Behn, Aphra (1640?-1689)

The Fair Jilt, or, the History of Prince Tarquin and Miranda

London

Printed by R. Holt, for Will. Canning

1688

"He finds this dreaded Rival in the same House with him, with an Authority equal to his own; and fansies, where two Hearts are so entirely agreed, and have so good an Understanding, it wou'd not be impossible to find Opportunities to satisfie and ease that mutual Flame that burnt so equally in both."

Henrick, who, all this while, knew no more of his Unhappiness, than what his Fears suggested, returns, and passes even to the Presence of his Father, before he knew any thing of his Fortune; where he beheld his Mistress and his Brother, with his Father, in such a Familiarity, as he no longer doubted his Destiny. 'Tis hard to judge whether the Lady or himself was most surpriz'd; she was all pale and unmoveable in her Chair, and Henrick fix'd like a Statue; at last Grief and Rage took place of Amazement, and he cou'd not forbear crying out, Ah, Traytor! Is it thus you have treated a Friend, and Brother? And you, O perjur'd Charmer! Is it thus you have rewarded all my Vows? He cou'd say no more; but reeling against the Door, had fall'n in a Swown upon the Floor, had not his Page caught him in his Arms, who was entring with him. The good old Prince, the Father, who knew not what all this meant, was soon inform'd by the young, weeping Princess; who, in relating the Story of her Amour with Henrick, told her Tale in so moving a manner, as brought Tears to the old Man's Eyes, and Rage to those of her Husband; he immediately grew jealous to the last Degree: He finds himself in Possession ('tis true) of the Beauty he ador'd, but the Beauty adoring another; a Prince, young, and Charming as the Light; soft, witty, and raging with an equal Passion. He finds this dreaded Rival in the same House with him, with an Authority equal to his own; and fansies, where two Hearts are so entirely agreed, and have so good an Understanding, it wou'd not be impossible to find Opportunities to satisfie and ease that mutual Flame that burnt so equally in both; he therefore resolv'd to send him out of the World, and to establish his own Repose by a Deed, wicked, cruel and unnatural, to have him assassinated the first Opportunity he cou'd find. This Resolution set him a little at ease, and he strove to dissemble Kindness to Henrick, with all the Art he was capable of, suffering him to come often to the Appartment of the Princess, and to entertain her oftentimes with Discourse, when he was not near enough to hear what he spoke; but still watching their Eyes, he found those of Henrick full of Tears, ready to slow, but restrain'd, looking all dying, and yet reproaching, while those of the Princess were ever bent to the Earth, and she, as much as possible, shunning his Conversation. Yet this did not satisfie the jealous Husband; 'twas not her Complaisance that cou'd appease him, he found her Heart was panting within when-ever Henrick approach'd her, and every Visit more and more confirm'd his Death.
(pp. 24-27)

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The Fair Jilt, or, the History of Prince Tarquin and Miranda Written by Mrs. A. Behn. (London: Printed by R. Holt, for Will. Canning ..., 1688). <Link to EEBO-TCP>

08/28/2014