Withperfect justice Heav’n its gifts bestows;
But
equal talents all should not compose.
The
prince’s virtues doubtless were designed,
To
take command, and govern o’er mankind.
The
lawyer, points of difficulty views,
Decides
with judgment, and the truth pursues.
In
Cupid’s scenes the muleteer succeeds:—
Each
has his part:—none universal meeds.
Withpleasures feasted, our gallant retired,
Before
the morn fresh blushes had acquired.
But
scarcely had he left the tender scene,
’Ere
king Agiluf came to see his queen,
Who
much surprise expressed, and to him said:
My
dear, I know your love, but from this bed,
You’ll
recollect how recently you went,
And
having wonders done, should be content.
For
heav’n’s sake, consider more your health;
‘Tis
dearer far to me than Croesus’ wealth.
Withinthe royal breast suspicions rose,
But
nothing then the monarch would disclose.
He
instantly withdrew without a word;
His
sentiments to speak had been absurd,
And
to the stable flew, since he believed
The
circumstances, which his bosom grieved,
Whate’er
mysterious doubts might then appear,
Proceeded
from some am’rous muleteer.
Whenround the dorture he began to creep,
The
troop appeared as if dissolved in sleep,
And
so they truly were, save our gallant,
Whose
terrors made him tremble, sigh, and pant:
No
light the king had got; it still was dark;
Agiluf
groped about to find the spark,
Persuaded
that the culprit might be known,
By
rapid beating of the pulse alone.
The
thought was good; to feel the prince began,
And
at the second venture, found his man,
Who,
whether from the pleasures he’d enjoyed,
Or
fear, or dread discov’ry to avoid,
Experienced
(spite of ev’ry wily art,)
At
once quick beating of the pulse and heart.
In
doubt how this adventure yet might end,
He
thought to seem asleep would him befriend.
Meanwhilethe king, though not without much pains,
Obtained
the scissors used for horses’ manes.
With
these, he said, I’ll mark the fond gallant,
That
I may know again the one I want.
Themonarch from the muleteer with care,
In
front, snipt off a bulky lock of hair.
This
having done, he suddenly withdrew;
But
carelessly away the trophy threw;
Of
which the sly gallant advantage took,
And
thus the prince’s subtle project shook;
For
instantly began our artful spark,
His
fellow servants like himself to mark.