Oroonoko_
excused; and to say, he had reason for what he did. And now every body
could assure the King how passionately _Imoinda_ was beloved by the
Prince; even those confess'd it now, who said the contrary before his
Flame was not abated. So that the King being old, and not able to defend
himself in War, and having no Sons of all his Race remaining alive, but
only this, to maintain him on his Throne; and looking on this as a man
disobliged, first by the Rape of his Mistress, or rather Wife, and now
by depriving him wholly of her, he fear'd, might make him desperate, and
do some cruel thing, either to himself or his old Grandfather the
Offender, he began to repent him extremely of the Contempt he had, in
his Rage, put on _Imoinda_. Besides, he consider'd he ought in Honour to
have killed her for this Offence, if it had been one. He ought to have
had so much Value and Consideration for a Maid of her Quality, as to
have nobly put her to Death, and not to have sold her like a common
Slave; the greatest Revenge, and the most disgraceful of any, and to
which they a thousand times prefer Death, and implore it; as _Imoinda_
did, but could not obtain that Honour. Seeing therefore it was certain
that _Oroonoko_ would highly resent this Affront, he thought good to
make some Excuse for his Rashness to him; and to that End, he sent a
Messenger to the Camp, with Orders to treat with him about the Matter,
to gain his Pardon, and endeavour to mitigate his Grief: but that by no
Means he should tell him she was sold, but secretly put to Death; for he
knew he should never obtain his Pardon for the other.

When the Messenger came, he found the Prince upon the Point of engaging
with the Enemy; but as soon as he heard of the Arrival of the Messenger,
he commanded him to his Tent, where he embraced him, and received him
with Joy; which was soon abated by the down-cast Looks of the Messenger,
who was instantly demanded the Cause by _Oroonoko_; who, impatient of
Delay, ask'd a thousand Questions in a Breath, and all concerning
_Imoinda_. But there needed little Return; for he could almost answer
himself of all he demanded, from his Sight and Eyes. At last the
Messenger casting himself at the Prince's Feet, and kissing them with
all the Submission of a Man that had something to implore which he
dreaded to utter, besought him to hear with Calmness what he had to
deliver to him, and to call up all his noble and heroick Courage, to
encounter with