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Behn, Aphra, 1640-1689: Oroonoko (1688)
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Behn, Aphra, 1640-1689: Oroonoko (1688)
Bibliographic details
Bibliographic details for the Electronic File
Behn, Aphra, 1640-1689
(1640-1689)
Oroonoko (1688): a machine-readable transcript
Cambridge
Chadwyck-Healey
1997
Early English Prose Fiction Full-Text Database
Copyright © Chadwyck-Healey. Do not export or print from this database without checking the Copyright Conditions to see what is permitted.
Bibliographic details for the Source Text
Behn, Aphra, 1640-1689
(1640-1689)
Three Histories. Viz. I. Oroonoko: Or, The Royal Slave. II. The Fair Jilt: Or, Tarquin and Miranda. III. Agnes de Castro: Or, The Force of Generous Love. By Mrs. A. Behn
London
Printed for W. Canning [etc.]
1688
1 v.
The following works have been included from this source:
Oroonoko: or, The Royal Slave
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The Fair Jilt: or, The History of Prince Tarquin and Miranda
|
WING B1766A
Oroonoko
[Page [1]]
Title Page [i]
THREE HISTORIES.
VIZ.
I. OROONOKO: Or, The Royal Slave.
II. The FAIR JILT: Or, Tarquin and Miranda.
III. AGNES de CASTRO: Or, The Force of Generous Love.
By Mrs. A. BEHN.
LONDON,
Printed for W. Canning, at his Shop in the Temple-Cloysters.
1688.
[Page [2]]
Title Page [ii]
OROONOKO: OR, THE Royal Slave.
A TRUE HISTORY.
By Mrs. A. BEHN.
LONDON,
Printed for Will. Canning, at his Shop in the Temple-Cloysters.
1688.
[Page [3], sig. A3]
TO THE Right Honourable THE Lord MAITLAND.
My Lord,
Since the World is grown
so Nice and Critical upon
Dedications, and will
Needs be Judging the Book,
by the Wit of the Patron; we
ought, with a great deal of
Circumspection, to chuse a Person
against whom there can be
[Page [4]]
no Exception; and whose Wit,
and Worth, truly Merits all that
one is capable of saying upon
that Occasion.
The most part of Dedications
are charg'd with Flattery; and
if the World knows a Man has
some Vices, they will not allow
one to speak of his Virtues.
This, my Lord, is for want of
thinking Rightly; if Men wou'd
consider with Reason, they wou'd
have another sort of Opinion,
and Esteem of Dedications; and
wou'd believe almost every Great
Man has enough to make him
Worthy of all that can be said
of him there. My Lord, a
Picture-drawer, when he intends
to make a good Picture, essays
the Face many Ways, and in
[Page [5], sig. A4]
many Lights, before he begins;
that he may chuse, from the
several turns of it, which is
most Agreeable, and gives it
the best Grace; and if there
be a Scar, an ungrateful Mole,
or any little Defect, they leave
it out; and yet make the Picture
extreamly like: But he
who has the good Fortune to
draw a Face that is exactly
Charming in all its Parts and
Features, what Colours or Agreements
can be added to make
it Finer? All that he can give
is but its due; and Glories in
a Piece whose Original alone
gives it its Perfection. An ill
Hand may diminish, but a good
Hand cannot augment its Beauty.
A Poet is a Painter in his
[Page [6]]
way; he draws to the Life,
but in another kind; we draw
the Nobler part, the Soul and
Mind; the Pictures of the Pen
shall out-last those of the Pencil,
and even Worlds themselves.
'Tis a short Chronicle
of those Lives that possibly
wou'd be forgotten by other Historians,
or lye neglected there;
however deserving an immortal
Fame; for Men of eminent
Parts are as Exemplary as even
Monarchs themselves; and Virtue
is a noble Lesson to be
learn'd, and 'tis by Comparison
we can Judge and Chuse. 'Tis
by such illustrious Presidents, as
your Lordship, the World can
be Better'd and Refin'd; when
a great part of the lazy Nobility
[Page [7]]
shall, with Shame, behold
the admirable Accomplishments
of a Man so Great, and so
Young.
Your Lordship has Read innumerable
Volumes of Men,
and Books; not Vainly for the
gust of Novelty, but Knowledge,
excellent Knowledge: Like the
industrious Bee, from every
Flower you return Laden with
the precious Dew, which you
are sure to turn to the Publick
Good. You hoard no one
Perfection, but lay it all out
in the Glorious Service of your
Religion and Country; to both
which you are a useful and
necessary Honour: They both
want such Supporters; and 'tis
only Men of so elevated Parts,
[Page [8]]
and fine Knowledge; such noble
Principles of Loyalty and
Religion this Nation Sighs
for. Where shall we find a
Man so Young, like St. Augustine,
in the midst of all
his Youth and Gaiety, Teaching
the World divine Precepts,
true Notions of Faith, and Excellent
Morality, and, at the
same time, be also a perfect
Pattern of all that accomplish
a Great Man? You have, my
Lord, all that refin'd Wit that
Charms, and the Affability
that Obliges; a Generosity that
gives a Lustre to your Nobility;
that Hospitality, and
Greatness of Mind, that ingages
the World; and that
admirable Conduct, that so
[Page [9]]
well Instructs it. Our Nation
ought to regret and bemoan
their Misfortunes, for not being
able to claim the Honour
of the Birth of a Man who is
so fit to serve his Majesty,
and his Kingdoms, in all Great
and Publick Affairs: And to
the Glory of your Nation be
it spoken, it produces more
considerable Men, for all fine
Sence, Wit, Wisdom, Breeding,
and Generosity (for the generality
of the Nobility) than
all other Nations can Boast;
and the Fruitfulness of your
Virtues sufficiently make amends
for the Barrenness of your Soil:
Which however cannot be incommode
to your Lordship;
since your Quality, and the
[Page [10]]
Veneration that the Commonalty
naturally pay their Lords,
creates a flowing Plenty there---
that makes you Happy. And
to compleat your Happiness,
my Lord, Heaven has blest
you with a Lady, to whom it
has given all the Graces, Beauties,
and Virtues of her Sex;
all the Youth, Sweetness of
Nature; of a most illustrious
Family; and who is a most
rare Example to all Wives of
Quality, for her eminent Piety,
Easiness, and Condescention,
and as absolutely merits Respect
from all the World, as
she does that Passion and Resignation
she receives from your
Lordship; and which is, on
her part, with so much Tenderness
[Page [11]]
return'd. Methinks your
tranquil Lives are an Image
of the new Made and Beautiful
Pair in Paradise: And
'tis the Prayers and Wishes of
all, who have the Honour to
know you, that it may Eternally
so continue, with Additions
of all the Blessings this
World can give you.
My Lord, the Obligations I
have to some of the Great
Men of your Nation, particularly
to your Lordship, gives
me an Ambition of making
my Acknowledgments, by all
the Opportunities I can; and
such humble Fruits, as my Industry
produces, I lay at your
Lordships Feet. This is a
[Page [12]]
true Story, of a Man Gallant
enough to merit your Protection;
and, had he always
been so Fortunate, he had not
made so Inglorious an end:
The Royal Slave I had the
Honour to know in my Travels
to the other World; and
though I had none above me
in that Country, yet I wanted
power to preserve this Great
Man. If there be any thing
that seems Romantick, I beseech
your Lordship to consider,
these Countries do, in all
things, so far differ from ours,
that they produce unconceivable
Wonders; at least, they appear
so to us, because New and
Strange. VVhat I have mention'd
I have taken care shou'd
[Page [13]]
be Truth, let the Critical Reader
judge as he pleases. 'Twill
be no Commendation to the
Book, to assure your Lordship
I writ it in a few Hours,
though it may serve to Excuse
some of its Faults of Connexion;
for I never rested my Pen a
Moment for Thought: 'Tis
purely the Merit of my Slave
that must render it worthy of
the Honour it begs; and the
Author of that of Subscribing
herself,
My Lord,
Your Lordship's most oblig'd
and obedient Servant,
A. BEHN.
[Page [14], 1, sig. B]
THE HISTORY OF THE Royal Slave.
I do not pretend, in giving you
the History of this Royal Slave,
to entertain my Reader with
the Adventures of a feign'd Hero,
whose Life and Fortunes Fancy
may manage at the Poets Pleasure;
nor in relating the Truth,
design to adorn it with any Accidents,
but such as arriv'd in earnest
to him: And it shall come
[Page [15], 2]
simply into the World, recommended
by its own proper Merits,
and natural Intrigues; there
being enough of Reality to support
it, and to render it diverting,
without the Addition of Invention.
I was my self an Eye-Witness,
to a great part, of what you will
find here set down; and what I
cou'd not be Witness of, I receiv'd
from the Mouth of the chief Actor
in this History, the Hero himself,
who gave us the whole Transactions
of his Youth; and though
I shall omit, for Brevity's sake, a
thousand little Accidents of his
Life, which, however pleasant to
us, where History was scarce, and
Adventures very rare; yet might
prove tedious and heavy to my
Reader, in a World where he
finds Diversions for every Minute,
[Page [16], 3, sig. B2]
new and strange: But we who
were perfectly charm'd with the
Character of this great Man, were
curious to gather every Circumstance
of his Life.
The Scene of the last part of
his Adventures lies in a Colony
in America, called Surinam, in the
West-Indies.
But before I give you the Story
of this Gallant Slave, 'tis fit I tell
you the manner of bringing them
to these new Colonies; for those
they make use of there, are not
Natives of the place; for those we
live with in perfect Amity, without
daring to command 'em; but
on the contrary, caress 'em with
all the brotherly and friendly Affection
in the World; trading with
'em for their Fish, Venison, Buffilo's,
Skins, and little Rarities; as
Marmosets, a sort of Monkey as
[Page [17], 4]
big as a Rat or Weesel, but of a
marvellous and delicate shape, and
has Face and Hands like an Humane
Creature: and Cousheries,
a little Beast in the form and fashion
of a Lion, as big as a Kitten;
but so exactly made in all
parts like that noble Beast, that it
is it in Minature: Then for little
Parakeetoes, great Parrots, Muckaws,
and a thousand other Birds
and Beasts of wonderful and surprizing
Forms, Shapes, and Colours.
For Skins of prodigious
Snakes, of which there are some
threescore Yards in length; as is
the Skin of one that may be seen at
His Majesty's Antiquaries: Where
are also some rare Flies, of amazing
Forms and Colours, presented
to 'em by my self; some as big
as my Fist, some less; and all of
various Excellencies, such as Art
[Page [18], 5, sig. B3]
cannot imitate. Then we trade
for Feathers, which they order into
all Shapes, make themselves
little short Habits of 'em, and glorious
Wreaths for their Heads,
Necks, Arms and Legs, whose
Tinctures are unconceivable. I
had a Set of these presented to
me, and I gave 'em to the King's
Theatre, and it was the Dress of
the Indian Queen, infinitely admir'd
by Persons of Quality; and were
unimitable. Besides these, a thousand
little Knacks, and Rarities in
Nature, and some of Art; as their
Baskets, Weapons, Aprons, &c.
We dealt with 'em with Beads of all
Colours, Knives, Axes, Pins and
Needles; which they us'd only as
Tools to drill Holes with in their
Ears, Noses and Lips, where
they hang a great many little
things; as long Beads, bits of Tin,
[Page [19], 6]
Brass, or Silver, beat thin; and
any shining Trincket. The Beads
they weave into Aprons about a
quarter of an Ell long, and of the
same breadth; working them very
prettily in Flowers of several
Colours of Beads; which Apron
they wear just before 'em, as Adam
and Eve did the Fig-leaves;
the Men wearing a long Stripe of
Linen, which they deal with us
for. They thread these Beads also
on long Cotton-threads, and
make Girdles to tie their Aprons
to, which come twenty times, or
more, about the Waste; and then
cross, like a Shoulder-belt, both
ways, and round their Necks,
Arms and Legs. This Adornment,
with their long black Hair,
and the Face painted in little
Specks or Flowers here and there,
makes 'em a wonderful Figure to
[Page [20], 7, sig. B4]
behold. Some of the Beauties
which indeed are finely shap'd, as
almost all are, and who have pretty
Features, are very charming
and novel; for they have all that
is called Beauty, except the Colour,
which is a reddish Yellow;
or after a new Oiling, which they
often use to themselves, they are of
the colour of a new Brick, but
smooth, soft and sleek. They are
extream modest and bashful, very
shy, and nice of being touch'd.
And though they are all thus naked,
if one lives for ever among
'em, there is not to be seen an indecent
Action, or Glance; and
being continually us'd to see one
another so unadorn'd, so like our
first Parents before the Fall, it
seems as if they had no Wishes;
there being nothing to heighten
Curiosity, but all you can see, you
[Page [21], 8]
see at once, and every Moment
see; and where there is no Novelty,
there can be no Curiosity.
Not but I have seen a handsom
young Indian, dying for Love of a
very beautiful young Indian Maid;
but all his Courtship was, to fold
his Arms, pursue her with his Eyes,
and Sighs were all his Language:
While she, as if no such Lover
were present; or rather, as if she
desired none such, carefully guarded
her Eyes from beholding him;
and never approach d him, but she
look d down with all the blushing
Modesty I have seen in the most
severe and cautious of our World.
And these People represented to
me an absolute Idea of the first
State of Innocence, before Man
knew how to sin: And 'tis most
evident and plain, that simple Nature
is the most harmless, inoffensive
[Page [22], 9]
and vertuous Mistress. 'Tis
she alone, if she were permitted,
that better instructs the World,
than all the Inventions of Man:
Religion wou'd here but destroy
that Tranquillity, they possess by
Ignorance; and Laws wou'd but
teach 'em to know Offence, of
which now they have no Notion.
They once made Mourning and
Fasting for the Death of the English
Governor, who had given his
Hand to come on such a Day
to 'em, and neither came, nor
sent; believing, when once a
Man's Word was past, nothing but
Death cou'd or shou'd prevent his
keeping it: And when they saw
he was not dead, they ask'd him,
what Name they had for a Man
who promis'd a thing he did not
do? The Governor told them,
Such a man, was a Lyar, which
[Page [23], 10]
was a Word of Infamy to a Gentleman.
Then one of 'em reply'd,
Governor, you are a Lyar, and guilty
of that Infamy. They have a Native
Justice, which knows no
Fraud; and they understand no
Vice, or Cunning, but when they
are taught by the White Men.
They have Plurality of Wives,
which, when they grow old, they
serve those that succeed 'em, who
are young; but with a Servitude
easie and respected; and unless
they take Slaves in War, they have
no other Attendants.
Those on that Continent where I
was, had no King; but the oldest
War-Captain was obey'd with
great Resignation.
A War-Captain is a Man who
has lead them on to Battel with
Conduct, and Success; of whom
I shall have Occasion to speak
[Page [24], 11]
more hereafter, and of some other
of their Customs and Manners, as
they fall in my way.
With these People, as I said,
we live in perfect Tranquillity,
and good Understanding, as it behooves
us to do; they knowing
all the places where to seek the
best Food of the Country, and
the Means of getting it; and for
very small and unvaluable Trifles,
supply us with what 'tis impossible
for us to get; for they do not only
in the Wood, and over the Sevana's,
in Hunting, supply the
parts of Hounds, by swiftly scouring
through those almost impassable
places; and by the meer Activity
of their Feet, run down the
nimblest Deer, and other eatable
Beasts: But in the water, one
wou'd think they were Gods of the
Rivers, or Fellow-Citizens of the
[Page [25], 12]
Deep; so rare an Art they have
in Swimming, Diving, and almost
Living in Water; by which
they command the less swift Inhabitants
of the Floods. And then
for Shooting; what they cannot
take, or reach with their Hands,
they do with Arrows; and have
so admirable an Aim, that they
will split almost an Hair; and at
any distance that an Arrow can
reach, they will shoot down Oranges,
and other Fruit, and only
touch the Stalk with the Dart's
Points, that they may not hurt
the Fruit. So that they being, on
all Occasions, very useful to us,
we find it absolutely necessary to
caress 'em as Friends, and not to
treat 'em as Slaves; nor dare we
do other, their Numbers so far surpassing
ours in that Continent.
[Page [26], 13]
Those then whom we make
use of to work in our Plantations of
Sugar, are Negro's, Black-Slaves altogether;
which are transported
thither in this manner.
Those who want Slaves, make
a Bargain with a Master, or Captain
of a Ship, and contract to
pay him so much a-piece, a matter
of twenty Pound a Head for
as many as he agrees for, and to
pay for em when they shall be deliver'd
on such a Plantation: So
that when there arrives a Ship laden
with Slaves, they who have
so contracted, go a-board, and
receive their Number by Lot;
and perhaps in one Lot that may
be for ten, there may happen to
be three or four Men; the rest,
Women and Children: Or be
there more or less of either Sex,
you are oblig'd to be contented
with your Lot.
[Page [27], 14]
Coramantien, a Country of Blacks
so called, was one of those places
in which they found the most advantageous
Trading for these
Slaves; and thither most of our
great Traders in that Merchandice
traffick'd; for that Nation is
very war-like and brave; and having
a continual Campaign, being
always in Hostility with one
neighbouring Prince or other, they
had the fortune to take a great many
Captives; for all they took in
Battel, were sold as Slaves; at
least, those common Men who
cou'd not ransom themselves. Of
these Slaves so taken, the General
only has all the profit; and of
these Generals, our Captains and
Masters of Ships buy all their
Freights.
The King of Coramantien was
himself a Man of a Hundred and
[Page [28], 15]
odd Years old, and had no Son,
though he had many beautiful
Black-Wives; for most certainly,
there are Beauties that can charm
of that Colour. In his younger
Years he had had many gallant
Men to his Sons, thirteen of which
died in Battel, conquering when
they fell; and he had only left
him for his Successor, one Grand-Child,
Son to one of these dead
Victors; who, as soon as he cou'd
bear a Bow in his Hand, and a
Quiver at his Back, was sent into
the Field, to be trained up by one
of the oldest Generals, to War;
where, from his natural Inclination
to Arms, and the Occasions
given him, with the good Conduct
of the old General, he became,
at the Age of Seventeen,
one of the most expert Captains,
and bravest Soldiers, that ever saw,
[Page [29], 16]
the Field of Mars: So that he
was ador d as the Wonder of all
that World, and the Darling of
the Soldiers. Besides, he was adorn'd
with a native Beauty so
transcending all those of his gloomy
Race, that he strook an Awe
and Reverence, even in those that
knew not his Quality; as he did
in me, who beheld him with Surprize
and Wonder, when afterwards
he arriv'd in our World.
He had scarce arriv'd at his Seventeenth
Year, when fighting by
his Side, the General was kill'd
with an Arrow in his Eye, which
the Prince Oroonoko (for so was this
gallant Moor call'd) very narrowly
avoided; nor had he, if the General,
who saw the Arrow shot, and
perceiving it aim'd at the Prince,
had not bow'd his Head between,
on purpose to receive it in his own
[Page [30], 17, sig. C]
Body rather than it shou'd touch
that of the Prince, and so saved
him.
'Twas then, afflicted as Oroonoko
was, that he was proclaim'd General
in the old Man's place; and
then it was, at the finishing of
that War, which had continu'd
for two Years, that the Prince
came to Court; where he had
hardly been a Month together,
from the time of his fifth Year, to
that of Seventeen; and 'twas amazing
to imagine where it was he
learn'd so much Humanity; or, to
give his Accomplishments a juster
Name, where 'twas he got that
real Greatness of Soul, those refin'd
Notions of true Honour, that
absolute Generosity, and that Softness
that was capable of the highest
Passions of Love and Gallantry,
whose Objects were almost
[Page [31], 18]
continually fighting Men, or those
mangl'd, or dead; who heard no
Sounds, but those of War and
Groans: Some part of it we may
attribute to the Care of a French-Man
of Wit and Learning; who finding
it turn to very good Account
to be a sort of Royal Tutor to this
young Black, & perceiving him very
ready, apt, and quick of Apprehension,
took a great pleasure to
teach him Morals, Language and
Science; and was for it extreamly
belov'd and valu'd by him. Another
Reason was, He lov'd, when
he came from War, to see all the
English Gentlemen that traded thither;
and did not only learn their
Language, but that of the Spaniards
also, with whom he traded
afterwards for Slaves.
I have often seen and convers'd
with this great Man, and been a
[Page [32], 19, sig. C2]
Witness to many of his mighty
Actions; and do assure my Reader,
the most Illustrious Courts
cou'd not have produc'd a braver
Man, both for Greatness of Courage
and Mind, a Judgment more
solid, a Wit more quick, and a
Conversation more sweet and diverting.
He knew almost as much
as if he had read much: He had
heard of, and admir'd the Romans;
he had heard of the late Civil
Wars in England, and the deplorable
Death of our great Monarch;
and wou'd discourse of it with all
the Sense, and Abhorrence of the
Injustice imaginable. He had an
extream good and graceful Mien,
and all the Civility of a well-bred
great Man. He had nothing of
Barbarity in his Nature, but in all
Points address'd himself, as if his
Education had been in some European
Court.
[Page [33], 20]
This great and just Character
of Oroonoko gave me an extream
Curiosity to see him, especially
when I knew he spoke French and
English, and that I cou'd talk with
him. But though I had heard so
much of him, I was as greatly surpriz'd
when I saw him, as if I had
heard nothing of him; so beyond
all Report I found him. He came
into the Room, and address'd
himself to me, and some other
Women, with the best Grace in
the World. He was pretty tall,
but of a Shape the most exact that
can be fansy'd: The most famous
Statuary cou'd not form the Figure
of a Man more admirably
turn'd from Head to Foot. His
Face was not of that brown, rusty
Black which most of that Nation
are, but a perfect Ebony, or polish'd
Jett. His Eyes were the most
[Page [34], 21, sig. C3]
awful that cou'd be seen, and very
piercing; the White of 'em being
like Snow, as were his Teeth. His
Nose was rising and Roman, instead
of African and flat. His Mouth,
the finest shap'd that cou'd be
seen; far from those great turn'd
Lips, which are so natural to the
rest of the Negroes. The whole
Proportion and Air of his Face
was so noble, and exactly form'd,
that, bating his Colour, there
cou'd be nothing in Nature more
beautiful, agreeable and handsome.
There was no one Grace
wanting, that bears the Standard
of true Beauty: His Hair came
down to his Shoulders, by the Aids
of Art; which was, by pulling it
out with a Quill; and keeping it
comb'd; of which he took particular
Care. Nor did the Perfections
of his Mind come short of
[Page [35], 22]
those of his Person; for his Discourse
was admirable upon almost
any Subject; and who-ever had
heard him speak, wou'd have been
convinc'd of their Errors, that all
fine Wit is confin'd to the White
Men, especially to those of Christendom;
and wou'd have confess'd
that Oroonoko was as capable even
of reigning well, and of governing
as wisely, had as great a Soul,
as politick Maxims, and was as
sensible of Power as any Prince
civiliz'd in the most refin'd Schools
of Humanity and Learning, or
the most Illustrious Courts.
This Prince, such as I have describ'd,
him, whose Soul and Body
were so admirably adorn'd, was
(while yet he was in the Court of
his Grandfather) as I said, as capable
of Love, as 'twas possible for a
brave and gallant Man to be;
[Page [36], 23, sig. C4]
and in saying that, I have nam'd
the highest Degree of Love; for
sure, great Souls are most capable
of that Passion.
I have already said, the old
General was kill'd by the shot of
an Arrow, by the Side of this
Prince, in Battel; and that Oroonoko
was made General. This old
dead Hero had one only Daughter
left of his Race; a Beauty that,
to describe her truly, one need say
only, she was Female to the noble
Male; the beautiful Black Venus,
to our young Mars; as charming
in her Person as he, and of delicate
Vertues. I have seen an hundred
White Men sighing after her,
and making a thousand Vows at
her Feet, all vain, and unsuccessful:
And she was, indeed, too
great for any, but a Prince of her
own Nation to adore.
[Page [37], 24]
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 Battel, 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
[Page [38], 25]
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 Complements, 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 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.
[Page [39], 26]
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
[Page [40], 27]
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
[Page [41], 28]
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's sufficient.
But Oroonoko was none of
those 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 incline
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
[Page [42], 29]
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 God's
cou'd do her.
There is a certain Ceremony
in these Cases to be observ'd,
which I forgot to ask him how
perform'd; but 'twas concluded
on both sides, that, in Obedience
to him, the Grand-father 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
[Page [43], 30]
Concubines, wanted not Court-Flatterers
to insinuate in 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
cou'd 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
[Page [44], 31]
brought him, that Imoinda was
most certainly Mistress to the Prince
Oroonoko. This gave him some
Shagrien; however, it gave him
also an Opportunity, one Day,
when the Prince was a-hunting,
to wait on a Man of Quality, as
his Slave and Attendant, who
shou'd go and make a Present to
Imoinda, as from the Prince; he
shou'd 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 burnt: He found her all
he had heard, and wou'd not delay
his Happiness, but found he
shou'd have some Obstacle to
overcome her Heart; for she express'd
[Page [45], 32]
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 dissembl'd; 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 inferior to what
they pay'd 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.
[Page [46], 33, sig. D]
'Tis not to be imagin'd the Surprize
and Grief that seiz'd this
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 dis-robing 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 Arms. But Imoinda, all in
[Page [47], 34]
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 cou'd not;
and from his Royal Goodness,
wou'd 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 anothers,
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 marry'd a Woman
of her Degree, without his
Consent. Imoinda, seeing his Eyes
fierce, and his Hands tremble;
[Page [48], 35, sig. D2]
whether with Age, or Anger, I
know not; but she fansy'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
[Page [49], 36]
to satisfie both 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 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
[Page [50], 37, sig. D3]
serv'd not altogether to make him
cease his different Passions, which
sometimes rag'd within him, and
sometimes softned into Showers.
'Twas not enough to appease him,
to tell him, his Grand-father 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, O 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
[Page [51], 38]
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 President
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
[Page [52], 39, sig. D4]
Breach of the Law being on his
Grand-father'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 shou'd have
been entirely comforted, but for
the Thought that she was possess'd
by his Grand-father. 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 satisfie
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
[Page [53], 40]
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 troubl'd for having been
forc'd by an irresistable Passion, to
rob his Son of a Treasure, he knew,
cou'd not but be extreamly 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
[Page [54], 41]
cou'd only sigh and weep there,
and think of Oroonoko; and oftentimes
cou'd not forbear speaking
of him, though 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 Condescention
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
[Page [55], 42]
of the Prince, still answer'd
what they thought conduc'd best
to his Service; which was, to make
the old King fansy 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.
[Page [56], 43]
What Reports of the Prince's
Conduct were made to the King,
he thought good to justifie as far as
possibly he cou'd by his Actions;
and when he appear'd in the Presence
of the King, he shew'd a
Face not at all betraying his Heart:
So that in a little time the old
Man, being entirely convinc'd that
he was no longer a Lover of Imoinda,
he carry'd him with him,
in his Train, to the Otan, often to
banquet with his Mistress. But as
soon as he enter'd, one Day, into
the Apartment of Imoinda, with the
King, at the first Glance from her
Eyes, notwithstanding all his determin'd
Resolution, he was ready to
sink in the place where he stood;
and had certainly done so, but for
the Support of Aboan, a young
Man, who was next to him;
which, with his Change of Countenance,
[Page [57], 44]
had betray'd him, had
the King chanc'd to look that way.
And I have observ'd, 'tis a very
great Error in those, who laugh
when one says, A Negro can change
Colour; for I have seen 'em as frequently
blush, and look pale, and
that as visibly as ever I saw in the
most beautiful White. And 'tis certain
that both these Changes were
evident, this Day, in both these
Lovers. And Imoinda, who saw
with some Joy the Change in the
Prince's Face, and found it in her
own, strove to divert the King
from beholding either, by a forc'd
Caress, with which she met him;
which was a new Wound in the
Heart of the poor dying Prince.
But as soon as the King was busy'd
in looking on some fine thing
of Imoinda's making, she had time
to tell the Prince with her angry,
[Page [58], 45]
but Love-darting Eyes, that she
resented his Coldness, and bemoan'd
her own miserable Captivity.
Nor were his Eyes silent,
but answer'd hers again, as much
as Eyes cou'd do, instructed by the
most tender, and most passionate
Heart that ever lov'd: And they
spoke so well, and so effectually,
as Imoinda no longer doubted, but
she was the only Delight, and the
Darling of that Soul she found
pleading in 'em its Right of Love,
which none was more willing
to resign than she. And 'twas
this powerful Language alone
that in an Instant convey'd all the
Thoughts of their Souls to each
other; that they both found, there
wanted but Opportunity to make
them both entirely happy. But
when he saw another Door open'd
by Onahal, a former old Wife of
[Page [59], 46]
the King's, who now had Charge
of Imoinda; and saw the Prospect
of a Bed of State made ready,
with Sweets and Flowers for the
Dalliance of the King; who immediately
lead the trembling Victim
from his Sight, into that prepar'd
Repose. What Rage! what
wild Frenzies seiz'd his Heart!
which forcing to keep within
Bounds, and to suffer without
Noise, it became the more insupportable,
and rent his Soul with ten
thousand Pains. He was forc'd to
retire, to vent his Groans; where
he fell down on a Carpet, and lay
struggling a long time, and only
breathing now and then, ---O Imoinda!
When Onahal had finish'd her
necessary Affair within, shutting
the Door, she came forth to wait,
till the King call'd; and hearing
some one sighing in the other
[Page [60], 47]
Room, she pass'd on, and found
the Prince in that deplorable Condition,
which she thought needed
her Aid: She gave him Cordials,
but all in vain; till finding the nature
of his Disease, by his Sighs,
and naming Imoinda. She told him,
he had not so much Cause as he
imagin'd, to afflict himself; for if
he knew the King so well as she
did, he wou'd not lose a Moment
in Jealousie, and that she was confident
that Imoinda bore, at this Minute,
part in his Affliction. Aboan
was of the same Opinion; and
both together, perswaded him to
re-assume his Courage; and all
sitting down on the Carpet, the
Prince said so many obliging things
to Onahal, that he half perswaded her
to be of his Party. And she promis'd
him, she wou'd thus far comply
with his just Desires, that she
[Page [61], 48]
wou'd let Imoinda know how faithful
he was, what he suffer'd, and
what he said.
This Discourse lasted till the
King call'd, which gave Oroonoko
a certain Satisfaction; and with
the Hope Onahal had made him
conceive, he assum'd a Look as
gay as 'twas possible a Man in his
Circumstances cou'd do; and presently
after, he was call'd in with
the rest who waited without. The
King commanded Musick to be
brought, and several of his young
Wives and Mistresses came all together
by his Command, to dance
before him; where Imoinda perform'd
her Part with an Air and
Grace so passing all the rest, as her
Beauty was above 'em; and receiv'd
the Present, ordain'd as a
Prize. The Prince was every
Moment more charm'd with the
[Page [62], 49, sig. E]
new Beauties and Graces he beheld
in this fair One: And while he
gaz'd, and she danc'd, Onahal was
retir'd to a Window with Aboan.
This Onahal, as I said, was one
of the Cast-Mistresses of the old
King; and 'twas these (now past
their Beauty) that were made
Guardians, or Governants to the
new, and the young Ones; and
whose Business it was, to teach
them all those wanton Arts of
Love, with which they prevail'd
and charm'd heretofore in their
Turn; and who now treated the
triumphing happy Ones with all
the Severity, as to Liberty and
and Freedom, that was possible,
in revenge of those Honours they
rob them of; envying them those
Satisfactions, those Gallantries and
Presents, that were once made to
themselves, while Youth and
[Page [63], 50]
Beauty lasted, and which they now
saw pass were regardless by, and
pay'd only to the Bloomings. And
certainly, nothing is more afflicting
to a decay'd Beauty, than to
behold in it self declining Charms,
that were once ador'd; and to find
those Caresses paid to new Beauties,
to which once she laid a Claim;
to hear 'em whisper as she passes
by, That once was a delicate Woman.
These abandon'd Ladies
therefore endeavour to revenge
all the Despights, and Decays of
Time, on these flourishing happy
Ones. And 'twas this Severity,
that gave Oroonoko a thousand Fears
he shou'd never prevail with Onahal,
to see Imoinda. But, as I said,
she was now retir'd to a Window
with Aboan.
This young Man was not only
one of the best Quality, but a Man
[Page [64], 51, sig. E2]
extreamly well made, and beautiful;
and coming often to attend
the King to the Otan, he had subdu'd
the Heart of the antiquated
Onahal, which had not forgot how
pleasant it was to be in Love:
And though she had some Decays
in her Face, she had none in her
Sence and Wit; she was there
agreeable still, even to Aboan's
Youth; so that he took pleasure
in entertaining her with Discourses
of Love. He knew also, that to
make his Court to these She-Favourites,
was the way to be great;
these being the Persons that do all
Affairs and Business at Court. He
had also observ'd that she had given
him Glances more tender and
inviting, than she had done to others
of his Quality: And now,
when he saw that her Favour cou'd
so absolutely oblige the Prince, he
[Page [65], 52]
fail'd not to sigh in her Ear, and
to look with Eyes all soft upon her,
and give her Hope that she had
made some Impressions on his
Heart. He found her pleas'd at
this, and making a thousand Advances
to him; but the Ceremony
ending, and the King departing,
broke up the Company for that
Day, and his Conversation.
Aboan fail'd not that Night to tell
the Prince of his Success, and how
advantageous the Service of Onahal
might be to his Amour with Imoinda.
The Prince was overjoy'd
with this good News, and besought
him, if it were possible, to
caress her so, as to engage her entirely;
which he cou'd not fail to
do, if he comply'd with her Desires:
For then (said the Prince)
her Life lying at your Mercy, she must
grant you the Request you make in my
[Page [66], 53, sig. E3]
Behalf. Aboan understood him;
and assur'd him, he would make
Love so effectually, that he wou'd
defie the most expert Mistress of
the Art, to find out whether he
dissembl'd it, or had it really. And
'twas with Impatience they waited
the next Opportunity of going to
the Otan.
The Wars came on, the Time
of taking the Field approach'd,
and 'twas impossible for the Prince
to delay his going at the Head of
his Army, to encounter the Enemy:
So that every Day seem'd a
tedious Year, till he saw his Imoinda;
for he believ'd he cou'd not
live, if he were forc'd away without
being so happy. 'Twas with
Impatience therefore, that be expected
the next Visit the King
wou'd make; and, according to
his Wish, it was not long.
[Page [67], 54]
The Parley of the Eyes of these
two Lovers had not pass'd so secretly,
but an old jealous Lover
cou'd spy it; or rather, he wanted
not Flatterers, who told him, they
observ'd it: So that the Prince was
hasten'd to the Camp, and this
was the last Visit he found he
shou'd make to the Otan; he therefore
urg'd Aboan to make the best
of this last Effort, and to explain
himself so to Onahal, that she, deferring
her Enjoyment of her
young Lover no longer, might
make way for the Prince to speak
to Imoinda.
The whole Affair being agreed
on between the Prince and Aboan,
they attended the King, as the Custom
was, to the Otan; where,
while the whole Company was taken
up in beholding the Dancing,
and antick Postures the Women
[Page [68], 55, sig. E4]
Royal made, to divert the King,
Onahal singl'd out Aboan, whom she
found most pliable to her Wish.
When she had him where she believ'd
she cou'd not be heard, she
sigh'd to him, and softly cry'd, Ah,
Aboan! When will you be sensible of
my Passion? I confess it with my
Mouth, because I wou'd not give my
Eyes the Lye; and you have but too
much already perceiv'd they have confess'd
my Flame: Nor wou'd I have
you believe, that because I am the abandon'd
Mistress of a King, I esteem my
self altogether divested of Charms. No,
Aboan; I have still a Rest of Beauty
enough engaging, and have learn'd to
please too well, not to be desirable. I
can have Lovers still, but will have none
but Aboan. Madam (reply'd the
half-feigning Youth) you have already,
by my Eyes, found, you can still
conquer; and I believe 'tis in pity of me,
[Page [69], 56]
you condescend to this kind Confession.
But, Madam, Words are us'd to be so
small a part of our Country-Courtship,
that 'tis rare one can get so happy an
Opportunity as to tell one's Heart; and
those few Minutes we have are forc'd
to be snatch'd for more certain Proofs of
Love, than speaking and sighing; and
such I languish for.
He spoke this with such a Tone,
that she hop'd it true, and cou'd
not forbear believing it; and being
wholly transported with Joy, for
having subdu'd the finest of all the
King's Subjects to her Desires, she
took from her Ears two large
Pearls, and commanded him to
wear 'em in his. He wou'd have
refus'd 'em, crying, Madam, these
are not the Proofs of your Love that I
expect; 'tis Opportunity, 'tis a Lone-hour
only, that can make me happy.
But forcing the Pearls into his
[Page [70], 57]
Hand, she whisper'd softly to him,
Oh! Do not fear a Woman's Invention,
when Love sets her a-thinking. And
pressing his Hand, she cry'd, This
Night you shall be happy. Come to the
Gate of the Orange-Groves, behind the
Otan; and I will be ready, about
Mid-night, to receive you. 'Twas
thus agreed, and she left him, that
no notice might be taken of their
speaking together.
The Ladies were still dancing,
and the King, laid on a Carpet,
with a great deal of pleasure, was
beholding them, especially Imoinda;
who that Day appear'd more
lovely than ever, being enliven'd
with the good Tidings Onahal had
brought her of the constant Passion
the Prince had for her. The
Prince was laid on another Carpet,
at the other end of the Room,
with his Eyes fix'd on the Object
[Page [71], 58]
of his Soul; and as she turn'd, or
mov'd, so did they; and she alone
gave his Eyes and Soul their Motions:
Nor did Imoinda employ
her Eyes to any other Use, than in
beholding with infinite Pleasure
the Joy she produc'd in those of
the Prince. But while she was
more regarding him, than the
Steps she took, she chanc'd to fall;
and so near him, as that leaping
with extream force from the Carpet,
he caught her in his Arms as
she fell; and 'twas visible to the
whole Presence, the Joy wherewith
he receiv'd her: He clasp'd
her close to his Bosom, and quite
forgot that Reverence that was due
to the Mistress of a King, and that
Punishment that is the Reward of
a Boldness of this nature; and had
not the Presence of Mind of Imoinda
(fonder of his Safety, than her
[Page [72], 59]
own) befriended him, in making
her spring from his Arms, and fall
into her Dance again, he had, at
that Instant, met his Death; for
the old King, jealous to the last
degree, rose up in Rage, broke all
the Diversion, and led Imoinda to
her Apartment, and sent out Word
to the Prince, to go immediately
to the Camp; and that if he were
found another Night in Court, he
shou'd suffer the Death ordain'd
for disobedient Offenders.
You may imagine how welcome
this News was to Oroonoko,
whose unseasonable Transport and
Caress of Imoinda was blam'd by all
Men that lov'd him; and now he
perceiv'd his Fault, yet cry'd, That
for such another Moment, he wou'd be
content to die.
All the Otan was in disorder
about this Accident; and Onabal
[Page [73], 60]
was particularly concern'd, because
on the Prince's Stay depended her
Happiness; for she cou'd no longer
expect that of Aboan. So that,
e'er they departed, they contriv'd
it so, that the Prince and he shou'd
come both that Night to the Grove
of the Otan, which was all of Oranges
and Citrons; and that there
they shou'd wait her Orders.
They parted thus, with Grief
enough, till Night; leaving the
King in possession of the lovely
Maid. But nothing cou'd appease
the Jealousie of the old Lover:
He wou'd not be impos'd on, but
wou'd have it, that Imoinda made
a false Step on purpose to fall into
Oroonoko's Bosom, and that all
things look'd like a Design on both
sides, and 'twas in vain she protested
her Innocence: He was old
and obstinate, and left her more
[Page [74], 61]
than half assur'd that his Fear was
true.
The King going to his Apartment,
sent to know where the
Prince was, and if he intended to
obey his Command. The Messenger
return'd, and told him, he
found the Prince pensive, and altogether
unpreparing for the Campaign;
that he lay negligently on
the Ground, and answer'd very
little. This confirm'd the Jealousie
of the King, and he commanded
that they shou'd very narrowly
and privately watch his Motions;
and that he shou'd not stir from his
Apartment, but one Spy or other
shou'd be employ'd to watch him:
So that the Hour approaching,
wherein he was to go to the Citron
Grove; and taking only Aboan
along with him, he leaves his Apartment,
and was watch'd to the
[Page [75], 62]
very Gate of the Otan; where he
was seen to enter, and where they
left him, to carry back the Tidings
to the King.
Oroonoko and Aboan were no sooner
enter'd, but Onahal led the
Prince to the Apartment of Imoinda;
who, not knowing any thing
of her Happiness, was laid in Bed.
But Onahal only left him in her
Chamber, to make the best of his
Opportunity, and took her dear Aboan
to her own; where he shew'd
the heighth of Complaisance for his
Prince, when, to give him an Opportunity,
he suffer'd himself to be
caress'd in Bed by Onahal.
The Prince softly waken'd Imoinda,
who was not a little surpriz'd
with Joy to find him there;
and yet she trembl'd with a thousand
Fears. I believe, he omitted
saying nothing to this young Maid,
[Page [76], 63]
that might perswade her to suffer
him to seize his own, and take the
Rights of Love; and I believe she
was not long resisting those Arms,
where she so long'd to be; and having
Opportunity, Night and Silence,
Youth, Love and Desire, he
soon prevail'd; and ravish'd in a
Moment, what his old Grand-father
had been endeavouring for so
many Months.
'Tis not to be imagin'd the Satisfaction
of these two young Lovers;
nor the Vows she made him,
that she remain'd a spotless Maid,
till that Night; and that what she
did with his Grand-father, had
robb'd him of no part of her Virgin-Honour,
the Gods, in Mercy
and Justice, having reserv'd that
for her plighted Lord, to whom
of Right it belong'd. And 'tis impossible
to express the Transports
[Page [77], 64]
he suffer'd, while he listen'd to a
Discourse so charming, from her
lov'd Lips; and clasp'd that Body
in his Arms, for whom he had so
long languish'd; and nothing now
afflicted him, but his suddain Departure
from her; for he he told her
the Necessity, and his Commands;
but shou'd depart satisfy'd in this,
That since the old King had hitherto
not been able to deprive
him of those Enjoyments which
only belong'd to him, he believ'd
for the future he wou'd be less able
to injure him; so that, abating the
Scandal of the Veil, which was no
otherwise so, than that she was
Wife to another: He believ'd her
safe, even in the Arms of the King,
and innocent; yet wou'd he have
ventur'd at the Conquest of the
World, and have given it all, to
have had her avoided that Honour
[Page [78], 65, sig. F]
of receiving the Royal Veil. 'Twas
thus, between a thousand Caresses,
that both bemoan'd the hard Fate
of Youth and Beauty, so liable to
that cruel Promotion: 'Twas a
Glory that cou'd well have been
spar'd here, though desir'd, and
aim'd at by all the young Females
of that Kingdom.
But while they were thus fondly
employ'd, forgetting how Time
ran on, and that the Dawn must
conduct him far away from his
only Happiness, they heard a great
Noise in the Otan, and unusual
Voices of Men; at which the
Prince, starting from the Arms of
the frighted Imoinda, ran to a little
Battel-Ax he us'd to wear by his
Side; and having not so much
leisure, as to put on his Habit, he
oppos'd himself against some who
were already opening the Door;
[Page [79], 66]
which they did with so much Violence,
that Oroonoko was not able to
defend it; but was forc'd to cry out
with a commanding Voice, Whoever
ye are that have the Boldness to attempt
to approach this Apartment thus
rudely, know, that I, the Prince Oroonoko,
will revenge it with the certain
Death of him that first enters:
Therefore stand back, and know, this
place is sacred to Love, and me this
Night; to Morrow 'tis the King's.
This he spoke with a Voice so
resolv'd and assur'd, that they soon
retir'd from the Door, but cry'd,
'Tis by the King's Command we are
come; and being satisfy'd by thy Voice,
O Prince, as much as if we had enter'd,
we can report to the King the Truth of
all his Fears, and leave thee to provide
for thy own Safety, as thou art advis'd
by thy Friends.
[Page [80], 67, sig. F2]
At these Words they departed,
and left the Prince to take a short
and sad Leave of his Imoinda; who
trusting in the strength of her
Charms, believ'd she shou'd appease
the Fury of a jealous King,
by saying, She was surpriz'd, and
that it was by force of Arms he got
into her Apartment. All her Concern
now was for his Life, and
therefore she hasten'd him to the
Camp; and with much a-do, prevail'd
on him to go: Nor was it
she alone that prevail'd, Aboan
and Onahal both pleaded, and both
assur'd him of a Lye that shou'd be
well enough contriv'd to secure Imoinda.
So that, at last, with a
Heart sad as Death, dying Eyes,
and sighing Soul, Oroonoko departed,
and took his way to the
Camp.
[Page [81], 68]
It was not long after the King
in Person came to the Otan; where
beholding Imoinda with Rage in his
Eyes, he upbraided her Wickedness
and Perfidy, and threatning
her Royal Lover, she fell on her
Face at his Feet, bedewing the
Floor with her Tears, and imploring
his Pardon for a Fault which
she had not with her Will committed;
as Onahal, who was also
prostrate with her, cou'd testifie:
That, unknown to her, he had
broke into her Apartment, and ravish'd
her. She spoke this much
against her Conscience; but to
save her own Life, 'twas absolutely
necessary she shou'd feign this
Falsity. She knew it cou'd not
injure the Prince, he being fled
to an Army that wou'd stand by
him, against any Injuries that
shou'd assault him. However,
[Page [82], 69, sig. F3]
this last Thought of Imoinda's being
ravish'd, chang'd the Measures
of his Revenge; and whereas before
he design'd to be himself her
Executioner, he now resolv'd she
shou'd not die. But as it is the
greatest Crime in nature amongst
'em to touch a Woman, after having
been possess'd by a Son, a
Father, or a Brother; so now he
look'd on Imoinda as a polluted
thing, wholly unfit for his Embrace;
nor wou'd he resign her
to his Grand-son, because she had
receiv'd the Royal Veil. He therefore
removes her from the Otan,
with Onahal; whom he put into
safe Hands, with Order they
shou'd be both sold off, as Slaves,
to another Country, either Christian,
or Heathen; 'twas no matter
where.
[Page [83], 70]
This cruel Sentence, worse than
Death, they implor'd, might be
revers'd; but their Prayers were
vain, and it was put in Execution
accordingly, and that with so
much Secrecy, that none, either
without, or within the Otan, knew
any thing of their Absence, or
their Destiny.
The old King, nevertheless,
executed this with a great deal of
Reluctancy; but he believ'd he
had made a very great Conquest
over himself, when he had once
resolv'd, and had perform'd what
he resolv'd. He believ'd now,
that his Love had been unjust;
and that he cou'd not expect the
Gods, or Captain of the Clouds,
(as they call the unknown Power)
shou'd suffer a better Consequence
from so ill a Cause. He now begins
to hold Oroonoko excus'd; and
[Page [84], 71, sig. F4]
to say, he had Reason for what he
did: And now every Body cou'd
assure the King, how passionately
Imoinda was belov'd by the Prince;
even those confess'd it now, who
said the contrary before his Flame
was abated. So that the King
being old, and not able to defend
himself in War, and having no
Sons of all his Race remaining
alive, but only this, to maintain
him on his Throne; and looking
on this as a Man disoblig'd, first
by the Rape of his Mistress, or rather,
Wife; and now by depriving
of him wholly of her, he fear'd,
might make him desperate, and
do some cruel thing, either to himself,
or his old Grand-father, the
Offender; he began to repent him
extreamly of the Contempt he
had, in his Rage, put on Imoinda.
Besides, he consider'd he ought in
[Page [85], 72]
Honour to have kill'd her, for this
Offence, if it had been one: He
ought to have had so much Value
and Consideration for a Maid of
her Quality, as to have nobly put
her to death, and not to have sold
her like a common Slave, the greatest
Revenge, and the most disgraceful
of any; and to which they
a thousand times prefer Death, and
implore it; as Imoinda did, but cou'd
not obtain that Honour. Seeing
therefore it was certain that Oroonoko
wou'd highly resent this Affront, he
thought good to make some Excuse
for his Rashness to him; and
to that End he sent a Messenger to
the Camp, with Orders to treat
with him about the Matter, to
gain his Pardon, and to endeavour
to mitigate his Grief; but that by
no means he shou'd tell him, she
was fold, but secretly put to death;
[Page [86], 73]
for he knew he shou'd never obtain
his Pardon for the other.
When the Messenger came, he
found the Prince upon the point of
Engaging with the Enemy; but
as soon as he heard of the Arrival
of the Messenger, he commanded
him to his Tent, where he embrac'd
him, and receiv'd him with
Joy; which was soon abated, by
the down-cast Looks of the Messenger,
who was instantly demanded
the Cause by Oroonoko, who,
impatient of Delay, ask'd a thousand
Questions in a Breath; and
all concerning Imoinda: But there
needed little Return, for he cou'd
almost answer himself of all he demanded,
from his Sighs and Eyes.
At last, the Messenger casting himself
at the Prince's Feet, and kissing
them, with all the Submission of a
Man that had something to implore
[Page [87], 74]
which he dreaded to utter, he besought
him to hear with Calmness
what he had to deliver to him, and
to call up all his noble and Heroick
Courage, to encounter with his
Words, and defend himself against
the ungrateful things he must relate.
Oroonoko reply'd, with a deep Sigh,
and a languishing Voice,---I am arm'd
against their worst Efforts---; for I
know they will tell me, Imoinda is no
more---; and after that, you may spare
the rest. Then, commanding him
to rise, he laid himself on a Carpet,
under a rich Pavillion, and remain'd
a good while silent, and
was hardly heard to sigh. When
he was come a little to himself, the
Messenger ask'd him leave to deliver
that part of his Embassy, which
the Prince had not yet devin'd:
And the Prince cry'd, I permit thee---
Then he told him the Affliction
[Page [88], 75]
the old King was in, for the Rashness
he had committed in his Cruelty
to Imoinda; and how he daign'd to
ask Pardon for his Offence, and to
implore the Prince wou'd not suffer
that Loss to touch his Heart too
sensibly, which now all the Gods
cou'd not restore him, but might
recompence him in Glory, which
he begg'd he wou'd pursue; and
that Death, that common Revenger
of all Injuries, wou'd soon even
the Account between him, and a
feeble old Man.
Oroonoko bad him return his Duty
to his Lord and Master; and to
assure him, there was no Account
of Revenge to be adjusted between
them; if there were, 'twas he was
the Agressor, and that Death wou'd
be just, and, maugre his Age,
wou'd see him righted; and he
was contented to leave his Share of
[Page [89], 76]
Glory to Youths more fortunate,
and worthy of that Favour from
the Gods. That henceforth he
wou'd never lift a Weapon, or
draw a Bow; but abandon the
small Remains of his Life to Sighs
and Tears, and the continual
Thoughts of what his Lord and
Grand-father had thought good to
send out of the World, with all
that Youth, that Innocence; and
Beauty.
After having spoken this, whatever
his greatest Officers, and Men
of the best Rank cou'd do, they
cou'd not raise him from the Carpet,
or perswade him to Action,
and Resolutions of Life; but commanding
all to retire, he shut himself
into his Pavillion all that Day,
while the Enemy was ready to engage;
and wondring at the Delay,
the whole Body of the chief
[Page [90], 77]
of the Army then address'd themselves
to him, and to whom they
had much a-do to get Admittance.
They fell on their Faces at the Foot
of his Carpet; where they lay, and
besought him with earnest Prayers
and Tears, to lead 'em forth to
Battel, and not let the Enemy take
Advantages of them; and implor'd
him to have regard to his Glory,
and to the World, that depended
on his Courage and Conduct. But
he made no other Reply to all
their Supplications but this, That
he had now no more Business for
Glory; and for the World, it was
a Trifle not worth his Care. Go,
(continu'd he, sighing) and divide it
amongst you; and reap with Joy what
you so vainly prize, and leave me to my
more welcome Destiny.
They then demanded what
they shou'd do, and whom he
[Page [91], 78]
wou'd constitute in his Room, that
the Confusion of ambitious Youth
and Power might not ruin their
Order, and make them a Prey
to the Enemy. He reply'd, He
wou'd not give himself the Trouble---;
but wish'd 'em to chuse
the bravest Man amongst 'em, let
his Quality or Birth be what it
wou'd: For, O my Friends (said he!)
it is not Titles make Men brave, or
good; or Birth that bestows Courage
and Generosity, or makes the Owner
happy. Believe this, when you behold
Oroonoko, the most wretched, and
abandon'd by Fortune, of all the Creation
of the Gods. So turning himself
about, he wou'd make no more
Reply to all they cou'd urge or
implore.
The Army beholding their Officers
return unsuccessful, with sad
Faces, and ominous Looks, that
[Page [92], 79]
presag'd no good Luck, suffer'd a
thousand Fears to take Possession of
their Hearts, and the Enemy to
come even upon 'em, before they
wou'd provide for their Safety, by
any Defence; and though they
were assur'd by some, who had a
mind to animate 'em, that they
shou'd be immediately headed by
the Prince, and that in the mean
time Aboan had Orders to command
as General; yet they were
so dismay'd for want of that great
Example of Bravery, that they
cou'd make but a very feeble Resistance;
and at last, down-right,
fled before the Enemy, who pursu'd
'em to the very Tents, killing
'em: Nor cou'd all Aboan's Courage,
which that Day gain'd him
immortal Glory, shame 'em into
a Manly Defence of themselves.
The Guards that were left behind,
[Page [93], 80]
about the Prince's Tent, seeing the
Soldiers flee before the Enemy,
and scatter themselves all over
the Plain, in great Disorder, made
such Out-cries as rouz'd the Prince
from his amorous Slumber, in
which he had remain'd bury'd for
two Days, without permitting any
Sustenance to approach him: But,
in spight of all his Resolutions, he
had not the Constancy of Grief to
that Degree, as to make him insensible
of the Danger of his Army;
and in that Instant he leap'd
from his Couch, and cry'd, ---Come,
if we must die, let us meet Death the
noblest Way; and 'twill be more like
Oroonoko to encounter him at an Army's
Head, opposing the Torrent of a
conquering Foe, than lazily, on a Couch,
to wait his lingering Pleasure, and die
every Moment by a thousand wrecking
Thought; or be tamely taken by an
[Page [94], 81, sig. G]
Enemy, and led a whining, Love-sick
Slave, to adorn the Triumphs of Jamoan,
that young Victor, who already
is enter'd beyond the Limits I had
prescrib'd him.
While he was speaking, he suffer'd
his People to dress him for
the Field; and sallying out of his
Pavillion, with more Life and Vigour
in his Countenance than ever
he shew'd, he appear'd like some Divine
Power descended to save his
Country from Destruction; and his
People had purposely put him on
all things that might make him
shine with most Splendor, to strike
a reverend Awe into the Beholders.
He flew into the thickest of those
that were pursuing his Men; and
being animated with Despair, he
fought as if he came on purpose
to die, and did such things as will
not be believ'd that Humane
[Page [95], 82]
Strength cou'd perform; and such
as soon inspir'd all the rest with
new Courage, and new Order:
And now it was, that they began
to fight indeed; and so, as if they
wou'd not be out-done, even by
their ador'd Hero; who turning
the Tide of the Victory, changing
absolutely the Fate of the Day,
gain'd an entire Conquest; and
Oroonoko having the good Fortune
to single out Iamoan, he took him
Prisoner with his own Hand, having
wounded him almost to
death.
This Iamoan afterwards became
very dear to him, being a Man
very gallant, and of excellent
Graces, and fine Parts; so that he
never put him amongst the Rank
of Captives, as they us'd to do,
without distinction, for the common
Sale, or Market; but kept him
[Page [96], 83, sig. G2]
in his own Court, where he retain'd
nothing of the Prisoner,
but the Name, and return'd no
more into his own Country, so
great an Affection he took for
Oroonoko; and by a thousand Tales
and Adventures of Love and Gallantry,
flatter'd his Disease of
Melancholy and Languishment;
which I have often heard him say,
had certainly kill'd him, but for
the Conversation of this Prince
and Aboan, the French Governor he
had from his Childhood, of whom
I have spoken before, and who
was a Man of admirable Wit,
great Ingenuity and Learning;
all which he had infus'd into his
young Pupil. This French-Man
was banish'd out of his own Country,
for some Heretical Notions
he held; and though he was a
Man of very little Religion, he
[Page [97], 84]
had admirable Morals, and a brave
Soul.
After the total Defeat of Iamoan's
Army, which all fled, or
were left dead upon the Place,
they spent some time in the
Camp; Oroonoko chusing rather to
remain a while there in his Tents,
than enter into a Place, or live in
a Court where he had so lately
suffer'd so great a Loss. The Officers
therefore, who saw and
knew his Cause of Discontent, invented
all sorts of Diversions and
Sports, to entertain their Prince:
So that what with those Amuzements
abroad, and others at home,
that is, within their Tents, with
the Perswasions, Arguments and
Care of his Friends and Servants
that he more peculiarly priz'd, he
wore off in time a great part of
that Shagrien, and Torture of Despair,
[Page [98], 85, sig. G3]
which the first Efforts of Imoinda's
Death had given him: Insomuch
as having receiv'd a thousand
kind Embassies from the
King, and Invitations to return to
Court, he obey'd, though with
no little Reluctancy; and when
he did so, there was a visible
Change in him, and for a long
time he was much more melancholy
than before. But Time
lessens all Extreams, and reduces
'em to Mediums and Unconcern;
but no Motives or Beauties,
though all endeavour'd it, cou'd
engage him in any sort of Amour,
though he had all the Invitations
to it, both from his own
Youth, and others Ambitions and
Designs.
Oroonoko was no sooner return'd
from this last Conquest, and receiv'd
at Court with all the Joy
[Page [99], 86]
and Magnificence that cou'd be
express'd to a young Victor, who
was not only return'd triumphant,
but belov'd like a Deity, when
there arriv'd in the Port an English
Ship.
This Person had often before
been in these Countries, and was
very well known to Oroonoko, with
whom he had traffick'd for Slaves,
and had us'd to do the same with
his Predecessors.
This Commander was a Man
of a finer sort of Address, and
Conversation, better bred, and
more engaging, than most of that
sort of Men are; so that he seem'd
rather never to have been bred
out of a Court, than almost all his
Life at Sea. This Captain therefore
was always better receiv'd at
Court, than most of the Traders
to those Countries were; and
[Page [100], 87, sig. G4]
especially by Oroonoko, who was
more civiliz'd, according to the
European Mode, than any other
had been, and took more Delight
in the White Nations; and, above
all, Men of Parts and Wit. To
this Captain he sold abundance of
his Slaves; and for the Favour
and Esteem he had for him,
made him many Presents, and oblig'd
him to stay at Court as long
as possibly he cou'd. Which the
Captain seem'd to take as a very
great Honour done him, entertaining
the Prince every Day with
Globes and Maps, and Mathematical
Discourses and Instruments;
eating, drinking, hunting and living
with him with so much Familiarity,
that it was not to be doubted,
but he had gain'd very greatly
upon the Heart of this gallant
young Man. And the Captain,
[Page [101], 88]
in Return of all these mighty Favours,
besought the Prince to honour
his Vessel with his Presence,
some Day or other, to Dinner,
before he should set Sail; which
he condescended to accept, and
appointed his Day. The Captain,
on his part, fail'd not to
have all things in a Readiness, in
the most magnificent Order he
cou'd possibly: And the Day
being come, the Captain, in his
Boat, richly adorn'd with Carpets
and Velvet-Cushions, row'd
to the Shoar to receive the Prince;
with another Long-Boat, where
was plac'd all his Musick and
Trumpets, with which Oroonoko
was extreamly delighted; who
met him on the Shoar, attended
by his French Governor, Iamoan,
Aboan, and about an hundred of
the noblest of the Youths of the
[Page [102], 89]
Court: And after they had first
carry'd the Prince on Board, the
Boats fetch'd the rest off; where
they found a very splendid Treat,
with all sorts of fine Wines; and
were as well entertain'd, as 'twas
possible in such a place to be.
The Prince having drunk hard
of Punch, and several Sorts of
Wine, as did all the rest (for great
Care was taken, they shou'd want
nothing of that part of the Entertainment)
was very merry, and in
great Admiration of the Ship, for
he had never been in one before;
so that he was curious of beholding
every place, where he decently
might descend. The rest,
no less curious, who were not
quite overcome with Drinking,
rambl'd at their pleasure Fore and
Aft, as their Fancies guided 'em:
So that the Captain, who had
[Page [103], 90]
well laid his Design before, gave
the Word, and seiz'd on all his
Guests; they clapping great Irons
suddenly on the Prince, when he was
leap'd down in the Hold, to view
that part of the Vessel; and locking
him fast down, secur'd him. The
same Treachery was us'd to all the
rest; and all in one Instant, in
several places of the Ship, were
lash'd fast in Irons, and betray'd
to Slavery. That great Design
over, they set all Hands to work
to hoise Sail; and with as treacherous
and fair a Wind, they made
from the Shoar with this innocent
and glorious Prize, who thought
of nothing less than such an Entertainment.
Some have commended this Act,
as brave, in the Captain; but I will
spare my Sence of it, and leave it to
my Reader, to judge as he pleases.
[Page [104], 91]
It may be easily guess'd, in
what manner the Prince resented
this Indignity, who may be best
resembl'd to a Lion taken in a
Toil; so he rag'd, so he struggl'd
for Liberty, but all in vain; and
they had so wisely manag'd his
Fetters, that he cou'd not use a
Hand in his Defence, to quit himself
of a Life that wou'd by no
Means endure Slavery; nor cou'd
he move from the Place, where
he was ty'd, to any solid part of
the Ship, against which he might
have beat his Head, and have finish'd
his Disgrace that way: So
that being deprived of all other
means, he resolved to perish for
want of Food: And pleased at
last with that Thought, and toil'd
and tired by Rage and Indignation,
he laid himself down, and
sullenly resolved upon dying,
[Page [105], 92]
and refused all things that were
brought him.
This did not a little vex the
Captain, and the more so, because,
he found almost all of 'em
of the same Humour; so that
the loss of so many brave Slaves,
so tall and goodly to behold,
wou'd have been very considerable:
He therefore order'd one
to go from him (for he wou'd not
be seen himself) to Oroonoko, and
to assure him he was afflicted for
having rashly done so unhospitable
a Deed, and which cou'd
not be now remedied, since they
were far from shore; but since he
resented it in so high a nature,
he assur'd him he wou'd revoke
his Resolution, and set both him
and his Friends a-shore on the
next Land they shou'd touch at;
and of this the Messenger gave
[Page [106], 93]
him his Oath, provided he wou'd
resolve to live: And Oroonoko,
whose Honour was such as he never
had violated a Word in his Life
himself, much less a solemn Asseveration;
believ'd in an instant
what this Man said, but reply'd,
He expected for a Confirmation
of this, to have his shameful
Fetters dismiss'd. This Demand
was carried to the Captain,
who return'd him answer, That
the Offence had been so great
which he had put upon the Prince,
that he durst not trust him with
Liberty while he remained in the
Ship, for fear lest by a Valour
natural to him, and a Revenge
that would animate that Valour,
he might commit some Outrage
fatal to himself and the King his
Master, to whom his Vessel did
belong. To this Oroonoko replied,
[Page [107], 94]
he would engage his Honour
to behave himself in all friendly.
Order and Manner, and obey
the Command of the Captain, as
he was Lord of the King's Vessel,
and General of those Men under
his Command.
This was deliver'd to the still
doubting Captain, who could not
resolve to trust a Heathen he said,
upon his Parole, a Man that had
no sence or notion of the God that
he Worshipp'd. Oroonoko then replied,
He was very sorry to hear
that the Captain pretended to the
Knowledge and Worship of any
Gods, who had taught him no better
Principles, than not to Credit
as he would be Credited: but
they told him the Difference of
their Faith occasion'd that Distrust:
For the Captain had protested to
him upon the Word of a Christian,
[Page [108], 95]
and sworn in the Name of a
Great GOD; which if he shou'd
violate, he would expect eternal
Torment in the World to come.
Is that all the Obligation he has to be
Iust to his Oath, replied Oroonoko?
Let him know I Swear by my Honour,
which to violate, wou'd not only render
me contemptible and despised by
all brave and honest Men, and so
give my self perpetual pain, but it
wou'd be eternally offending and diseasing
all Mankind, harming, betraying,
circumventing and outraging all
Men; but Punishments hereafter are
suffer'd by ones self; and the World
takes no cognizances whether this God
have revenged 'em, or not, 'tis done
so secretly, and deferr'd so long:
While the Man of no Honour, suffers
every moment the scorn and contempt
of the honester World, and dies every
day ignominiously in his Fame, which
[Page [109], 96]
is more valuable than Life: I speak
not this to move Belief, but to shew
you how you mistake, when you imagine,
That he who will violate his
Honour, will keep his Word with his
Gods. So turning from him with
a disdainful smile, he refused
to answer him, when he urg'd
him to know what Answer he
shou'd carry back to his Captain;
so that he departed without saying
any more.
The captain pondering and
confulting what to do, it was
concluded that nothing but Oroonoko's
Liberty wou'd encourage
any of the rest to eat, except the
French-man whom the Captain
cou'd not pretend to keep Prisoner,
but only told him he was
secured because he might act
something in favour of the Prince,
but that he shou'd be freed as soon
[Page [110], 97, sig. H]
as they came to Land. So that
they concluded it wholly necessary
to free the Prince from his Irons,
that he might show himself
to the rest; that they might have
an Eye upon him, and that they
cou'd not fear a single Man.
This being resolv'd, to make
the Obligation the greater, the
Captain himself went to Oroonoko;
where, after many Complements,
and Assurances of what he
had already promis'd, he receiving
from the Prince his Parole,
and his Hand; for his good
Behaviour, dismiss'd his Irons,
and brought him to his own Cabin;
where, after having treated
and repos'd him a while, for he
had neither eat nor slept in four
Days before, he besought him to
visit those obstinate People in
Chains, who refus'd all manner
[Page [111], 98]
of Sustenance; and intreated him
to oblige 'em to eat, and assure
'em of their Liberty the first Opportunity.
Oroonoko, who was too generous,
not to give Credit to his
Words, shew'd himself to his People,
who were transported with
Excess of Joy at the sight of their
Darling Prince; falling at his
Feet, and kissing and embracing
'em; believing, as some Divine
Oracle, all he assur'd 'em. But
he besought 'em to bear their
Chains with that Bravery that became
those whom he had seen act
so nobly in Arms; and that they
cou'd not give him greater Proofs
of their Love and Friendship,
since 'twas all the Security the
Captain (his Friend) cou'd have,
against the Revenge, he said, they
might possibly justly take, for the
[Page [112], 99, sig. H2]
Injuries sustain'd by him. And
they all, with one Accord, assur'd
him, they cou'd not suffer
enough, when it was for his Repose
and Safety.
After this they no longer refus'd
to eat, but took what was
brought em, and were pleas'd
with their Captivity, since by it
they hop'd to redeem the Prince,
who, all the rest of the Voyage,
was treated with all the Respect
due to his Birth, though nothing
cou'd divert his Melancholy; and
he wou'd often sigh for Imoinda, and
think this a Punishment due to his
Misfortune, in having left that noble
Maid behind him, that fatal
Night, in the Otan, when he fled
to the Camp.
Possess'd with a thousand
Thoughts of past Joys with this
fair young Person, and a thousand
[Page [113], 100]
Griefs for her eternal Loss, he endur'd
a tedious Voyage, and at
last arriv'd at the Mouth of the
River of Surinam, a Colony belonging
to the King of England,
and where they were to deliver
some part of their Slaves. There
the Merchants and Gentlemen of
the Country going on Board, to
demand those Lots of Slaves they
had already agreed on; and, amongst
those, the Over-seers of
those Plantations where I then
chanc'd to be, the Captain, who
had given the Word, order'd his
Men to bring up those noble
Slaves in Fetters, whom I have
spoken of; and having put 'em,
some in one, and some in other
Lots, with Women and Children
(which they call Pickaninies,) they
sold 'em off, as Slaves, to several
Merchants and Gentlemen; not
[Page [114], 101, sig. H3]
putting any two in one Lot, because
they wou'd separate 'em far
from each other; not daring to
trust 'em together, lest Rage and
Courage shou'd put 'em upon contriving
some great Action, to the
Ruin of the Colony.
Oroonoko was first seiz'd on, and
sold to our Over-seer, who had
the first Lot, with seventeen more
of all sorts and sizes, but not one
of Quality with him. When he
saw this, he found what they
meant; for, as I said, he understood
English pretty well; and being
wholly unarm'd and defenceless,
so as it was in vain to make
any Resistance, he only beheld the
Captain with a Look all fierce and
disdainful, upbraiding him with
Eyes, that forc'd Blushes on his
guilty Cheeks, he only cry'd, in
passing over the Side of the Ship,
[Page [115], 102]
Farewel, Sir: 'Tis worth my Suffering,
to gain so true a Knowledge both
of you, and of your Gods by whom you
swear. And desiring those that
held him to forbear their pains,
and telling 'em he wou'd make no
Resistance, he cry'd, Come, my Fellow-Slaves;
let us descend, and see if
we can meet with more Honour and Honesty
in the next World we shall touch
upon. So he nimbly leap'd into the
Boat, and shewing no more Concern,
suffer'd himself to be row'd
up the River, with his seventeen
Companions.
The Gentleman that bought him
was a young Cornish Gentleman,
whose Name was Trefry; a Man of
great Wit, and fine Learning, and
was carry'd into those Parts by the
Lord---Governor, to manage
all his Affairs. He reflecting on
the last Words of Oroonoko to the
[Page [116], 103, sig. H4]
Captain, and beholding the Richness
of his Vest, no sooner came
into the Boat, but he fix'd his Eyes
on him; and finding something so
extraordinary in his Face, his Shape
and Mien, a Greatness of Look,
and Haughtiness in his Air, and finding
he spoke English, had a great
mind to be enquiring into his Quality
and Fortune; which, though
Oroonoko endeavour'd to hide, by
only confessing he was above the
Rank of common Slaves, Trefry
soon found he was yet something
greater than he confess'd; and
from that Moment began to conceive
so vast an Esteem for him,
that he ever after lov'd him as his
dearest Brother, and shew'd him
all the Civilities due to so great a
Man.
Trefry was a very good Mathematician,
and a Linguist; cou'd
[Page [117], 104]
speak French and Spanish; and in
the three Days they remain'd in the
Boat (for so long were they going
from the Ship, to the Plantation)
he entertain'd Oroonoko so agreeably
with his Art and Discourse, that he
was no less pleas'd with Trefry, than
he was with the Prince; and he
thought himself, at least, fortunate
in this, that since he was a Slave,
as long as he wou'd suffer himself
to remain so, he had a Man of so
excellent Wit and Parts for a Master:
So that before they had finish'd
their Voyage up the River,
he made no scruple of declaring to
Trefry all his Fortunes, and most
part of what I have here related,
and put himself wholly into the
Hands of his new Friend, whom
he found resenting all the Injuries
were done him, and was charm'd
with all the Greatnesses of his Actions;
[Page [118], 105]
which were recited with
that Modesty, and delicate Sence,
as wholly vanquish'd him, and subdu'd
him to his Interest. And he
promis'd him on his Word and Honour,
he wou'd find the Means to
re-conduct him to his own Country
again: assuring him, he had a
perfect Abhorrence of so dishonourable
an Action; and that he wou'd
sooner have dy'd, than have been
the Author of such a Perfidy. He
found the Prince was very much
concern'd to know what became
of his Friends, and how they took
their Slavery; and Trefry promis'd
to take care about the enquiring
after their Condition, and that
he shou'd have an Account of 'em.
Though, as Oroonoko afterwards
said, he had little Reason to credit
the Words of a Backearary, yet he
knew not why; but he saw a kind
[Page [119], 106]
of Sincerity, and awful Truth in the
Face of Trefry; he saw an Honesty
in his Eyes, and he found him
wise and witty enough to understand
Honour; for it was one of
his Maxims, A Man of Wit cou'd not
be a Knave or Villain.
In their passage up the River,
they put in at several Houses for
Refreshment; and ever when they
landed, numbers of People wou'd
flock to behold this Man; not but
their Eyes were daily entertain'd
with the sight of Slaves, but the
Fame of Oroonoko was gone before
him, and all People were in Admiration
of his Beauty. Besides, he
had a rich Habit on, in which he
was taken, so different from the rest,
and which the Captain cou'd not
strip him of, because he was forc'd
to surprize his Person in the Minute
he sold him. When he found his
[Page [120], 107]
Habit made him liable, as he
thought, to be gaz'd at the more,
he begg'd Trefry to give him something
more befitting a Slave; which
he did, and took off his Robes. Nevertheless,
he shone through all;
and his Osenbrigs (a sort of brown
Holland Suit he had on) cou'd not
conceal the Graces of his Looks
and Mien; and he had no less Admirers,
than when he had his dazeling
Habit on: The Royal Youth
appear'd in spight of the Slave, and
People cou'd not help treating him
after a different manner, without
designing it: As soon as they approach'd
him, they venerated and
esteem'd him; his Eyes insensibly
commanded Respect, and his Behaviour
insinuated it into every
Soul. So that there was nothing
talk'd of but this young and gallant
Slave, even by those who yet knew
not that he was a Prince.
[Page [121], 108]
I ought to tell you, that the Christians
never buy any Slaves but they
give 'em some Name of their own,
their native ones being likely very
barbarous, and hard to pronounce;
so that Mr. Trefry gave Oroonoko that
of Cæsar; which Name will live in
that Country as long as that (scarce
more) glorious one of the great
Roman; for 'tis most evident, he
wanted no part of the Personal
Courage of that Cæsar, and acted
things as memorable, had they
been done in some part of the
World replenish'd with People,
and Historians, that might have
given him his due. But his Misfortune
was, to fall in an obscure
World, that afforded only a Female
Pen to celebrate his Fame;
though I doubt not but it had liv'd
from others Endeavours, if the
Dutch, who, immediately after his
[Page [122], 109]
Time, took that Country, had
not kill'd, banish'd and dispers'd
all those that were capable of giving
the World this great Man's
Life, much better than I have done.
And Mr. Trefry, who design'd it,
dy'd before he began it; and bemoan'd
himself for not having undertook
it in time.
For the future therefore, I must
call Oroonoko, Cæsar, since by that
Name only he was known in our
Western World, and by that
Name he was receiv'd on Shoar at
Parham-House, where he was destin'd
a Slave. But if the King
himself (God bless him) had come
a-shore, there cou'd not have been
greater Expectations by all the
whole Plantation, and those
neighbouring ones, than was on
ours at that time; and he was receiv'd
more like a Governor, than
[Page [123], 110]
a Slave. Notwithstanding, as the
Custom was, they assign'd 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 endur'd 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 to the Houses of
the Slaves, which are like a little
Town by itself, 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
[Page [124], 111]
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 Cæsar himself:
But he was infinitely glad to find
his Grandure confirm'd by the Adoration
of all the Slaves.
Cæsar troubl'd 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
[Page [125], 112]
they set up with one Accord a most
terrible and hidious Mourning and
condoling, which he and the English
had much a-do to appease; but
at last they prevail'd with 'em, and
they prepar'd 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 Presence; 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 unwearied
Industry, endeavouring to please
and delight him.
[Page [126], 129, sig. K]
While they sat at Meat Mr. Trefry
told Cæsar, that most of these
young Slaves were undon 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 of all Discourses
was most agreeable to him,
asked, how they came to be so
Unhappy, as to be all Undon 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 guest; that, for his part, he
had done nothing but Sigh for her
[Page [127], 130]
ever since she came; and that all
the white Beautys 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 Christ'ned her:
But she denys us all with such a
noble Disdain, that 'tis a Miracle
to see, that she, who can give such
eternal Desires, shou'd herself be
all Ice, and all Unconcern. She is
adorn'd with the most Graceful
Modesty that ever beautifyed
Youth; the softest Sigher---
that, if she were capable of Love,
one would swear she languish'd
for some absent happy Man; and
[Page [128], 131, sig. K2]
so retir'd, as if she fear'd a Rape
even from the God of Day; or
that the Breezes would 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 excepts
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,
replied the Prince, that Clemene
shou'd refuse Slaves, being as you
say so Beautiful, but wonder how she
escapes those who 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, entertain'd her with
Love so long, as to be transported
[Page [129], 132]
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 I retire, and thank my
Stars she overcame me. The Company
laught at his Civility to a
Slave, and Cæsar 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 past they
this Night, after having received,
from the Slaves, all imaginable
Respect and Obedience.
The next Day Trefry ask'd Cæsar
to walk, when the heat was allay'd,
and designedly carried him by the
Cottage of the fair Slave; and
[Page [130], 133, sig. K3]
told him, she whom he spoke of
last Night liv'd 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. Cæsar
assur'd him, he was proof against
all the Charms of that Sex; and
that if he imagin'd his Heart cou'd
be so perfidious to Love again,
after Imoinda, he believ'd he shou'd
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 wou'd have run in again; but
Trefry caught her by the Hand,
and cry'd, Clemene, however you
[Page [131], 134]
fly a Lover, you ought to pay some Respect
to this Stranger: (pointing to
Cæsar) But she, as if she had resolv'd
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
Leasure to look the more at her.
There needed no long Gazing, or
Consideration, to examin 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 opprest he was
with over-Joy, if he had not met
[Page [132], 135, sig. K4]
with this Allay, that he perceiv'd
Imoinda fall dead in the Hands of
Trefry: this awaken'd him, and
he ran to her aid, and caught her
in his Arms, where, by degrees,
she came to herself; and 'tis needless
to tell with what transports,
what extasies of Joy, they both a
while beheld each other, without
Speaking; then Snatcht each other
to their Arms; then Gaze
again, as if they still doubted whether
they possess'd the Blessing:
They Graspt, but when they recovered
their Speech, 'tis not to
be imagin'd, what tender things
they exprest to each other; wondering
what strange Fate had
brought 'em again together. They
soon inform'd each other of their
Fortunes, and equally bewail'd
their Fate; but, at the same
[Page [133], 136]
time, they mutually protested, that
even Fetters and Slavery were
Soft and Easy; and wou'd 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. Cæsar
swore he disdain'd the Empire of
the World, while he cou'd behold
his Imoinda; and she despis'd Grandure
and Pomp, those Vanities of
her Sex, when she cou'd Gaze on
Oroonoko. He ador'd the very
Cottage where she resided, and
said, That little Inch of the World
wou'd give him more Happiness
than all the Universe cou'd do;
and she vow'd, It was a Pallace,
while adorn'd with the Presence
of Oroonoko.
Trefry was infinitely pleas'd with
this Novel, and found this Clemene
[Page [134], 137]
was the Fair Mistress of
whom Cæsar had before spoke;
and was not a little satisfied, 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 Cæsar; and from
his own Mouth learn'd what I
have related, which was confirmed
by his French-man, who was
set on Shore to seek his Fortunes;
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
[Page [135], 138]
to his Puple Prince: So that concerning
and intresting my self,
in all that related to Cæsar, whom
I had assur'd of Liberty, as soon
as the Governor arriv'd, I hasted
presently to the Place where the
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 Prettyness)
to be the same I had heard Cæsar
speak so much off. One may
imagine then, we paid her a treble
Respect; and though from her
being carv'd 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 cou'd not enough admire
her.
I had forgot to tell you, that
[Page [136], 139]
those who are Nobly born of that
Country, are so delicately Cut
and Rac'd 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
Poynt round the Edges of the
Flowers: Some are only Carv'd
with a little Flower, or Bird, at
the Sides of the Temples, as was
Cæsar; and those who are so
Carv'd over the Body, resemble
our Ancient Picts, that are figur'd
in the Chronicles, but these
Carvings are more delicate.
From that happy Day Cæsar
took Clemene for his Wife, to the
general Joy of all People; and
there was as much Magnificence
as the Country wou'd afford at
the Celebration of this Wedding:
and in a very short time after she
[Page [137], 140]
conceiv'd with Child; which
made Cæsar 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 shou'd be paid
before they let him go, provided
he cou'd have any Security
that he shou'd go when his Ransom
was paid: They fed him
from Day to Day with Promises,
and delay'd him, till the Lord
Governor shou'd come; so that
he began to suspect them of
falshood, and that they wou'd
delay him till the time of his
Wives delivery, and make a Slave
of that too, For all the Breed is
[Page [138], 141]
theirs to whom the Parents belong:
This Thought made him very
uneasy, and his Sullenness gave
them some Jealousies of him; so
that I was oblig'd, 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 Cæsar, and to give him all
the Satisfaction I possibly cou'd;
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 entertain'd
him with the Lives of the
Romans, and great Men, which
charm'd him to my Company;
and her, with teaching her all the
pretty Works that I was Mistress
[Page [139], 142]
off; and telling her Stories of
Nuns, and endeavoring to bring
her to the knowledge of the true
God. But of all Discourses Cæsar
lik'd that the worst, and wou'd
never be reconcil'd to our Notions
of the Trinity, of which he
ever made a Jest; it was a Riddle,
he said, wou'd 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 lik'd the
Company of us Women much
above the Men; for he cou'd
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
[Page [140], 143]
his Great Mistress; and indeed
my Word wou'd go a great way
with him. For these Reasons, I
had Opportunity to take notice
to him, that he was not well
pleas'd of late, as he us'd to be;
was more retir'd 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 him,
what advantage it wou'd be to
doubt? it would but give us a
Fear of him, and possibly compel
us to treat him so as I shou'd be
[Page [141], 144]
very loath to behold: that is, it
might occasion his Confinement.
Perhaps 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 shou'd take, he
wou'd Act nothing upon the
White-People; and as for my
self, and those upon that Plantation
where he was, he wou'd
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 cou'd do nothing that Honour
shou'd not dictate; but he accus'd
himself for having suffer'd
Slavery so long; yet he charg'd
that weakness on Love alone, who
[Page [142], 145, sig. L]
was capable of making him neglect
even Glory it self; and, for
which, now he reproches himself
every moment of the Day. Much
more to this effect he spoke, with
an Air impatient enough to make
me know he wou'd 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 cou'd
not be tam'd to lazy Rest; and
though all endeavors were us'd
to exercise himself in such Actions
and Sports as this World afforded,
as Running, Wrastling, Pitching
the Bar, Hunting and Fishing,
[Page [143], 146]
Chasing and Killing Tigers of a
monstrous Size, which this Continent
affords in abundance; and
wonderful Snakes, such as Alexander
is reported to have incounter'd
at the River of Amozons,
and which Cæsar took great Delight
to overcome; yet these
were not Actions great enough
for his large Soul, which was
still panting after more renown'd
Action.
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 Governor,
who was every Day expected
on our Shore; he assur'd
me he wou'd, and this Promise
he desired me to know was given
perfectly in Complaisance to me,
[Page [144], 147, sig. L2]
in whom he had an intire Confidence.
After this, I neither thought
it convenient to trust him much
out of our View, nor did the
Country who fear'd him; but
with one accord it was advis'd
to treat him Fairly, and oblige
him to remain within such a compass,
and that he shou'd be permitted,
as seldom as cou'd be, to
go up to the Plantations of the
Negroes; or, if he did, to be
accompany'd by some that shou'd
be rather in appearance Attendants
than Spys. This Care was
for some time taken, and Cæsar
look'd upon it as a Mark of extraordinary
Respect, and was
glad his discontent had oblig'd
'em to be more observant to him;
he received new assurance from
[Page [145], 148]
the Overseer, which was confirmed
to him by the Opinion of
all the Gentlemen of the Country,
who made their court to
him: During this time that we
had his Company more frequently
than hitherto we had had, it
may not be unpleasant to relate
to you the Diversions we entertain'd
him with, or rather he
us.
My stay was to be short in that
Country, because my Father dy'd
at Sea, and never arriv'd to possess
the Honour was design'd
him, (which was Lieutenant-General
of Six and thirty Islands,
besides the Continent of Surinam)
nor the advantages he
hop'd to reap by them; so that
though we were oblig'd to continue
on our Voyage, we did not
[Page [146], 149, sig. L3]
intend to stay upon the Place:
Though, in a Word, I must say
thus much of it, That certainly had
his late Majesty, of sacred Memory,
but seen and known what a vast
and charming World he had been
Master off in that Continent, he
would never have parted so Easily
with it to the Dutch. 'Tis
a Continent whose vast Extent
was never yet known, and may
contain more Noble Earth than
all the Universe besides; for, they
say, it reaches from East to West;
one Way as far as China, and
another to Peru: It affords all
things both for Beauty and Use;
'tis there Eternal Spring, always
the very Months of April, May
and Iune; the Shades are perpetual,
the Trees, bearing at once
all degrees of Leaves and Fruit,
[Page [147], 150]
from blooming Buds to ripe Autumn;
Groves of Oranges, Limons,
Citrons, Figs, Nutmegs,
and noble Aromaticks, continually
bearing their Fragrancies. The
Trees appearing all like Nosegays
adorn'd with Flowers of different
kind; some are all White, some
Purple, some Scarlet, some Blew,
some Yellow; bearing, at the same
time, Ripe Fruit and Blooming
Young, or producing every Day
new. The very Wood of all these
Trees have an intrinsick Value
above common Timber; for they
are, when cut, of different Colours,
glorious to behold; and
bear a Price considerable, to inlay
withal. Besides this, they
yield rich Balm, and Gums; so
that we make our Candles of
such an Aromatick Substance, as
[Page [148], 151, sig. L4]
does not only give a sufficient
Light, but, as they Burn, they
cast their Perfumes all about. Cedar
is the common Firing, and
all the Houses are built with it.
The very Meat we eat, when set
on the Table, if it be Native, I
mean of the Country, perfumes
the whole Room; especially a
little Beast call'd an Armadilly, a
thing which I can liken to nothing
so well as a Rhinoceros; 'tis
all in white Armor so joynted,
that it moves as well in it, as if
it had nothing on; this Beast is
about the bigness of a Pig of
Six Weeks old. But it were endless
to give an Account of all the
divers Wonderfull and Strange
things that Country affords, and
which we took a very great Delight
to go in search of; though
[Page [149], 152]
those adventures are oftentimes
Fatal and at least Dangerous: But
while we had Cæsar in our Company
on these Designs we fear'd
no harm, nor suffer'd any.
As soon as I came into the
Country, the best House in it
was presented me, call'd St. John's
Hill. It stood on a vast Rock of
white Marble, at the Foot of
which the River ran a vast depth
down, and not to be descended
on that side; the little Waves
still dashing and washing the foot
of this Rock, made the softest
Murmurs and Purlings in the
World; and the Oposite Bank was
adorn'd with such vast quantities
of different Flowers eternally
Blowing, and every Day and
Hour new, and fenc'd behind 'em with
lofty Trees of a Thousand rare
[Page [150], 153]
Forms and Colours, that the Prospect
was the most raving that
Sands can create. On the Edge
of this white Rock, towards the
River, was a Walk or Grove of
Orange and Limon Trees, about
half the length of the Marl hear,
whose Flowery and Fruity bear
Branches meet at the top, and
hinder'd the Sun, whose Rays are
very fierce there, from entering
a Beam into the Grove; and the
cool Air that came from the River
made it not only fit to entertain
People in, at all the hottest
Hours of the Day, but refresh'd
the sweet Blossoms, and
made it always Sweet and Charming;
and sure the whole Globe
of the World cannot show so delightful
a Place as this Grove was:
Not all the Gardens of boasted
[Page [151], 154]
Italy can produce a Shade to outvie
this, which Nature had joyn'd
with Art to render so exceeding
Fine; and 'tis a marvel to see
how such vast Trees, as big as
English Oaks, cou'd take footing
on so solid a Rock, and in so
little Earth, as cover'd that Rock;
but all things by Nature there
are Rare, Delightful and Wonderful.
But to our Sports;
Sometimes we wou'd go surprizing,
and in search of young
Tigers in their Dens, watching
when the old Ones went forth to
forage for Prey; and oftentimes
we have been in great Danger,
and have fled apace for our Lives,
when surpriz'd by the Dams. But
once, above all other times, we
went on this Design, and Cæsar
was with us, who had no sooner
[Page [152], 155]
stol'n a young Tiger from her
Nest, but going off, we incounter'd
the Dam, bearing a Buttock
of a Cow, which he had torn
off with his mighty Paw, and going
with it towards his Den; we
had only four Women, Cæsar,
and an English Gentleman, Brother
to Harry Martin, the great
Oliverian; we found there was no
escaping this inrag'd and ravenous
Beast. However, we Women
fled as fast as we cou'd from
it; but our Heels had not sav'd
our Lives, if Cæsar had not laid
down his Cub, when he found
the Tiger quit her Prey to make
the more speed towards him; and
taking Mr. Martin's Sword desir'd
him to stand aside, or follow
the Ladies. He obey'd him,
and Cæsar met this monstrous
[Page [153], 156]
Beast of might, size, and vast
Limbs, who came with open Jaws
upon him; and fixing his Awful
stern Eyes full upon those of the
Beast, and putting himself into
a very steddy and good aiming
posture of Defence, ran his Sword
quite through his Breast down
to his very Heart, home to the
Hilt of the Sword; the dying
Beast stretch'd forth her Paw,
and going to grasp his Thigh,
surpris'd with Death in that very
moment, did him no other
harm than fixing her long Nails
in his Flesh very deep, feebly
wounded him, but cou'd not
grasp the Flesh to tear off any.
When he had done this, he hollow'd
to us to return; which,
after some assurance of his Victory,
we did, and found him lugging
[Page [154], 157]
out the Sword from the Bosom
of the Tiger, who was laid
in her Bloud on the Ground;
he took up the Cub, and with an
unconcern, that had nothing of
the Joy or Gladness of a Victory,
he came and laid the Whelp at
my Feet: We all extreamly wonder'd
at his Daring, and at the
Bigness of the Beast, which was
about the highth of an Heifer,
but of mighty, great, and strong
Limbs.
Another time, being in the
Woods, he kill'd a Tiger, which
had long infested that part, and
born away abundance of Sheep
and Oxen, and other things,
that were for the support of those
to whom they belong'd; abundance
of People assail'd this Beast,
some affirming they had shot her
[Page [155], 158]
with several Bullets quite through
the Body, at several times; and
some swearing they shot her
through the very Heart, and
they believ'd she was a Devil
rather than a Mortal thing. Cæsar,
had often said, he had a mind
to encounter this Monster, and
spoke with several Gentlemen who
had attempted her; one crying,
I shot her with so many poyson'd
Arrows, another with his
Gun in this part of her, and
another in that; so that he remarking
all these Places where she
was shot, fancy'd still he shou'd
overcome her, by giving her another
sort of a Wound than any had
yet done; and one day said (at
the Table) What Trophies and
Garlands Ladies will you make me,
if I bring you home at the Heart of
[Page [156], 159]
this Ravenous Beast, that eats up
all your Lambs and Pigs? We all
promis'd he shou'd be rewarded
at all our Hands. So taking a
Bow, which he chus'd out of a
great many, he went up in the
Wood, with two Gentlemen,
where he imagin'd this Devourer
to be; they had not past
very far in it, but they heard her
Voice, growling and grumbling,
as if she were pleas'd with something
she was doing. When they
came in view, they found her
muzzling in the Belly of a new
ravish'd Sheep, which she had
torn open; and seeing herself
approach'd, she took fast hold of
her Prey, with her fore Paws,
and set a very fierce raging Look
on Cæsar, without offering to
approach him; for fear, at the
[Page [157], 160]
same time, of loosing what she
had in Possession. So that Cæsar
remain'd a good while, only taking
aim, and getting an opportunity
to shoot her where he design'd;
'twas some time before
he cou'd accomplish it, and to
wound her, and not kill her,
wou'd but have enrag'd her more,
and indanger'd him: He had a
Quiver of Arrows at his side,
so that if one fail'd he cou'd be
supply'd; at last, retiring a little,
he gave her opportunity to eat,
for he found she was Ravenous,
and fell too as soon as she saw
him retire; being more eager
of her Prey than of doing new
Mischiefs. When he going softly
to one side of her, and hiding
his Person behind certain Herbage
that grew high and thick,
[Page [158], 161, sig. M]
he took so good aim, that, as he
intended, he shot her just into
the Eye, and the Arrow was
sent with so good a will, and so
sure a hand, that it stuck in her
Brain, and made her caper, and
become mad for a moment or
two; but being seconded by
another Arrow, he fell dead upon
the Prey: Cæsar cut him Open
with a Knife, to see where those
Wounds were that had been reported
to him, and why he did
not Die of 'em. But I shall now
relate a thing that possibly will
find no Credit among Men, because
'tis a Notion commonly
receiv'd with us, That nothing
can receive a Wound in the
Heart and Live; but when the
Heart of this courageous Animal
was taken out, there were Seven
[Page [159], 162]
Bullets of Lead in it, and the
Wounds seam'd up, with great
Scars, and she liv'd with the
Bullets a great while, for it was
long since they were shot: This
Heart the Conqueror brought
up to us, and 'twas a very great
Curiosity, which all the Country
came to see; and which gave
Cæsar occasion of many fine Discourses;
of Accidents in War, and
Strange Escapes.
At other times he wou'd go a
Fishing; and discoursing on that
Diversion, he found we had in
that Country a very Strange
Fish, call'd, a Numb Eel, (an
Eel of which I have eaten) that
while it is alive, it has a quality
so Cold, that those who are Angling,
though with a Line of never
so great a length, with a Rod
[Page [160], 163, sig. M2]
at the end of it, it shall, in the
same minute the Bait is touched
by this Eel, seize him or her
that holds the Rod with benumb'dness,
that shall deprive
'em of Sense, for a while; and
some have fall'n into the Water,
and others drop'd as dead
on the Banks of the Rivers where
they stood, as soon as this Fish
touches the Bait. Cæsar us'd to
laugh at this, and believ'd it
impossible a Man cou'd loose
his Force at the touch of a Fish;
and cou'd not understand that
Philosophy, that a cold Quality
should be of that Nature: However,
he had a great Curiosity
to try whether it wou'd have
the same effect on him it had on
others, and often try'd, but in
vain; at last, the sought for
[Page [161], 164]
Fish came to the Bait, as he stood
Angling on the Bank; and instead
of throwing away the Rod,
or giving it a sudden twitch out
of the Water, whereby he might
have caught both the Eel, and
have dismist the Rod, before it
cou'd have too much Power
over him; for Experiment sake,
he grasp'd it but the harder,
and fainting fell into the River;
and being still possest
of the Rod, the Tide carry'd
him senseless as he was a great
way, till an Indian Boat took
him up; and perceiv'd, when
they touch'd him, a Numbness
seize them, and by that
knew the Rod was in his Hand;
which, with a Paddle (that is,
a short Oar) they struck away,
and snatch'd it into the Boat,
[Page [162], 165, sig. M3]
Eel and all. If Cæsar were almost
Dead, with the effect of
this Fish, he was more so with
that of the Water, where he had
remain'd the space of going a
League; and they found they
had much a-do to bring him
back to Life: But, at last, they
did, and brought him home,
where he was in a few Hours
well Recover'd and Refresh'd;
and not a little Asham'd to find
he shou'd be overcome by an
Eel; and that all the People,
who heard his Defiance, wou'd
Laugh at him. But we cheared
him up; and he, being
convinc'd, we had the Eel at
Supper; which was a quarter
of an Ell about, and most delicate
Meat; and was of the
more Value, since it cost so
[Page [163], 166]
Dear, as almost the Life of so
gallant a Man.
About this time we were in
many mortal Fears, about some
Disputes the English had with
the Indians; so that we cou'd
scarce trust our selves, without
great Numbers, to go to any
Indian Towns, or Place, where
they abode; for fear they shou'd
fall upon us, as they did immediately
after my coming away;
and that it was in the possession
of the Dutch, who us'd 'em not
so civilly as the English; so that
they cut in pieces all they cou'd
take, getting into Houses, and
hanging up the Mother, and all
her Children about her; and
cut a Footman, I left behind me,
all in Joynts, and nail'd him to
Trees.
[Page [164], 167, sig. M4]
This feud began while I was
there; so that I lost half the satisfaction
I propos'd, in not
seeing and visiting the Indian
Towns. But one Day, bemoaning
of our Misfortunes upon this
account, Cæsar told us, we need
not Fear; for if we had a mind
to go, he wou'd undertake to
be our Guard: Some wou'd, but
most wou'd not venture; about
Eighteen of us resolv'd, and
took Barge; and, after Eight
Days, arriv'd near an Indian
Town: But approaching it, the
Hearts of some of our Company
fail'd, and they wou'd not venture
on Shore; so we Poll'd
who wou'd, and who wou'd
not: For my part, I said, If
Cæsar wou'd, I wou'd go; he
resolv'd, so did my Brother, and
[Page [165], 168]
my Woman, a Maid of good
Courage. Now none of us speaking
the Language of the People,
and imagining we shou'd have a
half Diversion in Gazing only;
and not knowing what they said,
we took a Fisherman that liv'd
at the Mouth of the River, who
had been a long Inhabitant
there, and oblig'd him to go
with us: But because he was
known to the Indians, as trading
among 'em; and being, by long
Living there, become a perfect
Indian in Colour, we, who resolv'd
to surprize 'em, by making
'em see something they never
had seen, (that is, White
People) resolv'd only my self,
my Brother, and Woman shou'd
go; so Cæsar, the Fisherman,
and the rest, hiding behind some
[Page [166], 169]
thick Reeds and Flowers, that
grew on the Banks, let us pass
on towards the Town, which
was on the Bank of the River
all along. A little distant from
the Houses, or Hutts; we saw
some Dancing, others busy'd in
fetching and carrying of Water
from the River: They had no
sooner spy'd us, but they set up
a loud Cry, that frighted us at
first; we thought it had been
for those that should Kill us, but
it seems it was of Wonder and
Amazement. They were all Naked,
and we were Dress'd, so as
is most, comode for the hot
Countries, very Glittering and
Rich; so that we appear'd extreamly
fine; my own Hair was
cut short, and I had a Taffaty
Cap, with Black Feathers, on my
[Page [167], 170]
Head; my Brother was in a Stuff
Sute, with Silver Loops and Buttons,
and abundance of Green
Ribon; this was all infinitely
surprising to them, and because
we saw them stand still, till we
approach'd 'em, we took Heart
and advanc'd; came up to 'em,
and offer'd 'em our Hands; which
they took, and look'd on us
round about, calling still for
more Company; who came
swarming out, all wondering,
and crying out Tepeeme: taking
their Hair up in their Hands,
and spreading it wide to those
they call'd out too; as if they
would say (as indeed it signify'd)
Numberless Wonders, or not
to be recounted, no more than
to number the Hair of their
Heads. By degrees they grew
[Page [168], 171]
more bold, and from gazing
upon us round, they
touch'd us; laving their Hands
upon all the Features of our
Faces, feeling our Breasts and
Arms, taking up one Petticoat,
then wondering to see another;
admiring our Shooes and Stockings,
but more our Garters,
which we gave 'em; and they
ty'd about their Legs, being
Lac'd with Silver Lace at the
ends, for they much Esteem any
shining things: In fine, we suffer'd
'em to survey us as they
pleas'd, and we thought they
wou'd never have done admiring
us. When Cæsar, and the
rest, saw we were receiv'd with
such wonder, they came up to
us; and finding the Indian Trader
whom they knew, (for 'tis
[Page [169], 172]
by these Fishermen, call'd Indian
Traders, we hold a Commerce
with 'em; for they love not to
go far from home, and we never
go to them) when they saw
him therefore they set up a new
Joy; and cry'd, in their Language,
Oh! here's our Tiguamy,
and we shall now know whether
those things can speak: So advancing
to him, some of 'em gave
him their Hands, and cry'd, Amora
Tiguamy, which is as much as,
How do you, or Welcome Friend;
and all, with one din, began to
gabble to him, and ask'd, If we
had Sense, and Wit? if we cou'd
talk of affairs of Life, and War,
as they cou'd do? if we cou'd
Hunt, Swim, and do a thousand
things they use? He answer'd
'em, We cou'd. Then
[Page [170], 173]
they invited us into their Houses,
and dress'd Venison and Buffelo
for us; and, going out, gathered
a Leaf of a Tree, call'd
a Sarumbo Leaf, of Six Yards
long, and spread it on the
Ground for a Table-Cloth; and
cutting another in pieces instead
of Plates, setting us on little bow
Indian Stools, which they cut
out of one intire piece of Wood,
and Paint, in a sort of Japan
Work: They serve every one
their Mess on these pieces of
Leaves, and it was very good,
but too high season'd with Pepper.
When we had eat, my
Brother, and I, took out our
Flutes, and play'd to 'em, which
gave 'em new Wonder; and I
soon perceiv'd, by an admiration,
that is natural to these
[Page [171], 174]
People; and by the extream Ignorance
and Simplicity of 'em, it
were not difficult to establish
any unknown or extravagant
in Religion among them; and
to impose any Notions or Fictions
upon 'em. For seeing
a Kinsman of mine set some Paper
a Fire, with a Burning-glass,
a Trick they had never before
seen, they were like to have
Ador'd him for a God; and
beg'd he wou'd give them the
Characters or Figures of his
Name, that they might oppose
it against Winds and Storms;
which he did, and they held it
up in those Seasons, and fancy'd
it had a Charm to conquer
them; and kept it like a Holy
Relique. They are very Superstitious,
and call'd him the
[Page [172], 175]
Great Peeie, that is, Prophet
They show'd us their Indian
Peeie, a Youth of about Sixteen
Years old, as handsom as Nature
cou'd make a Man. They consecrate
a beautiful Youth from
his Infancy, and all Arts are
us'd to compleat him in the finest
manner, both in Beauty
and Shape: He is bred to all
the little Arts and cunning they
are capable of; to all the Legerdemain
Tricks, and Slight of
Hand, whereby he imposes upon
the Rabble; and is both a
Doctor in Physick and Divinity.
And by these Tricks makes the
Sick believe he sometimes eases
their Pains; by drawing from
the afflicted part little Serpents,
or odd Flies, or Worms, or
any Strange thing; and though
[Page [173], 176]
they have besides undoubted
good Remedies, for almost all
their Diseases, they cure the Patient
more by Fancy than by
Medicines; and make themselves
Fear'd, Lov'd, and Reverenc'd.
This young Peeie had
a very young Wife, who seeing
my Brother kiss her, came running
and kiss'd me; after this,
they kiss'd one another, and
made it a very great Jest, it
being so Novel; and new Admiration
and Laughing went
round the Multitude, that they
never will forget that Ceremony,
never before us'd or
known. Cæsar had a mind to
see and talk with their War
Captains, and we were conducted
to one of their Houses;
where we beheld several of the
[Page [174], 177, sig. N]
great Captains, who had been
at Councel: But so frightful a
Vision it was to see 'em no Fancy
can create; no such Dreams
can represent so dreadful a Spectacle.
For my part I took 'em
for Hobgoblins, or Fiends, rather
than Men; but however
their Shapes appear'd, their Souls
were very Humane and Noble;
but some wanted their Noses,
some their Lips, some both
Noses and Lips, some their
Ears, and others Cut through
each Cheek, with long Slashes,
through which their Teeth appear'd;
they had other several
formidable Wounds and Scars,
or rather Dismemberings; they
had Comitias, or little Aprons
before 'em; and Girdles of Cotton,
with their Knives naked,
[Page [175], 178]
stuck in it; a Bow at their Backs,
and a Quiver of Arrows on
their Thighs; and most had
Feathers on their Heads of divers
Colours. They cry'd, Amora
Tigame to us, at our entrance,
and were pleas'd we
said as much to 'em; they seated
us, and gave us Drink of the
best Sort; and wonder'd, as
much as the others had done
before, to see us. Cæsar was
marvelling as much at their
Faces, wondering how they
shou'd all be so Wounded in
War; he was Impatient to
know how they all came by
those frightful Marks of Rage
or Malice, rather than Wounds
got in Noble Battel: They told
us, by our Interpreter, That
when any War was waging, two
[Page [176], 179, sig. N2]
Men chosen out by some old
Captain, whose Fighting was
past, and who cou'd only teach
the Theory of War, those two
Men were to stand in Competition
for the Generalship, or
Great War Captain; and being
brought before the old Judges,
now past Labour, they are ask'd,
What they dare do to shew they
are worthy to lead an Army?
When he, who is first ask'd,
making no Reply, Cuts of his
Nose, and throws it contemptably
on the Ground; and the
other does something to himself
that he thinks surpasses him,
and perhaps deprives himself of
Lips and an Eye; so they Slash
on till one gives out, and many
have dy'd in this Debate. And
'its by a passive Valour they
[Page [177], 180]
shew and prove their Activity; a
sort of Courage too Brutal to be
applauded by our Black Hero;
nevertheless he express'd his Esteem
of 'em.
In this Voyage Cæsar begot
so good an understanding between
the Indians and the English,
that there were no more
Fears, or Heart-burnings during
our stay; but we had a perfect,
open, and free Trade with 'em:
Many things Remarkable, and
worthy Reciting, we met with
in this short Voyage; because Cæsar
made it his Business to search
out and provide for our Entertainment,
especially to please his
dearly Ador'd Imoinda, who was
a sharer in all our Adventures;
we being resolv'd to make her
Chains as easy as we cou'd, and
[Page [178], 181, sig. N3]
to Compliment the Prince in
that manner that most oblig'd
him.
As we were coming up again,
we met with some Indians of
strange Aspects; that is, of a
larger Size, and other sort of
Features, than those of our
Country: Our Indian Slaves,
that Row'd us, ask'd 'em some
Questions, but they cou'd not
understand us; but shew'd us
a long Cotton String, with several
Knots on it; and told us,
they had been coming from the
Mountains so many Moons as
there were Knots; they were
habited in Skins of a strange
Beast, and brought along with
'em Bags of Gold Dust; which,
as well as they cou'd give us to
understand, came streaming in
[Page [179], 182]
little small Chanels down the
high Mountains, when the Rains
fell; and offer'd to be the Convoy
to any Body, or Persons,
that wou'd go to the Mountains.
We carry'd these Men up to
Parham, where they were kept
till the Lord Governour came:
And because all the Country was
mad to be going on this Golden
Adventure, the Governour, by
his Letters; commanded (for
they sent some of the Gold to
him) that a Guard shou'd be
set at the Mouth of the River
of Amazons, (a River so call'd,
almost as broad as the River of
Thames) and prohibited all
People from going up that River,
it conducting to those
Mountains of Gold. But we
going off for England before
[Page [180], 183, sig. N4]
the Project was further prosecuted,
and the Governour being
drown'd in a Hurricane, either
the Design dy'd, or the Dutch
have the Advantage of it: And
'tis to be bemoan'd what his
Majesty lost by loosing that part
of America.
Though this digression is a
little from my Story, however
since it contains some Proofs of
the Curiosity and Daring of this
great Man, I was content to
omit nothing of his Character.
It was thus, for sometime we
diverted him; but now Imoinda
began to shew she was with
Child, and did nothing but
Sigh and Weep for the Captivity
of her Lord, her Self, and the
Infant yet Unborn; and believ'd,
[Page [181], 184]
if it were so hard to gain
the Liberty of Two, 'twou'd be
more difficult to get that for
Three. Her Griefs were so many
Darts in the great Heart of Cæsar;
and taking his Opportunity
one Sunday, when all the Whites
were overtaken in Drink, as
there were abundance of several
Trades, and Slaves for Four
Years, that Inhabited among the
Negro Houses; and Sunday was
their Day of Debauch, (otherwise
they were a sort of Spys
upon Cæsar;) he went pretending
out of Goodness to 'em,
to Feast amongst 'em; and sent
all his Musick, and order'd a
great Treat for the whole Gang,
about Three Hundred Negros;
and about a Hundred and Fifty
were able to bear Arms, such as
[Page [182], 185]
they had, which were sufficient
to do Execution with Spirits accordingly:
For the English had
none but rusty Swords, that
no Strength cou'd draw from a
Scabbard; except the People of
particular Quality, who took
care to Oyl 'em and keep 'em
in good Order: The Guns also,
unless here and there one, or
those newly carri'd from England,
wou'd do no good or
harm; for 'tis the Nature of
that County to Rust and Eat up
Iron, or any Metals, but Gold
and Silver. And they are very
Unexpert at the Bow, which the
Negros and Indians are perfect
Masters off.
Cæsar, having singl'd out
these Men from the Women
and Children, made an Harangue
[Page [183], 186]
to 'em of the Miseries, and Ignominies
of Slavery; counting
up all their Toyls and Sufferings,
under such Loads, Burdens,
and Drudgeries, as were
fitter for Beasts than Men;
Senseless Brutes, than Humane
Souls. He told 'em it was not
for Days, Months, or Years,
but for Eternity; there was no
end to be of their Misfortunes:
They suffer'd not like Men who
might find a Glory, and Fortitude
in Oppression; but like
Dogs that lov'd the Whip and
Bell, and fawn'd the more they
were beaten: That they had lost
the Divine Quality of Men, and
were become insensible Asses,
fit only to bear; nay worse: an
Ass, or Dog, or Horse having
done his Duty, cou'd lye down
[Page [184], 187]
in Retreat, and rise to Work
again, and while he did his Duty
indur'd no Stripes; but Men,
Villanous, Senseless Men, such
as they, Toyl'd on all the tedious
Week till Black Friday; and
then, whether they Work'd or
not, whether they were Faulty
or Meriting, they promiscuously,
the Innocent with the Guilty, suffer'd
the infamous Whip, the
sordid Stripes, from their Fellow
Slaves till their Blood trickled
from all Parts of their Body;
Blood, whose every drop ought
to be Reveng'd with a Life of
some of those Tyrants, that impose
it; And why, said he, my
dear Friends and Fellow-sufferers,
shou'd we be Slaves to an unknown
People? Have they Vanquish'd us
Nobly in Fight? Have they Wone
[Page [185], 188]
us in Honourable Battel? And
are we, by the chance of War, become
their Slaves? This wou'd not
anger a Noble Heart, this wou'd
not animate a Souldiers Soul; no,
but we are Bought and Sold like
Apes, or Monkeys, to be the Sport
of Women, Fools and Cowards;
and the Support of Rogues, Runagades,
that have abandon'd their
own Countries, for Rapin, Murders,
Thefts and Villanies: Do
you not hear every Day how they
upbraid each other with infamy
of Life, below the Wildest Salvages;
and shall we render Obedience
to such a degenerate Race,
who have no one Humane Vertue
left, to distinguish 'em from the
vilest Creatures? Will you, I say,
suffer the Lash from such Hands?
They all Reply'd, with one accord,
[Page [186], 189]
No, no, no; Cæsar has
spoke like a Great Captain; like
a Great King.
After this he wou'd have proceeded,
but was interrupted by
a tall Negro of some more Quality
than the rest, his Name was
Tuscan; who Bowing at the
Feet of Cæsar, cry'd, My Lord,
we have listen'd with Joy and Attention
to what you have said;
and, were we only Men, wou'd
follow so great a Leader through
the World: But oh! consider, we
are Husbands and Parents too,
and have things more dear to us
than Life; our Wives and Children
unfit for Travel, in these
unpassable Woods, Mountains and
Bogs; we have not only difficult
Lands to overcome, but Rivers to
Wade, and Monsters to Incounter;
[Page [187], 190]
Ravenous Beasts of Prey---
To this, Cæsar Reply'd, That
Honour was the First Principle
in Nature, that was to be Obey'd;
but as no Man wou'd pretend to
that, without all the Acts of
Vertue, Compassion, Charity, Love,
Justice and Reason; he found it
not inconsistent with that, to take
an equal Care of their Wives and
Children, as they wou'd of themselves;
and that he did not Design,
when he led them to Freedom,
and Glorious Liberty, that
they shou'd leave that better part of
themselves to Perish by the Hand of
the Tyrant's Whip: But if there were
a Woman among them so degenerate
from Love and Vertue to chuse
Slavery before the pursuit of her
Husband, and with the hazard
of her Life, to share with him in
[Page [188], 191]
his Fortunes; that such an one
ought to be Abandon'd, and left
as a Prey to the common Enemy.
To which they all Agreed,---
and Bowed. After this, he spoke
of the Impassable Woods and
Rivers; and convinc'd 'em, the
more Danger, the more Glory.
He told them that he had heard
of one Hannibal a great Captain,
had Cut his Way through
Mountains of solid Rocks; and
shou'd a few Shrubs oppose them;
which they cou'd Fire before
'em? No, 'twas a trifling Excuse
to Men resolv'd to die, or
overcome. As for Bogs, they
are with a little Labour fill'd
and harden'd; and the Rivers
cou'd be no Obstacle, since they
Swam by Nature; at least by
[Page [189], 192]
Custom, from their First Hour of
their Birth: That when the Children
were Weary they must
carry them by turns, and the
Woods and their own Industry
wou'd afford them Food. To
this they all assented with Joy.
Tuscan then demanded, What
he wou'd do? He said, they
wou'd Travel towards the Sea;
Plant a New Colony, and Defend
it by their Valour; and
when they cou'd find a Ship,
either driven by stress of Weather,
or guided by Providence
that way, they wou'd Sieze it,
and make it a Prize, till it had
Transported them to their own
Countries; at least, they shou'd
be made Free in his Kingdom,
and be Esteem'd as his Fellow-sufferers,
and Men that had
[Page [190], 193, sig. O]
the Courage, and the Bravery
to attempt, at least, for Liberty;
and if they Dy'd in the attempt
it wou'd be more brave,
than to Live in perpetual Slavery.
They bow'd and kiss'd his
Feet at this Resolution, and with
one accord Vow'd to follow
him to Death. And that Night
was appointed to begin their
March; they made it known
to their Wives, and directed
them to tie their Hamaca about
their Shoulder, and under their
Arm like a Scarf; and to lead
their Children that cou'd go,
and carry those that cou'd not.
The Wives who pay an intire
Obedience to their Husbands
obey'd, and stay'd for 'em, where
they were appointed: The Men
[Page [191], 194]
stay'd but to furnish themselves
with what defensive Arms they
cou'd get; and All met at the
Rendezvous, where Cæsar made
a new incouraging Speech to
'em, and led 'em out.
But, as they cou'd not march
far that Night, on Monday early,
when the Overseers went to
call 'em all together, to go to
Work, they were extreamly surpris'd,
to find not one upon the
Place, but all fled with what
Baggage they had. You may
imagine this News was not only
suddenly spread all over the
Plantation, but soon reach'd the
Neighbouring ones; and we
had by Noon about Six hundred
Men, they call the Militia
of the County, that came to assist
us in the persute of the Fugitives:
[Page [192], 195, sig. O2]
But never did one see
so comical an Army march forth
to War. The Men, of any fashion,
wou'd not concern themselves,
though it were almost the common
Cause; for such Revoltings
are very ill Examples, and have
very fatal Consequences oftentimes
in many Colonies: But
they had a Respect for Cæsar,
and all hands were against the
Parhamites, as they call'd those
of Parham Plantation; because
they did not, in the first place,
love the Lord Governor; and
secondly, they wou'd have it,
that Cæsar was Ill us'd, and
Baffl'd with; and 'tis not impossible
but some of the best in
the Country was of his Council
in this Flight, and depriving us
of all the Slaves; so that they
[Page [193], 196]
of the better sort wou'd not
meddle in the matter. The Deputy
Governor, of whom I have
had no great occasion to speak,
and who was the most Fawning
fair-tongu'd Fellow in the
World, and one that pretended
the most Friendship to Cæsar,
was now the only violent Man
against him; and though he had
nothing, and so need fear nothing,
yet talk'd and look'd bigger
than any Man: He was
a Fellow, whose Character is
not fit to be mention'd with
the worst of the Slaves. This
Fellow wou'd lead his Army
forth to meet Cæsar, or rather
to persue him; most of
their Arms were of those sort of
cruel Whips they call Cat with
Nine Tayls; some had rusty
[Page [194], 197, sig. O3]
useless Guns for show; others
old Basket-hilts, whose Blades
had never seen the Light in this
Age; and others had long Staffs,
and Clubs. Mr. Trefry went a
long, rather to be a Mediator
than a Conqueror, in such a
Batail; for he foresaw, and
knew, if by fighting they put
the Negroes into dispair, they
were a sort of sullen Fellows,
that wou'd drown, or kill themselves,
before they wou'd yield;
and he advis'd that fair means
was best: But Byam was one
that abounded in his own Wit,
and wou'd take his own Measures.
It was not hard to find these
Fugitives; for as they fled they
were forc'd to fire and cut the
Woods before 'em, so that Night
[Page [195], 198]
or Day they persu'd 'em by the
light they made, and by the
path they had clear'd: But as
soon as Cæsar found he was persu'd,
he put himself in a Posture
of Defence, placing all the Women
and Children in the Reer;
and himself, with Tuscan by his
side, or next to him, all promising
to Dye or Conquer. Incourag'd
thus, they never stood
to Parley, but fell on Pell-mell
upon the English, and kill'd
some, and wounded a good many;
they having recourse to
their Whips, as the best of their
Weapons: And as they observ'd
no Order, they perplex'd the
Enemy so sorely, with Lashing
'em in the Eyes; and the Women
and Children, seeing their
Husbands so treated, being of
[Page [196], 199, sig. O4]
fearful Cowardly Dispositions,
and hearing the English cry out,
Yield and Live, Yield and be Pardon'd;
they all run in amongst
their Husbands and Fathers, and
hung about 'em, crying out,
Yield, yield; and leave Cæsar to
their Revenge; that by degrees
the Slaves abandon'd Cæsar, and
left him only Tuscan and his
Heroick Imoinda; who, grown
big as she was, did nevertheless
press near her Lord, having a
Bow, and a Quiver full of poyson'd
Arrows, which she manag'd
with such dexterity, that
she wounded several, and shot
the Governor into the Shoulder;
of which Wound he had like to
have Dy'd, but that an Indian
Woman, his Mistress, suck'd the
Wound, and cleans'd it from
[Page [197], 200]
the Venom: But however, he
stir'd not from the Place till he
had Parly'd with Cæsar, who
he found was resolv'd to dye
Fighting, and wou'd not be Taken;
no more wou'd Tuscan, or
Imoinda. But he, more thirsting
after Revenge of another sort,
than that of depriving him of
Life, now made use of all his
Art of talking, and dissembling;
and besought Cæsar to yield himself
upon Terms, which he himself
should propose, and should
be Sacredly assented to and kept
by him: He told him, It was
not that he any longer fear'd
him, or cou'd believe the force
of Two Men, and a young Heroin,
cou'd overcome all them,
with all the Slaves now on their
side also; but it was the vast Esteem
[Page [198], 201]
he had for his Person; the
desire he had to serve so Gallant
a Man; and to hinder himself
from the Reproach hereafter,
of having been the occasion of
the Death of a Prince, whose
Valour and Magnanimity deserv'd
the Empire of the World.
He protested to him, he look'd
upon this Action, as Gallant and
Brave; however tending to the
prejudice of his Lord and Master,
who wou'd by it have lost so
considerable a number of Slaves;
that this Flight of his shou'd be
look'd on as a heat of Youth,
and rashness of a too forward
Courage, and an unconsider'd
impatience of Liberty, and no
more; and that he labour'd in
vain to accomplish that which
they wou'd effectually perform,
[Page [199], 202]
as soon as any Ship arriv'd that
wou'd touch on his Coast. So
that if you will be pleas'd, continued
he, to surrender your self,
all imaginable Respect shall be paid
you; and your Self, your Wife,
and Child, if it be here born, shall
depart free out of our Land. But
Cæsar wou'd hear of no Composition;
though Byam urg'd,
If he persu'd, and went on in
his Design, he wou'd inevitably
Perish, either by great Snakes,
wild Beasts, or Hunger; and he
ought to have regard to his
Wife, whose Condition required
ease, and not the fatigues of tedious
Travel; where she cou'd
not be secur'd from being devoured.
But Cæsar told him,
there was no Faith in the White
Men, or the Gods they Ador'd;
[Page [200], 203]
who instructed 'em in Principles
so false, that honest Men cou'd
not live amongst 'em; though
no People profess'd so much,
none perform'd so little; that
he knew what he had to do,
when he dealt with Men of
Honour; but with them a Man
ought to be eternally on his
Guard, and never to Eat and
Drink with Christians without his
Weapon of Defence in his Hand;
and, for his own Security, never
to credit one Word they spoke.
As for the rashness and inconsiderateness
of his Action he wou'd
confess the Governor is in the
right; and that he was asham'd
of what he had done, in endeavoring
to make those Free, who
were by Nature Slaves, poor
wretched Rogues, fit to be us'd as
[Page [201], 204]
Christians Tools; Dogs, treacherous
and cowardly, fit for such
Masters; and they wanted only
but to be whipt into the knowledge
of the Christian Gods to be
the vilest of all creeping things;
to learn to Worship such Deities
as had not Power to make 'em
Just, Brave, or Honest. In fine,
after a thousand things of this
Nature, not fit here to be recited,
he told Byam, he had rather
Dye than Live upon the
same Earth with such Dogs. But
Trefry and Byam pleaded and
protested together so much, that
Trefry believing the Governor to
mean what he said; and speaking
very cordially himself, generously
put himself into Cæsar's
Hands, and took him aside, and
perswaded him, even with Tears,
[Page [202], 205]
to Live, by Surrendring himself,
and to name his Conditions.
Cæsar was overcome by
his Wit and Reasons, and in
consideration of Imoinda; and
demanding what he desir'd, and
that it shou'd be ratify'd by their
Hands in Writing, because he
had perceiv'd that was the common
way of contract between
Man and Man, amongst the
Whites: All this was perform'd,
and Tuscan's Pardon was put in,
and they Surrender to the Governor,
who walked peaceably
down into the Plantation with
'em, after giving order to bury
their dead. Cæsar was very
much toyl'd with the bustle of
the Day; for he had fought like
a Fury, and what Mischief was
done he and Tuscan perform'd
[Page [203], 206]
alone; and gave their Enemies
a fatal Proof that they durst do
any thing, and fear'd no mortal
Force.
But they were no sooner arriv'd
at the Place, where all the
Slaves receive their Punishments
of Whipping, but they laid
Hands on Cæsar and Tuscan,
faint with heat and toyl; and,
surprising them, Bound them
to two several Stakes, and Whipt
them in a most deplorable and
inhumane Manner, rending the
very Flesh from their Bones;
especially Cæsar, who was not
perceiv'd to make any Mone, or
to alter his Face, only to roul
his Eyes on the Faithless Governor,
and those he believ'd Guilty,
with Fierceness and Indignation;
and, to compleat his Rage, he
[Page [204], 207]
saw every one of those Slaves,
who, but a few Days before,
Ador'd him as something more
than Mortal, now had a Whip
to give him some Lashes, while
he strove not to break his Fetters;
though if he had, it were
impossible: But he pronounced
a Woe and Revenge from his
Eyes, that darted Fire, that 'twas
at once both Awful and Terrible
to behold.
When they thought they were
sufficiently Reveng'd on him,
they unty'd him, almost Fainting,
with loss of Blood, from
a thousand Wounds all over his
Body; from which they had
rent his Cloaths, and led him
Bleeding and Naked as he was;
and loaded him all over with
Irons; and then rubbed his
[Page [205], 208]
Wounds, to compleat their Cruelty,
with Indian Pepper, which
had like to have made him raving
Mad; and, in this Condition,
made him so fast to the
Ground that he cou'd not stir,
if his Pains and Wounds wou'd
have given him leave. They
spar'd Imoinda, and did not let
her see this Barbarity committed
towards her Lord, but carry'd
her down to Parham, and shut
her up; which was not in kindness
to her, but for fear she
shou'd Dye with the Sight, or
Miscarry; and then they shou'd
loose a young Slave, and perhaps
the Mother.
You must know, that when
the News was brought on Monday
Morning, that Cæsar had
betaken himself to the Woods,
[Page [206], 209, sig. P]
and carry'd with him all the
Negroes. We were possess'd with
extream Fear, which no perswasions
cou'd Dissipate, that he
wou'd secure himself till Night;
and then, that he wou'd come
down and Cut all our Throats.
This apprehension made all the
Females of us fly down the River,
to be secur'd; and while
we were away, they acted this
Cruelty: For I suppose I had
Authority and Interest enough
there, had I suspected any such
thing, to have prevented it;
but we had not gon many
Leagues, but the News overtook
us that Cæsar was taken,
and Whipt like a common Slave.
We met on the River with
Colonel Martin, a Man of
great Gallantry, Wit, and
[Page [207], 210]
Goodness, and whom I have
celebrated in a Character of
my New Comedy, by his own
Name, in memory of so brave
a Man: He was Wise and Eloquent;
and, from the fineness
of his Parts, bore a great Sway
over the Hearts of all the Colony:
He was a Friend to Cæsar,
and resented this false Dealing
with him very much. We carried
him back to Parham, thinking
to have made an Accomodation;
when we came, the First
News we heard was, that the
Governor was Dead of a Wound
Imoinda had given him; but it
was not so well: But it seems
he wou'd have the Pleasure of
beholding the Revenge he took
on Cæsar; and before the cruel
Ceremony was finish'd, he drop'd
[Page [208], 211, sig. P2]
down; and then they perceiv'd
the Wound he had on his Shoulder,
was by a venom'd Arrow;
which, as I said, his Indian Mistress
heal'd, by Sucking the
Wound.
We were no sooner Arriv'd,
but we went up to the Plantation
to see Cæsar, whom we
found in a very Miserable and
Unexpressable Condition; and
I have a Thousand times admired
how he liv'd, in so much
tormenting Pain. We said all
things to him, that Trouble,
Pitty, and Good Nature cou'd
suggest; Protesting our Innocency
of the Fact, and our Abhorance
of such Cruelties. Making
a Thousand Professions of
Services to him, and Begging as
many Pardons for the Offenders,
[Page [209], 212]
till we said so much, that
he believ'd we had no Hand in
his ill Treatment; but told us,
he cou'd never Pardon Byam;
as for Trefry, he confess'd he
saw his Grief and Sorrow, for
his Suffering, which he cou'd
not hinder, but was like to have
been beaten down by the very
Slaves, for Speaking in his Defence:
But for Byam, who was
their Leader, their Head;---
and shou'd, by his Justice, and
Honor, have been an Example
to 'em.---For him, he wish'd
to Live, to take a dire Revenge
of him, and said, It had been
well for him, if he had Sacrific'd
me, instead of giving me the contemptable
Whip. He refus'd to
Talk much, but Begging us to
give him our Hands; he took
[Page [210], 213, sig. P3]
'em, and Protested never to lift
up his, to do us any Harm.
He had a great Respect for Colonel
Martin, and always took
his Counsel, like that of a Parent;
and assur'd him, he wou'd
obey him in any thing, but his
Revenge on Byam. Therefore,
said he, for his own Safety, let him
speedily dispatch me; for if I
cou'd dispatch my self, I wou'd
not, till that Justice were done to
my injur'd Person, and the contempt
of a Souldier: No, I wou'd
not kill my self, even after a Whiping,
but will be content to live
with that Infamy, and be pointed
at by every grining Slave, till I
have compleated my Revenge; and
then you shall see that Oroonoko
scorns to live with the Indignity
that was put on Cæsar. All we
[Page [211], 214]
cou'd do cou'd get no more
Words from him; and we took
care to have him put immediately
into a healing Bath, to
rid him of his Pepper; and order'd
a Chirurgeon to anoint
him with healing Balm, which
he suffer'd, and in some time
he began to be able to Walk and
Eat; we fail'd not to visit him
every Day, and, to that end, had
him brought to an apartment
at Parham.
The Governor was no sooner
recover'd, and had heard of the
menaces of Cæsar, but he call'd
his Council; who (not to disgrace
them, or Burlesque the
Government there) consisted of
such notorious Villains as Newgate
never transported; and possibly
originally were such, who
[Page [212], 215, sig. P4]
understood neither the Laws of
God or Man; and had no sort
of Principles to make 'em worthy
the Name of Men: But, at
the very Council Table, wou'd
Contradict and Fight with one
another; and Swear so bloodily
that 'twas terrible to hear, and
see 'em. (Some of 'em were
afterwards Hang'd, when the
Dutch took possession of the place;
others sent off in Chains:) But
calling these special Rulers of
the Nation together, and requiring
their Counsel in this
weighty Affair, they all concluded,
that (Damn 'em) it might
be their own Cases; and that
Cæsar ought to be made an Example
to all the Negroes, to
fright 'em from daring to threaten
their Betters, their Lords
[Page [213], 216]
and Masters; and, at this rate,
no Man was safe from his own
Slaves; and concluded, nemine
contradicente that Cæsar shou'd
be Hang'd.
Trefry then thought it time to
use his Authority; and told Byam
his Command did not extend to
his Lord's Plantation; and that
Parham was as much exempt
from the Law as White-hall; and
that they ought no more to
touch the Servants of the Lord---
(who there represented the King's
Person) than they cou'd those
about the King himself; and
that Parham was a Sanctuary;
and though his Lord were absent
in Person, his Power was
still in Being there; which he
had intrusted with him, as far
as the Dominions of his particular
[Page [214], 217]
Plantations reach'd, and all
that belong'd to it; the rest of
the Country, as Byam was Lieutenant
to his Lord, he might exercise
his Tyranny upon. Trefry
had others as powerful, or more,
that int'rested themselves in Cæsar's
Life, and absolutely said,
He shou'd be Defended. So turning
the Governor, and his wife
Council, out of Doors, (for
they sate at Parham-house) they
set a Guard upon our Landing
Place, and wou'd admit none
but those we call'd Friends to us
and Cæsar.
The Governor having remain'd
wounded at Parham, till his recovery
was compleated, Cæsar
did not know but he was still
there; and indeed, for the most
part, his time was spent there;
[Page [215], 218]
for he was one that lov'd to Live
at other Peoples Expence; and
if he were a Day absent, he was
Ten present there; and us'd to
Play, and Walk, and Hunt, and
Fish, with Cæsar. So that Cæsar
did not at all doubt, if he once
recover'd Strength, but he shou'd
find an opportunity of being Reveng'd
on him: Though, after
such a Revenge, he cou'd not
hope to Live; for if he escap'd
the Fury of the English Mobile,
who perhaps wou'd have been
glad of the occasion to have
kill'd him, he was resolv'd not
to survive his Whiping; yet
he had, some tender Hours, a
repenting Softness, which he
called his fits of Coward;
wherein he struggl'd with Love
for the Victory of his Heart,
[Page [216], 219]
which took part with his charming
Imoinda there; but, for
the most part, his time was past
in melancholy Thought, and
black Designs; he consider'd, if
he shou'd do this Deed, and Dye,
either in the Attempt, or after
it, he left his lovely Imoinda a
Prey, or at best a Slave, to the
inrag'd Multitude; his great
Heart cou'd not indure that
Thought. Perhaps, said he, she
may be first Ravished by every
Brute; exposed first to their nasty
Lusts, and then a shameful Death.
No; he could not Live a Moment
under that Apprehension,
too insupportable to be born.
These were his Thoughts, and
his silent Arguments with his
Heart, as he told us afterwards;
so that now resolving not only
[Page [217], 220]
to kill Byam, but all those he
thought had inrag'd him; pleasing
his great Heart with the
fancy'd Slaughter he shou'd make
over the whole Face of the Plantation.
He first resolv'd on a
Deed, that (however Horrid it
at first appear'd to us all) when
we had heard his Reasons, we
thought it Brave and Just: Being
able to Walk, and, as he
believ'd, fit for the Execution of
his great Design, he beg'd Trefry
to trust him into the Air, believing
a Walk wou'd do him
good; which was granted him,
and taking Imoinda with him, as
he us'd to do in his more happy
and calmer Days, he led her up
into a Wood, where, after (with
a thousand Sighs, and long Gazing
silently on her Face, while
[Page [218], 221]
Tears gust, in spight of him,
from his Eyes) he told her his
Design first of Killing her, and
then his Enemies, and next himself,
and the impossibility of
Escaping, and therefore he told
her the necessity of Dying; he
found the Heroick Wife faster
pleading for Death than he was
to propose it, when she found
his fix'd Resolution; and, on her
Knees, besought him, not to
leave her a Prey to his Enemies.
He (griev'd to Death) yet pleased
at her noble Resolution, took
her up, and imbracing her, with
all the Passion and Languishment
of a dying Lover, drew his Knife
to kill this Treasure of his Soul,
this Pleasure of his Eyes; while
Tears trickl'd down his Cheeks,
hers were Smiling with Joy she
[Page [219], 222]
shou'd dye by so noble a Hand,
and be sent in her own Country,
(for that's their Notion of the
next World) by him she so tenderly
Lov'd, and so truly Ador'd
in this; for Wives have a respect
for their Husbands equal to what
any other People pay a Deity;
and when a Man finds any occasion
to quit his Wife, if he love
her, she dyes by his Hand; if
not, he sells her, or suffers some
other to kill her. It being thus,
you may believe the Deed was
soon resolv'd on; and 'tis not
to be doubted, but the Parting,
the eternal Leave taking of Two
such Lovers, so greatly Born,
so Sensible, so Beautiful, so
Young, and so Fond, must be
very Moving, as the Relation of
it was to me afterwards.
[Page [220], 223]
All that Love cou'd say in
such cases, being ended; and
all the intermitting Irresolutions
being adjusted, the Lovely,
Young, and Ador'd Victim lays
her self down, before the Sacrificer;
while he, with a Hand
resolv'd, and a Heart breaking
within, gave the Fatal Stroke;
first, cutting her Throat, and
then severing her, yet Smiling,
Face from that Delicate Body,
pregnant as it was with Fruits
of tend'rest Love. As soon as he
had done, he laid the Body decently
on Leaves and Flowers;
of which he made a Bed, and
conceal'd it under the same cover-lid
of Nature; only her Face
he left yet bare to look on: But
when he found she was Dead,
and past all Retrieve, never more
[Page [221], 224]
to bless him with her Eyes, and
soft Language; his Grief swell'd
up to Rage; he Tore, he Rav'd
he Roar'd, like some Monster of
the Wood, calling on the lov'd
Name of Imoinda; a thousand
times he turn'd the Fatal Knife
that did the Deed, toward his own
Heart, with a Resolution to go
immediately after her; but dire
Revenge, which now was a thousand
times more fierce in his
Soul than before, prevents him;
and he wou'd cry out, No; since
I have sacrificed Imoinda to my
Revenge, shall I loose that Glory
which I have purchas'd so dear, as
at the Price of the fairest, dearest,
softest Creature that ever Nature
made? No, no! Then, at her
Name, Grief wou'd get the ascendant
of Rage, and he wou'd
[Page [222], 225, sig. Q]
lye down by her side, and water
her Face with showers of
Tears, which never were wont
to fall from those Eves: And
however bent he was on his intended
Slaughter, he had not
power to stir from the Sight of
this dear Object, now more Belov'd,
and more Ador'd than
ever.
He remain'd in this deploring
Condition for two Days, and never
rose from the Ground where
he had made his sad Sacrifice; at
last, rousing from her side, and
accusing himself with living too
long, now Imoinda was dead; and
that the Deaths of those barbarous
Enemies were deferr'd too
long, he resolv'd now to finish
the great Work; but offering to
rise, he found his Strength so decay'd,
[Page [223], 226]
that he reel'd to and fro,
like Boughs assail'd by contrary
Winds; so that he was forced to
lye down again, and try to summons
all his Courage to his Aid;
he found his Brains turn round,
and his Eyes were dizzy; and Objects
appear'd not the same to
him they were wont to do; his
Breath was short; and all his
Limbs surprised with a Faintness
he had never felt before: He had
not Eat in two Days, which was
one occasion of this Feebleness,
but excess of Grief was the greatest;
yet still he hop'd he shou'd
recover Vigour to act his Design;
and lay expecting it yet six Days
longer; still mourning over the
dead Idol of his Heart, and striving
every Day to rise, but
cou'd not.
[Page [224], 227, sig. Q2]
In all this time you may believe
we were in no little affliction
for Cæsar, and his Wife; some
were of Opinion he was escap'd
never to return; others thought
some Accident had hap'ned to
him: But however, we fail'd not
to send out an hundred People
several ways to search for him;
a Party, of about forty, went
that way he took; among whom
was Tuscan, who was perfectly
reconcil'd to Byam; they had not
gon very far into the Wood; but
they smelt an unusual Smell, as
of a dead Body; for Stinks must
be very noisom that can be distinguish'd
among such a quantity
of Natural Sweets, as every
Inch of that Land produces. So
that they concluded they shou'd
find him dead, or somebody that
[Page [225], 228]
was so; they past on towards it,
as Loathsom as it was, and made
such a rusling among the Leaves
that lye thick on the Ground, by
continual Falling, that Cæsar
heard he was approach'd; and
though he had, during the space
of these eight Days, endeavor'd
to rise, but found he wanted
Strength, yet looking up, and
seeing his Pursuers, he rose, and
reel'd to a Neighbouring Tree,
against which he fix'd his Back;
and being within a dozen Yards
of those that advanc'd, and saw
him; he call'd out to them, and
bid them approach no nearer, if
they wou'd be safe: So that they
stood still, and hardly believing
their Eyes, that wou'd perswade
them that it was Cæsar that spoke
to 'em, so much was he alter'd;
[Page [226], 229, sig. Q3]
they ask'd him, What he had
done with his Wife? for they
smelt a Stink that almost struck
them dead. He, pointing to the
dead Body, sighing, cry'd, Behold
her there; they put off the Flowers
that cover'd her with their
Sticks, and found she was kill'd;
and cry'd out, Oh Monster! that
hast murther'd thy Wife: Then
asking him, Why he did so cruel
a Deed? He replied, he had no
leasure to answer impertinent
Questions; You may go back, continued
he, and tell the Faithless
Governor, he may thank Fortune
that I am breathing my last; and
that my Arm is too feeble to obey
my Heart, in what it had design'd
him: But his Tongue faultering,
and trembling, he cou'd scarce
end what he was saying. The
[Page [227], 230]
English taking Advantage by his
Weakness, cry'd, Let us take him
alive by all means: He heard 'em;
and, as if he had reviv'd from a
Fainting, or a Dream, he cry'd
out, No, Gentlemen, you are deceiv'd;
you will find no more Cæsars
to be Whipt; no more find a
Faith in me: Feeble as you think
me, I have Strength yet left to secure
me from a second Indignity.
They swore all a-new, and he only
shook his Head, and beheld
them with Scorn; then they cry'd
out, Who will venture on this single
Man? Will no body? They stood
all silent while Cæsar replied, Fatal
will be the Attempt to the first
Adventurer; let him assure himself,
and, at that Word, held up his
Knife in a menacing Posture,
Look ye, ye faithless Crew, said he,
[Page [228], 231, sig. Q4]
'tis not Life I seek, nor am I afraid
of Dying; and, at that Word, cut
a piece of Flesh from his own
Throat, and threw it at 'em, yet
still I wou'd Live if I cou'd, till I
had perfected my Revenge. But oh!
it cannot be; I feel Life gliding
from my Eyes and Heart; and, if
I make not haste, I shall yet fall a
Victim to the shameful Whip. At
that, he rip'd up his own Belly;
and took his Bowels and pull'd
'em out, with what Strength he
cou'd; while some, on their Knees
imploring, besought him to hold
his Hand. But when they saw him
tottering, they cry'd out, Will
none venture on him? A bold English
cry'd, Yes, if he were the Devil;
(taking Courage when he
saw him almost Dead) and swearing
a horrid Oath for his farewell
[Page [229], 232]
to the World; he rush'd on
Cæsar, with his Arm'd Hand met
him so fairly, as stuck him to the
Heart, and he fell Dead at his
Feet. Tuscan seeing that, cry'd out,
I love thee, oh Cæsar; and therefore
will not let thee Dye, if possible:
And, running to him, took him
in his Arms; but, at the same
time, warding a Blow that Cæsar
made at his Bosom, he receiv'd
it quite through his Arm; and
Cæsar having not the Strength to
pluck the Knife forth, though
he attempted it, Tuscan neither
pull'd it out himself, nor suffer'd
it to be pull'd out; but came
down with it sticking in his Arm;
and the reason he gave for it
was, because the Air shou'd not
get into the Wound: They put
their Hands a-cross, and carried
[Page [230], 233]
Cæsar between Six of 'em, fainted
as he was; and they thought
Dead, or just Dying; and they
brought him to Parham, and laid
him on a Couch, and had the
Chirurgeon immediately to him,
who drest his Wounds, and sow'd
up his Belly, and us'd means to
bring him to Life, which they
effected. We ran all to see him;
and, if before we thought him
so beautiful a Sight, he was now
so alter'd, that his Face was like
a Death's Head black'd over;
nothing but Teeth, and Eye-holes:
For some Days we suffer'd
no body to speak to him,
but caused Cordials to be poured
down his Throat, which sustained
his Life; and in six or
seven Days he recover'd his Senses:
For, you must know, that
[Page [231], 234]
Wounds are almost to a Miracle
cur'd in the Indies; unless Wounds
in the Legs, which rarely ever
cure.
When he was well enough to
speak, we talk'd to him; and
ask'd him some Questions about
his Wife, and the Reasons why he
kill'd her; and he then told us
what I have related of that Resolution,
and of his Parting; and
he besought us, we would let
him Dye, and was extreamly Afflicted
to think it was possible he
might Live; he assur'd us, if we
did not Dispatch him, he wou'd
prove very Fatal to a great many.
We said all we cou'd to
make him Live, and gave him
new Assurances; but he begg'd
we wou'd not think so poorly of
him, or of his love to Imoinda, to
[Page [232], 235]
imagine we cou'd Flatter him to
Life again; but the Chirurgeon
assur'd him, he cou'd not Live,
and therefore he need not Fear.
We were all (but Cæsar) afflicted
at this News; and the Sight was
gashly; his Discourse was sad;
and the earthly Smell about him
so strong, that I was perswaded
to leave the Place for some time;
(being my self but Sickly, and
very apt to fall into Fits of dangerous
Illness upon any extraordinary
Melancholy) the Servants,
and Trefry, and the Chirurgeons,
promis'd all to take
what possible care they cou'd of
the Life of Cæsar; and I, taking
Boat, went with other Company
to Colonel Martin's, about three
Days Journy down the River;
but I was no sooner gon, but the
[Page [233], 236]
Governor taking Trefry, about
some pretended earnest Business,
a Days Journy up the River;
having communicated his Design
to one Banister, a wild Irish
Man, and one of the Council;
a Fellow of absolute Barbarity,
and fit to execute any Villany,
but was Rich. He came up to
Parham, and forcibly took Cæsar,
and had him carried to the same
Post where he was Whip'd; and
causing him to be ty'd to it, and
a great Fire made before him,
he told him, he shou'd Dye like
a Dog, as he was. Cæsar replied,
this was the first piece of Bravery
that ever Banister did; and he
never spoke Sence till he pronounc'd
that Word; and, if he
wou'd keep it, he wou'd declare,
in the other World, that he was
[Page [234], 237]
the only Man, of all the Whites,
that ever he heard speak Truth.
And turning to the Men that
bound him, he said, My Friends,
am I to Dye, or to be Whip'd? And
they cry'd, Whip'd! no; you shall
not escape so well: And then he
replied, smiling, A Blessing on
thee; and assur'd them, they need
not tye him, for he wou'd stand
fixt, like a Rock; and indure
Death so as shou'd encourage
them to Dye. But if you Whip
me, said he, be sure you tye me
fast.
He had learn'd to take Tobaco;
and when he was assur'd
he should Dye, he desir'd they
would give him a Pipe in his
Mouth, ready Lighted, which
they did; and the Executioner
came, and first cut off his Members,
[Page [235], 238]
and threw them into the
Fire; after that, with an ill-favoured
Knife, they cut his Ears,
and his Nose, and burn'd them;
he still Smoak'd on, as if nothing
had touch'd him; then they
hack'd off one of his Arms, and
still he bore up, and held his
Pipe; but at the cutting off the
other Arm, his Head sunk, and
his Pipe drop'd; and he gave up
the Ghost, without a Groan, or
a Reproach. My Mother and
Sister were by him all the while,
but not suffer'd to save him;
so rude and wild were the Rabble,
and so inhumane were the Justices,
who stood by to see the Execution,
who after paid dearly
enough for their Insolence. They
cut Cæsar in Quarters, and sent
them to several of the chief
[Page [236], 239]
Plantations: One Quarter was
sent to Colonel Martin, who
refus'd it; and swore, he had
rather see the Quarters of Banister,
and the Governor himself,
than those of Cæsar, on his Plantations;
and that he cou'd govern
his Negroes without Terrifying
and Grieving them with
frightful Spectacles of a mangl'd
King.
Thus Dy'd this Great Man;
worthy of a better Fate, and a
more sublime Wit than mine to
write his Praise; yet, I hope, the
Reputation of my Pen is considerable
enough to make his Glorious
Name to survive to all
Ages; with that of the Brave,
the Beautiful, and the Constant
Imoinda.
FINIS.
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