This Frenchman was banished out of
his own country, for some heretical notions he held: and though he was
a man of very little religion, he had admirable morals and a brave
soul.
After the total defeat of Jamoan's army, which all fled, or were
left dead upon the place, they spent some time in the camp; Oroonoko
choosing rather to remain a while there in his tents than to enter
into a palace or live in a court where he had so lately suffered so
great a loss. The officers therefore, who saw and knew his cause of
discontent, invented all sorts of diversions and sports to entertain
their prince: so that what with those amusements abroad, and others at
home, that is, within their tents, with the persuasions, arguments,
and care of his friends and servants that he more peculiarly prized,
he wore off in time a great part of that chagrin, and torture of death
of despair, which the first effects of Imoinda's death had given
him; insomuch as having received a thousand kind embassies from the
king, and invitation to return to court, he obeyed, though with no
little reluctancy: and when he did so, there was a visible change in
him, and for a long time he was much more melancholy than before.
But time lessens all extremes, and reduces 'em to mediums and
unconcern: but no motives of beauties, though all endeavored it, could
engage him in any sort of amour, though he had all the invitations
to it, both from his own youth and others' ambitions and designs.
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