re Name of Religion; and, without Virtue or
Morality, think that sufficient. But _Oroonoko_ was none of those
Professors; but as he had right Notions of Honour, so he made her such
Propositions as were not only and barely such; but, contrary to the
Custom of his Country, he made her Vows, she should be the only Woman he
would possess while he liv'd; that no Age or Wrinkles should incline him
to change: for her Soul would be always fine, and always young; and he
should have an eternal _Idea_ in his Mind of the Charms she now bore;
and should look into his Heart for that _Idea_, when he could find it no
longer in her Face.

After a thousand Assurances of his lasting Flame, and her eternal Empire
over him, she condescended to receive him for her Husband; or rather,
receive him, as the greatest Honour the Gods could do her.

There is a certain Ceremony in these Cases to be observ'd, which I
forgot to ask how 'twas perform'd; but 'twas concluded on both Sides,
that in Obedience to him, the Grandfather was to be first made
acquainted with the Design: For they pay a most absolute Resignation to
the Monarch, especially when he is a Parent also.

On the other Side, the old King, who had many Wives, and many
Concubines, wanted not Court-Flatterers to insinuate into his Heart a
thousand tender Thoughts for this young Beauty; and who represented her
to his Fancy, as the most charming he had ever possess'd in all the long
Race of his numerous Years. At this Character, his old Heart, like an
extinguish'd Brand, most apt to take Fire, felt new Sparks of Love, and
began to kindle; and now grown to his second Childhood, long'd with
Impatience to behold this gay Thing, with whom, alas! he could but
innocently play. But how he should be confirm'd she was this _Wonder_,
before he us'd his Power to call her to Court, (where Maidens never
came, unless for the King's private Use) he was next to consider; and
while he was so doing, he had Intelligence brought him, that _Imoinda_
was most certainly Mistress to the Prince _Oroonoko_. This gave him some
Chagrine: however, it gave him also an Opportunity, one Day, when the
Prince was a hunting, to wait on a Man of Quality, as his Slave and
Attendant, who should go and make a Present to _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,