While they sat at meat, Mr. Trefry told Caesar that most of these
young slaves were undone in love with a fine she-slave, whom they
had had about six months on their land; the prince, who never heard
the name of love without a sigh, nor any mention of it without the
curiosity of examining further into that tale, which of all discourses
was most agreeable to him, asked how they came to be so unhappy as
to be all undone for one fair slave. Trefry, who was naturally
amorous, and loved to talk of love as well as anybody, proceeded to
tell him they had the most charming black that ever was beheld on
their plantation, about fifteen or sixteen years old, as he guessed;
that for his part he had done nothing but sigh for her ever since
she came; and that all the white beauties he had seen never charmed
him so absolutely as this fine creature had done; and that no man,
of any nation, ever beheld her that did not fall in love with her; and
that she had all the slaves perpetually at her feet; and the whole
country resounded with the fame of Clemene. "For so," said he, "we
have christened her: but she denies us all with such a noble disdain
that 'tis a miracle to see that she who can give such eternal
desires should herself be all ice and unconcern. She is adorned with
the most graceful modesty that ever beautified youth; the softest
sigher- that, if she were capable of love, one would swear she
languished for some absent happy man; and so retired as if she
feared a rape even from the god of day, or that the breezes would
steal kisses from her delicate mouth.
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