Page:Works of Voltaire Volume 36.djvu/131

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;