The Rover

Aphra Behn

• Publisher: HarperPerennial Classics
• Year: 2014
• ISBN:
  9781443437707
• Topic: Letteratura
• Subtopic: Teatro

Faithful and handsome, the Englishman Belvile is in love with the Italian lady Florinda, who is betrothed to another. Willmore, the rover, is in love with Hellena, sister of Florinda and destined for the convent. And Angellica Bianca, a courtesan, is in love with Willmore. Against the backdrop of Naples during Carnival time, this varied cast of characters pursue life, honour, and pleasure in this comedic drama.

Author and playwright Aphra Behn created a clearly male-centric world in The Rover, but does not dismiss the power of her female characters, who are willing to go to extreme measures to fulfill their desires. The Rover was written for profit at a time when Behn had lost her source of income, but became one of the most popular plays of the Restoration era, and it is still studied and widely performed in modern times.

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Act IV

Scene I

A fine room.

Discovers BELVILE, as by dark alone.

BELVILE
When shall I be weary of railing on fortune, who is resolved never to turn with smiles upon me?—Two such defeats in one night—none but the devil and that mad rogue could have contrived to have plagued me with—I am here a prisoner—but where?—Heaven knows—and if there be murder done, I can soon decide the fate of a stranger in a nation without mercy—Yet this is nothing to the torture my soul bows with, when I think of losing my fair, my dear Florinda.—Hark—my door opens—a light—a man—and seems of quality—armed too.—Now shall I die like a dog without defence.

[Enter ANTONIO in a nightgown, with a light; his arm in a scarf, and a sword under his arm: He sets the candle on the table.]

ANTONIO
Sir, I come to know what injuries I have done you, that could provoke you to so mean an action, as to attack me basely, without allowing time for my defence.

BELVILE
Sir, for a man in my circumstances to plead innocence, would look like fear—but view me well, and you will find no marks of a coward on me, nor anything that betrays that brutality you accuse me of.

ANTONIO
In vain, sir, you impose upon my sense,
You are not only he who drew on me last night,
But yesterday before the same house, that of Angellica.
Yet there is something in your face and mien
That makes me wish I were mistaken.

BELVILE
I own I fought today in the defence of a friend of mine, with whom you (if you’re the same) and your party were first engaged.
Perhaps you think this crime enough to kill me,
But if you do, I cannot fear you’ll do it basely.

ANTONIO
No, sir, I’ll make you fit for a defence with this. [Gives him the sword.]

BELVILE
This gallantry surprises me—nor know I how to use this present, sir, against a man so brave.

ANTONIO
You shall not need;
For know, I come to snatch you from a danger
That is decreed against you;
Perhaps your life, or long imprisonment:
And ’twas with so much courage you offended,
I cannot see you punished.

BELVILE
How shall I pay this generosity?

ANTONIO
It had been safer to have killed another,
Than have attempted me:
To show your danger, sir, I’ll let you know my quality;
And ’tis the viceroy’s son whom you have wounded.

BELVILE
The viceroy’s son!
Death and confusion! was this plague reserved
To complete all the rest?—obliged by him!
The man of all the world I would destroy. [Aside.]

ANTONIO
You seem disordered, sir.

BELVILE
Yes, trust me, sir, I am, and ’tis with pain
That man receives such bounties,
Who wants the power to pay them back again.

ANTONIO
To gallant spirits ’tis indeed uneasy;
—But you may quickly overpay me, sir.

BELVILE
Then I am well—kind Heaven! but set us even,
That I may fight with him, and keep my honour safe. [Aside.]
—Oh, I’m impatient, sir, to be discounting
The mighty debt I owe you; command me quickly—

ANTONIO
I have a quarrel with a rival, sir,
About the maid we love.

BELVILE
Death, ’tis Florinda he means—
That thought destroys my reason,
And I shall kill him—[Aside.]

ANTONIO
My rival, sir,
Is one has all the virtues man can boast of.

BELVILE
Death! who should this be? [Aside.]

ANTONIO
He challenged me to meet him on the Molo,
As soon as day appeared; but last night’s quarrel
Has made my arm unfit to guide a sword.

BELVILE
I apprehend you, sir, you’d have me kill the man
That lays a claim to the maid you speak of.
—I’ll do’t—I’ll fly to do it.

ANTONIO
Sir, do you know her?

BELVILE
—No, sir, but ’tis enough she is admired by you.

ANTONIO
Sir, I shall rob you of the glory on’t,
For you must fight under my name and dress.

BELVILE
That opinion must be strangely obliging that makes
You think I can personate the brave Antonio,
Whom I can but strive to imitate.

ANTONIO
You say too much to my advantage.
—Come, sir, the day appears that calls you forth.
—Within, sir, is the habit. [Exit ANTONIO.]

BELVILE
Fantastic fortune, thou deceitful light,
That cheats the wearied traveller by night,
Though on a precipice each step you tread,
I am resolved to follow where you lead.

[Exit.]

Scene II

The Molo.

Enter FLORINDA and CALLIS in masques, with STEPHANO.

FLORINDA
I’m dying with my fears; Belvile’s not coming as I expected, underneath my window,
Makes me believe that all those fears are true. [Aside.]
—Canst thou not tell with whom my brother fights?

STEPHANO
No, madam, they were both in masquerade, I was by when they challenged one another, and they had decided the quarrel then, but were prevented by some cavaliers; which made ’em put it off till now—but I am sure ’tis about you they fight.

FLORINDA
Nay then ’tis with Belvile, for what other lover have I that dares fight for me, except Antonio? and he is too much in favour with my brother—If it be he, for whom shall I direct my prayers to Heaven? [Aside.]

STEPHANO
Madam, I must leave you; for if my master see me, I shall be hanged for being your conductor.—I escaped narrowly for the excuse I made for you last night i’th’garden.

FLORINDA
And I’ll reward thee for’t—prithee no more. [Exit. STEPHANO.]

[Enter DON PEDRO in his masquing habit.]

PEDRO
Antonio’s late today, the place will fill, and we may be prevented. [Walk about.]

FLORINDA
Antonio! sure I heard amiss. [Aside.]

PEDRO
But who would not excuse a happy lover.
When soft fair arms confine the yielding neck;
And the kind whisper languishingly breathes,
Must you be gone so soon?
Sure I had dwelt forever on her bosom.
—But stay, he’s here.

[Enter BELVILE dressed in ANTONIO’s clothes.]

FLORINDA
’Tis not Belvile, half my fears are vanished.

PEDRO
Antonio!

BELVILE
This must be he. [Aside.]
You’re early, sir,—I do not use to be outdone this way.

PEDRO
The wretched, sir, are watchful, and ’tis enough
You have the advantage of me in Angellica.

BELVILE
Angellica! Or I’ve mistook my man! Or else Antonio,
Can he forget his interest in Florinda,
And fight for common prize? [Aside.]

PEDRO
Come, sir, you know our terms—

BELVILE
By Heaven, not I. [Aside.]
—No talking, I am ready, sir. [Offers to fight. FLORINDA runs in.]

FLORINDA
Oh, hold! whoe’er you be, I do conjure you hold.
If you strike here—I die—[To BELVILE.]

PEDRO
Florinda!

BELVILE
Florinda imploring for my rival!

PEDRO
Away, this kindness is unseasonable. [Puts her by, they fight; she runs in just as BELVILE disarms PEDRO.]

FLORINDA
Who are you, sir, that dare deny my prayers?

BELVILE
Thy prayers destroy him; if thou wouldst preserve him.

Do that thou’rt unacquainted with, and curse him. [She holds him.]

FLORINDA
By all you hold most dear, by her you love,
I do conjure you, touch him not.

BELVILE
By her I love!
See—I obey—and at your feet resign
The useless trophy of my victory. [Lays his sword at her feet.]

PEDRO
Antonio, you’ve done enough to prove you love Florinda.

BELVILE
Love Florinda! Does Heaven love adoration, prayer, or penitence? love her! here sir,—your sword again. [Snatches up the sword, and gives it him.]
Upon this truth I’ll fight my life away.

PEDRO
No, you’ve redeemed my sister, and my friendship.

BELVILE
Don Pedro! [He gives him FLORINDA and pulls off his vizard to show his face, and puts it on again.]

PEDRO
Can you resign your claims to other women,
And give your heart entirely to Florinda?

BELVILE
Entire, as dying saints confessions are.
I can delay my...