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Sunday, 2 June 2013

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Government Gazette

The king and the beggar maid

A king does not seem interested in marrying until he came across a beggar maid.This is an ancient story that is often referred to in literature. Shakespeare mentions it in several of his plays, including Romeo and Juliet.

There is a lovely painting of King Cophetua and the Beggar Maid in the Tate Gallery by the English painter, Edward Burne-Jones.Many years ago, in a faraway and sunny land, there ruled a king by the name of Cophetua. He was gentle-mannered, handsome, and learned.

Everyone assumed that a young ruler in possession of a great fortune must be in want of a queen. For the time being, they were disappointed.

“He shows no interested at all in the fair sex,” said the Lord Chamberlain as he was retiring to bed.

A year went by, and there were many opportunities for eligible girls to be noticed by the king. But the king so much as did not glance at a princess. His sole interest was to rule justly and wisely.

However, the prince showed signs of wanting to marry a princess. Now the talk was of a Royal Wedding.

Finally Princess Gertrude arrived in the country and her carriage guarded by a detachment of cavalry rolled into the palace.

However, it was not long before rumours started to leak out that the King was not pleased with his bride.
It was plain to see from the King’s face that he was not in his usual serene state.
It was not long before Princess Gertrude was sent home. The wedding was off.

A few days later, when he was returning from hunting, he came across a crowd of beggars hanging around by the East Gate to the City.

The king dismounted, and began to distribute gold coins from his purse.Then he noticed a young woman who was selling wild flowers – a few bluebells was all she had to offer.

Her dress was plain and patched in places, but its simplicity suited her. Her feet were bare, but what pretty feet! Her hair and her eyes were brown. And there was an appealing innocence about her.

“How old are you?” asked the king.
“Eighteen,” replied the maid.
“And your name?”
“Penelophon, sir.”

And then she was astonished to see the King kneel down before her. He took her hand and looked up into her blue eyes and asked :“Fair Penelophon – will you marry me?”

“Do not be afraid. I will walk with you to the palace. Sergeant – take my horse ! ”, he said.
And the King and the young beggar maid walked arm in arm through the streets.
Those who saw them said that they were chatting like old friends.
Things settled down, and the next day the King consented for her to be dressed in fine clothes.

Everyone in court agreed that she was as beautiful as any noble born woman When the king asked her if she would care to dance she said “No, not for me are these wasteful activities”.

A month later, King Cophetua was married to the beggar girl and there was celebration all round.

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