E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Cophet’ua.
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 Penel’ophon, called by Shakespeare Xenel’ophon (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.)
