The man that asks deserves to be deny'd. [She disengages one hand, and draws his sword from his side upon him; Governor starts and retires; Blandford enters behind him. Imo. He does indeed, that asks unworthily. Blan. You hear her, Sir, that asks unworthily. Blan. I am of my own slave. Gov. Begone, and leave us. Blan. When you let her go. Gov. To fasten upon you, [Imoinda retreats towards the door, favoured by Blandford; when they are closed, she throws down the sword, and runs out. Governor takes up his sword, they fight, close, and fall, Blandford upon him. Servants enter, and part 'em. Gov She sha'not 'scape me so, I've gone too far, Not to go farther. Curse on my delay : But yet she is, and shall be in my power. Blan. Nay, then it is the war of honesty; I know you, and will save you from yourself. Enter OROONOKO. [Exeunt. Oro. To honour bound, and yet a slave to love! I am distracted by their rival powers, And both will be obeyed. O great revenge! Thou raiser and restorer of fall'n fame! Let me not be unworthy of thy aid, For stopping in thy course: I still am thine; She calls me from my wrongs to rescue her. A woman's power, or try'd the force of love : "All tempers yield and soften in those fires : "Our honours, interests resolving down, "Run in the gentle current of our joys; "But not to sink, and drown our memory; "We mount again to action, like the sun, "That rises from the bosom of the sea, "To run his glorious race of light anew, "And carry on the world." Love, love will be My first ambition, and my fame the next. Enter ABOAN bloody. My eyes are turn'd against me, and combine Abo. I have no name That can distinguish me from the vile earth, Abo. Spare my shame To tell how they have us'd me; but believe The hangman's hand would have been merciful. Do not you scorn me, Sir, to think I can Bending and sinking, I have dragg'd my steps 'Tis done; and, now, I beg to be discharg’d. Abe. My body tires, And wo'not bear me off to liberty; I shall again be taken, made a slave. Oro. Here he is, [Gives him a dagger. The only present I can make thee now. In the next world, your faithful slave again. Of all your royal favours; but this last Strikes through my heart. I wo'not say farewell, For you must follow me. Oro. In life and death The guardian of my honour! Follow thee! A guilt, a crime sufficient to the fate [Dies. My friend has found it out, and my wife will soon : [Going out, she meets him, running into his arms. Thou art disorder'd, pale, and out of breath! What is it thou wouldst tell me? Imo. 'Tis in vain to call him villain. Oro. Call him Governor is it not so? Imo. There's not another, sure. Oro. Villain's the common name of mankind here; But his most properly. What! what of him? I fear to to be resov'd, and must enquire. He had thee in his power. Imo. I blush to think it. Oro. Blush! to think what? Imo. That I was in his power. Imo. What can't such men do? Imo. What he cou'd, he dar❜d. Oro. His own gods damn him then; for ours have none, No punishment for such unheard of crime. Imo. This monster, cunning in his flatteries, Oro. I fear and tremble now. What could preserve thee? What deliver thee? Imo. That worthy man, you us'd to call your friend. Oro. Blandford? Imo. Came in, and sav'd me from his rage. Oro. He was a friend indeed, to rescue thee! And for his sake, I'll think it possible A Christian may be yet an honest man. Imo. Oh, did you know what I have struggled through, To save me yours, sure you would promise me Never to see me forc'd from you again. Oro. To promise thee! Oh, do I need to promise? |