 | Oroonoko |  |
SCENE I.
Enter Aboan with several Slaves and Hotman.Hot.
What! to be Slaves to Cowards! Slaves to
Rogues! who can't defend themselves!
Abo.
Who is this Man? he talks as if he were acquainted
with our Design: Is he one of us?
[Aside to his own Gang.
Slav.
Not yet: But he will be glad to make one, I
believe.
Abo.
I think so too, and may be worth the having.
Hot.
Go, sneak in Corners; whisper out your Griefs,
For fear your Masters hear you: Cringe and crouch
Under the bloody Whip, like beaten Curs,
That lick their Wounds, and know no other Cure.
All, Wretches all! you feel their Cruelty,
As much as I can feel, but dare not groan.
For my Part, while I have a Life and Tongue,
I'll curse the Authors of my Slavery.
Abo.
Have you been long a Slave?
Hot.
Yes, many Years.
Abo.
And do you only curse?
Hot.
Curse! only curse! I cannot conjure,
To raise the Spirits up of other Men:
I am but one. O! for a Soul of Fire,
26
And make a Body of us, then I would
Do something more than curse.
Abo.
That Body set on Foot, would you be one,
A Limb, to lend it Motion.
Hot.
I would be
The Heart of it; the Head, the Hand, and Heart:
Would I could see the Day!
Abo.
You will do all yourself.
Hot.
I would do more
Than I shall speak, but I may find a Time—
Abo.
This Spirit pleases me, and I will trust him.—
[Aside.
The Time may come to you; be ready for it.—
Enter Blandford.
We're interrupted now—we'll meet anon.
Blan.
If there be any one among you here
That did belong to Oroonoko, speak,
I come to him,
Abo.
I did belong to him. Aboan my Name.
Blan.
You are the Man I want; pray come with me.
[Exit all but Hotman.
Hotman
alone.
Yes, 'tis as I suspected—this Aboan
Has form'd some secret Project to revolt;
My well-feign'd zeal has snar'd him, and he'll trust me:
Then welcome Liberty!—not that I mean
To trust his Cunning, or the Chance of Arms;
I have a nearer, safer Way to Freedom:
I'll learn the Plot, and watch it Step by Step,
'Till on the Verge of Execution—then,
Just then, betray it; 'twill enhance the Merit,
And make Reward more ample and more sure.
[Exit.
| Oroonoko | |