Close ×

Search EBBA

Advanced Search

EBBA 33408

National Library of Scotland - Crawford
Ballad XSLT Template
CUPID'S REVENGE;
Being an account of a certain Indian King who slighted and despised
the most wealthy and beautiful Women, and at length was obli-
gated (by the force of love) to Marry a Beggar.

A KING once reign'd beyond the seas,
As we in ancient story find,
Who no bright face could ever please,
He cared not for women kind.

He despis'd the fairest beauties,
And the greatest fortunes too,
At length he marry'd to a beggar!
See what Cupid's darts can do.

The blinded boy that shoots so trim,
Did to his closet window steal,
Then drew a dart and shot at him,
And made him soon his power feel.

He that ne'er car'd for women kind,
But did females ever hate,
[At le]ngth was smitten, wounded, swooned,
[For] a beggar at his gate.

But mark what happen'd on a day,
As he look'd from his window high,
He spy'd a beggar all in grey,
With two more in her company.

She his fancy soon enflam'd,
And his heart was grieved sore,
Must I have her, court her, crave her,
I that never lov'd before.

This noble prince of high renown,
Did to his chamber strait repair,
And on his couch he laid him down,
Opprest with love sick grief and care,

Ne'er was a monarch so surprised,
Here I lie a captive slave,
But I'll to her, court her, woo her,
She must heal the wound she gave.

Then to his palace gate he goes,
The beggar's crav'd his charity,
A purse of gold to them he throws,
With thankfulness away they fly.

But the king call'd her unto him,
Tho' she was but poor and mean,
His hand did hold her while he told her,
She should be his stately queen.

At this she blush'd like scarlet red,
And on this mighty king did gaze,
Then strait again as pale as lead,
Alas! she was in such amaze.

Hand in hand they walk'd together,
And the king did kindly say,
He'd respect her, strait they deck'd her,
In most sumptuous rich array.

He did appoint the wedding day,
And likewise then commanded strait,
That noble lords and ladies gay,
Upon this gracious queen should wait,

She appear'd a splendid beauty,
All the court did her adore,
She in marriage, shew'd a carriage,
As if she'd been a queen before.

Her fame through all the world did ring,
Altho' she came of parents poor,
She by her sov'reign lord the king,
Did bare one son and eke no more.

All the nobles were well pleased,
And the ladies frank and free,
For her behaviour always gave her,
A title to her dignity.

At length the king and queen were laid,
Together in their silent tomb,
Their royal son the sceptre sway'd,
Who govern'd in his father's room.

Long in glory did he flourish,
Wealth and honour to increase,
Still possessing such a blessing,
That he liv'd and reign'd in peace.

View Raw XML