Only to save yourselves. [The women with their children gathering about the men. Oro. I'll hear no more. "Women. Hear him, hear him; he takes no care " of us." Gov. To those poor wretches, who have been se duc'd And led away, to all, and every one We offer a full pardon Oro. Then fall on. [Preparing to engage. Gov. Lay hold upon't before it be too late; Pardon and mercy. [The women clinging about the men, they leave Oroonoko, and fall upon their faces, crying out for pardon. Slaves, Pardon, mercy, pardon. Oro. Let them go a all. Now, Governor, I see, I own the folly of my enterprise, The rashness of this action; and must blush, Why should they look like men, who are not so ? The grov'ling qualities of down-cast beasts, "I wish they had their tails. "Abo. Then we should know them." Oro. We were to few before for victory, We're still enow to die. [To Imoinda and Aboan. Enter BLANDFORD. Gov. Live, royal Sir; Live, and be happy long on your own terms; Only consent to yield, and you shall have What terms you can propose for you and yours. Oro. Consent to yield! shall I betray myself? "Gov. Alas, we cannot fear that your small force, "The force of two, with a weak woman's arm, "Should conquer us! I speak in the regard "And honour of your worth, in my desire "And forwardness to serve so great a man. "I would not have it lie upon my thoughts, "That I was the occasion of the fall "Of such a prince, whose courage, carried on "In a more noble cause, would well deserve "The empire of the world. "Oro. You can speak fair. "Gov. Your undertaking, though it would have "brought "So great a loss to us, we must all say "Was generous and noble; and shall be "Regarded only as the fire of youth, "That will break out sometimes in gallant souls; "We'll think it but the natural impulse, "A rash impatience of liberty; "Oro. Think it what you will. "I was not born to render an account [Blan. comes forward." I came to be a mediator. Gov. Try what you can to work upon him. Blan. Is this to come against you? [Offering his sword to Oroonoko, Unarm'd to put myself into your hands? Oro. You have serv'd me; I thank you for't; and I am pleas'd to think [Embraces him. Oro. I know what I have done; and I should be Blan. You sha'not need it. Oro. No, I wo'not need it. Blan. You see he offers you your own conditions, For you and yours. Oro. Must I capitulate ? Precariously compound, on stinted terms, To save my life? Blan. Sir, he imposes none. You make them for your own security. "If your great heart cannot descend to treat, « In adverse fortune, with an enemy, "Yet sure your honour's safe; you may accept "Offers of peace and safety from a friend." Gov. He will rely on what you say to him. [To Blan. Offer him what you can, I will confirm And make all good. Be you my pledge of trust. [Aside. Blan. Consider, Sir; can you consent to throw That blesssng from you, you so hardly found, [Of Imo. And so much valu'd once? Oro. Imoinda! Oh, 'Tis she that holds me on this argument Blan. This way you must lose her. Think upon The weakness of her sex, made yet more weak With her condition, requiring rest, And soft indulging ease, to nurse your hope, Oro. There I feel A father's fondness, and a husband's love. [Gives up his sword. The conflict's past, and we are in your hands. [Several men get about Oroonoko and Aboan, and seize them. Gov. So you shall find you are. Dispose of them, as I commanded you. Blan. Good Heav'n forbid! you cannot mean Gov. This is not your concern. [To Blandford, who goes to Oroonoko. |