THE FORC'D MARRIAGE
A monologue from the
play by Aphra
Behn
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NOTE: This monologue is reprinted
from The Works of Aphra Behn, Vol. 3. Ed. Montague Summers.
London: Heinemann, 1915. |
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- PISARO: Sir, you are of so strange a jealous Humour,
- And I so strangely jealous of your Honour,
- That 'twixt us both we may make work enough;
- But on my Soul I know no wrong you have.
- Sir, I'm in earnest, you have gain'd that Heart,
- For which I have receiv'd so many wounds;
- Venturing for Trophies where none durst appear,
- To gain at my Return one single smile,
- Or that she would submit to hear my story:
- And when sh' has said, 'twas bravely done, Pisaro,
- I thought the Glory recompens'd the Toil;
- And sacrific'd my Laurels at her feet,
- Like those who pay their first-fruits to the Gods,
- To beg a blessing on the following Crop:
- And never made her other signs of Love,
- Nor knew I that I had that easy flame,
- Till by her Eyes I found that she was mortal,
- And could love too, and that my Friend is you.
- Alcippus, hadst thou seen her, whilst the Priest
- Was giving thee to fair Erminia,
- What languishment appear'd upon her Eyes,
- Which never were remov'd from thy lov'd Face,
- Through which her melting Soul in drops distill'd,
- As if she meant to wash away thy Sin,
- In giving up that Right belong'd to her,
- Thou hadst without my aid found out this truth:
- A sweet composure dwelt upon her looks,
- Like Infants who are smiling whilst they die;
- Nor knew she that she wept, son unconcern'd
- And freely did her Soul a passage find;
- Whilst I transported had almost forgot
- The Reverence due t' her sacred self and Place,
- And every moment ready was to kneel,
- And with my lips gather the precious drops,
- And rob the Holy Temple of a Relick,
- Fit only there t' inhabit.
- My Lord, I knew not that I was a Lover;
- I felt no flame, but a religious Ardour,
- That did inspire my Soul with adoration;
- And so remote I was from ought but such,
- I knew not Hope, nor what it was to wish
- For other blessings than to gaze upon her:
- Like Heaven I thought she was to be possess'd,
- Where carnal Thoughts can no admittance find;
- And had I not perceiv'd her Love to you,
- I had not known the nature of my flame:
- But then I found it out by Jealousy,
- And what I took for a Seraphick motion,
- I now decline as criminal and earthly.
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MONOLOGUES BY APHRA BEHN |
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