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.
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A KING once reign'd beyond the seas,
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As we in ancient story find,
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Who no bright face could ever please,
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He cared not for women 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 ne'er car'd for women kind,
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But did females ever hate,
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[At le]ngth was smitten, wounded, swooned,
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[For] a beggar at his gate.
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But 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 enflam'd,
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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 a monarch so surprised,
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Here I lie a captive slave,
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But I'll to her, court her, woo 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 beggar's 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 call'd her unto 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 blush'd like scarlet red,
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And on this mighty king did gaze,
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Then strait again as 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 deck'd 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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That noble lords and ladies gay,
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Upon this 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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She in marriage, shew'd a carriage,
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As if she'd been a queen before.
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Her fame through all the world 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 bare 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 their 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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