ply with
his just Desires, that she would let _Imoinda_ know how faithful he was,
what he suffer'd, and what he said.

This Discourse lasted till the King called, which gave _Oroonoko_ a
certain Satisfaction; and with the Hope _Onahal_ had made him conceive,
he assumed a Look as gay as 'twas possible a Man in his Circumstances
could do: and presently after, he was call'd in with the rest who waited
without. The King commanded Musick to be brought, and several of his
young Wives and Mistresses came all together by his Command, to dance
before him; where _Imoinda_ perform'd her Part with an Air and Grace so
surpassing all the rest, as her Beauty was above 'em, and received the
Present ordained as a Prize. The Prince was every Moment more charmed
with the new Beauties and Graces he beheld in this Fair-One; and while
he gazed, and she danc'd, _Onahal_ was retired to a Window with _Aboan_.

This _Onahal_, as I said, was one of the Cast-Mistresses of the old
King; and 'twas these (now past their Beauty) that were made Guardians
or Governantees to the new and the young ones, and whose Business it was
to teach them all those wanton Arts of Love, with which they prevail'd
and charm'd heretofore in their Turn; and who now treated the triumphing
Happy-ones with all the Severity, as to Liberty and Freedom, that was
possible, in Revenge of the Honours they rob them of; envying them those
Satisfactions, those Gallantries and Presents, that were once made to
themselves, while Youth and Beauty lasted, and which they now saw pass,
as it were regardless by, and paid only to the Bloomings. And certainly,
nothing is more afflicting to a decay'd Beauty, than to behold in itself
declining Charms, that were once ador'd; and to find those Caresses paid
to new Beauties, to which once she laid Claim; to hear them whisper, as
she passes by, that once was a delicate Woman. Those abandon'd ladies
therefore endeavour to revenge all the Despights and Decays of Time, on
these flourishing Happy-ones. And 'twas this Severity that gave
_Oroonoko_ a thousand Fears he should never prevail with _Onahal_ to see
_Imoinda_. But, as I said, she was now retir'd to a Window with _Aboan_.

This young Man was not only one of the best Quality, but a Man extremely
well made, and beautiful; and coming often to attend the King to the
_Otan_, he had subdu'd the Heart of the antiquated _Onahal_, which had
not forgot how pleasant it was to be in love. And tho' she had so