_At the first sight, her head seem’d in a _Case_, Or that a _Vizard-mask_ had hid her face, Or that she was some _Friend_ from hell had stole, Having for Lust been _burnt_ there to a _cole_. I could not tell what this foul thing should be: A _Succubus_ it did appear to me; A damn’d _black_ soul, that was by heaven sent, To make me of my _blacker_ crimes repent. I started from her, being much amaz’d: The more I was afraid, the more I gaz’d. Then she arose, and caught me in her arm; Such soft flesh sure intended me no harm. ’Twas time to roar, since that I could not tell, But that I was _encircled_ (now) by _Hell_. Stay, stay, (said she) I am no _hellish fiend_, I’m flesh and blood, and am thy loving friend: If my complexion do not please thy minde, Then close thine eyes, yet love: _Thus love is blinde_. I understood her tongue, and streight did swear That I would banish this my causless fear; And so betook myself unto the _Rug_ On which we lay, and after many a _Tug_, I plighted _faith_ with this kinde _Infidel_; But what we did, my modest tongue won’t tell. I would at any time (might I but chuse) The _fairest White_ for this same _Black_ refuse. But mischief on’t, let me _shoot_ e’re so right, It can’t be said that I did hit the _White_._ Interest so blinded my reason, that I went instantly to my Captain, and gave him information of my proceedings, desiring his consent in the marrying this Indian, alleadging how advantagious it would be to me. He granted my request, upon my earnest importunity; and being dismist from his service, we were married according to the Ceremonies of the Church by an English Priest, she renouncing her Paganism. What money was got by my wifes Trade, I laid out in such Commodities the Country afforded, as Callico’s, Pepper, Indico, Green-Ginger, _&c._ and sold them immediately to the Ships lying in the Harbour, doubling what I laid out: so that in short time I found my stock to increase beyond expectation: such satisfaction my Black received from me, that she thought she could not do enough to please me. I was an absolute Monarch in my family; she and her servants willingly condescended to be my vassals: yet though I thus enjoy’d the prerogative of an husband, yet I did not Lord it too much; which won so much upon my wifes affection, and those that were concern’d with her, that as soon as I desired any thing, it was immediately performed, with much alacrity and expedition.