THE Amorous Prince OR THE Curious Husband A COMEDY As it is Acted at his Royal Highness the Duke of York's Theatre Written by Mrs A. BEHN LONDON Printed by I. M. for Thomas Dring at the White Lyon next Chancery-Lane-End in Fleet-street 1671. PROLOGUE WEll you expect a Prologue to the Play And you expect it too Petition-way With Chapeau bas beseeching you t' excuse Adamn'd Intrigue of an unpractic'd Muse Tell you it's fortune waits upon your smiles And when you frown Lord how you kill the whiles Or else to rally up the sins of th' Age And bring each Fop in Town upon the Stage And in one Prologue run more vices o're Then either Court or City knew before And that 's a wonder which will please you too But my Commission 's not to please you now First then for you grave Dons who love no Play But what is regular Great Johnson's way Who hate the Monsieur with the Farce and Droll But are for things well said with spirit and soul 'T is you I mean whose judgments will admit No Interludes of fooling with your Wit You 're here defeated and anon will cry s' Death wou'd t were treason to write Comedy So there 's a party lost now for the rest Who swear they 'd rather hear a smutty jest Spoken by Nokes or Angel then a Scene Of the admir'd and well-penn'd Cataline Who love the Comick Hat the Iig and Dance Things that are fitted to their Ignorance You too are quite undone for here 's no Farce Damn me you 'l cry this Play will be mine A Not serious nor yet Comick what is 't then Th' imperfect issue of a Lukewarm brain 'T was born before it's time and such a whelp As all the after-lickings could not help Bait it then as ye please we 'le not desend it But he that dis-approves it let him mend it Actors Names Frederick Son to the Duke Curtius His Friend Lorenzo A rich extravagant Lord a kind of Favourite to Frederick Antonio A Nobleman of Florence Alberto His dear Friend a Noble man also Pietro Man to Curtius Galliard Servant to the Prince Valet To Antonio Clarina Wife to Antonio Ismena Sister to Antonio in love with Alberto Laura Sister to Lorenzo in love with Curtius Cloris Sister to Curtius disguis'd like a Country Maid in love with Frederick Isabella Woman to Clarina Lucia Maid to Cloris Guilliam Man to Cloris a Country-fellow Pages and Musick Scene the Court of Florence THE Amorous Prince ACT. I. SCENE I. The Chamber of Cloris Enter Cloris drest in her night Attire with Frederick Dressing himself Clo. AND will you leave me now to fears Which love it self can hardly satisfie But those and that together sure will kill me If you stay long away Fred. My Dear 't is almost day and we must part Should those rude eyes 'mongst whom thou Dwell'st perceive us 'T would prove unhappy both to thee and me Clor. And will you Sir be constant to your Vows Fred. Ah Cloris do not question what I 've sworn If thou would'st have it once again repeated I 'le do 't By all that 's good I 'le marry thee By that most Holy Altar before which we kneel'd When first I saw the brightest Saint that e're ador'd it I 'le marry none but thee my dearest Cloris Clor. Sir you have said enough to gain a credit With any Maid though she had been deceiv'd By some such flatteries as these before I never knew the pains of fear till now Sighs And you must needs forgive the faults you make For had I still remain'd in Innocence I should have still believ'd you Fred. Why dost thou not my Love Clor. Some doubts I have but when I look on you Though I must blush to do so they all vanish But I provide against your absence Sir Fred. Make no provision Cloris but of hope Prepare thy self against a Wedding day When thou shalt be a little Deity on Earth Clor. I know not what it is to dwell in Courts But sure it must be fine since you are there Yet I could wish you were an humble Shepherd And knew no other Pallace then this Cottage Where I would weave you Crowns of Pinks and Dazies And you should be a Monarch every May. Fred. And Cloris I could be content to sit With thee upon some shady Rivers bank To hear thee Sing and tell a Tale of Love For thee Alas I could do any thing A Sheep-hook I could prize above a Sword An Army I would quit to lead a Flock And more esteem that Chaplet wreath'd by thee Then the Victorious Bays All this I could but Dear I have a Father Whom for thy sake to make thee great and glorious I would not lose my int'rest with But Cloris see the unkind day approaches And we must kiss and part Clor. Unkind it is indeed may it prove so To all that wish its presence And pass as soon away That welcome night may re-assume its place And bring you quickly back Fred. With great impatience I 'le expect that hour That shall conduct me in its shades to thee Farewel Clor. Farewel Sir if you must be gone Sighs Fred. One Kiss and then indeed I will be gone Kisses her A new blown Rose kist by the morning dew Has not more Natural sweetness Ah Cloris can you doubt that heart To whom such blessings you impart Unjustly you suspect that prize Won by such touches and such eyes My Fairest turn that Face away Unless I could for ever stay Turn but but a little while I go Clor. Sir I must see the the last of you Fred. I dare not disobey adieu till evening Exit Fred. Enter Lucia Clor. How now Lucia is my Father up Luc. No not a Mouse stirs yet I have kept a true Watch all this night for I was cruelly afraid Lest we should have been surpriz'd Is the Prince gone but why do I ask That may read it in your sad looks Clor. Yes he is gone and with him too has taken Sighs Luc. What has he taken I 'le swear you frighten me Clor. My heart Lucia Luc. Your Heart I am glad 't is no worse Clor. Why what dost think he should have taken Luc. A thing more hard to have been Recovered again Clor. What thing prethee Luc. Your Maiden-head Clor. What 's that Luc. A thing young Gallants long extremely for And when they have it too they say They care not a Dazy for the giver Clor. How comest thou so wise Lucia Luc. Oh the fine Gentleman that comes a nights With the Prince told me so much and bid me Be sure never to part with it for fine words For men would lie as often as they swore And so he bad me tell you too Clor. Oh Lucia Luc. Why do you sigh Clo. To think if Princes were like common Men How I should be undone Since I have given him all I had to give And who that looks on him can blame my faith Luc. Indeed
Alberto is come to visit my Lord Who I am sure will entertain him with no other stories But those of his jealousie And to perswade him to Court you Clar. 'T is strange since he set him that task so long ago He would not begin before Ism. Nay pray God he begin now Sister he has hitherto took me for thee And sometimes his eyes give me hope of a secret Fire within but 't will not out And I am so impatient till he declares himself That if he do not do it soon I shall e'ne tell him who I am For perhaps the Wife takes off the appetite Which would sharpen upon knowledge of the Virgin Clar. What then you 'l have all the sport to your self But Ismena remember my little revenge on Antonio Must accompany your love to Alberto Aside Isab. But why this resemblance For Madam since he never saw you And takes Ismena to be you Might you not still pass so without this likeness Clar. Didst thou not say Antonio left the Court And City on purpose to give Alberto the more freedom To Court me Whilst he was away I needed but retire And Ismena appear and 't would sufficee But now he is return'd He may chance to see them together en passant or so And this dress will abuse him as well as Alberto For without that this Plot of ours signifies little Ism. Aye truly for my part I have no other design Then doing my Sister a service Isab. The Plot is very likely to thrive I see Since you are so good at dissembling Ism. Fie Isabella what an ill opinion you have of me But Sister 't is much Alberto being so intimate With Antonio should never see you all this whole Six months of your being Married Clar. Had you been bred any where But in a Monastery you would have known 'T is not the custom here for men to expose their Wives to the view of any Isab. I hear them coming let 's away And pray listen to the truths I have already told you Exeunt SCENE IV. Enter Antonio and Alberto Clarina and Ismena listen Alb. Once more Antonio welcom back to Court Ant. Oh my dear friend I long'd for thy embraces How goes the Game I left with thee to play What says my Wife my beautiful Clarina Alb. Clarina Ant. Yes Clarina have you not seen her yet I left the Court on purpose for 't was not handsome For me to introduce you Lest she had lookt upon 't as some design Alb. Seen her yes Ant. And I conjur'd her too to give you freedoms Even equal to Antonio As far as I durst press with modesty And with pretence of Friendship And have you not attempted her Alb. Yes but 't is in vain Ant. Oh Villanious dissembler Aside Alb. She 's cruel strangely cruel And I' me resolv'd to give the Courtship o're Ant. Sure friend thou hast not us'd thy wonted power Alb. Yes all that I know I' me master of I us'd Ant. But didst thou urge it home did she not see Thy words and actions did not well agree Canst thou dissemble well didst cry and melt As if the pain you but exprest you felt Didst kneel and swear and urge thy quality Heightning it too with some disgrace on me And didst thou too assail her feeble side For the best bait to woman is her Pride Which some mis-call her Guard Didst thou present her with the set of Jewels For Women naturally are more inclin'd To Avarice then Men Pray tell me Friend Vile woman did she take them Alb. I never ask'd her that Clar. Poor Antonio how I pity him Aside Ant. No! Alb. No I 've done enough to satisfie thy jealousie Here take your set of Jewels back again Gives a Box. Upon my life Clarina is all chastity Ant. I were the happiest man on Earth were this but true But what are single Courtships give her these Which will assist thy tongue to win her heart And that once got the other soon will follow There 's far more women won by Gold then industry Try that my dear Alberto And save thy eyes the trouble of desembling Alb. Content thee here and do not tempt thy fate I have regard unto thy Honour Friend And should she yield as women are no gods Where were thy future Joys What is 't could make thee happy or restore That true contentment which thou had'st before Alas thou tempt'st me too for I am frail And love above my friendship may prevail Ant. This will not do No as thou art my Friend and lov'st my Honour Pursue Clarina further Rally a fresh and charge her with this Present Disturb her every night with Serenades Make Love-Songs to her and then Sing them too Thou hast a voice enough alone to conquer Alb. Fool Antonio Aside Ant. Come wilt thou undertake it once again Alb. I would not Ant. I am resolv'd to get this tryal made And if thou dost refuse thy Amity I 'le try a Friend more willing though less faithful With thee my Wife and Honour too are safe For should she yield and I by that were lost 'T were yet some ease That none but thou wer't witness to 't Alb. Well if it must be done I' de rather do 't Then you should be expos'd to th' scorn of others Ant. Spoke like my noble Friend Come dine with her to day for I must leave you And give you all the opportunity A real Lover wishes with a Mistress Isam So we have heard enough Ex. Clar. and Ism. Ant. Oh were Clarina chaste as on my Soul I cannot doubt more then that I believe All woman kind may be seduc'd from Vertue I were the man of all the world most blest In such a Wife and such a Friend as thou Alb. But what if I prevail Antonio Ant. Then I 'le renounce my faith in woman kind And place my satisfaction in thy Amity But see she comes I 'le leave you to your task Enter Ismena and Isabella Ism. Antonio not yet gone This must secure me Pulls down her Veil Ant. Clarina why thus clouded Isab. I see he has most happily mistaken Ism. I was going Sir to visit Laura Ant. You must not go I 've business to the Duke And you must entertain my Friend till my return It is a freedom not usual here amongst Ladies But I will have it so Whom I esteem I 'le have you do so to Ism. Sir I am all obedience Exit Antonio She pulls off her Veil Albert. salutes her with seeming-lowness Alb. Oh how my Soul 's divided Between my Adoration and my Amity Aside Friendship thou sacred band hold fast thy interest For yonder Beauty has a subtle power And can undo that knot which other Arts Could ne're invent a way for Enter Antonio and listens at the door Ant. I 'le see a little how he behaves himself Aside Alb. But she 's Antonio's wife my friend Antonio Aside A youth that made an interest in my Soul When I had language scarce
will look my last farewel Offers to go Isab. Pray Madam call him back he may be desperate My Lord return Ism. Alberto tell me what you 'd have me do Alb. Ah Madam do not put me to my choice For Lovers are unreasonable If I might name it I would have you love me Ism. Love you and what would be the end of that Alb. I cannot tell but wish you were inclin'd To make a tryal Madam I have no thought or wish beyond that blessing And that once gain'd sure I should ask no more Ism. Were I inclin'd to this have you consider'd The fatal consequences which attend The breach of Vows and Friendship Alb. Madam Antonio first was false to you And not to punish that were such a Vertue As he would never thank you for By all that 's good till he prov'd so to you He had my Soul in keeping But this act makes me resolve To recompence his folly Ism. You 've found the easiest passage to my heart You 've took it on the weakest side But I must beg you will pretend no further Alb. Divine Clarina let me pay my thanks In this submissive posture and never rise Kneels Till I can gain so much upon your credit As to believe my passion tends no farther Then to adore you thus and thus possess you Kisses her hand and Bows Ism. Have not I dissembled finely Isabella Aside Isab. Yes if you could make me believe 't is so Aside Ism. Rise Sir and leave me that I may blush alone For what I 've parted with so easily Pray do not visit me again too soon But use your own discretion and be secret Alb. Madam The blessed secret here is lodg'd Which time shall ne're reveal to humane knowledge Ex. Alb. Ism. I 'me glad he 's gone before Antonio return'd Enter Laura Weeping What Laura all in Tears the reason pray Lau. Madam the Prince conducted by my brother About an hour since made me a visit The Man of all the world I would have shun'd Knowing his Amorous and inconstant temper At his approach he blusht and started back And I with great amazement did the like With fear I lost all power of going from him As he had done of making his address He gaz'd and wonder'd and I gaz'd on him And from his silence I became amaz'd My brother stood confounded at our postures And only by the motion of his head Which now he turn'd to me then on the Prince We knew that he had life Ism. Well how recover'd ye Lau. The Prince then kneel'd but could approach no nearer And then as if he 'd taken me for some Deity He made a long disorder'd Amorous speech Which brought me back to sense again But Lorenzo told him that I was a mortal And brought him nearer to me Where he began to make such vows of Love Ism. What then Lau. Then I am ruin'd To all I said he found a contradiction And my denials did but more inflame him I told him of the vows I 'de made to Curtius But he reply'd that Curtius was a Subject But sure at last I 'de won upon his goodness Had not my Father enter'd To whom the Prince addrest himself And with his moving tale so won upon him Or rather by his quality That he has gain'd his leave to visit me And quite forbids me e're to speak to Curtius Ism. Alas the day is this all Lau. All can there be more to make me miserable Ism. I see no reason thou hast to complain Come wipe your eyes and take a good heart For I 'le tell thee a story of my own That will let thee see I have much more cause to weep And yet I have a thousand little stratagems In my head which give me as many hopes This unlucky restraint upon our Sex Makes us all cunning and that shall assist thee now With my help I warrant thee Come in with me and know the rest Exeunt Isab. So so disguise it how you will I know you are a real Lover And that secret shall advance my Love-design Yes Madam now I will be serv'd by you Or you shall fail to find a friend of me Ex. Isab. SCENE III. Enter Lorenzo Drunk with a Page and Musick as in the dark Lor. Here 's the door begin and play your best But let them be soft low Notes do you hear They Play Enter Antonio Ant. Musick at my Lodgings it is Alberto Oh how I love him for 't if Clarina stand his Courtship I am made I languish between hope and fear Lor. Stay Friend I hear some body Musick ceases Page 'T is no body Sir Enter Isabella Isab. 'T is Lorenzo and my Plots ripe Aside Lorenzo being retir'd the while a little further 'T will not sure be hard to get him under pretence Of seeing Clarina into my Chamber And then I 'le order him at my pleasure Ismena is on my side for I know all her secrets And she must wink at mine therefore She retires Lor. Thou art in the right Boy I think indeed 't was nothing Plays again Enter Alberto Alb. She yields bad woman Why so easily won By me too who am thy Husbands friend Oh dangerous boldness uncconsidering woman I lov'd thee whilst I thought thou could'st not yield But now that easiness has undone thy interest in my heart I 'le back and tell thee that it was to try thee Lor. No no 't was my fears away with the Song I 'le take it on your word that 't is fit for my purpose Fid. I 'le warrant you my Lord. SONG IN vain I have labour'd the Victor to prove Of a heart that can ne're give attendance to Love So hard to be done That nothing so young Could e're have resisted a passion so long Yet nothing I left unattempted or said That might soften the heart of this pitiless Maid But still she was shye And would blushing deny Whilst her willinger eyes gave her Language the lye Since Phillis my passion you vow to despise Withdraw the false hopes from your flattering eyes For whilst they inspire A resistless vain fire We shall grow to abhor what we now do admire Ex. Musick Alb. What 's this and at Clarina's lodgings too Sure 't is Antonio impatient of delay Gives her a Serenade for me Enter Isabella Isab. 'T is the fool himself My Lord where are you Alb. How a womans voice 't is dark I 'le advance Lor. Thou Simpleton I told thee there was some-body Pag. Lord Sir 't is only Isabella that calls you Lor. Away Sirrah I find by my fears 't is no woman Goes out with the Page Isab. Why don't you come here 's no body Alb. Here I am Isab. Where Alb. Here. Gives her his Hand Isab. My Lord you may venture Clarina will be Alone within this hour where you shall entertain Her at your freedom but you must stay a while in my Chamber till my Lords a bed For none but I must know of the favour she designs you Alb.