This Onahal, as I said, was one of the cast-mistresses of the old
king; and 'twas these (now past their beauty) that were made guardians
or governantes to the new and the young ones, and whose business it
was to teach them all those wanton arts of love with which they
prevailed and charmed heretofore in their turn; and who now treated
the triumphing happy ones with all the severity as to liberty and
freedom that was possible, in revenge of their honors they rob them
of; envying them those satisfactions, those gallantries and
presents, that were once made to themselves, while youth and beauty
lasted, and which they now saw pass, as it were regardless by, and
paid only to the bloomings. And, certainly, nothing is more afflicting
to a decayed beauty than to behold in itself declining charms that
were once adored; and to find those caresses paid to new beauties,
to which once she laid claim; to hear them whisper, as she passes
by, that once was a delicate woman. Those abandoned ladies therefore
endeavor to revenge all the despites and decays of time, on these
flourishing happy ones. And 'twas this severity that gave Oroonoko a
thousand fears he should never prevail with Onahal to see Imoinda. But
as I said, she was now retired to a window with Aboan.
This young man was not only one of the best quality, but a man
extremely well made, and beautiful; and coming often to attend the
king to the otan, he had subdued the heart of the antiquated Onahal,
which had not forgot how pleasant it was to be in love.
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