'Twas then, afflicted as Oroonoko was, that he was proclaimed
general in the old man's place: and then it was, at the finishing of
that war, which had continued for two years, that the prince came to
court, where he had hardly been a month together, from the time of his
fifth year to that of seventeen; and 'twas amazing to imagine where it
was he learned so much humanity: or, to give his accomplishments a
juster name, where 'twas he got that real greatness of soul, those
refined notions of true honor, that absolute generosity, and that
softness that was capable of the highest passions of love and
gallantry, whose objects were almost continually fighting men, or
those mangled or dead, who heard no sounds but those of war and
groans. Some part of it we may attribute to the care of a Frenchman of
wit and learning, who, finding it turn to very good account to be a
sort of royal tutor to this young black, and perceiving him very
ready, apt, and quick of apprehension, took a great pleasure to
teach him morals, language, and science; and was for it extremely
beloved and valued by him. Another reason was, he loved when he came
from war, to see all the English gentlemen that traded thither; and
did not only learn their language, but that of the Spaniard also, with
whom he traded afterwards for slaves.
I have often seen and conversed with this great man, and been a
witness to many of his mighty actions; and do assure my reader, the
most illustrious courts could not have produced a braver man, both for
greatness of courage and mind, a judgment more solid, a wit more
quick, and a conversation more sweet and diverting.
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