and Conduct. But he made no other Reply to
all their Supplications than 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 reply'd, he would not
give himself that Trouble--but wished 'em to chuse the bravest Man
amongst 'em, let his Quality or Birth be what it would: 'For, Oh my
Friends! (says 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, suffer'd a thousand Fears
to take Possession of their Hearts, and the Enemy to come even upon them
before they could provide for their Safety by any Defence: and tho' 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 dismay'd for want of that
great Example of Bravery, that they could make but a very feeble
Resistance; and, at last, down-right 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 Defence
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 Out-cries, as rouz'd 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 cry'd--'Come, if we must die, let
us meet Death the noblest Way; and 'twill be more like _Oroonoko_ to
encounter him at an Arm