Selected quad for the lemma: death_n
Text snippets containing the quad
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ID |
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Author |
Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) |
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A69554
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The unfortunate bride, or, The Blind lady a beauty a novel / by Mrs. A. Behn.
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Behn, Aphra, 1640-1689.
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1700
(1700)
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Wing B1773; ESTC R23165
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9,575
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28
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dead and now Master of a very plentiful fortune he resolves to marry and paying a visit to Belvira enquires of her concerning Frankwit she all in mourning for the loss told him his friend was dead Ah! Wildvill he is dead said she and died not mine a Blackmoor Lady had bewitched him from me I received a Letter lately which informed me all there was no name subscribed to it but it intimated that it was written at the request of dying Frankwit Oh! I am sorry at my soul said Wildvill for I loved him with the best the dearest friendship no doubt then rejoyned he 't is Witchcraft indeed that could make him false to you what delight could he take in a Blackmoor Lady tho she had received him at once with a soul as open as her longing arms and with her Petticoat put off her modesty Gods How could he change a whole Field argent into downright Sables 'T was done returned Celesia with no small blot I fancy to the Female Scutcheon In short after some more discourse but very sorrowful Wildvill takes his leave extreamly taken with the fair Belvira more beauteous in her cloud of woe he paid her afterwards frequent visits and found her wonder for the odd inconstancy of Frankwit greater than her sorrow since he dy'd so unworthy of her Wildvill attack'd her with all the force of vig'rous love and she as she thought fully convinc'd of Frankwit's death urg'd by the fury and impatience of her new ardent Lover soon surrender'd and the day of their Nuptials now arriv'd their hands were joyn'd In the mean time Frankwit for he still liv'd knew nothing of the injury the base Moorea practic'd knew not that 't was thro her private order that the fore-mention'd account of his falshood and his death was sent but impatient to see his Dear Bolvira tho yet extremely weak rid post to London and that very day arriv'd there immediately after the Nuptials of his Mistress and his Friend were celebrated I was at this time in Cambridge and having some small acquaintance with this Blackamoor Lady and sitting in her Room that evening after Frankwit's departure thence in Moorea's absence saw inadvertently a bundle of Papers which she had gathered up as I suppose to burn since now they grew but useless she having no further hopes of him I fancy'd I knew the hand and thence my curiosity only led me to see the name and finding Belvira subscrib'd I began to guess there was some foul play in hand Belvira being my particularly intimate acquaintance I read one of them and finding the contents convey'd them all secretly out with me as I thought in point of justice I was bound and sent them to Belvira by that night's Post so that they came to her hands soon after the minute of her Marriage with an account how and by what means I came to light on them No doubt but they exceedingly surpriz'd her but Oh! Much more she grew amaz'd immediately after to see the poor and now unhappy Frankwit who privately had enquir'd for her below being received as a stranger who said he had some urgent business with her in a back Chamber below stairs What Tongue what Pen can express the mournful sorrow of this Scene At first they both stood dumb and almost senseless she took him for the Ghost of Frankwit he looked so pale new risen from his sickness he for he had heard at his entrance in the House that his Belvira marry'd Wildvil stood in a maze and like a Ghost indeed wanted the power to speak till spoken to the first At last he draws his Sword designing there to fall upon it in her presence she then imagining it his Ghost too sure and come to kill her shrieks out and swoons he ran immediately to her and catch'd her in his arms and while he strove to revive and bring her to herself tho that he thought could never now be done since she was marry'd Wildvill missing his Bride and hearing the loud shriek came running down and entring the Room sees his Bride lye claspt in Frankwit's arms Ha! Traytor He crys out drawing his Sword with an impatient fury have you kept that Strumpet all this while curst Frankwit and now think fit to put your damn'd cast Mistress upon me could not you forbear her neither ev'n on my wedding day Abominable Wretch Thus saying he made awfull pass at Frankwit and run him thro the left arm and quite thro the Body of the poor Belvira that thrust immediately made her start tho Frankwit's endeavours all before were useless Strange that her death reviv'd her for ah she felt that now she only liv'd to dye striving thro wild amazement to run from such a Scene of horror as her apprehensions-shew'd her down she dropt and Frankwit seeing her fall all friendship disannull'd by such a chain of injuries draws fights with and stabs his own lov'd Wildvill Ah! who can express the horror and distraction of this fatal misunderstanding the House was alarm'd and in came poor Celesia running in confusion just as Frankwit was off'ring to kill himself to dye with a false friend and perjur'd Mistress for he suppos'd them such Poor Celesia now bemoan'd her unhappiness of sight and wish'd she again were blind Wildvill dy'd immediately and Belvira only surviv'd him long enough to unfold all their most unhappy fate desiring Frankwit with her dying breath if ever he lov'd her and now she said that she deserv'd his love since she had convinc'd him that she was not false to marry her poor dear Celesia and love her tenderly for her Belvira's sake leaving her being her nearest Relation all her fortune and he much dearer than it all to be added to her own so joyning his and Celesia's Hands she pour'd her last breath upon his Lips and said Dear Frankwit Frankwit I dye yours With tears and wondrous sorrow he promis'd to obey her Will and in some months after her interrment he perform'd his promise FINIS