"What thief art thou," quoth she, "in the dark That stumblest here presumptuous? Some Irish Adventurer I take you to be-- A Foreigner, from your garb I see, Which besides is not over sumptuous." IX Then Satan, awhile dissembling his rank, A piece of amorous fun tries: Quoth he, "I'm a Netherlander born; Fair Virgin, receive not my suit with scorn; I'm a Prince in the Low Countries-- X "Though I travel _incog_. From the Land of Fog And Mist I am come to proffer My crown and my sceptre to lay at your feet; It is not every day in the week you may meet, Fair Maid, with a Prince's offer." XI "Your crown and your sceptre I like full well, They tempt a poor maiden's pride, Sir; But your lands and possessions--excuse if I'm rude-- Are too far in a Northerly latitude For me to become your Bride, Sir. XII "In that aguish clime I should catch my death, Being but a raw new comer"-- Quoth he, "We have plenty of fuel stout; And the fires, which I kindle, never go out By winter, nor yet by summer. XIII "I am Prince of Hell, and Lord Paramount Over Monarchs there abiding. My Groom of the Stables is Nimrod old; And Nebuchadnazor my stirrups must hold, When I go out a riding. XIV "To spare your blushes, and maiden fears, I resorted to these inventions-- But, Imposture, begone; and avaunt, Disguise!" And the Devil began to swell and rise To his own diabolic dimensions. XV Twin horns from his forehead shot up to the moon, Like a branching stag in Arden; Dusk wings through his shoulders with eagle's strength Push'd out; and his train lay floundering in length An acre beyond the garden.-- XVI To tender hearts I have framed my lay-- Judge ye, all love-sick Maidens, When the virgin saw in the soft moonlight, In his proper proportions, her own true knight, If she needed long persuadings. XVII Yet a maidenly modesty kept her back, As her sex's art had taught her: For "the biggest Fortunes," quoth she, "in the land-- Are not worthy"--then blush'd--"of your Highness's hand-- Much less a poor Taylor's daughter. XVIII