 | Oroonoko |  |
SCENE the Governour's House.
Enter Governour.
Gov.
I wou'd not have her tell me, she consents:
In Favour of the Sexes Modesty,
That still shou'd be presum'd, because there is
A greater Impudence in owning it,
Than in allowing all that we can do.
This Truth I know, and yet against my self,
(So unaccountable are Lovers ways)
I talk, and lose the Opportunities,
Which Love, and she expects I shou'd employ:
Ev'n she expects: for when a Man has said
All that is fit, to save the Decency,
The Women know the rest is to be done.
I wonnot disappoint her.
[Going
Enter to him Blanford, the Stanmores, Daniel, Mrs. Lackit, Charlot, and Lucy.
Wid.
O Governour! I'm glad we have lit upon you.
Gov.
Why! what's the Matter?
Char.
Nay, nothing extraordinary. But one good Action
Draws on another. You have given the Prince his Fredom:
Now we come a begging for his Wife:
You won't refuse us.
Gov.
Refuse you. No, no, what have I to do to refuse you?
Wid.
You won't refuse to send her to him, she means.
Gov.
I send her to him!
Wid.
We have promis'd him to bring her.
Gov.
You do very well; 'tis Kindly done of you:
Ev'n carry her to him, with all my Heart.
Luc.
You must tell us where she is.
Gov.
I tell you! why, don't you know?
Blan.
Your Servants say she's in the House.
Gov.
Char.
Gov.
Blan.
I'le have an Eye on him.
[Aside.
[Exeunt all but the Governour.
Gov.
I have ly'd my self into a little Time;
And must employ it: they'll be here agen;
But I must be before 'em.
[Going out, he meets Imoinda, and seises her.
Are you come!
I'le court no longer for a Happiness
That is in mine own keeping: you may still
Refuse to grant, so I have Power to take.
The Man that asks deserves to be deny'd.
[She disengages one hand, and draws his Sword from his side upon him, Governour starts and retires, Blanford enters behind him.
Imo.
He does indeed, that asks unworthily.
Blan.
You hear her, Sir, that asks unworthily.
Gov.
You are no Judge.
Blan.
I am of my own Slave.
Gov.
Begone, and leave us.
Blan.
When you let her go.
Gov.
To fasten upon you.
Blan.
I must defend my self.
Imo.
Help, Murder, help.
[Imoinda retreats towards the door, favour'd by Blanford, when they are clos'd, she throws down the Sword, and runs out. Governour takes up the Smord, they fight, close, and fall, Blanford upon him. Servants enter, and part 'em.
Gov.
She shannot scape me so. I've gone too far,
Not to go farther. Curse on my delay:
But yet she is, and shall be in my Power.
Blan.
Nay then it is the War of Honesty:
I know you, and will save you from your self.
Gov.
All come along with me.
[Exeunt.
Enter Governour.
Gov.
I wou'd not have her tell me, she consents:
In Favour of the Sexes Modesty,
That still shou'd be presum'd, because there is
A greater Impudence in owning it,
Than in allowing all that we can do.
This Truth I know, and yet against my self,
(So unaccountable are Lovers ways)
I talk, and lose the Opportunities,
Which Love, and she expects I shou'd employ:
Ev'n she expects: for when a Man has said
All that is fit, to save the Decency,
73
I wonnot disappoint her.
[Going
Enter to him Blanford, the Stanmores, Daniel, Mrs. Lackit, Charlot, and Lucy.
Wid.
O Governour! I'm glad we have lit upon you.
Gov.
Why! what's the Matter?
Char.
Nay, nothing extraordinary. But one good Action
Draws on another. You have given the Prince his Fredom:
Now we come a begging for his Wife:
You won't refuse us.
Gov.
Refuse you. No, no, what have I to do to refuse you?
Wid.
You won't refuse to send her to him, she means.
Gov.
I send her to him!
Wid.
We have promis'd him to bring her.
Gov.
You do very well; 'tis Kindly done of you:
Ev'n carry her to him, with all my Heart.
Luc.
You must tell us where she is.
Gov.
I tell you! why, don't you know?
Blan.
Your Servants say she's in the House.
Gov.
No, no, I brought her home at first indeed; but I
thought it wou'd not look well to keep her here: I remov'd her
in the Hurry, only to take care of her. What! she belongs to
you: I have nothing to do with her.
Char.
But where is she now, Sir?
Gov.
Why, Faith, I can't say certainly: you'll hear of her at
Parham House, I suppose: there, or thereabouts: I think I sent
her there.
Blan.
I'le have an Eye on him.
[Aside.
[Exeunt all but the Governour.
Gov.
I have ly'd my self into a little Time;
And must employ it: they'll be here agen;
But I must be before 'em.
[Going out, he meets Imoinda, and seises her.
Are you come!
I'le court no longer for a Happiness
That is in mine own keeping: you may still
74
The Man that asks deserves to be deny'd.
[She disengages one hand, and draws his Sword from his side upon him, Governour starts and retires, Blanford enters behind him.
Imo.
He does indeed, that asks unworthily.
Blan.
You hear her, Sir, that asks unworthily.
Gov.
You are no Judge.
Blan.
I am of my own Slave.
Gov.
Begone, and leave us.
Blan.
When you let her go.
Gov.
To fasten upon you.
Blan.
I must defend my self.
Imo.
Help, Murder, help.
[Imoinda retreats towards the door, favour'd by Blanford, when they are clos'd, she throws down the Sword, and runs out. Governour takes up the Smord, they fight, close, and fall, Blanford upon him. Servants enter, and part 'em.
Gov.
She shannot scape me so. I've gone too far,
Not to go farther. Curse on my delay:
But yet she is, and shall be in my Power.
Blan.
Nay then it is the War of Honesty:
I know you, and will save you from your self.
Gov.
All come along with me.
[Exeunt.
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