The whole proportion and air of his face was so nobly and
exactly formed that, bating his color, there could be nothing in
nature more beautiful, agreeable, and handsome. There was no one grace
wanting that bears the standard of true beauty. His hair came down
to his shoulders, by the aids of art, which was by pulling it out with
a quill, and keeping it combed; of which he took particular care.
Nor did the perfections of his mind come short of those of his person;
for his discourse was admirable upon almost any subject: and whoever
had heard him speak would have been convinced of their errors, that
all fine wit is confined to the white men, especially to those of
Christendom; and would have confessed that Oroonoko was as capable
even of reigning well, and of governing as wisely, had as great a
soul, as politic maxims, and was as sensible of power, as any prince
civilized in the most refined schools of humanity and learning, or the
most illustrious courts.
This prince, such as I have described him, whose soul and body
were so admirably adorned, was (while yet he was in the court of his
grandfather, as I said) as capable of love as 'twas possible for a
brave and gallant man to be; and in saying that, I have named the
highest degree of love: for sure great souls are most capable of
that passion.
I have already said, the old general was killed by the shot of an
arrow by the side of this prince in battle; and that Oroonoko was made
general.
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