more ease to me than your Unbelief.

Phi. Let me embrace and thank thee for this goodness.
[He offers to embrace him, but he is shy, and keeps a little off.
Why dost receive me coldly? I’m in earnest;
As I love Honour, and esteem thee generous,
I mean thee nothing but a perfect Friendship;
By all my hopes I’ve no more quarrels to thee,
All ends in this Embrace, and to confirm it
I give thee here my Sister to thy Wife.

Alcip. Your Pardon, Sir,
I must refuse your bounty, till I know
By what strange turn of Fate I came thus blest.
To you, my Prince, I’ve done unheard-of injuries,
And though your Mercy do afford me life,
With this rich present too;
Till I could know I might deserve them both,
That Life will prove a Plague, and this great Gift
Turn to the torment of it.

Phi. Alcippus, ‘tis not kind to doubt me still, Is this a present for a Man I hate?

Alcip. ‘Tis true, Sir, and your bounty does amaze me;
Can I receive a blessing of this magnitude
With hands, yet have not wash’d away the sin
Of your Erminia’s murder? think of that, Sir;
For though to me it did appear most just,
Yet you must hate the Man that has undone you.

Gal. I see Erminia still usurps your thoughts.

Alcip. I must confess my Soul is scarce diverted
Of that fond Passion which I had for her;
But I protest before the Gods and you,
Did she still live, and I might still possess her,
I would refuse it, though I were ignorant
Of what the Gods and your fair self design me.

Phi. To doubt thee were a sin below my nature, And to declare my faith above my fear, Behold what I present thee with.

[Goes out, and enters again with Erminia.

Alcip. Ha—Erminia? [He looks afrighted.
—It is the same appear’d to me last night,
—And my deluded Fancy
Would have persuaded me ‘twas but a dream.

Phi. Approach her, Sir, ‘tis no fantasm.

Alcip. ‘Tis she her self, Oh Gods, Erminia!
[She goes a little back, as afraid, he kneels.
—Ah, Madam, do not fear me in this posture,
Which I will never quit till you have pardon’d me;
It was a fault the most excusable,
That ever wretched Lover did commit;
And that which hinder’d me from following thee,
Was that I could not well repent the Crime;
But like a surly Sinner fac’d it out,
And said, I thought ‘twas just, yes, fair Erminia;
Hadst thou been mine, I would i’th’ face of Heaven,
Proclaim it just and brave revenge:
But, Madam, you were Wife to my Prince,
And that was all my sin:
Alas, in vain I hop’d for some return,
And grew impatient of th’unkind delay,
And frantickly I then out-run my happiness.

Er. Rise, I forgive thee, from my soul I do;
Mayst thou be happier
In thy more glorious Passion for the Princess,
And all the Joys thou e’er couldst hope from me,
Mayst thou find there repeated.

Enter King, Orgulius, and the rest.

Org. First, I’ll keep my word with thee, Receive the welcome present which I promis’d.

[Gives him Erminia, she kneels.

Er. Can you forgive the Griefs I’ve made you suffer?

Org. I can forgive, though ‘twas not kind To let me languish in a desperate Error; Why was this Blessing hid from me alone?

Er. Ah, Sir, so well I knew you lov’d Alcippus,
That had you known it e’er the Prince had own’d me,
I fear you had restor’d me back again,
A Sin too great to load your Soul withal.

Org. My King already has forgiven that Error,
And now I come to make my Peace with thee,
And that I may with greatest speed obtain it,
—To you, Sir, I resign her with as much Joy, [To the Prince.
And when they undeceiv’d me
Of my opinion of her being dead—

Phi. And I with greater Joy receive your gift. [Bows and takes her.

King. My Lord Alcippus, are you pleas’d with this?

Alcip. Sir, I am so pleas’d, so truly pleas’d with it, That Heaven, without this Blessing on my Prince, Had found but little trouble from my thanks, For all they have shower’d on me; ’.was all I wisht, next my Pretensions here.

King. Then to compleat thy happiness, Take Galatea, since her Passion merits thee, As do thy Virtues her.

[Gives him Gal. they both bow.

Er. Sir, I’ve an humble suit t’your Majesty.

King. Conclude it granted then.

Er. Falatius, Sir, has long made love t’ Isillia, And now he’as gain’d her Heart, he slights the Conquest, Yet all the fault he finds is that she’s poor.

King. Isillia’s Beauty can supply that want; Falatius, what d’ye say to’t?

Fal. By Jove, Sir, I’ll agree to any thing; for I believe a handsome young Wife at Court may bring a Man a greater Fortune than he can in Conscience desire. [Takes Isillia.

Er. Aminta, be persuaded. [Aside to Am.

Am. He’d use me scurvily then.

Alcan. That’s according as you behav’d yourself, Aminta.

Am. I should domineer.

Alcan. I then should make love elsewhere.

Am. Well, I find we shall not agree then.

Alcan. Faith—now we have disputed a point I never thought on before, I would willingly pursue it for the humour on’t, not that I think I shall much approve on’t.

Pis. Give him your hand, Aminta, and conclude, ’.is time this haughty humour were subdu’d. By your submission, whatsoe’er he seem, In time you’ll make the greater Slave of him.

Am. Well—not from the hope of that, but from my Love,
His change of humour I’m content to prove.
Here take me, Alcander;
Whilst to Inconstancy I bid adieu,
I find variety enough in you.

[He takes her and bows.

King. Come my brave Youths, we’ll toil our selves with Joys,
And when we’re weary of the lazy play,
We’ll search abroad to find new Conquests out,
And get fresh Appetites to new Delights:
It will redouble your vast stock of Courage,
And make th’uneasy Humour light and gentle;
When you remember even in heat of Battle,
That after all your Victories and Spoil,
You’ll meet calm Peace at home in soft Embraces.
Thus may you number out your happy years,

Till Love and Glory no more proofs can give
Of what they can bestow, or you receive.

[Exeunt.

EPILOGUE,

By a Woman.

We charged you boldly in our first advance, And gave the Onset à la mode de France, As each had been a Joan of Orleance.

_Like them our Heat as soon abated too; Alas we could not vanquish with a Show, Much more than that goes to the conquering you.

The Trial though will recompense the Pain, It having wisely taught us how to reign; ’.is Beauty only can our Power maintain.

But yet, as tributary Kings, we own
It is by you that we possess that Throne,
Where had we Victors been, we’ad reign’d alone.

And we have promised what we could not do;
A fault, methinks, might be forgiven too,
Since ‘tis but what we learnt of some of you.

But we are upon equal treatment yet,
For neither conquer, since we both submit;
You to our Beauty bow, we to your Wit_.