The Younger Brother: or, The Amorous Jilt

By Aphra Behn

Aphra Behn was a prolific and well established writer but facts about her remain scant and difficult to confirm. What can safely be said though is that Aphra Behn is now regarded as a key English playwright and a major figure in Restoration theatre.

Aphra was born into the rising tensions to the English Civil War. Obviously a time of much division and difficulty as the King and Parliament, and their respective forces, came ever closer to conflict.

There are claims she was a spy, that she travelled abroad, possibly as far as Surinam.

By 1664 her marriage was over (though by death or separation is not known but presumably the former as it occurred in the year of their marriage) and she now used Mrs Behn as her professional name.

Aphra now moved towards pursuing a more sustainable and substantial career and began work for the King's Company and the Duke's Company players as a scribe.

Previously her only writing had been poetry but now she would become a playwright. Her first, “The Forc’d Marriage”, was staged in 1670, followed by “The Amorous Prince” (1671). After her third play, “The Dutch Lover”, Aphra had a three year lull in her writing career. Again it is speculated that she went travelling again, possibly once again as a spy.

After this sojourn her writing moves towards comic works, which prove commercially more successful. Her most popular works included “The Rover” and “Love-Letters Between a Nobleman and His Sister” (1684–87).

With her growing reputation Aphra became friends with many of the most notable writers of the day. This is The Age of Dryden and his literary dominance.

From the mid 1680’s Aphra’s health began to decline. This was exacerbated by her continual state of debt and descent into poverty.

Aphra Behn died on April 16th 1689, and is buried in the East Cloister of Westminster Abbey. The inscription on her tombstone reads: "Here lies a Proof that Wit can never be Defence enough against Mortality." She was quoted as stating that she had led a "life dedicated to pleasure and poetry."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stage Door
• Release date: Jan 4, 2019
• ISBN: 9781787802902

Aphra Behn

Aphra Behn (1640-1689) was one of the first Englishwomen to earn a living from writing. She was a playwright, poet, translator, and fiction writer during the Restoration era. Behn’s plays and writing were well-received by the public, but she often found herself in legal trouble or being judged harshly because critics did not like that she was a successful woman. Behn remained a strong advocate for herself, and argued that women should have the same education opportunities as men, paving the way for more women to become writers.

Book preview

The Younger Brother by Aphra Behn

or, The Amorous Jilt

Aphra Behn was a prolific and well established writer but facts about her remain scant and difficult to confirm. What can safely be said though is that Aphra Behn is now regarded as a key English playwright and a major figure in Restoration theatre

Aphra was born into the rising tensions to the English Civil War. Obviously a time of much division and difficulty as the King and Parliament, and their respective forces, came ever closer to conflict.

There are claims she was a spy, that she travelled abroad, possibly as far as Surinam. 

By 1664 her marriage was over (though by death or separation is not known but presumably the former as it occurred in the year of their marriage) and she now used Mrs Behn as her professional name.   

Aphra now moved towards pursuing a more sustainable and substantial career and began work for the King's Company and the Duke's Company players as a scribe.

Previously her only writing had been poetry but now she would become a playwright. Her first, The Forc’d Marriage, was staged in 1670, followed by The Amorous Prince (1671). After her third play, The Dutch Lover, Aphra had a three year lull in her writing career. Again it is speculated that she went travelling again, possibly once again as a spy.

After this sojourn her writing moves towards comic works, which prove commercially more successful. Her most popular works included The Rover and Love-Letters Between a Nobleman and His Sister (1684–87).

With her growing reputation Aphra became friends with many of the most notable writers of the day. This is The Age of Dryden and his literary dominance.

From the mid 1680’s Aphra’s health began to decline.  This was exacerbated by her continual state of debt and descent into poverty.

Aphra Behn died on April 16th 1689, and is buried in the East Cloister of Westminster Abbey. The inscription on her tombstone reads: Here lies a Proof that Wit can never be Defence enough against Mortality. She was quoted as stating that she had led a life dedicated to pleasure and poetry.

Index of Contents

ACT I

SCENE I

SCENE II

ACT II

SCENE I

SCENE II

SCENE. III

ACT III

SCENE I

SCENE II

SCENE III

ACT IV

SCENE I

SCENE II

SCENE III

ACT V

SCENE I

SCENE II

SCENE III

APHRA BEHN – A SHORT BIOGRAPHY

APHRA BEHN – A CONCISE BIBLIOGRAPHY

DRAMATIS PERSONÆ

MEN

Prince Frederick

Sir Rowland Marteen

George Marteen

Mr. Welborn

Sir Merlin Marteen

Sir Morgan Blunder

Mr. Twang

Britton

Philip

WOMEN

Mirtilla

Olivia

Teresia

Lady Blunder

Mrs. Manage

Lady Youthley

Diana

ACT I

SCENE I

SCENE. A Chamber.

Enter GEORGE MARTEEN, in a Rich Riding Habit, with his Valet Britton.

GEORGE

Were you with Mrs. Manage, Britton?

BRITTON

Yes Sir; And she cries as much for her wanting Room for you in her House, as she would have done some Forty Years ago for a Disapointment of her Lover. But she assures me, the Lodging she has taken for you, is the best in all Lincolns-Inn-Fields.

GEORGE

And did you charge her to send Mirtilla's Page to me?

BRITTON

I did Sir; and he'll be with you instantly.

GEORGE

'Tis well—Then shall I hear some News of my Mirtilla.

[Aside]

Britton, hast thee, and get my Equipage in order; a handsome Coach, rich Liveries, and more Footmen; for 'tis Appearance only passes in the World.—And de you hear, take care none know me by any other Name than that of Lejere.

BRITTON

I shall Sir.

[Exit.

GEORGE

I came not from Paris into England, as my Old Father thinks to reform into a Dull wretched Life in Wales. No, I'll rather trust my kind Mistress Fortune, that has still kept me like her Darling, than purchase a Younger Brother's narrow Stipend, at the Expence of my Pleasure and Happiness.

[Enter OLIVIA in a Pages Habit. She runs and Embraces GEORGE.

OLIVIA

My ever charming Brother!

GEORGE

My best, my dear Olivia!

OLIVIA

The same lovely man still!

Thy Gallantry and Beauty's are all thy own; Paris could add no Graces to thy Air; nor yet pervert it into Affectation.

GEORGE

Spare me, and tell me how Mirtilla fares.

OLIVIA

I think, Brother, I writ you word to Paris, of a Marriage concluded betwixt me, and Welborn?

GEORGE

That Letter I receiv'd, but from the Dear Mirtilla, not one soft word; not one tender. Line has blest my Eyes, has Eas'd my panting Heart this tedious three Months space; and thou with whom I left the weighty Charge of her dear Heart, to watch her lovely Eyes, to give me notice when my Rivals press'd, and when she waver'd in her Faith to me, even thou wert silent to me, cruel Sister.

OLIVIA

Thou wilt be like a Lover presently, and tire the Hearer with a Book of words, of heavy Sighs, Dying Languishments, and all that huddle of Nonsense; and not tell me how you like my Marriage.

GEORGE

Welborn's my Friend, and worthy of thy Heart.

OLIVIA

I never saw him yet, and to be sold unseen, and unsigh'd for in the Flower of my Youth and Beauty, gives me a strange aversion to the Match.

GEORGE

Oh! you'l like him when you see him—But my Mirtilla.

OLIVIA

Like him—no, no, I never shall—what, come a stranger to my Husbands Bed? 'Tis Prostitution in the lewdest manner, without the Satisfaction; the Pleasure of Variety, and the Bait of Profit, may make a lame Excuse for Whores, who change their Cullies, and quit their Nauseous Fools—No, no, my Brother, when Parents grow Arbitrary, 'tis time we look into our Rights and Priviledges; therefore, my dear George, if e're thou hope for Happiness in Love, Assist my Disobedience.

GEORGE

In any worthy Choice besure of me, but canst thou wish happiness in Love, and not inform me something of Mirtilla.

OLIVIA

I'll tell you better News—Our hopeful Elder Brother, Sir Merlin, is like to be disinherited, for he is, Heaven bethanked—

GEORGE

Marry'd to some Town Jilt, the common fate of Coxcombs.

OLIVIA

Not so, my dear George, but sets up for a Celebrated Rake-hell, as well as Gamester; he cou'd not have found out a more dextrous way to 've made thee Heir to four Thousand Pounds a Year.

GEORGE

What's that without Mirtilla?

OLIVIA

Prithee no more of her—Love spoils a fine Gentleman: Gaming, Whoring and Fighting, may qualify a man for Conversation; but Love perverts all ones thoughts, and makes us fit Company for none but ones self, for even a Mistriss can scarce dispence with a sighing, whining Lovers Company long, tho' all he says flatters her Pride.

GEORGE

Why dost thou trifle with me, when thou knowest the Violence of my Love?

OLIVIA

I wish I could any way divert your Thoughts from her, I would not have your Joy depend on such a fickle Creature.

GEORGE

Mirtilla False? What my Mirtilla False?

OLIVIA

Even your Mirtilla's False, and Married to another.

GEORGE

Married! Mirtilla Married? 'Tis impossible.

OLIVIA

Nay