call him out of his name: his name is Daniel, you know. Dan. She may call me hermaphrodite, if she will; for I hardly know whether I'm a boy or girl. "Well. A boy, I warrant thee, as long as thou << livest. "Dan. Let her call me what she pleases, mother; " 'tis not her tongue that I'm afraid of. "Luc. I will make such a beast of thee, such a "" cuckold! "Wid. Oh, pray, no, I hope! Do nothing rashly, "Mrs. Lucy. "Luc. Such a cuckold I will make of thee "Dan. I had rather be a cuckold, than what you "would make of me in a week, I'm sure. I have "no more manhood left in me already, than there is, "saving the mark, in one of my mother's old under"petticoats here. "Wid. Sirrah, sirrah, meddle with your wife's "petticoats, and let your mother's alone, you ungra"cious bird you. [Beats him. "Dan. Why, is the devil in the woman? What "have I said now? Do you know, if you were ask❜d, "I trow? But you are all of a bundle; e'en hang to"gether; he that unties you, makes a rod for his "own tail; and so he will find it that has any thing "to do with you. "Wid. Ay, rogue enough, you shall find it: I ❝ have a rod for your tail still. "Dan. No wife, and I care not." Wid. I'll swinge you into better manners, you boo. [Beats him off, and exit. Well. You have consummated our project upon him. by. Luc. Nay, if I have a limb of the fortune, I care not who has the whole body of the fool. Well. That you shall, and a large one, I promise you. Luc. Have you heard the news? They talk of an English ship in the river. Well. I have heard on't, and am preparing to receive it as fast as I can. Luc. There's something the matter too with the slaves, some disturbance or other; I don't know what it is. Well. So much the better still. We fish in troubled waters. We shall have fewer eyes upon us. Pray, go you home, and be ready to assist me in your part of the design. Luc. I can't fail in mine. [Exit. Well. The widow has furnished me, I thank her, to carry it on. Now I have got a wife, 'tis high time to think of getting a husband. I carry my fortune about me; a thousand pounds in gold and jewels. Let me see 'twill be a considerable trust; and I think I shall lay it out to advantage. Enter STANMORE. Stan. So, Welldon, Jack has told me his success, and his hopes of marrying the widow by your means. Well. I have strained a point, Stanmore, upon your account, to be serviceable to your family. Stan. I take it upon my account, and am very much obliged to you. But here we are all in an uproar. Well. So they say. What's the matter? Stan. A mutiny among the slaves. Oroonoko is at the head of them. Our governor is gone out, with his rascally militia, against them. What it may come to, nobody knows. Well. For my part, I shall do as well as the rest : but I'm concerned for my sister and cousin, whom I expect in the ship from England. Stan. There is no danger of them. Well. I have a thousand pounds here, in gold and jewels, for my cousin's use, that I would more particularly take care of. 'Tis too great a sum to venture at home; and I would not have her wronged of it: therefore, to secure it, I think my best way will be to put it into your own keeping. Stan. You have a very good opinion of my honesty. [Takes the purse and casket. Well. I have, indeed. If any thing should happen to me in this bustle, as nobody is secure of accidents, I know you will take my cousin into your protection and care "Stan. You may be sure on't. "Well. If you hear she is dead, as she may be, then "I desire you to accept of the thousand pounds as a "legacy, and token of my friendship-My sister is "provided for. "Stan. Why, you amaze me! but you are never "the nearer dying, I hope, for making your will ? "Well. Not a jot; but I love to be beforehand "with fortune. If she comes safe, this is not a place "for a single woman, you know."-Pray, see her married as soon as you can. Stan. If she be as handsome as her picture, I can promise her a husband. Well. If you like her when you see her, I wish nothing so much, as to have you marry her yourself. "Stan. From what I have heard of her, and my engagements to you, it must be her fault if I don't. "I hope to have her from your own hand. "Well. And I hope to give her to you, and all this. "Stan. Ay, ay; hang these melancholy reflections "Your generosity has engaged all my services." Well. I always thought you worth making a friend. Stan. You shan't find your good opinion thrown away upon me. I am in your debt, and shall think so as long as I live. [Exeunt. SCENE II. The Country. Enter on one side of the stage OROONOKO, ABOAN, with the slaves. IMOINDA with a bow and quiver. The women, some leading, others carrying their children upon their backs. Oro. The women, with their children, fall behind. Imoinda, you must not expose yourself. Retire, my love; I almost fear for you. Imo. I fear no danger: life, or death, I will Enjoy with you. Oro. My person is your guard. Abo. "Now, Sir, blame yourself;" if you had not prevented my cutting his throat, that coward there had not discovered us. He comes now to upbraid you. Enter on the other side the Governor, talking to HOTMAN, with his rabble. Gov. This is the very thing I would have wish'd. Your honest service to the government [To Hot. Shall be rewarded with your liberty. Abo. His honest service! call it what it is, His villany, the service of his fear. If he pretends to honest services, Let him stand out, and meet me like a man. [Advancing. Oro. Hold you; and you who come against us, hold; I charge you in a general good to all : |