[CUPID'S R]EVENGE.
[Or, An account of a King] who slighted all Women, and
[at length was forced t]o marry a BEGGAR.
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A King once reign'd beyond the Seas,
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As we in ancient Stories find,
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Whom no Face could ever please,
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He cared not for Woman-kind.
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He despis'd the fairest Beauties,
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And the greatest Fortunes too;
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At length he marry'd to a Beggar.
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See what Cupid's Darts can do!
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The blinded Boy, that shoots so trim,
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Did to his Closet Window steal;
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Then drew a Dart, and shot at him,
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And made him soon his Power feel.
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He that never car'd for Woman,
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But did Females ever hate,
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At length was smitten, wounded, swooned,
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For a Beggar at his Gate.
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For, mark what happen'd on a Day!
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As he look'd from his Window high,
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He spy'd a Beggar all in grey,
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With two more in her Company.
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She his Fancy soon inflamed,
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And his Heart was grieved sore:
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Must I have her, court her, crave her?
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I, that never lov'd before!
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This noble Prince of high Renown
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Did to his chamber strait repair,
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And on his Couch he laid him down,
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Opprest with love-sick Grief and Care.
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Ne'er was Monarch so surprized:
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Here I lie a Captive Slave!
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But I'll to her, court her, wooe her:
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She must heal the Wound she gave.
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Then to his Palace Gate he goes:
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The Beggars crav'd his Charity.
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A Purse of Gold to them he throws:
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With Thankfulness away they fly.
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But the King he call'd her to him,
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Tho' she was but poor and mean.
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His Hand did hold her, while he told her,
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She should be his stately Queen.
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At this she blushed scarlet-red,
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And on this mighty King did gaze:
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Then strait again at pale as Lead:
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Alas! she was in such Amaze.
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Hand in Hand they walk'd together,
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And the King did kindly say,
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He'd respect her: --- strait they deckt her
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In most sumptuous rich Array.
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He did appoint the Wedding-day,
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And likewise then commanded strait,
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The noble Lords and Ladies gay
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Upon his gracious Queen should wait.
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She appear'd a splendid Beauty;
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All the Court did her adore:
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And in Marriage, with a Carriage,
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As if she had been a Queen before.
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Her Fame thro' all the Realm did ring,
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Altho' she came of Parents poor.
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She by her Sov'reign Lord the King
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Did bear one Son, and eke no more.
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All the Nobles were well pleased,
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And the Ladies frank and free:
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For her Behaviour always gave her
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A Title to her Dignity.
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At length the King and Queen were laid
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Together in a silent Tomb.
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Their Royal Son the Sceptre sway'd,
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Who govern'd in his Father's Room.
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Long in Glory did he flourish,
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Wealth and Honour to increase:
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Still possessing such a Blessing,
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That he liv'd and reign'd in Peace.
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