Believe this, when you behold Oroonoko the most wretched, and
abandoned by Fortune, of all the creation of the gods." So turning
himself about, he would make no more reply to all they could urge or
implore.
The army, beholding their officers return unsuccessful, with sad
faces and ominous looks, that presaged no good luck, suffered a
thousand fears to take possession of their hearts, and the enemy to
come even upon them, before they would provide for their safety, by
any defense: and though they were assured by some, who had a mind to
animate them, that they should be immediately headed by the prince,
and that in the mean time Aboan had orders to command as general;
yet they were so dismayed for want of that great example of bravery
that they could make but a very feeble resistance; and at last,
downright fled before the enemy, who pursued 'em to the very tents,
killing 'em. Nor could all Aboan's courage, which that day gained
him immortal glory, shame 'em into a manly defense of themselves.
The guards that were left behind about the prince's tent, seeing the
soldiers flee before the enemy, and scatter themselves all over the
plain in great disorder, made such outcries as roused the prince
from his amorous slumber, in which he had remained buried for two
days, without permitting any sustenance to approach him. But, in spite
of all his resolutions, he had not the constancy of grief to that
degree as to make him insensible of the danger of his army; and in
that instant he leaped from his couch, and cried, "Come, if we must
die, let us meet death the noblest way; and 'twill be more like
Oroonoko to encounter him at an army's head, opposing the torrent of a
conquering foe, than lazily on a couch, to wait his lingering
pleasure, and die every moment by a thousand racking thoughts; or be
tamely taken by an enemy, and led a whining lovesick slave to adorn
the triumphs of Jamoan, that young victor, who already is entered
beyond the limits I have prescribed him.
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