Produced by David Widger from page scans obtained from the Internet Archive THE QUEEN'S MATRIMONIAL LADDER, A National Toy With Fourteen Step Scenes; and Illustrations in Verse, By William Hone The Author of "The Political House That Jack Built." With Eighteen other Cuts. Illustrated by Cruikshank "The question is not merely whether the Queen shall have her rights, but whether the rights of an individual in the kingdom shall be free from violation." His Majesty's Answer to the Norwich Addrest. "Here is a Gentleman, and a friend of mine!" Measure for Measure. Twenty-First Edition. London: Printed by and for William Hone, Ludgate-Hill. 1820. This Pamphlet and the Toy together, One Shilling. "It is a wonderful thing to consider the strength of Princes' wills when they are bent to have their Pleasure fulfilled, wherein no reasonable persuasions will serve their turn: how little do they regard the dangerous sequels, that ensue as well as to themselves as to their Subjects. And amongst all things there is nothing that makes them more wilful than Carnal Love, and various affecting of Voluptuous desires." Cavendish's Memoirs of Card. Wolsey. NOTE. All the Drawings for this Publication are By Mr. GEORGE CRUIKSHANK. {003} [Illustration: 003] QUALIFICATION. In love, and in drink, and o'ertoppled by debt; With women, with wine, and with duns on the fret. {004} [Illustration: 004] DECLARATION. The Prodigal Son, by his perils surrounded, Vex'd, harass'd, bewilder'd, asham'd, and confounded, Fled for help to his Father, confessed his ill doing, And begged for salvation from stark staring ruin; The sire urged--"The People your debts have twice paid, And, to ask a third time, even Pitt is afraid; "But he shall if you'll marry, and lead a new life,-- "You've a cousin in Germany--make her your wife!" {005} [Illustration: 005] ACCEPTATION. From the high halls of Brunswick, all youthful and gay, From the hearth of her fathers, he lured her away: How joy'd she in coming-- how smiling the bower; How sparkling their nuptials-- how welcome her dower. Ah! short were her pleasures--full soon came her cares-- Her husbandless bride-bed was wash'd with her tears. {006} [Illustration: 006] ALTERATION. Near a million of debts gone, all gone were her charms-- What! an Epicure have his own wife in his arms? She was not to his taste-- what car'd _he_ for the 'form,' 'To love and to cherish' could not mean reform: