Oroonoko then
replied, he was very sorry to hear that the captain pretended to the
knowledge and worship of any gods, who had taught him no better
principles than not to credit as he would be credited. But they told
him, the difference of their faith occasioned that distrust: for the
captain had protested to him upon the word of a Christian, and sworn
in the name of a great God; which if he should violate, he would
expect eternal torment in the world to come. "Is that all the
obligation he has to be just to his oath?" replied Oroonoko. "Let
him know, I swear by my honor; which to violate would not only
render me contemptible and despised by all brave and honest men, and
so give myself perpetual pain, but it would be eternally offending and
displeasing all mankind; harming, betraying, circumventing, and
outraging all men. But punishments hereafter are suffered by one's
self; and the world takes no cognizance whether this God have revenged
'em, or not, 'tis done so secretly, and deferred so long: while the
man of no honor suffers every moment the scorn and contempt of the
honester world, and dies every day ignominiously in his fame, which is
more valuable than life. I speak not this to move belief, but to
show you how you mistake, when you imagine that he who will violate
his honor will keep his word with his gods." So, turning from him with
a disdainful smile, he refused to answer him, when he urged him to
know what answer he should carry back to his captain; so that he
departed without saying any more.
Pages:
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55