Oroonoko a tragedy, as it is acted at the Theatre-Royal by His Majesty's servants / written by Tho. Southerne.

SCENE III. A Plantation.

[L. Governour following Imoinda.]

Gov.

I have disturb'd you, I confess my fault, My fair Clemene, but begin again, And I will listen to your mournfull Song, Sweet as the soft complaining Nightingales. While every Note calls out my trembling Soul, And leaves me silent, as the Midnight Groves, Only to shelter you, sing, sing agen, And let me wonder at the many ways You have to ravish me.

Imo.

O! I can weep Enough for you, and me, if that will please you.

Gov.

You must not weep: I come to dry your Tears, And raise you from your Sorrow. Look upon me:

Look with the Eyes of kind indulging Love, That I may have full cause for what I say: I come to offer you your liberty, And be my self the Slave. You turn away.

[Following her.

But every thing becomes you. I may take This pretty hand: I know your Modesty Wou'd draw it back: but you wou'd take it ill, If I shou'd let it go, I know you wou'd. You shall be gently forc'd to please your self; That you will thank me for.

[She struggles, and gets her hand from him, then he offers to kiss her.

Nay if you struggle with me, I must take—

Imo.

You may, my life, that I can part with freely.

[Exit.

[Enter Blanford, Stanmore, Oroonoko to him.]

Blan.

So, Governour, we don't disturb you, I hope: your Mi∣striss has left you: you were making Love, she's thankfull for the Honour, I suppose.

Gov.

Quite insensible to all I say, and do: When I speak to her, she sighs, or weeps, But never answers me as I wou'd have her.

Stan.

There's something nearer than her Slavery, that tou∣ches her.

Blan.

What do her fellow Slaves say of her? cann't they find the cause?

Gov.

Some of'em, who pretend to be wiser than the rest, and hate her, I suppose, for being us'd better than they are, will needs have it that she's with Child.

Blan.

Poor wretch! if it be so, I pity her: She has lost a husband, that perhaps was dear To her, and then you cannot blame her.

Oro.

If it be so, indeed you cannot blame her.

[Sighing.

Gov.

No, no, it is not so: if it be so, I still must love her: and desiring still, I must enjoy her.

Blan.

Try what you can do with fair means, and wellcome.

Gov.

I'll give you ten Slaves for her.

Blan.

You know she is our Lord Governour's: but if I could Dispose of her, I wou'd not now, especially to you.

Gov.

Why not to me?

Blan

I mean against her Will. You are in love with her. And we all know what your desires wou'd have: Love stops at nothing but possession. Were she within your pow'r, you do not know How soon you wou'd be tempted to forget The Nature of the Deed, and, may be, act A violence, you after wou'd repent.

Oro.

'Tis Godlike in you to protect the weak.

Gov.

Fye, fye, I wou'd not force her. Tho' she be A Slave, her Mind is free, and shou'd consent.

Oro.

Such Honour will engage her to consent: And then, if you'r in love, she's worth the having. Shall we not see this wonder?

Gov.

Have a care; You have a Heart, and she has conquering Eyes.

Oro.

I have a Heart: but if it cou'd be false To my first Vows, ever to love agen, These honest Hands shou'd tear it from my Breast, And throw the Traytor from me. O! Imoinda! Living or dead, I can be only thine.

Blan.

Imoinda was his Wife: she's either dead, Or living, dead to him: forc't from his Arms By an inhuman Father. Another time I'le tell you all.

[To Gov. and Stanmore.]

Stan.

Hark! the Slaves have done their work; And now begins their Evening merriment.

Blan.

The Men are all in love with fair Clemene As much as you are: and the Women hate her, From an instinct of natural jealousie. They sing, and dance, and try their little tricks To entertain her, and divert her sadness. May be she is among 'em: shall we see?

[Exeunt. The Scene drawn shews the Slaves, Men, Women, and Children upon the Ground, some rise and dance, others sing the following Songs.

A SONG.

[By an unknown hand.] Sett by Mr. Courtevill, and sung by the Boy to Miss Cross.

I.

A Lass there lives upon the Green, Cou'd I her Picture draw; A brighter Nymph was never seen, That looks, and reigns a little Queen, And keeps the Swains in awe.

II.

Her Eyes are Cupid's Darts, and Wings, Her Eyebrows are his Bow; Her Silken Hair the Silver Strings, Which sure and swift destruction brings To all the Vale below.

III.

If Pastorella's dawning Light Can warm, and wound us so: Her Noon will shine so piercing bright, Each glancing beam will kill outright, And every Swain subdue.

A SONG,

by Mr. Cheek. Sett by Mr. Courtevill, and sung by Mr. Leveridge.

I.

Bright Cynthia's Pow'r divinely great, What Heart is not obeying? A thousand Cupids on her wait, And in her Eyes are playing.

II.

She seems the Queen of Love to reign, For She alone dispences Such Sweets, as best can entertain The Gust of all the Senses.

III.

Her Face a charming prospect brings; Her Breath gives balmy Blisses: I hear an Angel, when she sings, And taste of Heaven in Kisses.

IV.

Four Senses thus she feasts with joy, From Nature's richest Treasure: Let me the other Sense employ, And I shall dye with pleasure.

During the Entertainment, the Governour, Blanford, Stanmore, Oroonoko, enter as Spectators; that ended, Captain, Driver, Jaek Stanmore, and several Planters enter with their Swords drawn. [A Bell rings.

Capt.

Where are you, Governour? make what hast you can To save your self, and the whole Colony. I bid 'em ring the Bell.

Gov.

What's the matter?

J. Stan.

The Indians are come down upon us: They have plunder'd some of the Plantations already, And are marching this way, as fast as they can.

Gov.

What can we do against 'em?

Blan.

We shall be able to make a stand, Till more Planters come in to us.

J. Stan.

There are a great many more without, If you wou'd show your self, and put us in order.

Gov.

There's no danger of the White Slaves, they'll not stir: Blanford, and Stanmore come you along with me: Some of you stay here to look after the Black Slaves.

All go out but the Captain, and 6 Planters, who all at once seize Oroonoko.

1. Plan.

Ay, ay, let us alone.

Capt.

In the first place we secure you, Sir, As an Enemy to the Government.

Oro.

Are you there, Sir, you are my constant Friend.

1 Plan.

You will be able to do a great deal of mischief.

Capt.

But we shall prevent you: bring the Irons hither.

He has the malice of a Slave in him, and wou'd be glad to be cutting his Masters Throats, I know him. Chain his hands and feet, that he may not run over to 'em: if they have him, they shall carry him on their backs, that I can tell 'em.

[As they are chaining him, Blanford enters, runs to 'em.

Blan.

What are you doing there?

Capt.

Securing the main chance: this is a bosom enemy.

Blan.

Away you Brutes: I'll answer with my life for his be∣haviour; so tell the Governour.

Capt. and Plan.

Well, Sir, so we will.

Exeunt Capt. and Planters.

Oro.

Give me a Sword and I'll deserve your trust.

A Party of Indians enter, hurrying Imoinda among the Slaves; another Party of Indians sustains 'em retreat∣ing, follow'd at a distance by the Governour with the Planters: Blanford, Oroonoko joyn 'em.

Blan.

Hell, and the Devil! they drive away our Slaves before our Faces. Governour, can you stand tamely by, and suffer this? Clemene, Sir, your Mistriss is among 'em.

Gov.

We throw our selves away, in the attempt to rescue 'em.

Oro.

A Lover cannot fall more glorious, Than in the cause of Love. He that deserves His Mistress's favour wonnot stay behind: I'le lead you on, be bold, and follow me.

Oroonoko at the head of the Planters, falls upon the Indians with a great shout, beats 'em off.

Imoinda enters.

Imo.

I'm tost about by my tempestuous Fate, And no where must have rest; Indians, or English! Whoever has me, I am still a Slave. No matter whose I am, since I am no more, My Royal Masters; Since I'm his no more. O I was happy! nay, I will be happy, In the dear thought that I am still his Wife, Tho' far divided from him.

[Draws off to a corner of the Stage.

After a shout, enter the Governour with Oroonoko, Blan∣ford, Stanmore, and the Planters.

Gov.

Thou glorious Man! thou something greater sure Than Caesar ever was! that single Arm Has sav'd us all: accept our general thanks.

All bow to Oroonoko.

And what we can do more to recompense

Such noble services, you shall command. Clemene too shall thank you,—she is safe— Look up, and bless your brave deliverer.

[Brings Clemene forward, looking down on the ground.

Oro.

Bless me indeed!

Blan.

You start!

Oro.

O all you Gods! Who govern this great World, and bring about Things strange, and unexpected, can it be?

Gov.

What is't you stare'at so?

Oro.

Answer me some of you, you who have power, And have your Senses free: or are you all Struck thro' with wonder too?

[Looking still fixt on her.

Blan.

What wou'd you know?

Oro.

My Soul steals from my Body thro' my Eyes: All that is left of life, I'll gaze away, And die upon the Pleasure.

Gov.

This is strange!

Oro.

If you but mock me with her Image here: If she be not Imoinda—

She looks upon him, and falls into a Swoon, he runs to her.

Ha! she faints! Nay, then it must be she: it is Imoinda: My Heart confesses her, and leaps for joy, To welcome her to her own Empire here. I feel her all, in every part of me. O! let me press her in my eager Arms, Wake her to life, and with this kindling Kiss Give back that Soul, she only sent to me.

[Kisses her.

Gov.

I am amaz'd!

Blan.

I am as much as you.

Oro.

Imoinda! O! thy Oroonoko calls.

[Imoinda coming to life.

Imo.

My Oroonoko! O! I can't believe What any Man can say. But if I am To be deceiv'd, there's something in that Name, That Voice, that Face,

[Staring on him,

O! if I know my self, I cannot be mistaken.

[Runs, and embraces Oroonoko.

Oro.

Never here; You cannot be mistaken: I am yours, Your Oroonoko, all that you wou'd have, Your tender loving Husband.

Imo.

All indeed That I wou'd have: my Husband! then I am Alive, and waking to the Joys I feel: They were so great, I cou'd not think 'em true. But I believe all that you say to me: For Truth it self, and everlasting Love Grows in this Breast, and pleasure in these arms.

Oro.

Take, take me all: enquire into my heart, (You know the way to every secret there) My Heart, the sacred treasury of Love: And if, in absence, I have mis-employ'd A Mite from the rich store: if I have spent A Wish, a Sigh, but what I sent to you: May I be curst to wish, and sigh in vain, And you not pity me.

Imo.

O! I believe, And know you by my self. If these sad Eyes, Since last we parted, have beheld the Face Of any Comfort; or once wish'd to see The light of any other Heaven, but you: May I be struck this moment blind, and lose Your blessed sight, never to find you more.

Oro.

Imoinda! O! this separation Has made you dearer, if it can be so, Than you were ever to me. You appear Like a kind Star to my benighted Steps, To guide me on my way to happiness: I cannot miss it now. Governour, Friend, You think me mad: but let me bless you all, Who, any way, have been the Instruments Of finding her again. Imoinda's found! And every thing, that I wou'd have in her.

[Embracing her in the most passionate Fondness.

Stan.

Where's your Mistriss now, Governour?

Gov.

Why, where most Men's Mistrisses are forc'd to be sometimes, With her Husband, it seems: but I won't lose her so.

[Aside.

Stan.

He has fought lustily for her, and deserves her, I'll say that for him.

Blan.

Sir we congratulate your happiness: I do most heartily.

Gov.

And all of us: but how it comes to pass—

Oro.

That will require more precious time than I can spare you now. I have a thousand things to ask of her, And she as many more to know of me. But you have made me happier, I confess, Acknowledge it, much happier, than I Have words, or pow'r to tell you. Captain, you, Ev'n you, who most have wrong'd me, I forgive. I won't say you have betray'd me now: I'll think you but the minister of Fate, To bring me to my lov'd Imoinda here.

Imo.

How, how shall I receive you? how be worthy Of such Endearments, all this tenderness? These are the Transports of Prosperity, When Fortune smiles upon us.

Oro.

Let the Fools, who follow Fortune, live upon her smiles. All our Prosperity is plac'd in Love. We have enough of that to make us happy. This little spot of Earth you stand upon, Is more to me, than the extended Plains Of my great Father's Kingdom. Here I reign In full delights, in Joys to Pow'r unknown; Your Love my Empire, and your Heart my Throne.

[Exeunt.