An imaginary king of Africa, of great wealth, who “disdained
all womankind.” One day he saw a beggar-girl from his window, and fell
in love with her. He asked her name; it was Penelophon, called by
Shakespeare Xenelophon (Love's Labour's Lost, iv. 1).
They lived together long and happily, and at death were universally
lamented. (Percy's Reliques, book ii. 6.)
More on Cophetua from Infoplease:
- Cophetua - Cophetua An imaginary king of Africa, of great wealth, who “disdained all womankind.” ...
- Penelophon - Penelophon The beggar loved by King Cophetua. (See Cophetua.) Source: Dictionary of Phrase and ...
- Sir Edward Burne-Jones - Burne-Jones, Sir Edward Burne-Jones, Sir Edward, 1833–98. English painter and decorator, b. ...
- Zenelophon - Zenelophon A corruption of Penelophon. The beggar-maid loved by King Cophetua. “The ...
- William Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet, Act II, Scene I - Can I go forward when my heart is here? Turn back, dull earth, and find thy centre out.
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