Volume I Part 2 (1/2)
1679, it was not published till 1683, but a second edition was called for in 1698.[35]
[Footnote 34: The date is fixed by the Epilogue 'at his R.H. second exile into Flanders'. The Duke of York sailed for Antwerp 4 March, 1679. He returned in August owing to the King's illness.]
[Footnote 35: This fact sufficiently explodes the quite untenable suggestion that _The Young King_ in earlier days could find neither producer nor publisher. That the quarto did not appear until four years after the play had been seen on the stage is no argument of non-success. Ravenscroft's _Mamamouchi_ was produced early in 1672, and 'continu'd Acting 9 Days with a full house'. It specially delighted the King and Court. It was not printed, however, until 1675.]
In March, _The Feign'd Courtezans_, one of Mrs. Behn's happiest efforts, appeared on the boards of the Duke's House. Not one t.i.ttle is borrowed, and its success gives striking proof of the capacity of her unaided powers. When printed, the comedy was dedicated in adulatory terms to Nell Gwynne. With the great Betterton, handsome Will Smith, Nokes, Underhill, Leigh, an inimitable trio, the famous Mrs. Barry, pretty and piquante Betty Currer, the beautiful and serenely gracious Mrs. Mary Lee, in the cast, it had a perfect galaxy of genius to give it life and triumph.
In 1681 a second part continued the adventures of _The Rover_, and surprisingly good the sequel is.
From 1678 to 1683 were years of the keenest political excitement and unrest. Fomented to frenzy by the murderous villainies of Gates and his accomplices, aggravated by the traitrous ambition and rascalities of Shaftesbury, by the deceit and weakness of Monmouth, and the open disloyalty of the Whiggish crew, party politics and controversy waxed hotter and fiercer until riots were common and a revolution seemed imminent. Fortunately an appeal in a royal declaration to the justice of the nation at large allayed the storm, and an overwhelming outburst of genuine enthusiasm ensued. Albeit the bill against him was thrown out with an 'ignoramus' by a packed jury 24 November, 1681, a year later, 28 November, 1682, Shaftesbury found it expedient to escape to Holland.
Monmouth, who had been making a regal progress through the country, was arrested. Shortly after he was bailed out by his political friends, but he presently fled in terror lest he should pay the penalty of his follies and crimes, inasmuch as a true bill for high treason had been found against him. It was natural that at such a crisis the stage and satire (both prose and rhyme), should become impregnated with party feeling; and the Tory poets, with glorious John Dryden at their head, unmercifully pilloried their adversaries. In 1682 Mrs. Behn produced three comedies, two of which are mainly political. _The Roundheads_, a masterly pasquinade, shows the Puritans, near ancestors of the Whigs, in their most odious and veritable colours. _The City Heiress_ lampoons Shaftesbury and his cit following in exquisite caricature. The wit and humour, the pointed raillery never coa.r.s.ening into mere invective and zany burlesque, place this in the very front rank of her comedies.[36]
_The False Count_, the third play of this year, is non-political, and she has herein borrowed a suggestion from Moliere. It is full of brilliant dialogue and point, whilst the situations are truly ludicrous and entertaining. As might well be surmised, _The Roundheads_ and _The City Heiress_ were not slow to wake the rancour of the Whigs, who looked about for an opportunity of vengeance which they shortly found. On 10 August, 1682, there was produced at the Duke's Theatre an anonymous tragedy _Romulus and Hersilia; or, The Sabine War_. It is a vigorous play of no small merit and attracted considerable attention at the time.[37] Mrs. Behn contributed both Prologue and Epilogue, the former being spoken by that sweet-voiced blonde, winsome Charlotte Butler, the latter by Lady Slingsby, who acted Tarpeia. There was matter in the Epilogue which reflected upon the disgraced Duke of Monmouth, for whom, in spite of his known treachery and treasons, Charles still retained the fondest affection. Warm representations were made in high quarters, and the following warrant was speedily issued:--
Whereas the Lady Slingsby Comoedian and Mrs. Aphaw Behen have by acting and writeing at his Royall Highnesse Theatre committed severall Misdemeanors and made abusive reflections upon persons of Quality, and have written and spoken scandalous speeches without any License or Approbation of those that ought to peruse and authorize the same, These are therefore to require you to take into yo'r Custody the said Lady Slingsby and Mrs. Aphaw Behen and bring them before mee to answere the said Offence, And for soe doeing this shalbe yo'r sufficient Warr't. Given und'r my hand and seale this 12'th day of August, 1682.
To Henry Legatt Messenger
of His Mat'ties Chamber, etc.
[Footnote 36: Gould in _The Play House, a Satyr_, stung by Mrs.
Behn's success, derides that clean piece of Wit _The City Heiress_ by chaste _Sappho_ Writ, Where the Lewd Widow comes with Brazen Face, Just seeking from a Stallion's rank Embrace, T' acquaint the Audience with her Filthy Case.
Where can you find a Scene for juster Praise, In _Shakespear_, _Johnson_, or in _Fletcher's_ Plays?]
[Footnote 37: Publication was delayed. _Brooks' Impartial Mercury_, Friday, 17 Nov., 1682, advertises: 'To be published on Monday next, the last new play called _Romulus_.' The 4to is dated 1683.
A broad sheet, 1682, gives both Prologue 'spoken by Mrs. Butler, written by Mrs. Behn,' and Epilogue 'spoken by the Lady Slingsby.'
The 4to gives 'Prologue, spoken by Mrs. Butler,' 'Epilogue, Writ by Mrs. A. Behn. Spoken by Tarpeia.']
The lines particularly complained of ran as follows:
of all Treasons, mine was most accurst; Rebelling 'gainst a KING and FATHER first.
A Sin, which Heav'n nor Man can e're forgive; Nor could I _Act_ it with the face to live.
There's nothing can my Reputation save With all the _True_, the _Loyal_ and the _Brave_; Not my Remorse or death can Expiate With them a Treason 'gainst the KING and State.
Coming from the mouth of the perjured Tarpeia they were of course winged with point unmistakable. It is not probable, however, that either auth.o.r.ess or actress was visited with anything more than censure and a fright. In any case their detention[38] (if brought about) must have been very shortliv'd, for the partizans of Monmouth, although noisy and unquiet, were not really strong, and they met with the most effective opposition at every turn.
[Footnote 38: Curtis' _Protestant Mercury_, August 12-6, 1682, notices that both Lady Slingsby and Mrs. Behn have been ordered into custody in respect of this Epilogue.]
In this same year the Whigs in spite of their utmost efforts signally failed to suppress, and could only r.e.t.a.r.d the production of Dryden and Lee's excellent tragedy _The Duke of Guise_, first performed 4 December.
The play created a furore, and its political purport as a picture of the baffled intrigues of Shaftesbury in favour of Lucy Walter's overweening son is obvious, nor is it rendered less so by Dryden's clever and caustic _Vindication of the Duke of Guise_ (1683). It is interesting to note that Lady Slingsby, who played the Queen Mother, Catherine de'
Medici, in this play, has some very sardonic speeches put in her mouth; indeed, as Henri III aptly remarks,'she has a cruel wit'.
In 1684 were published the famous _Love Letters between a n.o.bleman and his Sister_. The letters, supposed to have pa.s.sed between Forde, Lord Grey,[39] and his sister-in-law Lady Henrietta Berkeley, fifth daughter of the Earl, are certainly the work of Mrs. Behn. Romantic and sentimental, with now and again a pretty touch that is almost lyrical in its sweet cadence, they enjoyed the same extraordinary popularity which very similar productions have attained at a recent date. A third edition was called for in 1707.
[Footnote 39: Forde, Lord Grey of Werke, Earl of Tankerville, who succeeded to the t.i.tle in 1675, was married to Lady Mary Berkeley.
He eloped, however, with Lady Henrietta Berkley, and great scandal ensued. When he and his minions were brought to trial, 23 November, 1682, his mistress and a number of staunch Whigs boldly accompanied him into court. He was found guilty, but as his friends banded together to resist, something very like a riot ensued. He died 25 June, 1701. Lady Henrietta Berkeley, who never married, survived her lover nine years.]
Mrs. Behn was also busy seeing her poems through the press. The t.i.tle page is dated 1684, and they were issued with a dedication to the Earl of Salisbury.[40] In the same volume is included her graceful translation of the Abbe Tallemant's _Le Voyage de l'Isle d'Amour_, ent.i.tled, _A Voyage to The Isle of Love_.