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A
NEW HISTORY
OF
BLUE BEARD.
WRITTEN BY
GAFFER BLACK BEARD.
For the Amusement of Little LACK
BEARD, and his PRETTY
SISTERS.
Adorned with Cuts.
From Sidney's Press,
NEW-HAVEN.
1806
A New History of
BLUE BEARD.
Once upon a time there lived, a great way off, an old man who hadtwo daughters, the name of the eldest was Fatima, the youngest Irene.Irene was a very pretty girl, but Fatima was beauty itself; and sovery good besides, that every body loved her: you may see herintroduced to a gentleman, to whom she was going to be married, herfather having given his consent, had not the fame of her beautyreached the ears of a very great man, I should have said tyrant, forhe was a very [pg 6]cruel over-bearingnobleman, and had been married to several ladies, of whom nobody knewwhat was become: but as he was very rich, and lived in a grand castle,of which I here present you with the drawing; he some how or other,was never long without a wife. This nobleman, whose name wasAbomelique, but generally called Blue Beard,[pg 7]on account of his beard being ofthat color, being determined to see her, under a pretence of businesspaid the father of Fatima a visit. Poor Fatima! she little thought thegreat Abomelique was come to her father's cottage on her account; butso it was, he came attended like a king, (you may see him in thepicture) the father of Fatima standing at the door to receive him; assoon as he [pg 8]entered the house theold man entertained him in the best manner he could, and ordered histwo daughters to dress themselves in their best, and wait upon him;who, being good girls, soon did as they were bid; no sooner did BlueBeard see Fatima than he fell violently in love with her. I should notsay love, for it was that kind of love a wolf has for a prettyinnocent lamb; so [pg 9]without any moreado, he told her father the reason of his coming, offering to make herhis wife; and that himself, and his other daughter, should go and livewith him at the Castle.
