sensibly, which now all the gods could not restore him, but might
recompense him in glory, which he begged he would pursue; and that
death, that common revenger of all injuries, would soon even the
account between him and a feeble old man.

  Oroonoko bade him return his duty to his lord and master, and to
assure him, there was no account of revenge to be adjusted between
them: if there were, 'twas he was the aggressor, and that death
would be just, and, maugre his age, would see him righted; and he
was contented to leave his share of glory to youths more fortunate and
worthy of that favor from the gods; that henceforth he would never
lift a weapon, or draw a bow, but abandon the small remains of his
life to sighs and tears, and the continual thoughts of what his lord
and grandfather had thought good to send out of the world, with all
that youth, that innocence and beauty.

  After having spoken this, whatever his greatest officers and men
of the best rank could do, they could not raise him from the carpet,
or persuade him to action and resolutions of life; but commanding
all to retire, he shut himself into his pavilion all that day, while
the enemy was ready to engage: and wondering at the delay, the whole
body of the chief of the army then addressed themselves to him, and to
whom they had much ado to get admittance. They fell on their faces
at the foot of his carpet, where they lay, and besought him with
earnest prayers and tears to lead them forth to battle and not let the
enemy take advantages of them; and implored him to have regard to
his glory, and to the world, that depended on his courage and conduct.
But he made no other reply to all their supplications but this, that
he had now no more business for glory; and for the world, it was a
trifle not worth his care: "Go," continued he, sighing, "and divide it
amongst you, and reap with joy what you so vainly prize, and leave
me to my more welcome destiny."

  They then demanded what they should do, and whom he would constitute
in his room, that the confusion of ambitious youth and power might not
ruin their order, and make them a prey to the enemy. He replied, he
would not give himself the trouble- but wished 'em to choose the
bravest man amongst 'em, let his quality or birth be what it would:
"for, O my friends!" said he, "it is not titles make men brave or
good; or birth that bestows courage and generosity, or makes the owner
happy. Believe this, when you behold Oroonoko the most wretched, and
abandoned by Fortune, of all the creation of the gods." So turning
himself about, he would make no more reply to all they could urge or
implore.

  The army, beholding their officers return unsuccessful, with sad
faces and ominous looks, that presaged no good luck, suffered a
thousand fears to take possession of their hearts, and the enemy to
come even upon them, before they would provide for their safety, by
any defense: and though they were assured by some, who had a mind to
animate them, that they should be immediately headed by the prince,
and that in the mean time Aboan had orders to command as general;
yet they were so dismayed for want of that great example of bravery
that they could make but a very feeble resistance; and at last,
downright fled before the enemy, who pursued 'em to the very tents,
killing 'em. Nor could all Aboan's courage, which that day gained
him immortal glory, shame 'em into a manly defense of themselves.
The guards that were left behind about the prince's tent, seeing the
soldiers flee before the enemy, and scatter themselves all over the
plain in great disorder, made such outcries as roused the prince
from his amorous slumber, in which he had remained buried for two
days, without permitting any sustenance to approach him. But, in spite
of all his resolutions, he had not the constancy of grief to that
degree as to make him insensible of the danger of his army; and in
that instant he leaped from his couch, and cried, "Come, if we must
die, let us meet death the noblest way; and 'twill be more like
Oroonoko to encounter him at an army's head, opposing the torrent of a
conquering foe, than lazily on a couch, to wait his lingering
pleasure, and die every moment by a thousand racking thoughts; or be
tamely taken by an enemy, and led a whining lovesick slave to adorn
the triumphs of Jamoan, that young victor, who already is entered
beyond the limits I have prescribed him."

  While he was speaking, he suffered his people to dress him for the
field; and sallying out of his pavilion, with more life and vigor in
his countenance than ever he showed, he appeared like some divine
power descended to save his country from destruction: and his people
had purposely put on him all things that might make him shine with
most splendor, to strike a reverend awe into the beholders. He flew
into the thickest of those that were pursuing his men; and being
animated with despair, he fought as if he came on purpose to die,
and did such things as will not be believed that human strength
could perform; and such as soon inspired all the rest with new courage
and new order. And now it was that they began to fight indeed; and so,
as if they would not be outdone even by their adored hero; who turning
the tide of the victory, changing absolutely the fate of the day,
gained an entire conquest: and Oroonoko having the good fortune to
single out Jamoan, he took him prisoner with his own hand, having
wounded him almost to death.

  This Jamoan afterwards became very dear to him, being a man very
gallant, and of excellent graces, and fine parts; so that he never put
him amongst the rank of captives, as they used to do, without
distinction, for the common sale, or market, but kept him in his own
court, where he retained nothing of the prisoner but the name, and
returned no more into his own country; so great an affection he took
for Oroonoko, and by a thousand tales and adventures of love and
gallantry flattered his disease of melancholy and languishment:
which I have often heard him say, had certainly killed him but for the
conversation of this prince and Aboan, and the French governor he