<B CEFICT3B>
<Q E3 NI FICT BEHN>
<N OROONOKO>
<A BEHN APHRA>
<C E3>
<O 1640-1710>
<M X>
<K X>
<D ENGLISH>
<V PROSE>
<T FICTION>
<G X>
<F X>
<W WRITTEN>
<X FEMALE>
<Y 40-60>
<H PROF>
<U X>
<E X>
<J X>
<I X>
<Z NARR IMAG>
<S SAMPLE X>


[^BEHN, APHRA.
TEXT:  OROONOKO.
SHORTER NOVELS: SEVENTEENTH CENTURY.
ORNATUS & ARTESIA, OROONOKO, ISLE OF PINES, 
INCOGNITA.
ED. P. HENDERSON.
LONDON: J. M. DENT & SONS LTD.
AND NEW YORK: E. P. DUTTON & CO. INC., 1960.
PP. 155.16 - 162.14      (SAMPLE 1)
PP. 186.21 - 193.39      (SAMPLE 2)^]

<S SAMPLE 1>
<P 155>
   (^Oroonoko^) coming from the wars (which were now
ended) after he had made his court to his grandfather,
he thought in honour he ought to make a visit to
(^Imoinda^) , the daughter of his foster-father, the dead
general; and to make some excuses to her, because
his preservation was the occasion of her father's death;
and to present her with those slaves that had been taken
in this last battle, as the trophies of her father's
victories. When he came, attended by all the young
soldiers of any merit, he was infinitely surpriz'd at the
beauty of this fair Queen of Night, whose face and
person was so exceeding all he had ever beheld, that
lovely modesty with which she receiv'd him, that
softness in her look and sighs, upon the melancholy
occasion of this honour that was done by so great a
man as (^Oroonoko^) , and a prince of whom she had heard
such admirable things; the awfulness wherewith she
receiv'd him, and the sweetness of her words and
behaviour while he stay'd, gain'd a perfect conquest
over his fierce heart, and made him feel, the victor
cou'd be subdu'd. So that having made his first compliments,
and presented her an hundred and fifty slaves
in fetters, he told her with his eyes, that he was not
insensible of her charms; while (^Imoinda^) , who wish'd
<P 156>
for nothing more than so glorious a conquest, was
pleas'd to believe, she understood that silent language
of new-born love; and, from that moment, put on all
her additions to beauty.
   The prince return'd to court with quite another
humour than before; and though he did not speak
much of the fair (^Imoinda^) , he had the pleasure to hear
all his followers speak of nothing but the charms of
that maid, insomuch that, even in the presence of the
old king, they were extolling her, and heightning, if
possible, the beauties they had found in her: so that
nothing else was talk'd of, no other sound was heard
in every corner where there were whisperers, but
(^Imoinda! Imoinda!^)
   'Twill be imagin'd (^Oroonoko^) stay'd not long before
he made his second visit; nor, considering his quality,
not much longer before he told her, he ador'd her. I
have often heard him say, that he admir'd by what
strange inspiration he came to talk things so soft, and
so passionate, who never knew love, nor was us'd to
the conversation of women; but (to use his own words)
he said, most happily, some new, and, till then, unknown
power instructed his heart and tongue in the
language of love, and at the same time, in favour of
him, inspir'd (^Imoinda^) with a sense of his passion. She
was touch'd with what he said, and return'd it all in
such answers as went to his very heart, with a pleasure
unknown before. Nor did he use those obligations ill,
that love had done him, but turn'd all his happy
moments to the best advantage; and as he knew no
vice, his flame aim'd at nothing but honour, if such
a distinction may be made in love; and especially in
that country, where men take to themselves as many
as they can maintain; and where the only crime and
sin with woman, is, to turn her off, to abandon her to
want, shame and misery: such ill morals are only practis'd
in Christian countries, where they prefer the bare
name of religion; and, without vertue or morality,
think that sufficient. But (^Oroonoko^) was none of those
<P 157>
professors; but as he had right notions of honour, so
he made her such propositions as were not only and
barely such; but, contrary to the custom of his country,
he made her vows, she shou'd be the only woman he
wou'd possess while he liv'd; that no age or wrinkles
shou'd encline him to change; for her soul wou'd be
always fine, and always young; and he shou'd have an
eternal idea in his mind of the charms she now bore;
and shou'd look into his heart for that idea, when he
cou'd find it no longer in her face.
   After a thousand assurances of his lasting flame,
and her eternal empire over him, she condescended to
receive him for her husband; or rather, receiv'd him,
as the greatest honour the gods cou'd do her.
   There is a certain ceremony in these cases to be
observ'd, which I forgot to ask how 'twas perform'd;
but 'twas concluded on both sides, that in obedience to
him, the grandfather was to be first made acquainted
with the design: For they pay a most absolute resignation
to the monarch, especially when he is a parent also.
   On the other side, the old king, who had many wives,
and many concubines, wanted not court-flatterers to
insinuate into his heart a thousand tender thoughts
for this young beauty; and who represented her to his
fancy, as the most charming he had ever possess'd
in all the long race of his numerous years. At this
character, his old heart, like an extinguish'd brand,
most apt to take fire, felt new sparks of love, and
began to kindle; and now grown to his second childhood,
long'd with impatience to behold this gay thing,
with whom, alas! he could but innocently play. But
how he shou'd be confirm'd she was this wonder, before
he us'd his power to call her to court, (where maidens
never came, unless for the king's private use) he was
next to consider; and while he was so doing, he had
intelligence brought him, that (^Imoinda^) was most certainly
mistress to the Prince (^Oroonoko^) . This gave him
some chagreen: however, it gave him also an opportunity,
one day, when the prince was a hunting, to wait
<P 158>
on a man of quality, as his slave and attendant, who
should go and make a present to (^Imoinda^) , as from the
prince; he should then, unknown, see this fair maid,
and have an opportunity to hear what message she
wou'd return the prince for his present, and from thence
gather the state of her heart, and degree of her inclination.
This was put in execution, and the old
monarch saw, and burn'd: He found her all he had
heard, and would not delay his happiness, but found
he should have some obstacle to overcome her heart;
for she express'd her sense of the present the prince
had sent her, in terms so sweet, so soft and pretty,
with an air of love and joy that cou'd not be dissembled,
insomuch that 'twas past doubt whether she
lov'd (^Oroonoko^) entirely. This gave the old king some
affliction; but he salv'd it with this, that the obedience
the people pay their king, was not at all inferiour to
what they paid their gods; and what love wou'd not
oblige (^Imoinda^) to do, duty wou'd compel her to.
   He was therefore no sooner got to his apartment,
but he sent the royal veil to (^Imoinda^) ; that is, the
ceremony of invitation: He sends the lady he has a
mind to honour with his bed, a veil, with which she is
cover'd, and secur'd for the king's use; and 'tis death
to disobey; besides, held a most impious disobedience.
   'Tis not to be imagin'd the surprize and grief that
seiz'd the lovely maid at this news and sight. However,
as delays in these cases are dangerous, and
pleading worse than treason; trembling, and almost
fainting, she was oblig'd to suffer her self to be cover'd,
and led away.
   They brought her thus to court; and the king, who
had caus'd a very rich bath to be prepar'd, was led
into it, where he sate under a canopy, in state, to
receive this long'd-for virgin; whom he having commanded
shou'd be brought to him, they (after disrobing
her) led her to the bath, and making fast the doors,
left her to descend. The king, without more courtship,
bad her throw off her mantle, and come to his
<P 159>
arms. But (^Imoinda^) , all in tears, threw her self on the
marble, on the brink of the bath, and besought him to
hear her. She told him, as she was a maid, how proud
of the divine glory she should have been, of having it
in her power to oblige her king; but as by the laws he
could not, and from his royal goodness would not take
from any man his wedded wife; so she believ'd she
shou'd be the occasion of making him commit a great
sin, if she did not reveal her state and condition;
and tell him, she was another's, and cou'd not be so
happy to be his.
   The king, enrag'd at this delay, hastily demanded
the name of the bold man, that had married a woman
of her degree, without his consent. (^Imoinda^) , seeing
his eyes fierce, and his hands tremble, (whether with
age or anger, I know not, but she fancy'd the last)
almost repented she had said so much, for now she
fear'd the storm wou'd fall on the prince; she therefore
said a thousand things to appease the raging of his
flame, and to prepare him to hear who it was with
calmness: but before she spoke, he imagin'd who she
meant, but wou'd not seem to do so, but commanded
her to lay aside her mantle, and suffer her self to receive
his caresses, or, by his gods he swore, that happy man
whom she was going to name shou'd die, though it were
even (^Oroonoko^) himself. (^Therefore^) (said he) (^deny this
marriage, and swear thy self a maid. That^) (reply'd
(^Imoinda^) ) (^by all our powers I do; for I am not yet known
to my husband. 'Tis enough^) (said the King;) (^'tis enough
both to satisfy my conscience, and my heart.^) And rising
from his seat, he went and led her into the bath; it
being in vain for her to resist.
   In this time, the prince, who was return'd from
hunting, went to visit his (^Imoinda^) , but found her gone;
and not only so, but heard she had receiv'd the royal
veil. This rais'd him to a storm; and in his madness,
they had much ado to save him from laying violent
hands on himself. Force first prevail'd, and then
reason: They urg'd all to him, that might oppose his
<P 160>
rage; but nothing weigh'd so greatly with him as the
king's old age, uncapable of injuring him with (^Imoinda^) .
He wou'd give way to that hope, because it pleas'd
him most, and flatter'd best his heart. Yet this serv'd
not altogether to make him cease his different passions,
which sometimes rag'd within him, and softned into
showers. 'Twas not enough to appease him, to tell
him, his grandfather was old, and cou'd not that way
injure him, while he retain'd that awful duty which
the young men are us'd there to pay to their grave
relations. He cou'd not be convinc'd he had no cause
to sigh and mourn for the loss of a mistress, he cou'd
not with all his strength and courage retrieve. And
he wou'd often cry, (^Oh, my friends! were she in wall'd
cities, or confin'd from me in fortifications of the greatest
strength; did inchantments or monsters detain her from
me; I wou'd venture through any hazard to free her:
But here, in the arms of a feeble old man, my youth,
my violent love, my trade in arms, and all my vast
desire of glory, avail me nothing^) . Imoinda (^is as           #
irrecoverably
lost to me, as if she were snatch'd by the cold
arms of death: Oh! she is never to be retriev'd. If I
wou'd wait tedious years, till fate shou'd bow the old
king to his grave, even that wou'd not leave me^) Imoinda
(^free; but still that custom that makes it so vile a crime
for a son to marry his father's wives or mistresses,
wou'd hinder my happiness; unless I wou'd either ignobly
set an ill precedent to my successors, or abandon my
country, and fly with her to some unknown world who
never heard our story.^)
   But it was objected to him, That his case was not
the same; for (^Imoinda^) being his lawful wife by solemn
contract, 'twas he was the injur'd man, and might, if
he so pleas'd, take (^Imoinda^) back, the breach of the
law being on his grandfather's side; and that if he
cou'd circumvent him, and redeem her from the (\otan\) ,
which is the Palace of the King's Women, a sort of
(\seraglio\) , it was both just and lawful for him so to do.
   This reasoning had some force upon him, and he
<P 161>
shou'd have been entirely comforted, but for the thought
that she was possess'd by his grandfather. However,
he lov'd so well, that he was resolv'd to believe what
most favour'd his hope, and to endeavour to learn
from (^Imoinda's^) own mouth, what only she cou'd satisfy
him in, whether she was robb'd of that blessing which
was only due to his faith and love. But as it was
very hard to get a sight of the women, (for no men
ever enter'd into the (\otan\) , but when the king went
to entertain himself with some one of his wives or
mistresses; and 'twas death, at any other time, for any
other to go in) so he knew not how to contrive to get
a sight of her.
   While (^Oroonoko^) felt all the agonies of love, and
suffer'd under a torment the most painful in the world,
the old king was not exempted from his share of
affliction. He was troubled, for having been forc'd,
by an irresistible passion, to rob his son of a treasure,
he knew, cou'd not but be extremely dear to him; since
she was the most beautiful that ever had been seen,
and had besides, all the sweetness and innocence of
youth and modesty, with a charm of wit surpassing
all. He found, that however she was forc'd to expose
her lovely person to his wither'd arms, she cou'd only
sigh and weep there, and think of (^Oroonoko^) ; and oftentimes
cou'd not forbear speaking of him, tho her life
were, by custom, forfeited by owning her passion. But
she spoke not of a lover only, but of a prince dear to
him to whom she spoke; and of the praises of a man,
who, till now, fill'd the old man's soul with joy at every
recital of his bravery, or even his name. And 'twas
this dotage on our young hero, that gave (^Imoinda^) a
thousand privileges to speak of him, without offending;
and this condescension in the old king, that made her
take the satisfaction of speaking of him so very often.
   Besides, he many times enquir'd how the prince bore
himself: And those of whom he ask'd, being entirely
slaves to the merits and vertues of the prince, still
answer'd what they thought conduc'd best to his
<P 162>
service; which was, to make the old king fancy that
the prince had no more interest in (^Imoinda^) , and had
resign'd her willingly to the pleasure of the king;
that he diverted himself with his mathematicians, his
fortifications, his officers and his hunting.
   This pleas'd the old lover, who fail'd not to report
these things again to (^Imoinda^) , that she might, by the
example of her young lover, withdraw her heart, and
rest better contented in his arms. But, however she
was forc'd to receive this unwelcome news, in all
appearance, with unconcern and content; her heart
was bursting within, and she was only happy when
she cou'd get alone, to vent her griefs and moans with
sighs and tears.

<S SAMPLE 2>
<P 186>
   For the future therefore I must call (^Oroonoko Caesar^) ,
since by that name only he was known in our western
world, and by that name he was received on shore at
(^Parham House^) , where he was destin'd a slave. But
if the king himself (God bless him) had come ashore,
there cou'd not have been greater expectation by all
the whole plantation, and those neighbouring ones,
than was on ours at that time; and he was received more
like a governour than a slave: notwithstanding, as the
custom was, they assigned him his portion of land,
his house and his business up in the plantation. But
as it was more for form, than any design to put
him to his task, he endured no more of the slave but
the name, and remain'd some days in the house,
receiving all visits that were made him, without
stirring towards that part of the plantation where
the negroes were.
   At last, he wou'd needs go view his land, his house,
and the business assign'd him. But he no sooner came
<P 187>
to the houses of the slaves, which are like a little town
by it self, the negroes all having left work, but they all
came forth to behold him, and found he was that
prince who had, at several times, sold most of 'em to
these parts; and from a veneration they pay to great
men, especially if they know 'em, and from the surprize
and awe they had at the sight of him, they all cast
themselves at his feet, crying out, in their language,
(^Live, O King! Long live, O King!^) and kissing his feet,
paid him even divine homage.
   Several (^English^) gentlemen were with him, and what
Mr. (^Trefry^) had told 'em was here confirm'd; of which
he himself before had no other witness than (^Caesar^)
himself: But he was infinitely glad to find his grandeur
confirmed by the adoration of all the slaves.
   (^Caesar^) troubled with their over-joy, and over-ceremony,
besought 'em to rise, and to receive him as
their fellow-slave; assuring them he was no better. At
which they set up with one accord a most terrible and
hideous mourning and condoling, which he and the
(^English^) had much ado to appease: but at last they
prevailed with 'em, and they prepared all their barbarous
musick, and every one kill'd and dress'd something
of his own stock (for every family has their land
apart, on which, at their leisure-times, they breed all
eatable things) and clubbing it together, made a most
magnificent supper, inviting their grandee captain,
their prince, to honour it with his precence; which he
did, and several (^English^) with him, where they all
waited on him, some playing, others dancing before
him all the time, according to the manners of their
several nations, and with unweary'd industry endeavouring
to please and delight him.
   While they sat at meat, Mr. (^Trefry^) told (^Caesar^) ,     #
that
most of these young slaves were undone in love with a
fine she-slave, whom they had had about six months
on their land; the prince, who never heard the name
of love without a sigh, nor any mention of it without
the curiosity of examining further into that tale, which
<P 188>
of all discourses was most agreeable to him, asked,
how they came to be so unhappy, as to be all undone
for one fair slave? (^Trefry^) , who was naturally amorous,
and lov'd to talk of love as well as any body, proceeded
to tell him, they had the most charming black
that ever was beheld on their plantation, about fifteen
or sixteen years old, as he guess'd; that for his part
he had done nothing but sigh for her ever since she
came; and that all the white beauties he had seen,
never charm'd him so absolutely as this fine creature
had done; and that no man, of any nation, ever beheld
her that did not fall in love with her; and that she had
all the slaves perpetually at her feet; and the whole
country resounded with the fame of (^Clemene^) , for so
(said he) we have christen'd her: but she denies us all
with such a noble disdain, that 'tis a miracle to see,
that she who can give such eternal desires, should her
self be all ice and all unconcern. She is adorn'd with
the most graceful modesty that ever beautify'd youth;
the softest sigher - that, if she were capable of love,
one would swear she languished for some absent happy
man; and so retired, as if she fear'd a rape even from
the god of day, or that the breezes wou'd steal kisses
from her delicate mouth. Her task of work, some
sighing lover every day makes it his petition to perform
for her; which she accepts blushing, and with
reluctancy, for fear he will ask her a look for a recompence,
which he dares not presume to hope; so great
an awe she strikes into the hearts of her admirers.
(^I do not wonder^) (reply'd the prince) (^that^) Clemene       #
(^should
refuse slaves, being, as you say, so beautiful; but wonder
how she escapes those that can entertain her as you can
do: or why, being your slave, you do not oblige her to
yield? I confess^) (said (^Trefry^) ) (^when I have, against    #
her
will, entertained her with love so long, as to be transported
with my passion even above decency, I have been ready
to make use of those advantages of strength and force
nature has given me: But oh! she disarms me with
that modesty and weeping, so tender and so moving, that
<P 189>
I retire, and thank my stars she overcame me.^) The
company laugh'd at his civility to a slave, and (^Caesar^)
only applauded the nobleness of his passion and nature,
since that slave might be noble, or, what was better,
have true notions of honour and vertue in her. Thus
passed they this night, after having received from the
slaves all imaginable respect and obedience.
   The next day, (^Trefry^) ask'd (^Caesar^) to walk when the   #
heat
was allay'd, and designedly carry'd him by the cottage
of the fair slave; and told him she whom he spoke of
last night lived there retir'd: (^But^) (says he) (^I would not
wish you to approach; for I am sure you will be in love
as soon as you behold her.^) (^Caesar^) assured him, he was
proof against all the charms of that sex; and that if
he imagined his heart could be so perfidious to love
again, after (^Imoinda^) , he believed he should tear it from
his bosom. They had no sooner spoke, but a little
shock-dog, that (^Clemene^) had presented her, which she
took great delight in, ran out; and she, not knowing
any body was there, ran to get it in again, and bolted
out on those who were just speaking of her: when
seeing them, she would have run in again, but (^Trefry^)
caught her by the hand, and cry'd, Clemene, (^however
you fly a lover, you ought to pay some respect to this
stranger^) , (pointing to (^Caesar^) .) But she, as if she had
resolved never to raise her eyes to the face of a man
again, bent 'em the more to the earth, when he spoke,
and gave the prince the leisure to look the more at her.
There needed no long gazing, or consideration, to examine
who this fair creature was; he soon saw (^Imoinda^)
all over her; in a minute he saw her face, her shape, her
air, her modesty, and all that call'd forth his soul with
joy at his eyes, and left his body destitute of almost
life: it stood without motion, and for a minute knew
not that it had a being; and, I believe, he had never
come to himself, so oppress'd he was with over-joy, if
he had not met with this allay, that he perceived
(^Imoinda^) fall dead in the hands of (^Trefry^) . This         #
awaken'd
him, and he ran to her aid, and caught her in his arms,
<P 190>
where by degrees she came to her self; and 'tis needless
to tell with what transports, what exstasies of joy,
they both awhile beheld each other, without speaking;
then snatched each other to their arms; then gaze
again, as if they still doubted whether they possess'd
the blessing they grasped: but when they recover'd
their speech, 'tis not to be imagined what tender things
they express'd to each other; wondring what strange
fate had brought them again together. They soon
inform'd each other of their fortunes, and equally bewail'd
their fate; but at the same time they mutually
protested, that even fetters and slavery were soft and
easy, and would be supported with joy and pleasure,
while they cou'd be so happy to possess each other, and
to be able to make good their vows. (^Caesar^) swore he
disdained the empire of the world, while he could
behold his (^Imoinda^) ; and she despised grandeur and
pomp, those vanities of her sex, when she could gaze
on (^Oroonoko^) . He ador'd the very cottage where she
resided, and said, That little inch of the world would
give him more happiness than all the universe cou'd
do; and she vow'd, it was a palace, while adorned with
the presence of (^Oroonoko^) .
   (^Trefry^) was infinitely pleased with this novel, and
found this (^Clemene^) was the fair mistress of whom (^Caesar^)
had before spoke; and was not a little satisfy'd, that
heaven was so kind to the prince as to sweeten his
misfortunes by so lucky an accident; and leaving the
lovers to themselves, was impatient to come down to
(^Parham House^) (which was on the same plantation) to
give me an account of what had hapned. I was as
impatient to make these lovers a visit, having already
made a friendship with (^Caesar^) , and from his own mouth
learned what I have related; which was confirmed by his
(^Frenchman^) , who was set on shore to seek his fortune,
and of whom they cou'd not make a slave, because a
Christian; and he came daily to (^Parham Hill^) to see
and pay his respects to his pupil prince. So that concerning
and interesting my self in all that related to
<P 191>
(^Caesar^) , whom I had assured of liberty as soon as the
governour arrived, I hasted presently to the place
where these lovers were, and was infinitely glad to
find this beautiful young slave (who had already gain'd
all our esteems, for her modesty and her extraordinary
prettiness) to be the same I had heard (^Caesar^) speak so
much of. One may imagine then we paid her a treble
respect; and tho from her being carved in fine flowers
and birds all over her body, we took her to be of
quality before, yet when we knew (^Clemene^) was (^Imoinda^) ,
we could not enough admire her.
   I had forgot to tell you, that those who are nobly
born of that country, are so delicately cut and raised
all over the fore-part of the trunk of their bodies that
it looks as if it were japan'd, the works being raised
like high point round the edges of the flowers. Some
are only carved with a little flower, or bird, at the
sides of the temples, as was (^Caesar^) ; and those who are
so carved over the body, resemble our antient (^Picts^)
that are figur'd in the chronicles, but these carvings
are more delicate.
   From that happy day (^Caesar^) took (^Clemene^) for his
wife, to the general joy of all people; and there was as
much magnificence as the country would afford at the
celebration of this wedding: and in a very short time
after she conceived with child, which made (^Caesar^) even
adore her, knowing he was the last of his great race.
This new accident made him more impatient of liberty,
and he was every day treating with (^Trefry^) for his and
(^Clemene's^) liberty and offer'd either gold, or a vast
quantity of slaves, which should be paid before they
let him go, provided he could have any security that
he should go when his ransom was paid. They fed
him from day to day with promises, and delay'd him
till the Lord-Governour should come; so that he began
to suspect them of falshood, and that they would
delay him till the time of his wife's delivery and make
a slave of that too: for all the breed is theirs to
whom the parents belong. This thought made him very
<P 192>
uneasy, and his sullenness gave them some jealousies
of him; so that I was obliged, by some persons who
fear'd a mutiny (which is very fatal sometimes in those
colonies that abound so with slaves, that they exceed
the whites in vast numbers) to discourse with (^Caesar^) ,
and to give him all the satisfaction I possibly could:
They knew he and (^Clemene^) were scarce an hour in a day
from my lodgings; that they eat with me, and that I
oblig'd 'em in all things I was capable of. I entertained
them with the loves of the (^Romans^) , and great men,
which charmed him to my company; and her, with
teaching her all the pretty works that I was mistress
of, and telling her stories of nuns, and endeavouring
to bring her to the knowledg of the true God: But of
all discourses, (^Caesar^) liked that the worst, and would
never be reconciled to our notions of the Trinity, of
which he ever made a jest; it was a riddle he said
would turn his brain to conceive, and one cou'd not
make him understand what faith was. However, these
conversations fail'd not altogether so well to divert
him, that he liked the company of us women much
above men, for he could not drink, and he is but
an ill companion in that country that cannot. So that
obliging him to love us very well, we had all the liberty
of speech with him, especially my self, whom he call'd
his great Mistress; and indeed my word would go a
great way with him. For these reasons I had opportunity
to take notice to him, that he was not well pleased
of late, as he used to be; was more retired and thoughtful;
and told him, I took it ill he shou'd suspect we
wou'd break our words with him, and not permit both
him and (^Clemene^) to return to his own kingdom, which
was not so long a way, but when he was once on his
voyage he wou'd quickly arrive there. He made me
some answers that shew'd a doubt in him, which made
me ask, what advantage it would be to doubt? It
would but give us a fear of him, and possibly compel
us to treat him so as I should be very loth to behold:
that is, it might occasion his confinement. Perhaps
<P 193>
this was not so luckily spoke of me, for I perceiv'd he
resented that word, which I strove to soften again in
vain: However, he assur'd me, that whatsoever resolutions
he should take, he would act nothing upon the
white people; and as for my self, and those upon that
plantation where he was, he would sooner forfeit his
eternal liberty, and life it self, than lift his hand
against his greatest enemy on that place. He besought
me to suffer no fears upon his account, for he could do
nothing that honour should not dictate; but he accus'd
himself for having suffer'd slavery so long: yet he
charg'd that weakness on love alone, who was capable
of making him neglect even glory it self; and, for which,
now he reproaches himself every moment of the day.
Much more to this effect he spoke, with an air impatient
enough to make me know he would not be long
in bondage; and though he suffer'd only the name of
a slave, and had nothing of the toil and labour of one,
yet that was sufficient to render him uneasy; and he had
been too long idle, who us'd to be always in action, and
in arms. He had a spirit all rough and fierce, and
that could not be tam'd to lazy rest; and though all
endeavours were us'd to exercise himself in such actions
and sports as this world afforded, as running, wrestling,
pitching the bar, hunting and fishing, chasing and
killing tygers of a monstrous size, which this continent
affords in abundance; and wonderful snakes, such as
(^Alexander^) is reported to have encounter'd at the river
of (^Amazons^) , and which (^Caesar^) took great delight to
overcome; yet these were not actions great enough
for his large soul, which was still panting after more
renown'd actions.
   Before I parted that day with him, I got, with much-ado,
a promise from him to rest yet a little longer with
patience, and wait the coming of the Lord Governour,
who was every day expected on our shore: he assur'd
me he would, and this promise he desired me to know
was given perfectly in complaisance to me, in whom he
had an intire confidence.



