of slaves, at so much a head; and when they come in, we draw for them to prevent disputes; for, as they're all of a price, every one, you know, wou'd be for picking out the best-come along with us to the market, and you'll see how it is presently; the slaves are now coming on shore. [Exeunt. Gov. There's no resisting your fortune, Blandford; you draw all the prizes. Blan. I draw for our Lord Governor, you know ; his fortune favours me. Gov. I grudge him nothing this time; but if fortune had favour'd me in the last sale, the fair slave had been mine; Clemene had been mine. Blan. Are you still in love with her? Gov. Every day more in love with her. Enter CAPTAIN DRIVER, teazed and pulled about by several PLANTERS, MEN and WOMEN, Wom. Here have I six slaves in my lot, and not a man among them; all women and children; what can I do with 'em, Captain? pray consider I am a woman myself. 1 Plan. I have all men in mine: pray, Captain, let the men and women be mingled together, for the good of the plantation. 2 Plan. Ay, ay, a man and a woman, Captain, for the good of the plantation. Capt. Let them mingle together, and be damn'd, what care I? would you have me pimp for the good of the plantation? 1 Plan. I am a constant customer, Captain, Wom. I am always ready money to you, Captain. 1 Plan. For that matter, mistress, my money is as ready as yours. Wom. Pray hear me, Captain. ; Capt. Look you, I have done my part by you; I have brought the number of slaves you bargain'd for if your lots have not pleas'd you, you must draw again among yourselves. 3 Plan. I am contented with my lot. 4 Plan. I am very well satisfied. 3 Plan. We'll have no drawing again. Capt. Do you hear, mistress? you may tongue: For my part I expect my money. hold your Wom. Captain, nobody questions or scruples the payment: But I won't hold my tongue; 'tis too much to pray and pay too: One may speak for one's own, I hope. Capt. Well, what would you say? Wom. I say no more than I can make out. Wom. I say, Things have not been so fair carried as they might have been. How do I know but you have juggled together in my absence? You drew the lots before I came, I'm sure. Capt. That's your own fault, mistress; you might have come sooner. Wom. Then here's a prince, as they say, among the slaves, and you set him down to go as a common man. Capt. Why, what should make him worth more than a common man? He'll not do the more work for being a prince, will he? Gov. Where are the slaves, Captain; They are long coming. Blan. And who is this prince that's fallen to my lot for the Lord Governor? Let me know something of him, that I may treat him accordingly? who is he? Capt. He's the devil of a fellow, I can tell you? a prince every inch of him: You have paid dear enough for him, for all the good he'll do you: I was forc'd to clap him in irons, and did not think the ship safe neither. You are in hostility with the Indians; they say, they threaten you daily: You had best have an eye upon him. Blan. But who is he? Gov. And how do you know him to be a prince? Capt. He is son and heir to the great King of Angola, a mischievous monarch in those parts, who, by his good will, would never let any of his neighbours be in quiet. This son was his general; a plaguy fighting fellow. I have formerly had dealings with him for slaves, which he took prisoners, and have got pretty roundly by him. But the wars being at an end, and nothing more to be got by the trade of that country, I made bold to bring the prince along with me. Gov. How could you do that? Blan. What! steal a prince out of his own country! impossible. Capt. "Twas hard indeed; but I did it. You must know this Oroonoko Blan. Is that his Name? Capt. Is naturally inquisitive about the men and manners of the white nations. Because I could give him some account of the other parts of the world, I grew very much into his favour: In return of so great an honour, you know I could do no less, upon my coming away, than invite him on board me: never having been in a ship, he appointed his time, and I prepared my entertainment; he came the next evening, as private as he could, with about some twenty along with him. The punch went round; and as many of his attendants as would be dangerous, I sent dead drunk on shore; the rest we secured; and so you have the Prince Oroonoko. 1 Plan. Gad a mercy, Captain; there you were with him, i'faith. 2 Plan. Such men as you are fit to be employed in public affairs: The plantation will thrive by you. 3 Plan. Industry ought to be encouraged. Capt. There's nothing done without it, boys. I have made my fortune this way. Blan. Unheard of villainy! Gov. But, Captain, methinks you have taken a great deal of pains for this Prince Oroonoko; why did you part with him at the common rate of slaves? Capt. Why, Lieutenant-Governor, I'll tell you! I did design to carry him to England, to have show'd him there; but I found him troublesome upon my hands, and I'm glad I'm rid of him-Oh, oh, hark, they come! Enter BLACK SLAVES, in Chains, MEN, WOMEN, and CHILDREN, ABOAN, and Others of OROONOKO's Attendants, OROONOKO last of all, in Chains. Capt. Now, Governor, pray observe him. Oro. So, sir, you have kept your word with me. Capt. I am a better christian, I thank you, than to keep it with a heathen. If Oro. You are a christian, be a christian still: you have any god that teaches you To break your word, I need not curse you more: Let him cheat you, as you are false to me. [Embracing his Friends. Now we are fellow-slaves. This last farewell. Be sure of one thing that will comfort us, Whatever world we are next thrown upon Cannot be worse than this. [All SLAVES go off but OROONOKO. Capt. You see what a bloody pagan he is, Governor; but I took care, that none of his followers should be in the same lot with him, for fear they should undertake some desperate action, to the danger of the colony. Oro. Live still in fear; it is the villain's curse, And commerce of mankind, for breach of faith. A confidence of one another's truth: That thou hast violated. I have done; I know my fortune, and submit to it. Gov. Sir, I am sorry for your fortune, and would help it if I could. Blan. Take off his chains. You know your condition; but you are fallen into honourable hands: You are the Lord Governor's slave, who will use you nobly: In his absence it shall be my care to serve you. [BLANDFORD applying to him. Oro. I hear you, but I can believe no more. Gov. Captain, I'm afraid the world won't speak so honourably of this action of yours, as you would have 'em. Capt. I have the money, let the world speak and be damn'd; I care not. Oro. I would forget myself. Be satisfied. C [TO BLANDFORD. |