Tales and Novels of J. de La Fontaine Part 24

MEANWHILE the lady having learned the name Of Reynold D'Ast, his quality and fame, (Himself it seems particulars detailed, While all around his suff'rings keen bewailed,) Her orders gave, the bath for her prepared Should now receive the man her care had spared.

Unasked, the stranger this attention got, And well perfumed ere clothes they would allot.

When dressed, he waited on the widow fair, And paid his compliments with graceful air.

THE supper (for the marquis first designed) At length was served with taste the most refined.

Our trav'ller glad, an appet.i.te displayed; The lady carefully her guest surveyed, And anxious seemed to gratify his wish, By helping what appeared his favourite dish.

Already, perhaps, she felt a Cupid's dart, And in her throbbing bosom knew the smart; Or sympathy, or pity for his woes, Might touch the spring whence softest pa.s.sion flows.

On ev'ry side a.s.sailed the youthful dame Herself surrendered unto Cupid's flame.

Should I give way, said she, who'll tell the tale?

No risk is run if secrecy prevail.

The marquis merits to be played the trick; He no excuse can have, unless he's sick.

One sin against another I may weigh, And man for man will equally repay.

SO inexperienced Reynold was not found, But that he saw how things were going round, And, that Saint Julian's Prayer would yet succeed, To give him all the lodging he might need.

THE supper o'er, our couple left alone, What fairer field could truly have been shown?

The belle now wore a smart becoming dress, Designed, in ev'ry view, to prepossess.

'Twas NEGLIGENCE, so requisite to please And fascinate, with airy, careless ease, According to the taste which I pursue, That made her charms so exquisite to view.

No gaudy tinsel: all was flowing light; Though not superb, yet pleasing to the sight; A neckerchief, where much should be concealed, Was made so narrow,--beauties half revealed; Beneath is shade--what words can ne'er express; And Reynold saw enough the rest to guess.

No more I say; the belle indeed was fair, Possessed of youth and all engaging air; Tall, nicely formed; each grace, that hearts could win; Not much of fat, nor yet appeared too thin.

Emotion, at the view, who would not feel?

To soft delight what bosom proves of steel?

No marble bust, philosopher, nor stone, But similar sensation would have shown.

THE silence first was broken by the dame; Who spoke so freely, Reynold bolder came.

He knew not well, howe'er, discourse to find; To help him out the widow was inclined; Said she, you much remind me of a friend, Whose ev'ry wish I sought with mine to blend My husband (rest his soul!) had just those eyes, That look, air, mouth:--the very height and size: You greatly honour me, the spark replied: Your charms howe'er might well have been his pride; I ne'er beheld such soft engaging mien: On earth, like beauty never yet was seen.

But, in extremes to be, appears my lot; Just now I felt quite chilled:--at present hot; Pray tell me which is best? The fair looked down, And humbly seemed to wave the proffered crown, That she might still more flattery receive Address not small, if we'll our eyes believe.

The swain now praised each charm within his view, And whatsoe'er his wishes could pursue; Where hope was strong, and expectation high, She would not long be cruel and deny.

To give the praise, your due, the lover cried, And note the beauties that my heart divide, 'Twould take an age, and I've a single night, Which surely might be pa.s.sed with more delight.

The widow smiled; enough it seems was said; And Reynold shortened--what to nothing led.

In war or love, time equally is dear; More happy than our spark none could appear; No point but what he gained; the smiling dame Resistance only showed to raise the flame; Nor more nor less; each belle like art has got, And practises at will, or maid or not.

BUT truly, it was never my intent To count each favour she to Reynold lent; Particulars exact of ev'ry kiss, And all the preludes incident to bliss; Both, doubtless, knew more ways than one to please; And sought, with anxious care, love's charms to seize.

On recollection of the wretched state In which our traveller had moved of late, Some favour was bestowed:--there, cried the dame, Is something to repay the road you came; This for the cold; that fear; there thieves disgraced; So, one by one, the whole was soon effaced.

In this way to be paid for ills we meet, Who'd not be satisfied with boons so sweet?

And we conclude, that Reynold on the spot, Love's am'rous recompense of pleasures got.

Now easy conversation was renewed; Then mutual kisses; ev'ry sweet pursued.

'Twas time for bed; howe'er, the widow fair Determined that her own the spark should share; 'Twas prudent, doubtless; like a lady wise; Gallantly done: one room would well suffice.

WHAT further pa.s.sed betwixt the pair that night; I cannot say, though we'll believe 'twas right; Between the clothes when laid, and unrestrained, Most clearly, Reynold all his wishes gained.

There he was recompensed for ev'ry grief; The lady too, received so much relief, That she desired his company again, But still these visits secrets should remain; 'Twas requisite the governor to see; Howe'er the dame delighted seemed to be, And not content with what she had bestowed, A purse well stored with gold to Reynold showed: He took no more, indeed, than what would pay The bare expenses on his homeward way; Then sought the street that to the tavern led, Where still his lazy servant was in bed; The fellow mauled; then changed throughout his dress; Since to the cloak-bag now he had access.

His fortune to complete, that day they took The very wretches that he wished to hook.

He to the judge repaired with ev'ry haste; In such a case you never time should waste; For, once the things are into court received, 'Tis like the lion's den: naught e'er 's retrieved; Their hands are closed, not 'gainst what may be brought But to secure what from their grasp is sought.

Who seeks redress by law, facts oft have shown, May bless his stars if he but keep his own.

THE trial o'er, a gallows treble-faced, Was, for their swinging, in the market placed, ONE of the three harangued the mob around, (His speech was for the others also found) Then, 'bout their necks the halters being tied, Repentant and confessed the culprits died.

WHO, after this, will doubt the pow'r of prayers?

These silly knaves had banished all their cares; And when at ease they thought to skip and prance, Were seized and quickly taught another dance.

On t'other hand, where dire distress prevailed, And death, in various ways, our spark a.s.sailed, A beauty suddenly his senses charmed, Who might a prelate's bosom have alarmed.

So truly fortunate, indeed, his lot, Again his money, baggage, horse he got; And, thank Saint Julian, howsoever tossed, He pa.s.sed a blissful night that nothing cost.

THE COUNTRYMAN WHO SOUGHT HIS CALF

A COUNTRYMAN, one day, his calf had lost, And, seeking it, a neighbouring forest crossed; The tallest tree that in the district grew, He climbed to get a more extensive view.

Just then a lady with her lover came; The place was pleasing, both to spark and dame; Their mutual wishes, looks and eyes expressed, And on the gra.s.s the lady was caressed.

At sights of charms, enchanting to the eyes, The gay gallant exclaimed, with fond surprise:-- Ye G.o.ds, what striking beauties now I see!

No objects named; but spoke with anxious glee.

The clod, who, on the tree had mounted high, And heard at ease the conversation nigh, Now cried:--Good man! who see with such delight; Pray tell me if my calf be in your sight?

HANS CARVEL'S RING

HANS CARVEL took, when weak and late in life; A girl, with youth and beauteous charms to wife; And with her, num'rous troubles, cares and fears; For, scarcely one without the rest appears.

Bab (such her name, and daughter of a knight) Was airy, buxom: formed for am'rous fight.

Hans, holding jeers and cuckoldom in dread, Would have his precious rib with caution tread, And nothing but the Bible e'er peruse; All other books he daily would abuse; Blamed secret visits; frowned at loose attire; And censured ev'ry thing gallants admire.

The dame, howe'er, was deaf to all he said; No preaching pleased but what to pleasure led, Which made the aged husband hold his tongue.

And wish for death, since all round went wrong.

Some easy moments he perhaps might get; A full detail in hist'ry's page is met.

One night, when company he'd had to dine, And pretty well was fill'd with gen'rous wine, Hans dreamed, as near his wife he snoring lay, The devil came his compliments to pay, And having on his finger put a ring, Said he, friend Hans, I know thou feel'st a sting; Thy trouble 's great: I pity much thy case; Let but this ring, howe'er, thy finger grace, And while 'tis there I'll answer with my head, THAT ne'er shall happen which is now thy dread: Hans, quite delighted, forced his finger through; You drunken beast, cried Bab, what would you do?

To love's devoirs quite lost, you take no care, And now have thrust your finger G.o.d knows where!

THE HERMIT

WHEN Venus and Hypocrisy combine, Oft pranks are played that show a deep design; Men are but men, and friars full as weak: I'm not by Envy moved these truths to speak.

Have you a sister, daughter, pretty wife?

Beware the monks as you would guard your life; If in their snares a simple belle be caught: The trap succeeds: to ruin she is brought.

To show that monks are knaves in Virtue's mask; Pray read my tale:--no other proof I ask.

A HERMIT, full of youth, was thought around, A saint, and worthy of the legend found.

The holy man a knotted cincture wore; But, 'neath his garb:--heart-rotten to the core.

A chaplet from his twisted girdle hung, Of size extreme, and regularly strung, On t'other side was worn a little bell; The hypocrite in ALL, he acted well; And if a female near his cell appeared, He'd keep within as if the s.e.x he feared, With downcast eyes and looks of woe complete, You'd ne'er suppose that b.u.t.ter he could eat.