University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

The Scene drawn shews the Slaves, Men, Women and Children upon the Ground, some rise and dance, others sing the following Songs.
[They drink.
The Governor, Blandford, Stanmore, and Oroonoko enter as Spectators; and while they are drinking, Captain Driver and several Planters enter with their Swords drawn—a Bell rings.
Capt.
Where are you, Governor? Make what hast you can
To save yourself and the whole Colony.
I bad 'em ring the Bell.

Gov.
What's the Matter?

1st Plan.

The Indians are come down upon us:
They have plunder'd some of the Plantations already,
and are marching this Way as fast as they can.

Gov.

What can we do against 'em?

Blan.

We shall be able to make a Stand, 'till more
Planters come in to us.

2d Plan.

There are a great many more without, if
you would shew yourself, and put us in Order.

Gov.

There's no danger of the white Slaves, they'll
not stir. Blandford, come you along with me: Some
of you stay here to look after the black Slaves.

[All go out but the Captain and six Planters, who all at once seize Oroonoko.
1st Plan.
Ay, ay, let us alone.

Capt.
In the first Place we secure you, Sir,
As an Enemy to the Government.

Oro.
Are you there, Sir? You are my constant Friend.

1st Plan.

You will be able to do a great deal of
Mischief.

Capt.

But we shall prevent you: Bring the Irons
hither. He has the Malice of a Slave in him, and
wou'd be glad to be cutting his Masters Throats. I
know him. Chain his Hands and Feet, that he may
not run over to 'em. If they have him, they shall
carry him on their Backs, that I can tell 'em.

[As they are chaining him, Blandford enters, runs to 'em.
Blan.

What are you doing there?

Capt.

Securing the main Chance: This is a Bosom
Enemy.

Blan.

Away, you Brutes: I'll answer with my Life
for his Behaviour; so tell the Governor.

Capt.

Plan. Well, Sir, so we will.

[Exeunt Captain and Planters.
Oro.

Give me a Sword, and I'll deserve your Trust.

A Party of Indians enter, hurrying Imoinda among the Slaves; another Party of Indians sustain 'em retreating, followed at a Distance by the Governor with the Planters: Blandford, Oroonoko join 'em.
Blan.

Hell and the Devil! they drive away our
Slaves before our Faces. Governor, can you stand
tamely by, and suffer this? Clemene, Sir, your Mistress
is among 'em.

Gov.

We throw ourselves away, in the Attempt to
rescue 'em.

Oro.
A Lover cannot fall more glorious,
Than in the Cause of Love. He, that deserves
His Mistress's Favour, will not stay behind:
I'll lead you on, be bold, and follow me.

[Oroonoko, at the Head of the Planters, falls upon the Indians with a great Shout, and beats 'em off.
Enter Imoinda.
Imo.
I'm tost about by my tempestuous Fate,
And no where must have Rest; Indians, or English!
Whoever has me, I am still a Slave.
No matter whose I am, since I'm no more
My Royal Master's; since I'm his no more.
O I was happy! nay, I will be happy,
In the dear Thought that I am still his Wife,
Tho' far divided from him.

[Draws off to a Corner of the Stage.
After a Shout enter the Governor with Oroonoko, Blandford, Stanmore, and the Planters.
Gov.
Thou glorious Man! thou something greater sure
Than Cæsar ever was! that single Arm
Has sav'd us all: Accept our general Thanks.
[All bow to Oroonoko.
And what we can do more to recompense
Such noble Services, you shall command.
Clemene too shall thank you—she is safe—
Look up, and bless your brave Deliverer.

[Brings Clemene forward, looking down on the Ground.
Oro.
Bless me indeed!

Blan.
You start!

Oro.
O all you Gods!
Who govern this great World, and bring about
Things strange, and unexpected, can it be?

Gov.
What is't you stare at so?

Oro.
Answer me, some of you, you who have Pow'r,
And have your Senses free: Or are you all
Struck thro' with Wonder too?

[Looking still fix'd on her.
Blan.
What would you know?

Oro.
My Soul steals from my Body thro' my Eyes;
All that is left of Life I'll gaze away,
And die upon the Pleasure.

Gov.
This is strange!

Oro.
If you but mock me with her Image here:
If she be not Imoinda—
[She looks upon him, and falls into a Swoon, he runs to her.
Ha! she faints!
Nay, then it must be she; It is Imoinda:
My Heart confesses her, and leaps for Joy,
To welcome her to her own Empire here.
I feel her all, in ev'ry Part of me.
O! let me press her in my eager Arms,
Wake her to Life, and with this kindling Kiss
Give back that Soul, she only lent to me.

[Kisses her.
Oro.
Imoinda! Oh! thy Oroonoko calls.

Imoinda coming to Life.
Imo.
My Oroonoko! Oh! I can't believe
What any Man can say. But, if I am
To be deceiv'd, there's something in that Name,
That Voice, that Face—
[Staring at him.
O! if I know myself, I cannot be mistaken

[Run and embraces Oroonoko.
Oro.
Never here:
You cannot be mistaken: I am yours,
Your Oroonoko, all that you would have,
Your tender loving Husband.

Imo.
All indeed
That I would have: my Husband! then I am
Alive, and waking to the Joys I feel:
They were so great, I could not think 'em true
But I believe all that you say to me:
For Truth itself and everlasting Love
Grows in this Breast, and Pleasure in these Arms.

Oro.
Take, take me all: Enquire into my Heart,
(You know the Way to ev'ry Secret there)
My Heart the sacred Treasury of Love:
And if, in Absence, I have misemploy'd
A Mite from the rich Store: if I have spent
A Wish, a Sigh, but what I sent to you;
May I be curs'd to wish, and sigh in vain,
And you not pity me.

Imo.
O! I believe,
And know you by myself. If these sad Eyes,
Since last we parted, have beheld the Face
Of any Comfort; or once wish'd to see
The Light of any other Heav'n but you.
May I be struck this Moment blind, and lose
Your blessed Sight, never to find you more.

Oro.
Imoinda! O! this Separation
Has made you dearer if it can be so,
Than you were ever to me. You appear
Like a kind Star to my benighted Steps,
To guide me on my Way to Happiness:
I cannot miss it now. Governor, Friend,
You think me mad: But let me bless you all,
Who any Way have been the Instruments
Of finding her again. Imoinda's found!
And every Thing that I would have in her.

[Embracing her in the most passionate Fondness.
Stan.
Where's your Mistress now, Governor?

Gov.
Why, where most Men's Mistresses are forced to be sometimes,
With her Husband, it seems: But I won't lose her so.

[Aside.
Stan.
He has fought lustily for her, and deserves her.
I'll say that for him.

Blan.

Sir, we congratulate your Happiness: I do
most heartily.

[To Oroonoko.
Gov.
And all of us; but how it comes to pass—

Oro.
That will require
More precious Time than I can spare you now.
I have a thousand Things to ask of her,
And she as many more to know of me.
But you have made me happier, I confess,
Acknowledge it, much happier, than I
Have Words, or Pow'r to tell you. Captain, you,
Ev'n you, who most have wrong'd me, I forgive.
I will not say you have betray'd me now:
I'll think you but the Minister of Fate,
To bring me to my lov'd Imoinda here.

Imo,
How, how shall I receive you; how be worthy
Of such Endearments, all this Tenderness?
These are the Transports of Prosperity,
When Fortune smiles upon us.

Oro.
Let the Fools,
Who follow Fortune, live upon her Smiles:
All our Prosperity is plac'd in Love.
We have enough of that to make us happy.
This little Spot of Earth, you stand upon,
Is more to me than the extended Plains
Of my great Father's Kingdom. Here I reign
In full Delights, in Joys to Pow'r unknown;
Your Love my Empire, and your Heart my Throne.

[Exeunt.