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I do not pretend, in giving you the history of this Royal Slave, to entertain my reader with adventures of a
feigned hero, whose life and fortunes fancy may manage at the poet's pleasure; nor in relating the truth, design
to adorn it with any accidents but such as arrived in earnest to him: and it shall come simply into the world,
recommended by its own proper merits and natural intrigues; there being enough of reality to support it, and
to render it diverting, without the addition of invention.
I was myself an eye-witness to a great part of what you will find here set down; and what I could not be
witness of, I received from the mouth of the chief actor in this history, the hero himself, who gave us the
whole transactions of his youth: and though I shall omit, for brevity's sake, a thousand little accidents of his
life, which, however pleasant to us, where history was scarce and adventures very rare, yet might prove
tedious and heavy to my reader, in a world where he finds diversions for every minute, new and strange. But
we who were perfectly charmed with the character of this great man were curious to gather every
circumstance of his life.
The scene of the last part of his adventures lies in a colony in America, called Surinam, in the West Indies.
But before I give you the story of this gallant slave, 'tis fit I tell you the manner of bringing them to these new
colonies; those they make use of there not being natives of the place: for those we live with in perfect amity,
without daring to command 'em; but, on the contrary, caress 'em with all the brotherly and friendly affection
in the world; trading with them for their fish, venison, buffalo's skins, and little rarities; as marmosets, a sort
of monkey, as big as a rat or weasel, but of marvelous and delicate shape, having face and hands like a human
creature; and cousheries, a little beast in the form and fashion of a lion, as big as a kitten, but so exactly made
in all parts like that noble beast that it is it in miniature. Then for little paraketoes, great parrots, mackaws, and
a thousand other birds and beasts of wonderful and surprising forms, shapes, and colors. For skins of
Royal Slave 1 Imoinda, as from the prince; he should then, unknown, see this fair maid, and have an opportunity to hear
what message she would return the prince for his present, and from thence gather the state of her heart, and
degree of her inclination. This was put in execution, and the old monarch saw, and burned: he found her all he
had heard, and would not delay his happiness, but found he should have some obstacle to overcome her heart;
for she expressed her sense of the present the prince had sent her, in terms so sweet, so soft and pretty, with an
air of love and joy that could not be dissembled, insomuch that 'twas past doubt whether she loved Oroonoko
entirely. This gave the old king some affliction; but he salved it with this, that the obedience the people pay
their king was not at all inferior to what they paid their gods; and what love would not oblige Imoinda to do,
duty would compel her to.
He was therefore no sooner got to his apartment but he sent the royal veil to Imoinda; that is the ceremony of
invitation: he sends the lady he has a mind to honor with his bed, a veil, with which she is covered, and
secured for the king's use; and 'tis death to disobey; besides, held a most impious disobedience.
'Tis not to be imagined the surprise and grief that seized the lovely maid at this news and sight. However, as
delays in these cases are dangerous, and pleading worse than treason; trembling, and almost fainting, she was
obliged to suffer herself to be covered and led away.
They brought her thus to court; and the king, who had caused a very rich bath to be prepared, was led into it,
where he sat under a canopy, in state, to receive this longed-for virgin; whom he having commanded should
be brought to him, they (after disrobing her) led her to the bath, and making fast the doors, left her to descend.
The king, without more courtship, bade her throw off her mantle, and come to his arms. But Imoinda, all in
tears, threw herself on the marble, on the brink of the bath, and besought him to hear her. She told him, as she
was a maid, how proud of the divine glory she should have been, of having it in her power to oblige her king;
but as by the laws he could not, and from his royal goodness would not, take from any man his wedded wife;
so she believed she should be the occasion of making him commit a great sin if she did not reveal her state
and condition, and tell him she was another's, and could not be so happy to be his./
The king, enraged at this delay, hastily demanded the name of the bold man that had married a woman of her
degree without his consent. Imoinda, seeing his eyes fierce, and his hands tremble (whether with age or anger,
I know not, but she fancied the last), almost repented she had said so much, for now she feared the storm
would fall on the prince; she therefore said a thousand things to appease the raging of his flame, and to
prepare him to hear who it was with calmness: but before she spoke, he imagined who she meant, but would
not seem to do so, but commanded her to lay aside her mantle, and suffer herself to receive his caresses, or, by
his gods he swore, that happy man whom she was going to name should die, though it were even Oroonoko
himself. "Therefore," said he, "deny this marriage, and swear thyself a maid." "That," replied Imoinda, "by all
our powers I do; for I am not yet known to my husband." "'Tis enough," said the king, "'tis enough both to
satisfy my conscience and my heart." And rising from his seat, he went and led her into the bath; it being in
vain for her to resist.
In this time, the prince, who was returned from hunting, went to visit his Imoinda, but found her gone; and not
only so, but heard she had received the royal veil. This raised him to a storm; and in his madness, they had
much ado to save him from laying violent hands on himself. Force first prevailed, and then reason: they urged
all to him that might oppose his rage; but nothing weighed so greatly with him as the king's old age, uncapable
of injuring him with Imoinda. He would give way to that hope, because it pleased him most, and flattered best
his heart. Yet this served not altogether to make him cease his different passions, which sometimes raged
within him, and softened into showers. 'Twas not enough to appease him, to tell him his grandfather was old,
and could not that way injure him, while he retained that awful duty which the young men are used there to
pay to their grave relations. He could not be convinced he had no cause to sigh and mourn for the loss of a
mistress he could not with all his strength and courage retrieve. And he would often cry, "O, my friends! were
she in walled cities, or confined from me in fortifications of the greatest strength; did enchantments or
monsters detain her from me; I would venture through any hazard to free her: but here, in the arms of a feeble
Royal Slave 6old man, my youth, my violent love, my trade in arms, and all my vast desire of glory, avail me nothing.
Imoinda is as irrecoverably lost to me as if she were snatched by the cold arms of death. Oh! she is never to be
retrieved. If I would wait tedious years, till fate should bow the old king to his grave, even that would not
leave me Imoinda free; but still that custom that makes it so vile a crime for a son to marry his father's wives
or mistresses would hinder my happiness; unless I would either ignobly set an ill precedent to my successors,
or abandon my country, and fly with her to some unknown world who never heard our story."
But it was objected to him that his case was not the same; for Imoinda being his lawful wife by solemn
contract, 'twas he was the injured man, and might, if he so pleased take Imoinda back, the breach of the law
being on his grandfather's side; and that if he could circumvent him, and redeem her from the otan, which is
the palace of the king's women, a sort of seraglio, it was both just and lawful for him so to do.
This reasoning had some force upon him, and he should have been entirely comforted, but for the thought that
she was possessed by his grandfather. However, he loved so well that he was resolved to believe what most
favored his hope, and to endeavor to learn from Imoinda's own mouth, what only she could satisfy him in,
whether she was robbed of that blessing which was only due to his faith and love. But as it was very hard to
get a sight of the women (for no men ever entered into the otan but when the king went to entertain himself
with some one of his wives or mistresses; and 'twas death, at any other time, for any other to go in), so he
knew not how to contrive to get a sight of her.
While Oroonoko felt all the agonies of love, and suffered under a torment the most painful in the world, the
old king was not exempted from his share of affliction. He was troubled for having been forced, by an
irresistible passion, to rob his son of a treasure, he knew, could not but be extremely dear to him; since she
was the most beautiful that ever had been seen, and had besides all the sweetness and innocence of youth and
modesty, with a charm of wit surpassing all. He found that, however she was forced to expose her lovely
person to his withered arms, she could only sigh and weep there, and think of Oroonoko; and oftentimes could
not forbear speaking of him, though her life were, by custom, forfeited by owning her passion. But she spoke
not of a lover only, but of a prince dear to him to whom she spoke; and of the praises of a man who, till now,
filled the old man's soul with joy at every recital of his bravery, or even his name. And 'twas this dotage on
our young hero that gave Imoinda a thousand privileges to speak of him, without offending; and this
condescension in the old king, that made her take the satisfaction of speaking of him so very often.
Besides, he many times inquired how the prince bore himself: and those of whom he asked, being entirely
slaves to the merits and virtues of the prince, still answered what they thought conduced best to his service;
which was, to make the old king fancy that the prince had no more interest in Imoinda, and had resigned her
willingly to the pleasure of the king; that he diverted himself with his mathematicians, his fortifications, his
officers, and his hunting.
This pleased the old lover, who failed not to report these things again to Imoinda, that she might, by the
example of her young lover, withdraw her heart, and rest better contented in his arms. But, however she was
forced to receive this unwelcome news, in all appearance with unconcern and content, her heart was bursting
within, and she was only happy when she could get alone, to vent her griefs and moans with sighs and tears.
What reports of the prince's conduct were made to the king, he thought good to justify as far as possibly he
could by his actions; and when he appeared in the presence of the king, he showed a face not at all betraying
his heart: so that in a little time, the old man, being entirely convinced that he was no longer a lover of
Imoinda, he carried him with him, in his train, to the otan, often to banquet with his mistresses. But as soon as
he entered, one day, into the apartment of Imoinda, with the king, at the first glance from her eyes,
notwithstanding all his determined resolution, he was ready to sink in the place where he stood; and had
certainly done so but for the support of Aboan, a young man who was next to him; which, with his change of
countenance, had betrayed him, had the king chanced to look that way. And I have observed, 'tis a very great
error in those who laugh when one says, "A negro can change color": for I have seen 'em as frequently blush,
Royal Slave 7and look pale, and that as visibly as ever I saw in the most beautiful white. And 'tis certain that both these
changes were evident, this day, in both these lovers. And Imoinda, who saw with some joy the change in the
prince's face, and found it in her own, strove to divert the king from beholding either, by a forced caress, with
which she met him; which was a new wound in the heart of the poor dying prince. But as soon as the king was
busied in looking on some fine thing of Imoinda's making, she had time to tell the prince, with her angry, but
love-darting eyes, that she resented his coldness, and bemoaned her own miserable captivity. Nor were his
eyes silent, but answered hers again, as much as eyes could do, instructed by the most tender and most
passionate heart that ever loved: and they spoke so well, and so effectually, as Imoinda no longer doubted but
she was the only delight and darling of that soul she found pleading in 'em its right of love, which none was
more willing to resign than she. And 'twas this powerful language alone that in an instant conveyed all the
thoughts of their souls to each other; that they both found there wanted but opportunity to make them both
entirely happy. But when he saw another door opened by Onahal (a former old wife of the king's, who now
had charge of Imoinda), and saw the prospect of a bed of state made ready, with sweets and flowers for the
dalliance of the king, who immediately led the trembling victim from his sight, into that prepared repose; what
rage! what wild frenzies seized his heart! which forcing to keep within bounds, and to suffer without noise, it
became the more insupportable, and rent his soul with ten thousand pains. He was forced to retire to vent his
groans, where he fell down on a carpet, and lay struggling a long time, and only breathing now and then, "O
Imoinda!" When Onahal had finished her necessary affair within, shutting the door, she came forth, to wait till
the king called; and hearing someone sighing in the other room, she passed on, and found the prince in that
deplorable condition, which she thought needed her aid. She gave him cordials, but all in vain; till finding the
nature of his disease, by his sighs, and naming Imoinda, she told him he had not so much cause as he
imagined to afflict himself: for if he knew the king so well as she did, he would not lose a moment in
jealousy; and that she was confident that Imoinda bore, at this moment, part in his affliction. Aboan was of the
same opinion, and both together persuaded him to reassume his courage; and all sitting down on the carpet,
the prince said so many obliging things to Onahal that he half-persuaded her to be of his party: and she
promised him she would thus far comply with his just desires, that she would let Imoinda know how faithful
he was, what he suffered, 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 called in with the rest who waited without. The king commanded music to be
brought, and several of his young wives and mistresses came all together by his command, to dance before
him; where Imoinda performed 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 danced, 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 governantes to the new and the young ones, and whose business it was to teach
them all those wanton arts of love with which they prevailed and charmed 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 their honors 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 decayed beauty
than to behold in itself declining charms that were once adored; 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 abandoned ladies therefore endeavor to revenge all the despites 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 retired 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 subdued the heart of the antiquated Onahal, which had not
Royal Slave 8forgot how pleasant it was to be in love. And though she had some decays in her face, she had none in her
sense and wit; she was there agreeable still, even to Aboan's youth: so that he took pleasure in entertaining her
with discourses of love. He knew also that to make his court to these she-favorites was the way to be great;
these being the persons that do all affairs and business at court. He had also observed that she had given him
glances more tender and inviting than she had done to others of his quality. And now, when he saw that her
favor could so absolutely oblige the prince, he failed not to sigh in her ear, and to look with eyes all soft upon
her, and gave her hope that she had made some impressions on his heart. He found her pleased at this, and
making a thousand advances to him: but the ceremony ending, and the king departing, broke up the company
for that day, and his conversation.
Aboan failed not that night to tell the prince of his success, and how advantageous the service of Onahal might
be to his amour with Imoinda. The prince was overjoyed with this good news, and besought him if it were
possible to caress her so as to engage her entirely, which he could not fail to do, if he complied with her
desires: "For then," said the prince, "her life lying at your mercy, she must grant you the request you make in
my behalf." Aboan understood him, and assured him he would make love so effectually that he would defy
the most expert mistress of the art to find out whether he dissembled it, or had it really. And 'twas with
impatience they waited the next opportunity of going to the otan.
The wars came on, the time of taking the field approached; and 'twas impossible for the prince to delay his
going at the head of his army to encounter the enemy; so that every day seemed a tedious year, till he saw his
Imoinda: for he believed he could not live if he were forced away without being so happy. 'Twas with
impatience, therefore, that he expected the next visit the king would make; and according to his wish it was
not long.
The parley of the eyes of these two lovers had not passed so secretly but an old jealous lover could spy it; or
rather, he wanted not flatterers who told him they observed it: so that the prince was hastened to the camp, and
this was the last visit he found he should make to the otan; he therefore urged Aboan to make the best of this
last effort, and to explain himself so to Onahal that she, deferring her enjoyment of her young lover no longer,
might make way for the prince to speak to Imoinda.
The whole affair being agreed on between the prince and Aboan, they attended the king, as the custom was, to
the otan; where, while the whole company was taken up in beholding the dancing, and antic postures the
woman-royal made, to divert the kind, Onahal singled out Aboan, whom she found most pliable to her wish.
When she had him where she believed she could not be heard, she sighed to him, and softly cried, "Ah,
Aboan! when will you be sensible of my passion? I confess it with my mouth, because I would not give my
eyes the lie; and you have but too much already perceived they have confessed my flame: nor would I have
you believe that, because I am the abandoned mistress of a king, I esteem myself altogether divested of
charms. No, Aboan, I have still a rest of beauty enough engaging, and have learned to please too well, not to
be desirable. I can have lovers still, but will have none but Aboan." "Madam," replied the half-feigning youth,
"you have already, by my eyes, found you can still conquer; and I believe 'tis in pity of me you condescend to
this kind confession. But, Madam, words are used to be so small a part of our country-courtship that 'tis rare
one can get so happy an opportunity as to tell one's heart; and those few minutes we have are forced to be
snatched for more certain proofs of love than speaking and sighing; and such I languish for."
He spoke this with such a tone that she hoped it true, and could not forbear believing it; and being wholly
transported with joy for having subdued the finest of all the king's subjects to her desires, she took from her
ears two large pearls, and commanded him to wear 'em in his. He would have refused 'em, crying, "Madam,
these are not the proofs of your love that I expect; 'tis opportunity, 'tis a lone hour only, that can make me
happy." But forcing the pearls into his hand, she whispered softly to him; "Oh! do not fear a woman's
invention, when love sets her a-thinking." And pressing his hand, she cried, "This night you shall be happy.
Come to the gate of the orange-grove, behind the otan, and I will be ready about midnight to receive you."
'Twas thus agreed, and she left him, that no notice might be taken of their speaking together.
Royal Slave 9The ladies were still dancing, and the king, laid on a carpet, with a great deal of pleasure was beholding them,
especially Imoinda, who that day appeared more lovely than ever, being enlivened with the good tidings
Onahal had brought her, of the constant passion the prince had for her. The prince was laid on another carpet
at the other end of the room, with his eyes fixed on the object of his soul; and as she turned or moved, so did
they: and she alone gave his eyes and soul their motions. Nor did Imoinda employ her eyes to any other use
than in beholding with infinite pleasure the joy she produced in those of the prince. But while she was more
regarding him than the steps she took, she chanced to fall; and so near him, as that leaping with extreme force
from the carpet, he caught her in his arms as she fell: and 'twas visible to the whole presence, the joy
wherewith he received her. He clasped her close to his bosom, and quite forgot that reverence that was due to
the mistress of a king, and that punishment that is the reward of a boldness of this nature. And had not the
presence of mind of Imoinda (fonder of his safety than her own) befriended him, in making her spring from
his arms, and fall into her dance again, he had at that instant met his death; for the old king, jealous to the last
degree, rose up in rage, broke all the diversion, and led Imoinda to her apartment, and sent out word to the
prince to go immediately to the camp; and that if he were found another night in court, he should suffer the
death ordained for disobedient offenders.
You may imagine how welcome this news was to Oroonoko, whose unseasonable transport and caress of
Imoinda was blamed by all men that loved him: and now he perceived his fault, yet cried that for such another
moment he would be content to die.
All the otan was in disorder about this accident; and Onahal was particularly concerned because on the
prince's stay depended her happiness; for she could no longer expect that of Aboan: so that ere they departed,
they contrived it so that the prince and he should both come that night to the grove of the otan, which was all
of oranges and citrons, and that there they would wait her orders.
They parted thus with grief enough till night, leaving the king in possession of the lovely maid. But nothing
could appease the jealousy of the old lover; he would not be imposed on, but would have it that Imoinda made
a false step on purpose to fall into Oroonoko's bosom, and that all things looked like a design on both sides;
and 'twas in vain she protested her innocence: he was old and obstinate, and left her more than half assured
that his fear was true.
The king, going to his apartment, sent to know where the prince was, and if be intended to obey his command.
The messenger returned, and told him, he found the prince pensive, and altogether unprepared for the
campaign; that he lay negligently on the ground, and answered very little. This confirmed the jealousy of the
king, and he commanded that they should very narrowly and privately watch his motions; and that he should
not stir from his apartment but one spy or other should be employed to watch him: so that the hour
approaching wherein he was to go to the citron-grove and taking only Aboan along with him, he leaves his
apartment, and was watched to the very gate of the otan; where he was seen to enter, and where they left him,
to carry back the tidings to the king.
Oroonoko and Aboan were no sooner entered but Onahal led the prince to the apartment of Imoinda; who, not
knowing anything of her happiness, was laid in bed. But Onahal only left him in her chamber, to make the
best of his opportunity, and took her dear Aboan to her own; where he showed the height of complaisance for
his prince, when, to give him an opportunity, he suffered himself to be caressed in bed by Onahal.
The prince softly wakened Imoinda, who was not a little surprised with joy to find him there; and yet she
trembled with a thousand fears. I believe he omitted saying nothing to this young maid that might persuade
her to suffer him to seize his own, and take the rights of love. And I believe she was not long resisting those
arms where she so longed to be; and having opportunity, night, and silence, youth, love, and desire, he soon
prevailed, and ravished in a moment what his old grandfather had been endeavoring for so many months.
'Tis not to be imagined the satisfaction of these two young lovers; nor the vows she made him, that she
remained a spotless maid till that night, and that what she did with his grandfather had robbed him of no part
of her virgin-honor; the gods, in mercy and justice, having reserved that for her plighted lord, to whom of
right it belonged. And 'tis impossible to express the transports he suffered, while he listened to a discourse so
charming from her loved lips; and clasped that body in his arms, for whom he had so long languished: and
nothing now afflicted him but his sudden departure from her; for he told her the necessity, and his commands,
but should depart satisfied in this, that since the old king had hitherto not been able to deprive him of those
enjoyments which only belonged to him, he believed for the future he would be less able to injure him: so
that, abating the scandal of the veil, which was no otherwise so than that she was wife to another, he believed
her safe, even in the arms of the king, and innocent; yet would he have ventured at the conquest of the world,
and have given it all, to have had her avoided that honor of receiving the royal veil. 'Twas thus, between a
thousand caresses, that both bemoaned the hard fate of youth and beauty, so liable to that cruel promotion:
'twas a glory that could well have been spared here, though desired and aimed at by all the young females of
that kingdom.
But while they were thus fondly employed, forgetting how time ran on, and that the dawn must conduct him
far away from his only happiness, they heard a great noise in the otan, and unusual voices of men; at which
the prince, starting from the arms of the frighted Imoinda, ran to a little battle-ax he used to wear by his side;
and having not so much leisure as to put on his habit, he opposed himself against some who were already
opening the door: which they did with so much violence that Oroonoko was not able to defend it; but was
forced to cry out with a commanding voice, "Whoever ye are that have the boldness to attempt to approach
this apartment thus rudely, know that I, the Prince Oroonoko, will revenge it with the certain death of him that
first enters. Therefore, stand back, and know, this place is sacred to love and me this night; to-morrow 'tis the
king's."
This he spoke with a voice so resolved and assured that they soon retired from the door; but cried, "'Tis by the
king's command we are come; and being satisfied by thy voice, O Prince, as much as if we had entered, we
can report to the king the truth of all his fears, and leave thee to provide for thy own safety, as thou art advised
by thy friends."
At these words they departed, and left the prince to take a short and sad leave of his Imoinda; who, trusting in
the strength of her charms, believed she should appease the fury of a jealous king, by saying she was
surprised, and that it was by force of arms he got into her apartment. All her concern now was for his life, and
therefore she hastened him to the camp, and with much ado prevailed on him to go. Nor was it she alone that
prevailed; Aboan and Onahal both pleaded, and both assured him of a lie that should be well enough contrived
to secure Imoinda. So that at last, with a heart sad as death, dying eyes, and sighing soul, Oroonoko departed,
and took his way to the camp.
It was not long after, the king in person came to the otan; where beholding Imoinda, with rage in his eyes, he
upbraided her wickedness and perfidy; and threatening her royal lover, she fell on her face at his feet,
bedewing the floor with her tears, and imploring his pardon for a fault which she had not with her will
committed; as Onahal, who was also prostrate with her, could testify: that, unknown to her, he had broke into
her apartment, and ravished her. She spoke this much against her conscience; but to save her own life, 'twas
absolutely necessary she should feign this falsity. She knew it could not injure the prince, he being fled to an
army that would stand by him against any injuries that should assault him. However, this last thought, of
Imoinda's being ravished, changed the measures of his revenge; and whereas before he designed to be himself
her executioner, he now resolved she should not die. But as it is the greatest crime in nature amongst 'em to
touch a woman after having been possessed by a son, a father, or a brother, so now he looked on Imoinda as a
polluted thing, wholly unfit for his embrace; nor would he resign her to his grandson, because she had
received the royal veil: he therefore removes her from the otan, with Onahal; whom he put into safe hands,
with order they should be both sold off as slaves to another country, either Christian or heathen, 'twas no
matter where