Page:Golden bull, or, Crafty princess.pdf/2

 THE

PART I.

liſten young lovers, a while, and you’ll find,

That croſſes attend often true lovers kind,

The like in paſt ages was never in print,

No doubt but this ſtory will give you content.

It is of a great King, if I muſt be plain,

Who formermlyformerly [sic] liv’d in the Southern reign:

He had no more children than one daughter bright,

She pleaſed her father, and was his delight.

A neighbouring Prince came a viſit one day,

It being their uſual cuſtom, as they ſay;

Love wounded the Princeſs ſo deep to her heart,

That ſhe was much troubled when he did depart.

It ſeem’d, to her father ſhe ne’er told her mind,

Neither to the yeang Prince, tho’ ſhe was inclin'd

To love him, for Cupid was ſharp and ſevere:

What afterwards happen’d, you briefly ſhall hear.

She being ſo beautiful, charming and young,

Her old father ſaid, with a deluding tongue,

Love, I have a fancy to marry with thee,

Tho’ thou art my child, thy looks charmath me!

Dear honoured father, the Princeſs reply’d,

Sure you’re in jeſt!—No, I am not, he cry’d!

Alas, my dear Father! what makes you ſay ſo?

Such things are forbidden in Scripture, you know:

Whilſt God gives me breath, & endues me with grace,

I’ll act a child’s duty, as it is my piece.

He ſaid, I’m reſolved to make thee my wife,

Or elſe thy ſweet charms will bereave me of life!

The Lady burſt out in a ſhower of tears,

And ſaid, honour’d father, you’re ſtricken in years,

And can have but a ſhort time to remain,

’Tis Satan’s temptations puts this in your brain!