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1    Oroonoko coming from the wars (which were now
2ended) after he had made his court to his grandfather,
3he thought in honour he ought to make a visit to
4Imoinda , the daughter of his foster-father, the dead
5general; and to make some excuses to her, because
6his preservation was the occasion of her father's death;
7and to present her with those slaves that had been taken
8in this last battle, as the trophies of her father's
9victories. When he came, attended by all the young
10soldiers of any merit, he was infinitely surpriz'd at the
11beauty of this fair Queen of Night, whose face and
12person was so exceeding all he had ever beheld, that
13lovely modesty with which she receiv'd him, that
14softness in her look and sighs, upon the melancholy
15occasion of this honour that was done by so great a
16man as Oroonoko , and a prince of whom she had heard
17such admirable things; the awfulness wherewith she
18receiv'd him, and the sweetness of her words and
19behaviour while he stay'd, gain'd a perfect conquest
20over his fierce heart, and made him feel, the victor
21cou'd be subdu'd. So that having made his first compliments,
22and presented her an hundred and fifty slaves
23in fetters, he told her with his eyes, that he was not
24insensible of her charms; while Imoinda , who wish'd

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25for nothing more than so glorious a conquest, was
26pleas'd to believe, she understood that silent language
27of new-born love; and, from that moment, put on all
28her additions to beauty.
29    The prince return'd to court with quite another
30humour than before; and though he did not speak
31much of the fair Imoinda , he had the pleasure to hear
32all his followers speak of nothing but the charms of
33that maid, insomuch that, even in the presence of the
34old king, they were extolling her, and heightning, if
35possible, the beauties they had found in her: so that
36nothing else was talk'd of, no other sound was heard
37in every corner where there were whisperers, but
38Imoinda! Imoinda!
39    'Twill be imagin'd Oroonoko stay'd not long before
40he made his second visit; nor, considering his quality,
41not much longer before he told her, he ador'd her. I
42have often heard him say, that he admir'd by what
43strange inspiration he came to talk things so soft, and
44so passionate, who never knew love, nor was us'd to
45the conversation of women; but (to use his own words)
46he said, most happily, some new, and, till then, unknown
47power instructed his heart and tongue in the
48language of love, and at the same time, in favour of
49him, inspir'd Imoinda with a sense of his passion. She
50was touch'd with what he said, and return'd it all in
51such answers as went to his very heart, with a pleasure
52unknown before. Nor did he use those obligations ill,
53that love had done him, but turn'd all his happy
54moments to the best advantage; and as he knew no
55vice, his flame aim'd at nothing but honour, if such
56a distinction may be made in love; and especially in
57that country, where men take to themselves as many
58as they can maintain; and where the only crime and
59sin with woman, is, to turn her off, to abandon her to
60want, shame and misery: such ill morals are only practis'd
61in Christian countries, where they prefer the bare
62name of religion; and, without vertue or morality,
63think that sufficient. But Oroonoko was none of those

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64professors; but as he had right notions of honour, so
65he made her such propositions as were not only and
66barely such; but, contrary to the custom of his country,
67he made her vows, she shou'd be the only woman he
68wou'd possess while he liv'd; that no age or wrinkles
69shou'd encline him to change; for her soul wou'd be
70always fine, and always young; and he shou'd have an
71eternal idea in his mind of the charms she now bore;
72and shou'd look into his heart for that idea, when he
73cou'd find it no longer in her face.
74    After a thousand assurances of his lasting flame,
75and her eternal empire over him, she condescended to
76receive him for her husband; or rather, receiv'd him,
77as the greatest honour the gods cou'd do her.
78    There is a certain ceremony in these cases to be
79observ'd, which I forgot to ask how 'twas perform'd;
80but 'twas concluded on both sides, that in obedience to
81him, the grandfather was to be first made acquainted
82with the design: For they pay a most absolute resignation
83to the monarch, especially when he is a parent also.
84    On the other side, the old king, who had many wives,
85and many concubines, wanted not court-flatterers to
86insinuate into his heart a thousand tender thoughts
87for this young beauty; and who represented her to his
88fancy, as the most charming he had ever possess'd
89in all the long race of his numerous years. At this
90character, his old heart, like an extinguish'd brand,
91most apt to take fire, felt new sparks of love, and
92began to kindle; and now grown to his second childhood,
93long'd with impatience to behold this gay thing,
94with whom, alas! he could but innocently play. But
95how he shou'd be confirm'd she was this wonder, before
96he us'd his power to call her to court, (where maidens
97never came, unless for the king's private use) he was
98next to consider; and while he was so doing, he had
99intelligence brought him, that Imoinda was most certainly
100mistress to the Prince Oroonoko . This gave him
101some chagreen: however, it gave him also an opportunity,
102one day, when the prince was a hunting, to wait

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103on a man of quality, as his slave and attendant, who
104should go and make a present to Imoinda , as from the
105prince; he should then, unknown, see this fair maid,
106and have an opportunity to hear what message she
107wou'd return the prince for his present, and from thence
108gather the state of her heart, and degree of her inclination.
109This was put in execution, and the old
110monarch saw, and burn'd: He found her all he had
111heard, and would not delay his happiness, but found
112he should have some obstacle to overcome her heart;
113for she express'd her sense of the present the prince
114had sent her, in terms so sweet, so soft and pretty,
115with an air of love and joy that cou'd not be dissembled,
116insomuch that 'twas past doubt whether she
117lov'd Oroonoko entirely. This gave the old king some
118affliction; but he salv'd it with this, that the obedience
119the people pay their king, was not at all inferiour to
120what they paid their gods; and what love wou'd not
121oblige Imoinda to do, duty wou'd compel her to.
122    He was therefore no sooner got to his apartment,
123but he sent the royal veil to Imoinda ; that is, the
124ceremony of invitation: He sends the lady he has a
125mind to honour with his bed, a veil, with which she is
126cover'd, and secur'd for the king's use; and 'tis death
127to disobey; besides, held a most impious disobedience.
128    'Tis not to be imagin'd the surprize and grief that
129seiz'd the lovely maid at this news and sight. However,
130as delays in these cases are dangerous, and
131pleading worse than treason; trembling, and almost
132fainting, she was oblig'd to suffer her self to be cover'd,
133and led away.
134    They brought her thus to court; and the king, who
135had caus'd a very rich bath to be prepar'd, was led
136into it, where he sate under a canopy, in state, to
137receive this long'd-for virgin; whom he having commanded
138shou'd be brought to him, they (after disrobing
139her) led her to the bath, and making fast the doors,
140left her to descend. The king, without more courtship,
141bad her throw off her mantle, and come to his

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142arms. But Imoinda , all in tears, threw her self on the
143marble, on the brink of the bath, and besought him to
144hear her. She told him, as she was a maid, how proud
145of the divine glory she should have been, of having it
146in her power to oblige her king; but as by the laws he
147could not, and from his royal goodness would not take
148from any man his wedded wife; so she believ'd she
149shou'd be the occasion of making him commit a great
150sin, if she did not reveal her state and condition;
151and tell him, she was another's, and cou'd not be so
152happy to be his.
153    The king, enrag'd at this delay, hastily demanded
154the name of the bold man, that had married a woman
155of her degree, without his consent. Imoinda , seeing
156his eyes fierce, and his hands tremble, (whether with
157age or anger, I know not, but she fancy'd the last)
158almost repented she had said so much, for now she
159fear'd the storm wou'd fall on the prince; she therefore
160said a thousand things to appease the raging of his
161flame, and to prepare him to hear who it was with
162calmness: but before she spoke, he imagin'd who she
163meant, but wou'd not seem to do so, but commanded
164her to lay aside her mantle, and suffer her self to receive
165his caresses, or, by his gods he swore, that happy man
166whom she was going to name shou'd die, though it were
167even Oroonoko himself. Therefore (said he) deny this
168marriage, and swear thy self a maid. That (reply'd
169Imoinda ) by all our powers I do; for I am not yet known
170to my husband. 'Tis enough (said the King;) 'tis enough
171both to satisfy my conscience, and my heart. And rising
172from his seat, he went and led her into the bath; it
173being in vain for her to resist.
174    In this time, the prince, who was return'd from
175hunting, went to visit his Imoinda , but found her gone;
176and not only so, but heard she had receiv'd the royal
177veil. This rais'd him to a storm; and in his madness,
178they had much ado to save him from laying violent
179hands on himself. Force first prevail'd, and then
180reason: They urg'd all to him, that might oppose his

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181rage; but nothing weigh'd so greatly with him as the
182king's old age, uncapable of injuring him with Imoinda .
183He wou'd give way to that hope, because it pleas'd
184him most, and flatter'd best his heart. Yet this serv'd
185not altogether to make him cease his different passions,
186which sometimes rag'd within him, and softned into
187showers. 'Twas not enough to appease him, to tell
188him, his grandfather was old, and cou'd not that way
189injure him, while he retain'd that awful duty which
190the young men are us'd there to pay to their grave
191relations. He cou'd not be convinc'd he had no cause
192to sigh and mourn for the loss of a mistress, he cou'd
193not with all his strength and courage retrieve. And
194he wou'd often cry, Oh, my friends! were she in wall'd
195cities, or confin'd from me in fortifications of the greatest
196strength; did inchantments or monsters detain her from
197me; I wou'd venture through any hazard to free her:
198But here, in the arms of a feeble old man, my youth,
199my violent love, my trade in arms, and all my vast
200desire of glory, avail me nothing . Imoinda is as irrecoverably
201lost to me, as if she were snatch'd by the cold
202arms of death: Oh! she is never to be retriev'd. If I
203wou'd wait tedious years, till fate shou'd bow the old
204king to his grave, even that wou'd not leave me Imoinda
205free; but still that custom that makes it so vile a crime
206for a son to marry his father's wives or mistresses,
207wou'd hinder my happiness; unless I wou'd either ignobly
208set an ill precedent to my successors, or abandon my
209country, and fly with her to some unknown world who
210never heard our story.
211    But it was objected to him, That his case was not
212the same; for Imoinda being his lawful wife by solemn
213contract, 'twas he was the injur'd man, and might, if
214he so pleas'd, take Imoinda back, the breach of the
215law being on his grandfather's side; and that if he
216cou'd circumvent him, and redeem her from the otan ,
217which is the Palace of the King's Women, a sort of
218seraglio , it was both just and lawful for him so to do.
219    This reasoning had some force upon him, and he

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220shou'd have been entirely comforted, but for the thought
221that she was possess'd by his grandfather. However,
222he lov'd so well, that he was resolv'd to believe what
223most favour'd his hope, and to endeavour to learn
224from Imoinda's own mouth, what only she cou'd satisfy
225him in, whether she was robb'd of that blessing which
226was only due to his faith and love. But as it was
227very hard to get a sight of the women, (for no men
228ever enter'd into the otan , but when the king went
229to entertain himself with some one of his wives or
230mistresses; and 'twas death, at any other time, for any
231other to go in) so he knew not how to contrive to get
232a sight of her.
233    While Oroonoko felt all the agonies of love, and
234suffer'd under a torment the most painful in the world,
235the old king was not exempted from his share of
236affliction. He was troubled, for having been forc'd,
237by an irresistible passion, to rob his son of a treasure,
238he knew, cou'd not but be extremely dear to him; since
239she was the most beautiful that ever had been seen,
240and had besides, all the sweetness and innocence of
241youth and modesty, with a charm of wit surpassing
242all. He found, that however she was forc'd to expose
243her lovely person to his wither'd arms, she cou'd only
244sigh and weep there, and think of Oroonoko ; and oftentimes
245cou'd not forbear speaking of him, tho her life
246were, by custom, forfeited by owning her passion. But
247she spoke not of a lover only, but of a prince dear to
248him to whom she spoke; and of the praises of a man,
249who, till now, fill'd the old man's soul with joy at every
250recital of his bravery, or even his name. And 'twas
251this dotage on our young hero, that gave Imoinda a
252thousand privileges to speak of him, without offending;
253and this condescension in the old king, that made her
254take the satisfaction of speaking of him so very often.
255    Besides, he many times enquir'd how the prince bore
256himself: And those of whom he ask'd, being entirely
257slaves to the merits and vertues of the prince, still
258answer'd what they thought conduc'd best to his

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259service; which was, to make the old king fancy that
260the prince had no more interest in Imoinda , and had
261resign'd her willingly to the pleasure of the king;
262that he diverted himself with his mathematicians, his
263fortifications, his officers and his hunting.
264    This pleas'd the old lover, who fail'd not to report
265these things again to Imoinda , that she might, by the
266example of her young lover, withdraw her heart, and
267rest better contented in his arms. But, however she
268was forc'd to receive this unwelcome news, in all
269appearance, with unconcern and content; her heart
270was bursting within, and she was only happy when
271she cou'd get alone, to vent her griefs and moans with
272sighs and tears.

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273    For the future therefore I must call Oroonoko Caesar ,
274since by that name only he was known in our western
275world, and by that name he was received on shore at
276Parham House , where he was destin'd a slave. But
277if the king himself (God bless him) had come ashore,
278there cou'd not have been greater expectation by all
279the whole plantation, and those neighbouring ones,
280than was on ours at that time; and he was received more
281like a governour than a slave: notwithstanding, as the
282custom was, they assigned him his portion of land,
283his house and his business up in the plantation. But
284as it was more for form, than any design to put
285him to his task, he endured no more of the slave but
286the name, and remain'd some days in the house,
287receiving all visits that were made him, without
288stirring towards that part of the plantation where
289the negroes were.
290    At last, he wou'd needs go view his land, his house,
291and the business assign'd him. But he no sooner came

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292to the houses of the slaves, which are like a little town
293by it self, the negroes all having left work, but they all
294came forth to behold him, and found he was that
295prince who had, at several times, sold most of 'em to
296these parts; and from a veneration they pay to great
297men, especially if they know 'em, and from the surprize
298and awe they had at the sight of him, they all cast
299themselves at his feet, crying out, in their language,
300Live, O King! Long live, O King! and kissing his feet,
301paid him even divine homage.
302    Several English gentlemen were with him, and what
303Mr. Trefry had told 'em was here confirm'd; of which
304he himself before had no other witness than Caesar
305himself: But he was infinitely glad to find his grandeur
306confirmed by the adoration of all the slaves.
307    Caesar troubled with their over-joy, and over-ceremony,
308besought 'em to rise, and to receive him as
309their fellow-slave; assuring them he was no better. At
310which they set up with one accord a most terrible and
311hideous mourning and condoling, which he and the
312English had much ado to appease: but at last they
313prevailed with 'em, and they prepared all their barbarous
314musick, and every one kill'd and dress'd something
315of his own stock (for every family has their land
316apart, on which, at their leisure-times, they breed all
317eatable things) and clubbing it together, made a most
318magnificent supper, inviting their grandee captain,
319their prince, to honour it with his precence; which he
320did, and several English with him, where they all
321waited on him, some playing, others dancing before
322him all the time, according to the manners of their
323several nations, and with unweary'd industry endeavouring
324to please and delight him.
325    While they sat at meat, Mr. Trefry told Caesar , that
326most of these young slaves were undone in love with a
327fine she-slave, whom they had had about six months
328on their land; the prince, who never heard the name
329of love without a sigh, nor any mention of it without
330the curiosity of examining further into that tale, which

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331of all discourses was most agreeable to him, asked,
332how they came to be so unhappy, as to be all undone
333for one fair slave? Trefry , who was naturally amorous,
334and lov'd to talk of love as well as any body, proceeded
335to tell him, they had the most charming black
336that ever was beheld on their plantation, about fifteen
337or sixteen years old, as he guess'd; that for his part
338he had done nothing but sigh for her ever since she
339came; and that all the white beauties he had seen,
340never charm'd him so absolutely as this fine creature
341had done; and that no man, of any nation, ever beheld
342her that did not fall in love with her; and that she had
343all the slaves perpetually at her feet; and the whole
344country resounded with the fame of Clemene , for so
345(said he) we have christen'd her: but she denies us all
346with such a noble disdain, that 'tis a miracle to see,
347that she who can give such eternal desires, should her
348self be all ice and all unconcern. She is adorn'd with
349the most graceful modesty that ever beautify'd youth;
350the softest sigher - that, if she were capable of love,
351one would swear she languished for some absent happy
352man; and so retired, as if she fear'd a rape even from
353the god of day, or that the breezes wou'd steal kisses
354from her delicate mouth. Her task of work, some
355sighing lover every day makes it his petition to perform
356for her; which she accepts blushing, and with
357reluctancy, for fear he will ask her a look for a recompence,
358which he dares not presume to hope; so great
359an awe she strikes into the hearts of her admirers.
360I do not wonder (reply'd the prince) that Clemene should
361refuse slaves, being, as you say, so beautiful; but wonder
362how she escapes those that can entertain her as you can
363do: or why, being your slave, you do not oblige her to
364yield? I confess (said Trefry ) when I have, against her
365will, entertained her with love so long, as to be transported
366with my passion even above decency, I have been ready
367to make use of those advantages of strength and force
368nature has given me: But oh! she disarms me with
369that modesty and weeping, so tender and so moving, that

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370I retire, and thank my stars she overcame me. The
371company laugh'd at his civility to a slave, and Caesar
372only applauded the nobleness of his passion and nature,
373since that slave might be noble, or, what was better,
374have true notions of honour and vertue in her. Thus
375passed they this night, after having received from the
376slaves all imaginable respect and obedience.
377    The next day, Trefry ask'd Caesar to walk when the heat
378was allay'd, and designedly carry'd him by the cottage
379of the fair slave; and told him she whom he spoke of
380last night lived there retir'd: But (says he) I would not
381wish you to approach; for I am sure you will be in love
382as soon as you behold her. Caesar assured him, he was
383proof against all the charms of that sex; and that if
384he imagined his heart could be so perfidious to love
385again, after Imoinda , he believed he should tear it from
386his bosom. They had no sooner spoke, but a little
387shock-dog, that Clemene had presented her, which she
388took great delight in, ran out; and she, not knowing
389any body was there, ran to get it in again, and bolted
390out on those who were just speaking of her: when
391seeing them, she would have run in again, but Trefry
392caught her by the hand, and cry'd, Clemene, however
393you fly a lover, you ought to pay some respect to this
394stranger , (pointing to Caesar .) But she, as if she had
395resolved never to raise her eyes to the face of a man
396again, bent 'em the more to the earth, when he spoke,
397and gave the prince the leisure to look the more at her.
398There needed no long gazing, or consideration, to examine
399who this fair creature was; he soon saw Imoinda
400all over her; in a minute he saw her face, her shape, her
401air, her modesty, and all that call'd forth his soul with
402joy at his eyes, and left his body destitute of almost
403life: it stood without motion, and for a minute knew
404not that it had a being; and, I believe, he had never
405come to himself, so oppress'd he was with over-joy, if
406he had not met with this allay, that he perceived
407Imoinda fall dead in the hands of Trefry . This awaken'd
408him, and he ran to her aid, and caught her in his arms,

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409where by degrees she came to her self; and 'tis needless
410to tell with what transports, what exstasies of joy,
411they both awhile beheld each other, without speaking;
412then snatched each other to their arms; then gaze
413again, as if they still doubted whether they possess'd
414the blessing they grasped: but when they recover'd
415their speech, 'tis not to be imagined what tender things
416they express'd to each other; wondring what strange
417fate had brought them again together. They soon
418inform'd each other of their fortunes, and equally bewail'd
419their fate; but at the same time they mutually
420protested, that even fetters and slavery were soft and
421easy, and would be supported with joy and pleasure,
422while they cou'd be so happy to possess each other, and
423to be able to make good their vows. Caesar swore he
424disdained the empire of the world, while he could
425behold his Imoinda ; and she despised grandeur and
426pomp, those vanities of her sex, when she could gaze
427on Oroonoko . He ador'd the very cottage where she
428resided, and said, That little inch of the world would
429give him more happiness than all the universe cou'd
430do; and she vow'd, it was a palace, while adorned with
431the presence of Oroonoko .
432    Trefry was infinitely pleased with this novel, and
433found this Clemene was the fair mistress of whom Caesar
434had before spoke; and was not a little satisfy'd, that
435heaven was so kind to the prince as to sweeten his
436misfortunes by so lucky an accident; and leaving the
437lovers to themselves, was impatient to come down to
438Parham House (which was on the same plantation) to
439give me an account of what had hapned. I was as
440impatient to make these lovers a visit, having already
441made a friendship with Caesar , and from his own mouth
442learned what I have related; which was confirmed by his
443Frenchman , who was set on shore to seek his fortune,
444and of whom they cou'd not make a slave, because a
445Christian; and he came daily to Parham Hill to see
446and pay his respects to his pupil prince. So that concerning
447and interesting my self in all that related to

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448Caesar , whom I had assured of liberty as soon as the
449governour arrived, I hasted presently to the place
450where these lovers were, and was infinitely glad to
451find this beautiful young slave (who had already gain'd
452all our esteems, for her modesty and her extraordinary
453prettiness) to be the same I had heard Caesar speak so
454much of. One may imagine then we paid her a treble
455respect; and tho from her being carved in fine flowers
456and birds all over her body, we took her to be of
457quality before, yet when we knew Clemene was Imoinda ,
458we could not enough admire her.
459    I had forgot to tell you, that those who are nobly
460born of that country, are so delicately cut and raised
461all over the fore-part of the trunk of their bodies that
462it looks as if it were japan'd, the works being raised
463like high point round the edges of the flowers. Some
464are only carved with a little flower, or bird, at the
465sides of the temples, as was Caesar ; and those who are
466so carved over the body, resemble our antient Picts
467that are figur'd in the chronicles, but these carvings
468are more delicate.
469    From that happy day Caesar took Clemene for his
470wife, to the general joy of all people; and there was as
471much magnificence as the country would afford at the
472celebration of this wedding: and in a very short time
473after she conceived with child, which made Caesar even
474adore her, knowing he was the last of his great race.
475This new accident made him more impatient of liberty,
476and he was every day treating with Trefry for his and
477Clemene's liberty and offer'd either gold, or a vast
478quantity of slaves, which should be paid before they
479let him go, provided he could have any security that
480he should go when his ransom was paid. They fed
481him from day to day with promises, and delay'd him
482till the Lord-Governour should come; so that he began
483to suspect them of falshood, and that they would
484delay him till the time of his wife's delivery and make
485a slave of that too: for all the breed is theirs to
486whom the parents belong. This thought made him very

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487uneasy, and his sullenness gave them some jealousies
488of him; so that I was obliged, by some persons who
489fear'd a mutiny (which is very fatal sometimes in those
490colonies that abound so with slaves, that they exceed
491the whites in vast numbers) to discourse with Caesar ,
492and to give him all the satisfaction I possibly could:
493They knew he and Clemene were scarce an hour in a day
494from my lodgings; that they eat with me, and that I
495oblig'd 'em in all things I was capable of. I entertained
496them with the loves of the Romans , and great men,
497which charmed him to my company; and her, with
498teaching her all the pretty works that I was mistress
499of, and telling her stories of nuns, and endeavouring
500to bring her to the knowledg of the true God: But of
501all discourses, Caesar liked that the worst, and would
502never be reconciled to our notions of the Trinity, of
503which he ever made a jest; it was a riddle he said
504would turn his brain to conceive, and one cou'd not
505make him understand what faith was. However, these
506conversations fail'd not altogether so well to divert
507him, that he liked the company of us women much
508above men, for he could not drink, and he is but
509an ill companion in that country that cannot. So that
510obliging him to love us very well, we had all the liberty
511of speech with him, especially my self, whom he call'd
512his great Mistress; and indeed my word would go a
513great way with him. For these reasons I had opportunity
514to take notice to him, that he was not well pleased
515of late, as he used to be; was more retired and thoughtful;
516and told him, I took it ill he shou'd suspect we
517wou'd break our words with him, and not permit both
518him and Clemene to return to his own kingdom, which
519was not so long a way, but when he was once on his
520voyage he wou'd quickly arrive there. He made me
521some answers that shew'd a doubt in him, which made
522me ask, what advantage it would be to doubt? It
523would but give us a fear of him, and possibly compel
524us to treat him so as I should be very loth to behold:
525that is, it might occasion his confinement. Perhaps

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526this was not so luckily spoke of me, for I perceiv'd he
527resented that word, which I strove to soften again in
528vain: However, he assur'd me, that whatsoever resolutions
529he should take, he would act nothing upon the
530white people; and as for my self, and those upon that
531plantation where he was, he would sooner forfeit his
532eternal liberty, and life it self, than lift his hand
533against his greatest enemy on that place. He besought
534me to suffer no fears upon his account, for he could do
535nothing that honour should not dictate; but he accus'd
536himself for having suffer'd slavery so long: yet he
537charg'd that weakness on love alone, who was capable
538of making him neglect even glory it self; and, for which,
539now he reproaches himself every moment of the day.
540Much more to this effect he spoke, with an air impatient
541enough to make me know he would not be long
542in bondage; and though he suffer'd only the name of
543a slave, and had nothing of the toil and labour of one,
544yet that was sufficient to render him uneasy; and he had
545been too long idle, who us'd to be always in action, and
546in arms. He had a spirit all rough and fierce, and
547that could not be tam'd to lazy rest; and though all
548endeavours were us'd to exercise himself in such actions
549and sports as this world afforded, as running, wrestling,
550pitching the bar, hunting and fishing, chasing and
551killing tygers of a monstrous size, which this continent
552affords in abundance; and wonderful snakes, such as
553Alexander is reported to have encounter'd at the river
554of Amazons , and which Caesar took great delight to
555overcome; yet these were not actions great enough
556for his large soul, which was still panting after more
557renown'd actions.
558    Before I parted that day with him, I got, with much-ado,
559a promise from him to rest yet a little longer with
560patience, and wait the coming of the Lord Governour,
561who was every day expected on our shore: he assur'd
562me he would, and this promise he desired me to know
563was given perfectly in complaisance to me, in whom he
564had an intire confidence.