 | Oroonoko |  |
ACT I.
SCENE I.
Enter Welldon following Lucia.Luc.
What will this come to? What can it
end in? You have persuaded me to leave
dear England, and dearer London, the
place of the World most worth living in,
to follow you a Husband-hunting into America: I thought
Husbands grew in these Plantations.
Well.
Why so they do, as thick as Oranges, ripening one
under another. Week after week they drop into some Woman's
mouth: 'Tis but a little patience, spreading your
Apron in expectation, and one of 'em will fall into your Lap
at last.
Luc.
Ay, so you say indeed.
Well.
But you have left dear London, you say: Pray what
have you left in London that was very dear to you, that had
not left you before?
Luc.
Speak for your self, Sister.
Well.
Nay, I'll keep you in countenance. The Young
Fellows, you know, the dearest part of the Town, and
without whom London had been a Wilderness to you and
me, had forsaken us a great while.
Luc.
Forsaken us! I don't know that they ever had us.
Well.
Forsaken us the worst way, Child; that is, did not
think us worth having; they neglected us, no longer design'd
upon us, they were tir'd of us. Women in London are like
they wear out.—
Luc.
The Devil take the Fashion, I say.
Well.
You may tumble 'em over and over at their first
coming up, and never disparage their Price; but they fall
upon wearing immediately, lower and lower in their value,
till they come to the Broker at last.
Luc.
Ay, ay, that's the Merchant they deal with. The
Men would have us at their own scandalous Rates: Their
Plenty makes 'em wanton; and in a little time, I suppose,
they won't know what they would have of the Women
themselves.
Well.
O, yes, they know what they wou'd have. They
wou'd have a Woman give the Town a Pattern of her
Person and Beauty, and not stay in it so long to have
the whole Piece worn out. They wou'd have the Good
Face only discover'd, and not the Folly that commonly goes
along with it. They say there is a vast Stock of Beauty in
the Nation, but a great part of it lies in unprofitable hands;
therefore for the good of the Publick, they wou'd have a
Draught made once a Quarter, lend the decaying Beauties
for Breeders into the Countrey, to make room for New
Faces to appear, to countenance the Pleasures of the
Town.
Luc.
'Tis very hard, the Men must be young as long as
they live, and poor Women be thought decaying and unfit
for the Town at One or Two and twenty. I'm sure we were
not Seven Years in London.
Well.
Not half the time taken notice of, Sister. The
Two or Three last Years we could make nothing of it, even
in a Vizard-Masque; not in a Vizard-Masque, that has cheated
many a man into an old acquaintance. Our Faces began
to be as familiar to the Men of Intrigue, as their Duns, and
as much avoided. We durst not appear in Publick Places,
and were almost grudg'd a Gallery in the Churches: Even
there they had their Jests upon us, and cry'd, She's in the right
on't, good Gentlewoman, since no man considers her Body,
she does very well indeed to take care of her Soul.
Such unmannerly fellows there will always be.
Well.
Then, you may remember, we were reduc'd to the
last necessity, the necessity of making silly Visits to our civil
Acquaintance, to bring us into tolerable Company. Nay,
the young Inns of Court Beaus, of but one Term's standing
in the Fashion, who knew no body, but as they were shewn
'em by the Orange-Women, had Nicknames for us: How
often have they laugh'd out, There goes my Landlady; Is
not she come to let Lodgings yet?
Luc.
Young Coxcombs that knew no better.
Well.
And that we must have come to. For your part,
what Trade cou'd you set up in? You wou'd never arrive at
the Trust and Credit of a Guinea-Bawd: You wou'd
have too much Business of your own, ever to mind other
Peoples.
Luc.
That is true indeed.
Well.
Then, as a certain sign that there was nothing
more to be hop'd for, the Maids at the Chocolate-Houses
found us out, and laugh'd at us: Our Billet-doux lay
there neglected for Waste-Paper: We were cry'd down
so low we cou'd not pass upon the City; and became so
notorious in our galloping way, from one end of the
Town to t'other, that at last we cou'd hardly compass
a competent change of Petticoats to disguize us to the
Hackney-Coachmen: And then it was near walking a-foot
indeed.
Luc.
Nay, that I began to be afraid of.
Well.
To prevent which, with what Youth and Beauty
was left, some Experience, and the small Remainder of
Fifteen hundred Pounds apiece, which amounted to bare Two
hundred between us both, I persuaded you to bring your
Person for a Venture to the Indies. Every thing has succeeded
in our Voyage: I pass for your Brother: One of the Richest
Planters here happening to dye just as we landed, I have
claim'd Kindred with him: So, without making his Will,
he has left us the Credit of his Relation to trade upon: We
pass for his Cousins, coming here to Surinam chiefly upon his
Invitation: We live in Reputation; have the best Acquaintance
you.
Luc.
I must rely upon you—
Enter Widow Lackitt.
Wid.
Mr Welldon, your Servant. Your Servant, Mrs. Lucy.
I am an Ill Visitor, but 'tis not too late, I hope, to bid you
welcome to this side of the world.
[Salutes Lucy.
Well.
Gad so, I beg your Pardon, Widow, I shou'd have
done the Civilities of my House before: but, as you say, 'tis
not too late, I hope.—
[Going to kiss her.
Wid.
What! You think now this was a civil way of begging
a Kiss; and by my Troth, if it were, I see no harm in't;
'tis a pitiful Favour indeed that is not worth asking for: Tho
I have known a Woman speak plainer before now, and not
understood neither.
Well.
Not under my Roof. Have at you, Widow.—
Wid.
Why, that's well said, spoke like a Younger Brother,
that deserves to have a Widow.—
[He kisses her.
You're a Younger Brother, I know, by your kissing.
Well.
How so, pray?
Wid.
Why, you kiss as if you expected to be paid for't.
You have Birdlime upon your Lips. You stick so close,
there's no getting rid of you.
Well.
I am a-kin to a Younger Brother.
Wid.
So much the better: We Widows are commonly the
better for Younger Brothers.
Luc.
Better, or worse, most of you. But you won't be
much better for him, I can tell you.—
[aside.
Well.
I was a Younger Brother; but an Uncle of my Mother's
has maliciously left me an Estate, and, I'm afraid,
spoil'd my Fortune.
Wid.
No, no; an Estate will never spoil your Fortune.
I have a good Estate my self, thank Heaven, and a kind Husband
that left it behind him.
Well.
Thank Heaven, that took him away from it, Widow,
and left you behind him.
Nay, Heav'ns Will must be done; he's in a better
place.
Well.
A better place for you, no doubt on't: Now you
may look about you; chuse for your self, Mrs. Lackitt, that's
your business; for I know you design to marry again.
Wid.
O dear! Not I, I protest and swear; I don't design
it: But I won't swear neither; one does not know what may
happen to tempt one.
Well.
Why, a lusty young Fellow may happen to tempt
you.
Wid.
Nay, I'll do nothing rashly: I'll resolve against nothing.
The Devil they say, is very busy upon these occasions;
especially with the Widows. But if I am to be tempted,
it must be with a Young Man, I promise you—Mrs. Lucy,
Your Brother is a very pleasant Gentleman: I came
about Business to him, but he turns every thing into Merriment.
Well.
Business, Mrs. Lackitt. Then, I know, you wou'd
have me to your self. Pray leave us together, Sister.
[Exit Luc.
What am I drawing upon my self here?
[aside.
Wid.
You have taken a very pretty House here; every thing
so neat about you already. I hear you are laying out for a
Plantation.
Well.
Why, yes truly, I like the Countrey, and wou'd
buy a Plantation, if I cou'd, reasonably.
Wid.
O! by all means, reasonably.
Well.
If I cou'd have one to my mind, I wou'd think of
settling among you.
Wid.
O! you can't do better. Indeed we can't pretend
to have so good company for you, as you had in England;
but we shall make very much of you. For my own part,
I assure you, I shall think my self very happy to be more particularly
known to you.
Well.
Dear Mrs. Lackitt, you do me too much Honour.
Wid.
Then as to a Plantation, Mr. Welldon, you know I
have several to dispose of. Mr. Lackitt, I thank him, has
left me, though I say it, the Richest Widow upon the
place; therefore I may afford to use you better than other
terms.
Well.
That's a fair Offer indeed.
Wid.
You shall find me as easy as any body you can have
to do with, I assure you. Pray try me, I wou'd have you
try me, Mr. Welldon. Well, I like that Name of yours exceedingly,
Mr. Welldon.
Well.
My Name!
Wid.
O exceedingly! If any thing cou'd persuade me to
alter my own Name, I verily believe nothing in the world
wou'd do it so soon, as to be call'd Mrs. Welldon.
Well.
Why, indeed Welldon does sound something better
than Lackitt.
Wid.
O! a great deal better. Not that there is so much
in a Name neither. But I don't know, there is something:
I shou'd like mightily to be call'd Mrs. Welldon.
Well.
I'm glad you like my Name.
Wid.
Of all things. But then there's the misfortune;
one can't change ones Name, without changing ones Condition.
Well.
You'l hardly think it worth that, I believe.
Wid.
Think it worth what, Sir? Changing my Condition?
Indeed, Sir, I think it worth every thing. But, alas!
Mr. Welldon, I have been a Widow but Six Months; 'tis too
soon to think of changing ones Condition yet; indeed it is:
Pray don't desire it of me: Not but that you may persuade
me to any thing, sooner than any Person in the world.—
Well.
Who, I, Mrs. Lackitt?
Wid.
Indeed you may, Mr. Welldon, sooner than any man
living. Lord, there's a great deal in saving a Decency: I
never minded it before: Well, I'm glad you spoke first to
excuse my Modesty. But what, Modesty means nothing,
and is the Virtue of a Girl, that does not know what she
would be at: A Widow should be wiser. Now I will own
to you; but I won't confess neither; I have had a great
Respect for you a great while: I beg your Pardon, Sir, and
I must declare to you, indeed I must, if you desire to dispose
of all I have in the world, in an Honourable Way, which
Fortune and Person, if you won't understand me without
telling you so, are both at your service. Gad so! another
time—
Stanmore enters to 'em.
Stan.
So, Mrs. Lackitt, your Widowhood is waneing
apace. I see which way 'tis going. Welldon, you're a happy
man. The Women and their Favours come home
to you.
Wid.
A fiddle of favour, Mr. Stanmore: I am a lone Woman,
you know it, left in a great deal of Business; and Business
must be followed or lost. I have several Stocks and
Plantations upon my hands, and other things to dispose of,
which Mr. Welldon may have occasion for.
Well.
We were just upon the brink of a Bargain, as you
came in.
Stan.
Let me drive it on for you.
Well.
So you must, I believe, you or somebody for me.
Stan.
I'll stand by you: I understand more of this business,
than you can pretend to.
Well.
I don't pretend to't; 'tis quite out of my way indeed.
Stan.
If the Widow gets you to her self, she will certainly
be too hard for you: I know her of old: She has no Conscience
in a Corner; a very Jew in a bargain, and would circumcise
you to get more of you.
Well.
Is this true, Widow?
Wid.
Speak as you find, Mr. Welldon: I have offer'd you
very fair: Think upon't, and let me hear of you: The sooner
the better, Mr. Welldon.—
[Exit.
Stan.
I assure you, my Friend, she'll cheat you if she can.
Well.
I don't know that; but I can cheat her, if I will.
Stan.
Cheat her? How?
Well.
I can marry her; and then I'm sure I have it in my
power to chear her.
Stan.
Can you marry her?
Yes, faith, so she says: Her pretty Person and Fortune
(which, one with the other, you know, are not contemptible)
are both at my service.
Stan.
Contemptible! very considerable, I'gad; very desirable:
Why, she's worth Ten thousand Pounds, man; a
clear Estate: No charge upon't, but a boobily Son: He indeed
was to have half; but his Father begot him, and she
breeds him up, not to know or have more than she has a
mind to: And she has a mind to something else, it seems.
Well.
There's a great deal to be made of this.—
[musing.
Stan.
A handsome Fortune may be made on't; and I advise
you to't, by all means.
Well.
To marry her! an old, wanton Witch! I hate her.
Stan.
No matter for that: Let her go to the Devil for you.
She'll cheat her Son of a good Estate for you: That's a Perquisite
of a Widow's Portion always.
Well.
I have a design, and will follow her at least, till I
have a Pen'worth of the Plantation.
Stan.
I speak as a friend, when I advise you to marry her.
For 'tis directly against the Interest of my own Family.
My Cousin Jack has belabour'd her a good while that way.
Well.
What! Honest Jack! Ill not hinder him. I'll give
over the thoughts of her.
Stan.
He'll make nothing on't; she does not care for him.
I'm glad you have her in your power.
Well.
I may be able to serve him.
Stan.
Here's a Ship come into the River; I was in hopes
it had been from England.
Well.
From England!
Stan.
No, I was disappointed; I long to see this handsome
Cousin of yours: The Picture you gave me of her has
charm'd me.
Well.
You'll see whether it has flatter'd her or no, in a little
time. If she recover'd of that Illness that was the reason
of her staying behind us, I know she will 'come with the
first opportunity. We shall see her, or hear of her death.
Stan.
We'll hope the best. The Ships from England are
expected every day.
What Ship is this?
Stan.
A Rover, a Buccaneer, a Trader in Slaves: That's
the Commodity we deal in, you know. If you have a curiosity
to see our manner of marketting, I'll wait upon you.
Well.
We'll take my Sister with us.—
[Exeunt.
SCENE II.
An Open Place.Enter Lieutenant-Governor and Blandford.
Gov.
There's no resisting your Fortune, Blandford; you
draw all the Prizes.
Blan.
I draw for our Lord Governor, you know; his Fortune
favours me.
Gov.
I grudge him nothing this time; but if Fortune had
favour'd me in the last Sale, the Fair Slave had been mine;
Clemene had been mine.
Blan.
Are you still in love with her?
Gov.
Every day more in love with her.
Enter Capt. Driver, teaz'd and pull'd about by Widow Lackitt and several Planters. Enter at another door Welldon, Lucia, Stanmore.
Wid.
Here have I six Slaves in my Lot, and not a Man
among 'em; all Women and Children; what can I do with
'em, Captain? Pray consider, I am a Woman my self, and
can't get my own Slaves, as some of my Neighbours do.
1 Plan.
I have all Men in mine: Pray, Captain, let the
Men and Women be mingled together, for Procreation-sake,
and the good of the Plantation.
2 Plan.
Ay, ay, a Man and a Woman, Captain, for the
good of the Plantation.
Capt.
Let 'em mingle together and be damn'd, what care I?
Would you have me pimp for the good of the Plantation?
1 Plan.
I am a constant Customer, Captain.
I am always Ready Money to you, Captain.
1 Plan.
For that matter, Mistress, my Money is as ready as yours.
Wid.
Pray hear me, Captain.
Capt.
Look you, I have done my part by you; I have
brought the number of Slaves you bargain'd for; if your
Lots have not pleas'd you, you must draw again among your
selves.
3 Plan.
I am contented with my Lot.
4 Plan.
I am very well satisfied.
3 Plan.
We'll have no drawing again.
Capt.
Do you hear, Mistress? You may hold your tongue:
For my part, I expect my Money.
Wid.
Captain, No body questions or scruples the Payment.
But I won't hold my tongue; 'tis too much to pray and pay
too: One may speak for ones own, I hope.
Capt.
Well, what wou'd you say?
Wid.
I say no more than I can make out.
Capt.
Out with it then.
Wid.
I say, things have not been so fair carry'd as they
might have been. How do I know how you have juggled
together in my absence? You drew the Lots before I came,
I'm sure.
Capt.
That's your own fault, Mistress; you might have
come sooner.
Wid.
Then here's a Prince, as they say, among the Slaves,
and you set him down to go as a common Man.
Capt.
Have you a mind to try what a Man he is? You'll
find him no more than a common Man at your business.
Wid.
Sir, You're a scurvy Fellow to talk at this rate to me.
If my Husband were alive, Gadsbodykins, you wou'd not
use me so.
Capt.
Right, Mistress, I would not use you at all.
Wid.
Not use me! Your Betters every Inch of you, I
wou'd have you to know, wou'd be glad to use me, Sirrah.
Marry come up here, who are you, I trow? You begin to
think your self a Captain, forsooth, because we call you so.
You forget your self as fast as you can; but I remember
Upstart to Prosperity; one that is but just come acquainted
with Cleanliness, and that never saw Five Shillings of your
own, without deserving to be hang'd for 'em.
Gov.
She has giv'n you a Broadside, Captain; You'll stand
up to her.
Capt.
Hang her, Stink-pot, I'll come no near.
Wid.
By this good light, it wou'd make a Woman do a
thing she never design'd; Marry again, tho she were sure to
repent it, to be reveng'd of such a—
J. Stan.
What's the matter, Mrs. Lackitt? Can I serve you?
Wid.
No, no, you can't serve me: You are for serving
your self, I'm sure. Pray go about your business, I have
none for you: You know I have told you so. Lord! how
can you be so troublesome? nay, so unconscionable, to think
that every Rich Widow must throw her self away upon a
Young Fellow that has nothing?
Stan.
Jack, You are answer'd, I suppose.
J. Stan.
I'll have another pluck at her.
Wid.
Mr. Welldon, I am a little out of order; but pray
bring your Sister to dine with me. Gad's my life, I'm out
of all patience with that pitiful Fellow: My flesh rises at
him: I can't stay in the place where he is.—
[Exit.
Blan.
Captain, You have us'd the Widow very familiarly.
Capt.
This is my way; I have no design, and therefore
am not over civil. If she had ever a handsome Daughter to
wheedle her out of: Or if I cou'd make any thing of her
Booby Son.
Well.
I may improve that hint, and make something of him.
[aside.
Gov.
She's very Rich.
Capt.
I'm rich my self. She has nothing that I want: I
have no Leaks to stop. Old Women are Fortune-Menders.
I have made a good Voyage, and wou'd reap the fruits
of my labour. We plow the deep, my Masters, but our
Harvest is on shore. I'm for a Young Woman.
Look about, Captain, there's one ripe, and ready
for the Sickle.
Capt.
A Woman indeed! I will be acquainced with her:
Who is she?
Well.
My Sister, Sir.
Capt.
Wou'd I were a-kin to her: If she were my Sister,
she shou'd never go out of the Family. What say you, Mistress?
You expect I should marry you, I suppose.
Luc.
I shan't be disappointed, if you don't.
[turning away.
Well.
She won't break her heart, Sir.
Capt.
But I mean—
[following her.
Well.
And I mean—
[Going between him and Lucia.
That you must not think of her without marrying.
Capt.
I mean so too.
Well.
Why then your meaning's out.
Capt.
You're very short.
Well.
I will grow, and be taller for you.
Capt.
I shall grow angry, and swear.
Well.
You'll catch no fish then.
Capt.
I don't well know whether he designs to affront me,
or no.
Stan.
No, no, he's a little familiar; 'tis his way.
Cap.
Say you so? Nay, I can be as familiar as he, if that be it.
Well, Sir, look upon me full: What say you? How do you
like me for a Brother-in-law?
Well.
Why, yes, faith, you'll do my business,
[turning him about.
If we can agree about my Sister's.
Capt.
I don't know whether your Sister will like me, or
not: I can't say much to her: But I have Money enough:
And if you are her Brother, as you seem to be a-kin to her,
I know that will recommend me to you.
Well.
This is your Market for Slaves; my Sister is a Free
Woman, and must not be dispos'd of in publick. You shall
be welcome to my House, if you please: And, upon better
acquaintance, if my Sister likes you, and I like your Offers,—
Capt.
Very well, Sir, I'll come and see her.
Gov.
Where are the Slaves, Captain? They are long
coming.
And who is this Prince that's fallen to my Lot, for
the Lord Governor? Let me know something of him, that I
may treat him accordingly; who is he?
Capt.
He's the Devil of a Fellow, I can tell you; a Prince
every Inch of him: You have paid dear enough for him, for
all the good he'll do you: I was forc'd to clap him in Irons,
and did not think the Ship safe neither. You are in hostility
with the Indians, they say; they threaten you daily: You
had best have an eye upon him.
Blan.
But who is he?
Gov.
And how do you know him to be a Prince?
Capt.
He is Son and Heir to the great King of Angola, a
mischievous Monarch in those parts, who, by his good will,
wou'd never let any of his Neighbours be in quiet. This
Son was his General, a plaguy fighting Fellow: I have formerly
had dealings with him for Slaves, which he took Prisoners,
and have got pretty roundly by him: But the Wars
being at an end, and nothing more to be got by the Trade of
that Countrey, I made bold to bring the Prince along
with me.
Gov.
How could you do that?
Blan.
What! steal a Prince out of his own Countrey?
Impossible!
Capt.
'Twas hard indeed; but I did it. You must know,
this Oroonoko—
Blan.
Is that his Name?
Capt.
Ay, Oroonoko.
Gov.
Oroonoko.
Capt.
Is naturally inquisitive about the Men and Manners
of the White Nations. Because I could give him some account
of the other Parts of the World, I grew very much into
his favour: In return of so great an Honour, you know I
cou'd do no less upon my coming away, than invite him on
board me: Never having been in a Ship, he appointed his
time, and I prepared my Entertainment: He came the next
Evening as privately as he cou'd, with about some Twenty
along with him. The Punch went round; and as many of
his Attendants as wou'd be dangerous, I sent dead drunk
Oroonoko.
1 Plan.
Gad-a-mercy, Captain, there you were with him,
I'faith.
2 Plan.
Such men as you are fit to be employ'd in Publick
Affairs: The Plantation will thrive by you.
3 Plan.
Industry shou'd be encourag'd.
Capt.
There's nothing done without it, Boys. I have made
my Fortune this way.
Blan.
Unheard-of Villany!
Stan.
Barbarous Treachery!
Blan.
They applaud him for't.
Gov.
But, Captain, methinks you have taken a great deal
of pains for this Prince Oroonoko; why did you part with
him at the common rate of Slaves?
Capt.
Why, Lieutenant-Governor, I'll tell you; I did
design to carry him to England, to have show'd him there;
but I found him troublesome upon my hands, and I'm glad
I'm rid of him.—Oh, ho, here they come.
Black Slaves, Men, Women, and Children, pass across the Stage by two and two; Aboan, and others of Oroonoko's Attendants two and two; Oroonoko last of all in Chains.
Luc.
Are all these Wretches Slaves?
Stan.
All sold, they and their Posterity all Slaves.
Luc.
O miserable Fortune!
Blan.
Most of 'em know no better; they were born so,
and only change their Masters. But a Prince, born only to
Command, betray'd and sold! My heart drops blood for
him.
Capt.
Now, Governor, here he comes, pray observe him.
Oro.
So, Sir, You have kept your Word with me.
Capt.
I am a better Christian, I thank you, than to keep it
with a Heathen.
Oro.
You are a Christian, be a Christian still:
If you have any God that teaches you
To break your Word, I need not curse you more:
You faithful Followers of my better Fortune!
We have been Fellow-Soldiers in the Field;
[Embracing his Friends.
Now we are Fellow-Slaves. This last farewell.
Be sure of one thing that will comfort us,
Whatever World we next are thrown upon,
Cannot be worse than this.
[All Slaves go off, but Oroonoko.
Capt.
You see what a Bloody Pagan he is, Governor; but
I took care that none of his Followers should be in the same
Lot with him, for fear they shou'd undertake some desperate
action, to the danger of the Colony.
Oro.
Live still in fear; it is the Villains Curse,
And will revenge my Chains: Fear ev'n me,
Who have no pow'r to hurt thee. Nature abhors,
And drives thee out from the Society
And Commerce of Mankind, for Breach of Faith.
Men live and prosper but in Mutual Trust,
A Confidence of one another's Truth:
That thou hast violated. I have done.
I know my Fortune, and submit to it.
Gov.
Sir, I am sorry for your Fortune, and wou'd help it,
if I cou'd.
Blan.
Take off his Chains. You know your condition;
but you are fall'n into Honourable Hands: You are the Lord
Governor's Slave, who will use you nobly: In his absence it
shall be my care to serve you.
[Blanford applying to him.
Oro.
I hear you, but I can believe no more.
Gov.
Captain, I'm afraid the world won't speak so honourably
of this action of yours, as you wou'd have 'em.
Capt.
I have the Money. Let the world speak and be damn'd,
I care not.
Oro.
I wou'd forget my self. Be satisfied,
[to Blanford.
I am above the rank of common Slaves.
Let that content you. The Christian there, that knows me,
For his own sake will not discover more.
Capt.
I have other matters to mind. You have him, and
much good may do you with your Prince.
[Exit.
Blan.
What wou'd you have there? You stare as if you
never saw a Man before. Stand further off.
[turns 'em away.
Oro.
Let 'em stare on. I am unfortunate, but not asham'd
Of being so: No, let the Guilty blush,
The White Man that betray'd me: Honest Black
Disdains to change its Colour. I am ready:
Where must I go? Dispose me as you please.
I am not well acquainted with my Fortune,
But must learn to know it better: So I know, you say:
Degrees make all things easy.
Blan.
All things shall be easy.
Oro.
Tear off this Pomp, and let me know my self:
The slavish Habit best becomes me now.
Hard Fare, and Whips, and Chains may overpow'r
The frailer flesh, and bow my Body down.
But there's another, Nobler Part of Me,
Out of your reach, which you can never tame.
Blan.
You shall find nothing of this wretchedness
You apprehend. We are not Monsters all.
You seem unwilling to disclose your self:
Therefore for fear the mentioning your Name
Should give you new disquiets, I presume
To call you Cæsar.
Oro.
I am my self; but call me what you please.
Stan.
A very good Name, Cæsar.
Gov.
And very fit for his great Character.
Oro.
Was Cæsar then a Slave?
Gov.
I think he was; to Pirates too: He was a great
Conqueror, but unfortunate in his Friends.—
Oro.
His Friends were Christians?
Blan.
No.
Oro.
No! that's strange.
Gov.
And murder'd by 'em.
Oro.
I wou'd be Cæsar there. Yet I will live.
Blan.
Live to be happier.
Do what you will with me.
Blan.
I'll wait upon you, attend, and serve
you.
[Exit with Oroonoko.
Luc.
Well, if the Captain had brought this Prince's Countrey
along with him, and wou'd make me Queen of it, I
wou'd not have him, after doing so base a thing.
Well.
He's a man to thrive in the world, Sister: He'll
make you the better Jointure.
Luc.
Hang him, nothing can prosper with him.
Stan.
Enquire into the great Estates, and you will find most
of 'em depend upon the same Title of Honesty: The men
who raise 'em first are much of the Captain's Principles.
Well.
Ay, ay, as you say, let him be damn'd for the good
of his Family. Come, Sister, we are invited to dinner.
Gov.
Stanmore, You dine with me.
Exeunt Omnes.
| Oroonoko | |