Think it convenient to let me know

Your story, I dare promise you to bear
A part in your distress, if not assist you.

Oro. Thou honest-hearted man! I wanted such,
Just such a friend as thou art, that would sit
Still as the night, and let me talk whole days
Of my Imoinda. Oh, I'll tell thee all

From first to last! and, pray, observe me well.
Blan. I will, most heedfully.

Oro. There was a stranger in my father's court,
Valu'd and honour'd much. He was a white,
The first I ever saw of your complexion.
He chang'd his god for ours, and so grew great,
Of many virtues, and so fam'd in arms,
He still commanded all my father's wars.
I was bred under him. One fatal day,
The armies joining, he before me stepp'd,
Receiving in his breast a poison'd dart
Levell'd at me. He dy'd within my arms.

I've tir'd you already.

Blan. Pray, go on.

Oro. He left an only daughter, whom he brought

An infant to Angola. When I came

Back to the court, a happy conqueror,

Humanity oblig'd me to condole

With this sad virgin, for a father's loss ;

Lost for my safety. I presented her

With all the slaves of battle, to atone

Her father's ghost. But, when I saw her face,

And heard her speak, I offered up myself
To be the sacrifice. She bow'd and blush'd,

I wonder'd and ador'd. The sacred pow'r
That had subdu'd me, then inspir'd my tongue,
Inclin'd her heart, and all our talk was love.
Blan. Then you were happy.

Oro. Oh, I was too happy!

I marry'd her: and, though my country's custom
Indulg'd the privilege of many wives,

I swore myself never to know but her.
She grew with child, and I grew happier still.
Oh, my Imoinda! but it could not last.

Her fatal beauty reach'd my father's ears:
He sent for her to court, where, cursed court!
No woman comes but for his amorous use.
He raging to possess her, she was forc'd
To own herself my wife. The furious king
Started at incest; 'but grown desperate,
Not daring to enjoy what he desir'd,

In mad revenge, (which I could never learn)
He poison'd her, or sent her far, far off,
Far from my hopes ever to see her more.

Blan. Most barbarous of fathers! The sad tale

Has struck me dumb with wonder.

Oro. I have done.

I'll trouble you no farther.

Now and then

A sigh will have its way; that shall be all.

Enter STANMORE..

Stan. Blandford, the lieutenant-governor is gone to

your plantation. He royal slave with you.

desires you would bring the The sight of his fair mistress,

he says, is an entertainment for a prince. He would have his opinion of her.

Oro. Is he a lover?

Blan. So he says himself: he flatters a beautiful slave that I have, and calls her mistress.

Oro. Must he then flatter her to call her mistress? I pity the proud man, who thinks himself

Above being in love.

She may deserve him.

What, tho' she be a slave,

Blan. You shall judge of that when you see her,

Sir.

Oro. I go with you.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II.

A Plantation. Lieutenant Governor following IMOINDA.
Gov. I have disturb'd you. I confess my faults,
My fair Clemene; "but begin again,

"And I will listen to your mournful song,
"Sweet as the soft, complaining nightingale's;
"While every note calls out my trembling soul,
"And leaves me silent, as the midnight groves,
"Only to shelter you." Sing, sing again,

And let me wonder at the many ways

You have to ravish me.

Imo. Oh, I can weep

Enough for you and me, if that will please you.

Gov. You must not weep: I come to dry your

tears,

And raise you from your sorrow.

Look upon me:

"Look with the eyes of kind indulging love,

"That I may have full cause for what I say:" I came to offer you your liberty,

And be myself the slave. You turn away;

But every thing becomes you.

[Following her.

I may take

This pretty hand: I know your modesty

Would draw it back; but you would take it ill
If I should let it go; I know ye would.

You shall be gently forc'd to please yourself:

That you will thank me for.

[She ftruggles and gets her hand from him, then he offers to

kiss her.

Nay, if you struggle with me, I must take

Imo. You may my life, that I can part with freely.

[Exit.

Enter BLANDFORD, STANMORE, and OROONOKO.

Blan. So, Governor, we don't disturb you, I

hope.

Your mistress has left you. You were making love: She's thankful for the honour, I suppose.

Gov. Quite insensible to all I say and do. When I speak to her, she sighs, or weeps; But never answers me as I would have her.

Stan. There's something nearer than her slavery that touches her.

Blan. What do her fellow slaves say of her? Can't they find the cause.

Gov. Some of them, who pretend to be wiser than the rest, and hate her, I suppose, for being used better than they are, will needs have it that she is with child.

Blan. Poor wretch! if it be so, I pity her. She has lost a husband, that, perhaps, was dear To her; and then you cannot blame her.

Oro. If it be so, indeed you cannot blame her.

Gov. No, no, it is not so. If it be so, I must still love her; and, desiring still, I must enjoy her.

[Sighing.

Blan. Try what you can do with fair means, and welcome.

Gov. I'll give you ten slaves for her.

Blan. You know she is our lord governor's; but, if I could dispose of her, I would not now, especially

to you.

Gov. Why not to me?

Blan. I mean against her will. You are in love

with her;

And we all know what your desires would have.
Love stops at nothing but possession.

"Were she within your pow'r, you do not know
"How soon you would be tempted to forget
"The nature of the deed, and, may be, act
"A violence you after would repent.”

Oro. 'Tis godlike in you to protect the weak.