coloured. She rose, and made a profound curtsy to the King, who could not resist exclaiming in the excess of his admiration, "Behold the incomparable beauty who deserves the crown!"
"My Liege," said she to him, "I come not to deprive you of a throne you fill so worthily. I was born the heiress to six kingdoms; permit me to offer one to you, and to give one to each of your eldest sons. I ask of you no other recompense than your friendship and this young Prince for my husband. Three kingdoms will be quite enough for us." The King and all the court joined in shouts of joy and astonishment. The marriage was celebrated immediately, as well as those of the other two Princes, and the court consequently passed several months in entertainments and pleasures of every description. Finally, each couple departed to reign over their own dominions. The beautiful White Cat immortalized herself in her's, as much by her goodness, and liberality, as by her rare talent and beauty.
The youthful Prince was fortunate to find
Beneath a cat's skin an illustrious fair,
Worthy of adoration, and inclined
The throne, her friendship won for him, to share.
By two enchanting eyes, on conquest bent,
The willing heart is easily subdued;
And still more power to the charm is lent,
When Love's soft flame is fann'd by gratitude.
Shall I in silence pass that parent o'er,
Who for her folly paid so dear a price;
And for some tempting fruit—as Eve before—
The welfare of her race could sacrifice?
Mothers, beware! nor like that selfish Queen,
Venture to cloud a lovely daughter's lot
To gratify some appetite as mean.
Detest such conduct: imitate it not.
