ONE day it happened, as our beauteous belle Was sleeping in a wood beside a dell, By chance there passed, quite near, a wand'ring knight, Like those the ladies followed with delight, When they on palfreys rode in days of old, And purity were always thought to hold. THIS knight, who copied those of famed romance, Sir Roger, and the rest, in complisance, No sooner saw the princess thus asleep, Than instantly he wished a kiss to reap. While thinking, whether from the neck or lip, 'Twere best the tempting balm of bliss to sip, He suddenly began to recollect The laws of chivalry he should respect. Although the thought retained, his fervent prayer To Cupid was, that while the nymph was there, Her fascinating charms he might enjoy; Sure love's soft senses were ne'er designed to cloy! THE princess woke, and great surprise expressed; Oh! charming fair, said he, be not distressed; No savage of the woods nor giant 's nigh, A wand'ring knight alone you now descry, Delighted thus to meet a beauteous belle Such charms divine, what angel can excel! THIS compliment was followed by his sighs, And frank confession, both from tongue and eyes; Our lover far in little time could go; At length, he offered on her to bestow, His hand and heart, and ev'ry thing beside, Which custom sanctions when we seek a bride. WITH courtesy his offer was received, And she related what her bosom grieved; Detailed her hist'ry, but with care concealed The six gallants, as wrong to be revealed. The knight, in what he wished, indulgence got; And, while the princess much deplored her lot, The youth proposed Alaciel he should bring, To Mamolin, or Alexandria's king. TO Mamolin? replied the princess fair, No, no--I now indeed would fain repair, (Could I my wishes have), to Zarus' court, My native country:--thither give support. IF Cupid grant me life, rejoined the knight, You there shall go, and I'll assist your flight; To have redress, upon yourself depends, As well as to requite the best of friends; But should I perish in the bold design, Submit you must, as wills the pow'rs divine. I'll freely say, howe'er, that I regard, My services enough to claim reward. ALACIEL readily to this agreed; And favours fondly promised to concede; T'ensure, indeed, his guarding her throughout, They were to be conferred upon the route, From time to time as onward they should go, Not all at once, but daily some to flow.