They execute on every slight offence; Nay, sometimes in their proud, insulting sport, How worse than dogs they lash their fellow-creatures, Your heart would bleed for 'em. Oh, could you know How many wretches lift their hands and eyes To you for their relief! Oro. I pity 'em, And wish I could with honesty do more. and may, with honesty. Abo. You must do more, Indulg'd in all that can concern my care, In my Imoinda's soft society. [Embracing her. Abo. And therefore would you lie contented down In the forgetfulness, and arms of love, To get young princes for 'em? Oro. Say'st thou! ha! Abo. Princes, the heirs of empire, and the last Of your illustrious lineage, to be born To pamper up their pride, and be their slaves? Oro. Imoinda! save me, save me from that thought. "Imo. There is no safety from it: I have long "Suffer'd it with a mother's labouring pains; "And can no longer. Kill me, kill me now, "While I am bless'd, and happy in your love; "Rather than let me live to see you hate me : "As you must hate me; me, the only cause, "The fountain of these flowing miseries: "Dry up the spring of life, this pois'nous spring, "That swells so fast, to overwhelm us all. "Oro." Shall the dear babe, the eldest of my hopes, Whom I begot a prince, be born a slave? you wait : Abo. In most unworthy uses; think of that; And, while you may, prevent it. “Oh, my lord, "Rely on nothing that they say to you. "They speak you fair, I know, and bid "But think what 'tis to wait on promises, "And promises of men who know no tie "Upon their words, against their interest : "And where's their interest in freeing you? "Imo. Oh, where indeed, to lose so many slaves? “Abo. Nay, grant this man, you think so much (6 your friend, "Be honest, and intends all that he says; "He is but one; and in a government, "Where, he confesses, you have enemies, "That watch your looks; what looks can you put on, "To please these men, who are before resolv'd "To read 'em their own way? Alas, my lord! "If they incline to think you dangerous, "They have their knavish arts to make you so : "And then who knows how far their cruelty "May carry their revenge! "Imo. To every thing "That does belong to you, your friends and me: "Oro. That day shall never come." Abo. I know you are persuaded to believe Such a complexion, and made bold by pow'r, Will know no bounds, no law against his lusts. With a strong hand he shall resolve to seize, Oro. Ha! thou hast rous'd The lion in his den; he stalks abroad, I find the danger now. My spirits start Is there a pow'r on earth to force you from me, Abo. Now, my great master, you appear yourself. The choicest slaves, men who are sensible Oro. Summon 'em, Assemble 'em: I will come forth and shew Abo. I have provided those will follow you. "Abo. You command in all. "We shall expect you, Sir. "Oro. You sha'not long." [Exeunt Oro. and Imo. at one door, Aboan at another. Welldon coming in before Mrs. Lackitt. Wid. These unmannerly Indians were something unreasonable to disturb us just in the nick, Mr. Welldon; but I have the parson within call still, to do us the good turn. Well. We had best stay a little, I think, to see thing's settled again, had not we? Marriage is a serious thing you know. Wid. What do you talk of a serious thing, Mr. Welldon? I think you have found me sufficiently serious: I have married my son to your sister, to pleasure you; and now I come to claim your promise to me, you tell me marriage is a serious thing. Well. Why is it not? Wid. Fiddle, faddle, I know what it is: 'tis not the first time I have been married, I hope: but I shall begin to think you don't design to do fairly by me, so I shall. Well. Why indeed, Mrs. Lackitt, I'm afraid I can't do so fairly as I would by you. 'Tis what you must know first or last; and I should be the worst man in the world to conceal it any longer; therefore I must own to you that I am married already. Wid. Married! you don't say so, I hope! how have you the conscience to tell me such a thing to my face. Have you abused me then, fool'd and cheated me? What do you take me for, Mr. Welldon? Do you think I am to be served at this rate? But you shan't find me the silly creature you think me: I |