upon his invitation: We live in reputation; have the best acquaintance of the place; and we shall see our account in't, I warrant you. Lucy. I must rely upon you.

Enter Widow LACKITT.

Wid. Mr Welldon, your servant. Your servant, Mrs Lucy. I am an ill visitor, but 'tis not too late, I hope, to bid you welcome to this side of the world. [Salutes LUCY. Well. Gad so, I beg your pardon, widow, I should have done the civilities of my house before: But, as you say, 'tis not too late I hope. [Going to kiss her. Wid. What! You think now this was a civil way of begging a kiss? and, by my troth, if it were, I see no harm in't; 'tis a pitiful favour indeed that is not worth asking for: though I have known women speak plainer before now, and not understood neither.

Well. Not under my roof. Have at you, widow!

Well. How so, pray?

Wid. Why, you kiss as if you expected to be paid for't; you have birdlime upon your lips. You stick so close, there's no getting rid of you. Well. I am a-kin to a younger brother.

Wid. So much the better: we widows are commonly the better for younger brothers.

Lucy. Better, or worse, most of you. But you won't be much better for him, I can tell you.

[Aside. Well. I was a younger brother; but an uncle of my mother's has maliciously left me an estate, and, I'm afraid, spoiled my fortune.

Wid. No, no; an estate will never spoil your fortune. I have a good estate myself, thank Heav'n, and a kind husband that left it behind him. Well. Thank Heav'n, that took him away from it, widow, and left you behind him.

Wid. Nay, Heav'n's will must be done; he's in a better place.

Well. A better place for you, no doubt on't: now you may look about you; chuse for yourself. Mrs Lackitt, that's your business; for I know you design to marry again.

Wid. O dear! Not I, I protest and swear; I don't design it: but I won't swear neither; one does not know what may happen to tempt one. Well. Why, a lusty young fellow may happen to tempt you.

Wid. Nay, I'll do nothing rashly: I'll resolve against nothing. The devil, they say, is very busy upon these occasions, especially with the widows. But, if I am to be tempted, it must be with a young man, I promise you.-Mrs Lucy, your brother is a very pleasant gentleman: I came about business to him, but he turns every thing in merriment.

Well. Business, Mrs Lackitt? Then, I know, you would have me to yourself. Pray leave us

together, sister. [Exit Lucy.] What am I drawing upon myself here?

[Aside. Wid. You have taken a very pretty house here; every thing so neat about you already. I hear you are laying out for a plantation.

Well. Why, yes truly, I like the country, and would buy a plantation, if I could reasonably. Wid. Ŏ! by all means, reasonably.

Well. If I could have one to my mind, I would think of settling among you. Wid. O! you can't do better. Indeed we can't pretend to have so good company for you, as you had in England; but we shall make very much of you. For my own part, I assure you, I shall think myself very happy to be more particularly known to you.

Well. Dear Mrs Lackitt, you do me too much honour.

Wid. Then, as to a plantation, Mr Welldon, you know I have several to dispose of. Mr Lackitt, I thank him, has left, though I say it, the richest widow upon the place: therefore I may afford to use you better than other people can. You shall have one upon any reasonable terms. Well. That's a fair offer indeed.

Wid. You shall find me as easy as any body you can have to do with, I assure you. Pray try me, I would have you try me, Mr Welldon. Well, I like that name of yours exceedingly, Mr Welldon.

Well. My name?

Wid. O exceedingly! if any thing could persuade me to alter my own name, I verily believe nothing in the world would do it so soon, as to be called Mrs Welldon.

Well. Why, indeed, Welldon does sound something better than Lackitt.

Wid. O! a great deal better. Not that there is so much in a name neither. But I don't know, there is something: I should like mightily to be called Mrs Welldon.

Well. I'm glad you like my name.

Wid. Of all things. But then, there's the misfortune; one can't change one's name, without changing one's condition.

Well. You'll hardly think it worth that, I believe.

Wid. Think it worth what, sir? Changing my condition? Indeed, sir, I think it worth every thing. But, alas! Mr Welldon, I have been a widow but six weeks; 'tis too soon to think of changing one's condition yet; indeed it is: Pray don't desire it of me: Not but that you may persuade me to any thing, sooner than any person in the world

Well. Who, I, Mrs Lackitt?

Wid. Indeed you may, Mr Welldon, sooner than any man living. Lord, there's a great deal in saving a decency: I never minded it before: Well, I am glad you spoke first, to excuse my modesty. But what! modesty means nothing, and is the virtue of a girl, that does not know what she would be at; a widow should be wiser. Now I will own to you-but I won't confess neither-I have had a great respect for you a great

while I beg your pardon, sir, and I must declare to you, indeed I must, if you desire to dispose of all I have in the world, in an honourable way, which I don't pretend to be any way deserving your consideration, my fortune and person,if you won't understand me without telling you so, are both at your service. Gad so! another time

Enter STANMORE to them.

Stan. So, Mrs Lackitt, your widowhood is waning apace. I see which way 'tis going. Welldon, you're a happy man. The women and their favours come home to you.

Wid. A fiddle of favour, Mr Stanmore: I am a lone woman, you know it, left in a great deal of business, and business must be followed or lost. I have several stocks and plantations upon my hands, and other things to dispose of, which Mr Welldon may have occasion for.

Well. We were just upon the brink of a bargain, as you came in.

Stan. Let me drive it on for you.

Well. So you must, I believe, you or somebody for me.

Stan. I'll stand by you: I understand more of this business than they can pretend to.

Well. I don't pretend to't; 'tis quite out of my way indeed.

Stan. If the widow gets you to herself, she will certainly be too hard for you: I know her of old: she has no conscience in a corner; a very Jew in a bargain, and would circumcise you to get more of you.

Well. Is this true, widow?

Wid. Speak as you find, Mr Welldon: I have offered you very fair: think upon't, and let me hear of you: the sooner the better, Mr Welldon. [Erit. | Stan. I assure you, my friend, she'll cheat you, if she can.

Well. I don't know that; but I can cheat her, if I will.

Stan. Cheat her? How?

Well. I can marry her; and then I'm sure I have it in my power to cheat her.

Stan. Can you marry her?

Well. Yes, faith, so she says: her pretty person and fortune (which, one with the other, you know, are not contemptible) are both at my service.

Stan. Contemptible! very considerable, egad; very desirable: Why, she's worth ten thousand pounds, man, a clear estate: no charge upon't, but a boobily son: he indeed was to have half; but his father begot him, and she breeds him up, not to know or have more than she has a mind to and she has a mind to something else, it

devil for you. She'll cheat her son of a good estate for you; that's a perquisite of a widow's portion always.

Well. I have a design, and will follow her at least, till I have a pennyworth of the plantation. Stan. I speak as a friend, when I advise you to marry her. For 'tis directly against the inte rest of my own family. My cousin Jack has be laboured her a good while that way.

Well. What! honest Jack! I'll not hinder him. I'll give over the thoughts of her.

Stan. He'll make nothing on't; she does not care for him. I'm glad you have her in your power. Well. I may be able to serve him. Stan. Here's a ship come into the river; I was in hopes it had been from England. Well. From England!

Stan. No, I was disappointed; long to see this handsome cousin of yours: the picture you gave me of her has charmed me.

Well. You'll see whether it has flattered her or no, in a little time, if she be recovered of that illness, that was the reason of her staying behind us. I know she will come with the first oppor tunity. We shall see her, or hear of her death.

San. We'll hope the best. The ships from England are expected every day.

Well. What ship is this?

Stan. A rover, a buccaneer, a trader in slaves: that's the commodity we deal in, you know. If you have a curiosity to see our manner of marketting, I'll wait upon you.

Well. We'll take my sister with us. [Exeunt.

SCENE II.-An open Place.

Enter Lieutenant-Governor and BLANDFORD. 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 favoured 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 Widow LACKITT and several planters. En ter at another door, WELLDON, LUCY, STAN

MORE.

Wid. Here have I six slaves in my lot, and not a man among 'em; all women and children! what can I do with 'em, captain? Pray consider; I am a woman myself, and can't get my own slaves, as some of my neighbours do.

1 Plan. I have all men in mine: pray, captain, let the men and women be mingled together, for procreation's sake, and the good of the plantation.

2 Plan. Ay, ay, a man and woman, captain, for the good of the plantation.

Capt. Let 'em mingle together and be damned, what care I? would you have me pimp for the good of the plantation!

1 Plan. I am a constant customer, captain. Wid. I am always ready money to you, captain. 1 Plan. For that matter, mistress, my money is as ready as yours.

Wid. Pray hear me, captain.

Capt. Look you, I have done my part by you; I have brought the number of slaves you bargained for; if your lots have not pleased 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 hold your tongue: for my part, I expect my money. Wid. Captain, no body 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?

Wid. I say no more than I can make out.
Capt. Out with it then.

Wid. 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.

Wid. Then here's a prince, as they say, among the slaves, and you set him down to go as a

common man.

Capt. Have you a mind to try what a man he is? you'll find him no more than a common man at your business.

Wid. Sir, you're a scurvy fellow to talk at this rate to me. If my husband were alive, gadsbodikins! you would not use me so.

Capt. Right, mistress, I would not use you at all.

You

Wid. Not use me! your betters every inch of you, I would have you to know, would be glad to use me, sirrah. Marry come up here, who are you, I trow? You begin to think yourself a captain, forsooth, because we call you so. forget yourself as fast as you can; but I remember you; I know you for a pitiful paltry fellow, as you are; an upstart to prosperity; one that is but just come acquainted with cleanliness, and that never saw five shillings of your own, without deserving to be hanged for 'em.

Gov. She has given you a broadside, captain; you'll stand up to her.

Capt. Hang her, stink-pot, I'll come no nearer. Wid. By this good light, it would make a woman do a thing she never designed; marry again, though she were sure to repent it, to be revenged of such a

J. Stan. What's the matter, Mrs Lackitt; can I serve you?

Wid. No, no, you can't serve me: you are for serving yourself, I'm sure. Pray, go about your business, I have none for you: you know I have told you so. Lord! how can you be so troublesome? nay, so unconscionable, to think that every rich widow must throw herself away upon a young fellow that has nothing?

Stan. Jack, you are answered, I suppose. J. Stan. I'll have another pluck at her. Wid. Mr Welldon, I am a little out of order; but pray bring your sister to dine with me.Gad's my life! I'm out of all patience with that pitiful fellow; my flesh rises at him: I can't stay in the place where he is. [Exit. Blan. Captain, you have used the widow very familiarly.

Capt. This is my way; I have no design, and therefore am not over civil. If she had ever a handsome daughter, to wheedle her out of; or if I could make any thing of her booby sonWell. I may improve that hint, and make something of him. [Aside.

Gov. She's very rich.

Capt. I'm rich myself. She has nothing that I want: I have no leaks to stop. Old women are fortune-menders. I have made a good voyage, and would reap the fruits of my labour. We plough the deep, my masters, but our harvest is on shore. I'm for a young woman.

Stan. Look about, captain, there's one ripe, and ready for the sickle.

Capt. A woman? indeed! I will be acquainted with her: Who is she?

Well. My sister, sir.

Capt. Would I were a-kin to her! If she were my sister, she should never go out of the family. What say you, mistress? You expect I should marry you, I suppose.

Luc. I shan't be disappointed if you don't. [Turning away.

Well. She won't break her heart, sir. Capt. But I mean[Following her. Well. And I mean- [Going between him and LUCY.] that you must not think of her without marrying.

Capt. I mean so too.

Well. Why then your meaning's out.
Capt. You're very short.

Well. I will grow, and be taller for you.
Capt. I shall grow angry, and swear.
Well. You'll catch no fish, then.

Capt. I don't well know whether he designs to affront me, or no.

Stan. No, no, he's a little familiar; 'tis his

way.

Capt. Say you so? as he, if that be it. full: What say you? brother-in-law?

nay, I can be as familiar Well, sir, look upon me How do you like me for a

Well. Why, yes, faith, you'll do my business, [Turning him about.] if we can agree about my sister's.

Capt. I don't know whether your sister will like me or not: I can't say much to her: but I have money enough; and if you are her brother, as you seem to be a-kin to her, I know that will recommend me to you.

Well. This is your market for slaves; my sister is a free woman, and must not be disposed of in public. You shall be welcome to my house if you please; and, upon better acquaintance, if my sister likes you, and I like your offers-

Capt. Very well, sir, I'll come and see her. Gov. Where are the slaves, captain? They are long a-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 forced 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 Óroonoko

Blan. Is that his name?
Capt. Ay, Oroonoko.
Gov. Oroonoko.

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 privately 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.

i 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.

I did design to carry him to England, to have shewed him there; but I found him troublesome upon my hands, and I'm glad I'm rid of him— Oh, ho, here they come.

Black Slaves, Men, Women, and Children, pass across the Stage by two and two; ABOAN, and others of OROONOKO'S attendants, two and two: OROONOKO, last of all, in chains. Luc. Are all these wretches slaves? Stan. All sold, they and their posterity, all slaves.

Luc. O miserable fortune!

Blan. Most of 'em know no better; they were born so, and only change their masters. But a prince, born only to command, betrayed and sold! My heart drops blood for him.

Capt. Now, governor, here he comes; 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.

Oro. You are a Christian, be a Christian still: If 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.— You faithful followers of my better fortune, We have been fellow-soldiers in the field;

[Embracing his friends. Now we are fellow-slaves. This last farewell. Be sure of one thing that will comfort us; Whatever world we next are 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 will revenge my chains: fear even me, Who have no power to hurt thee. Nature abhors,

And drives thee out from the society
And commerce of mankind, for breach of faith.
Men live and prosper but in mutual trust,
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

[BLANDFORD applying to kim.

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 damned, I care not.

Oro. I would forget myself. Be satisfied, [To BLAN.

1

Should give you new disquiets, I presume

knows me,

For his own sake will not discover me.

Capt. I have other matters to mind. You have him; and much good may do you with your prince. [Exit. The planters pulling and staring at OROONOKO. Blan. What would you have there? You stare as if you never saw a man before. Stand farther off.

Oro. Let 'em stare on;

[Turns them away.

I am unfortunate, but not ashamed

Of being so: no, let the guilty blush,

The white man that betray'd me: honest black
Disdains to change its colour. I am ready :
Where must I go? dispose me as you please.
I am not well acquainted with my fortune,
But must learn to know it better: so I know,
you say,

* Degrees make all things easy.

Blan. All things shall be easy.

Oro. Tear off this pomp, and let me know
myself:

The slavish habit best becomes me now.
Hard fare, and whips, and chains, may over-

Oro. I am myself; but call me what you please.

Stan. A very good name, Cæsar.

Gov. And very fit for his character.
Oro. Was Cæsar then a slave?

Gov. I think he was; to pirates too: he was a great conqueror, but unfortunate in his friends

Oro. His friends were Christians?
Blan. No.

Oro. No! that's strange.

Gov. And murdered by 'em.

Oro. I would be Cæsar then. Yet I will live. Blan. Live to be happier.

you.

Oro. Do what you will with me. Blan. I'll wait upon you, attend, and serve [Exit with OROONOKO. Lucy. Well, if the captain had brought this prince's country along with him, and would make me queen of it, I would not have him, after doing so base a thing.

Well. He's a man to thrive in the world, sister: he'll make you the better jointure. Lucy. Hang him, nothing can prosper with

him.

Stan. Inquire into the great estates, and you will find most of 'em depend upon the same title of honesty: the men who raise 'em first are much of the captain's principles.

Well. Ay, ay, as you say, let him be damn'd for the good of his family. Come, sister, we are invited to dinner.

Gov. Stanmore, you dine with me. [Exeunt.

SCENE I-Widow LACKITT's House. Enter Widow LACKITT and WELLDON. Well. This is so great a favour, I don't know how to receive it.

Wid. O dear sir! you know how to receive, and how to return a favour, as well as any body, I don't doubt it: 'tis not the first you have had from our sex, I suppose.

Well. But this is so unexpected.

Wid. Lord, how can you say so, Mr. Welldon! I won't believe you. Don't I know you handsome gentlemen expect every thing that a woman can do for you? And by my troth, you're in the right on't: I think one can't do too much for a handsome gentleman; and so you shall find it. Well. I shall never have such an offer again, that's certain: What shall I do? I am mightily divided[Pretending a concern. Wid. Divided! O dear, I hope not so, sir. If I marry, truly I expect to have you to myself. Well. There's no danger of that, Mrs Lackitt, I am divided in my thoughts. My father, upon

Well. All in all to me. The commands of a dying father, you know, ought to be obeyed. Wid. And so they may.

Well. Impossible, to do me any good.

Wid. They shan't be your hinderance. You would have a husband for your sister, you say: he must be very well to pass too in the world, I suppose?

Well. I would not throw her away.

Wid. Then marry her out of hand, to the sea captain you were speaking of.

Well. I was thinking of him, but 'tis to no purpose; she hates him.

Wid. Does she hate him? nay, 'tis no matter;' an impudent rascal as he is, I would not advise her to marry him.