boldness of this nature. And had not the presence of mind of Imoinda
(fonder of his safety than her own) befriended him, in making her
spring from his arms, and fall into her dance again, he had at that
instant met his death; for the old king, jealous to the last degree,
rose up in rage, broke all the diversion, and led Imoinda to her
apartment, and sent out word to the prince to go immediately to the
camp; and that if he were found another night in court, he should
suffer the death ordained for disobedient offenders.

  You may imagine how welcome this news was to Oroonoko, whose
unseasonable transport and caress of Imoinda was blamed by all men
that loved him: and now he perceived his fault, yet cried that for
such another moment he would be content to die.

  All the otan was in disorder about this accident; and Onahal was
particularly concerned because on the prince's stay depended her
happiness; for she could no longer expect that of Aboan: so that ere
they departed, they contrived it so that the prince and he should both
come that night to the grove of the otan, which was all of oranges and
citrons, and that there they would wait her orders.

  They parted thus with grief enough till night, leaving the king in
possession of the lovely maid. But nothing could appease the
jealousy of the old lover; he would not be imposed on, but would
have it that Imoinda made a false step on purpose to fall into
Oroonoko's bosom, and that all things looked like a design on both
sides; and 'twas in vain she protested her innocence: he was old and
obstinate, and left her more than half assured that his fear was true.

  The king, going to his apartment, sent to know where the prince was,
and if be intended to obey his command. The messenger returned, and
told him, he found the prince pensive, and altogether unprepared for
the campaign; that he lay negligently on the ground, and answered very
little. This confirmed the jealousy of the king, and he commanded that
they should very narrowly and privately watch his motions; and that he
should not stir from his apartment but one spy or other should be
employed to watch him: so that the hour approaching wherein he was
to go to the citron-grove and taking only Aboan along with him, he
leaves his apartment, and was watched to the very gate of the otan;
where he was seen to enter, and where they left him, to carry back the
tidings to the king.

  Oroonoko and Aboan were no sooner entered but Onahal led the
prince to the apartment of Imoinda; who, not knowing anything of her
happiness, was laid in bed. But Onahal only left him in her chamber,
to make the best of his opportunity, and took her dear Aboan to her
own; where he showed the height of complaisance for his prince,
when, to give him an opportunity, he suffered himself to be caressed
in bed by Onahal.

  The prince softly wakened Imoinda, who was not a little surprised
with joy to find him there; and yet she trembled with a thousand
fears. I believe he omitted saying nothing to this young maid that
might persuade her to suffer him to seize his own, and take the rights
of love. And I believe she was not long resisting those arms where she
so longed to be; and having opportunity, night, and silence, youth,
love, and desire, he soon prevailed, and ravished in a moment what his
old grandfather had been endeavoring for so many months.

  'Tis not to be imagined the satisfaction of these two young
lovers; nor the vows she made him, that she remained a spotless maid
till that night, and that what she did with his grandfather had robbed
him of no part of her virgin-honor; the gods, in mercy and justice,
having reserved that for her plighted lord, to whom of right it
belonged. And 'tis impossible to express the transports he suffered,
while he listened to a discourse so charming from her loved lips;
and clasped that body in his arms, for whom he had so long languished:
and nothing now afflicted him but his sudden departure from her; for
he told her the necessity, and his commands, but should depart
satisfied in this, that since the old king had hitherto not been
able to deprive him of those enjoyments which only belonged to him, he
believed for the future he would be less able to injure him: so
that, abating the scandal of the veil, which was no otherwise so
than that she was wife to another, he believed her safe, even in the
arms of the king, and innocent; yet would he have ventured at the
conquest of the world, and have given it all, to have had her
avoided that honor of receiving the royal veil. 'Twas thus, between
a thousand caresses, that both bemoaned the hard fate of youth and
beauty, so liable to that cruel promotion: 'twas a glory that could
well have been spared here, though desired and aimed at by all the
young females of that kingdom.

  But while they were thus fondly employed, forgetting how time ran
on, and that the dawn must conduct him far away from his only
happiness, they heard a great noise in the otan, and unusual voices of
men; at which the prince, starting from the arms of the frighted
Imoinda, ran to a little battle-ax he used to wear by his side; and
having not so much leisure as to put on his habit, he opposed
himself against some who were already opening the door: which they did
with so much violence that Oroonoko was not able to defend it; but was
forced to cry out with a commanding voice, "Whoever ye are that have
the boldness to attempt to approach this apartment thus rudely, know
that I, the Prince Oroonoko, will revenge it with the certain death of
him that first enters. Therefore, stand back, and know, this place
is sacred to love and me this night; to-morrow 'tis the king's."

  This he spoke with a voice so resolved and assured that they soon
retired from the door; but cried, "'Tis by the king's command we are
come; and being satisfied by thy voice, O Prince, as much as if we had
entered, we can report to the king the truth of all his fears, and