Page:Works of Voltaire Volume 36.djvu/131

Rh For her lost eggs and chastity, The twenty crowns shall Marton's be; The steed I to this dame consign, The armor, Robert, shall be thine." "Most generously you've decreed," Said madam, "but I want no steed; 'Tis Robert's person I desire, His grace and valor I admire: I o'er his amorous heart would reign, That's all the prize I wish to gain; Robert with me must pass his life, This day must take me for a wife." Her purpose being thus declared, Robert stood motionless, and stared: Then o'er her rags and figure strange, His rolling eyes began to range; With horror struck, he back retreated, Crossing himself, these words repeated: "Why should this ridicule and shame With foul dishonor blast my name? With the de'il's dam I'd rather wed Than to that beldame go to bed; The hag must doubtless be run mad, Or else she dotes, and that's as bad." The hag then tenderly replied, "My person, queen, he can't abide; He's like the whole ungrateful crew Of males, but soon I'll bring him too; I feel love's flame so brightly burn, He needs must love me in his turn, The heart does all, I can't but say My charms begin to fade away;