University of Virginia Library

The Conquering Game, 1706.

England deals next, and France is fain
To lend a losing Stake to Spain.
Savoy betts all, France threatens hard
To take from him his Leading Card:
But England all the rest restore,
And tell him they will lend him more.
Now on all Sides the Stakes are down,
And Spain plays briskly for the Crown:
And Portugal some Betts doth lay,
Which England does, and Holland pay.
The first Deal Spain three Tricks does lose,
Which doth old Lewis much confuse.
France shuffles next, more Stakes doth bett,
And threatens hard to win the Sett,
E're Germany his Cards can sort,
While Venice laughs and likes the Sport.
England says nothing all the while,
But plays such Cards makes Holland smile.
France wins a Stake or two at first,
And Swedes would back them if they durst:
But Poland holds him to't as yet,
And hopes to gain his last lost Bett.
France with his best Court-Cards begins,
While Spain lose faster than he wins.
The Lot grows warm, brisk Play is shown,
And Savoy lays his last Stake down.
But Germany with Trumps supply'd,
Soon turns the Game on t'other side.
France with the Ace of Hearts doth join,
But England plays the King and Queen.
Old Lewis vex'd, yet looking grave,
With speed throws down another Knave,
And questions not the Game to save.
While Portugal, with Anger then,
Plays down another Single Ten:
At which the Gamesters seem'd to smile,
And stood amaz'd a little while.
But when he some Excuse did make,
They pass it by as a Mistake.
Venice at last for Holland betts,
And holds ten thousand Pounds on th'Sett.
France offers now to part the Stakes,
And Spain the self-same Proffer makes:
But England will to neither stand,
For all the Honours are in their Hand.
France plays a Trump then, for to try
In whose Hand all the others lie;
Which he soon found unto his Cost;
When Spain perceiving all was lost,
Throws down the Cards, & gives the Sett for gone,
Bavaria takes it up and plays it on:
But England trumps about, & so the Game is won.