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. Oh, for a soul of fire,
To warm and animate our common cause,
And make a body of us, then I would

Do something more than curse.

Abo. That body set on foot, you would 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. The time may come to you; be ready for't. Methinks he talks too much; I'll know him more, Before I trust him farther.

Slave. If he dares

Half what he says, he'll be of use to us.

Enter BLANDFORD.

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.

[Aside.

Blan. You are the man I want: pray come with me.

[Excunt.

Enter OROONOKO and IMOINDA.

Oro. I do not blame my father for his love: (Though that had been enough to ruin me)

"'Twas nature's fault that made you, like the sun, "The reasonable worship of mankind :

"He could not help his adoration.

"Age had not lock'd his senses up so close,

"But he had eyes, that open'd to his soul,
"And took your beauties in: he felt your pow'r,
"And therefore I forgive his loving you."
But, when I think on his barbarity,
That could expose you to so many wrongs;
Driving you out to wretched slavery,
Only for being mine; then I confess

I wish I could forget the name of son,
That I might curse the tyrant.

Imo. I will bless him,

For I have found you here: heav'n only knows
What is reserv'd for us: but, if we guess
The future by the past, our fortune must
Be wonderful, above the common size
Of good or ill; it must be in extremes :
Extremely happy, or extremely wretched.
Oro. 'Tis in our power to make it happy now.
Imo. But not to keep it so.

Enter BLANDFORD and ABOAN,

Blan. My royal lord!

I have a present for you.

Oro. Aboan!

Abo. Your lowest slave.

Oro. My try'd and valu'd friend!

This worthy man always prevents my wants:
I only wish'd, and he has brought thee to me.
Thou art surpris'd! Carry thy duty there;

[Aboan goes to Imoinda, and falls at her feet.
While I acknowledge mine. How shall I thank you?
Blan. Believe me honest to your interest,
And I am more than paid. I have secur'd
That all your followers shall be gently us❜d,
Shall wait upon your person, while you stay
Among us.

Oro. I owe ev'ry thing to you.

Blan. You must not think you are in slavery.
Oro. I do not find I am.

Blan. Kind Heav'n has miraculously sent
Those comforts, that may teach you to expect

Its farther care, in your deliverance.

Oro. I sometimes think myself, Heav'n is concern'd For my deliverance.

Blan. It will be soon;

You may expect it. Pray, in the mean time,

Appear as cheerful as you can among us.
You have some enemies, that represent
You dangerous, and would be glad to find
A reason, in your discontent, to fear:

They watch your looks. But there are honest men,
Who are your friends: you are secur'd in them.
Oro. I thank you for your caution.

Blan. I will leave you :

And be assur'd, I wish your liberty.

Abo. He speaks you very fair.

Ore. He means me fair.

Abo. If he should not, my lord?
Oro. If he should not?

I'll not suspect his truth: but, if I did,
What shall I get by doubting?

Abo. You secure

Not to be disappointed: but, besides,
There's this advantage in suspecting him :
When you put off the hopes of other men,
You will rely upon your god-like self;
And then you may be sure of liberty.

Oro. Be sure of liberty! what dost thou mean;
Advising to rely upon myself?

I think I may be sure on't: we must wait :

'Tis worth a little patience.

Abo. Oh, my lord!

Ore. What dost thou drive at ?

Abo. Sir, another time

59

[Exit.

[Turning to Imoinda.

You would have found it sooner: but I see

Love has your heart, and takes up all your thoughts.

Oro. And canst thou blame me?

Abo. Sir, I must not blame you.

But, as our fortune stands, there is a passion
(Your pardon, royal mistress, I must speak)
That would become you better than your love:
A brave resentment; which, inspir'd by you,
Might kindle and diffuse a gen'rous rage

Among the slaves, to rouse and shake our chains,
And struggle to be free.

Oro. How can we help ourselves ?

Abo. I knew you when you would have found a way. How help ourselves! the very Indians teach us : We need but to attempt our liberty,

And we carry it. We have hands sufficient,

Double the number of our masters' force,

Ready to be employ’d.

"What hinders us

"To set 'em at work?" We want but you,

To head our enterprise, and bid us strike.
Oro. What would you do?

Abo. Cut our oppressors' throats.

Orc. And you would have me join in your design of

murder!

Abo. It deserves a better name :

But, be it what it will, 'tis justified
By self defence, and natural liberty.
Oro. I'll hear no more on't.
Abo. I am sorry for't.

Oro. Nor shall you think of it.
Abo. Not think of it!

Oro. No, I command you not.

Abo. Remember, Sir,

You are a slave yourself, and to command
Is now another's right. Not think of it!
Since the first moment they put on my chains,
I've thought on nothing but the weight of 'em,
And how to throw 'em off. Can yours sit easy?
Oro. I have a sense of my condition,