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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/5275.txt b/5275.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d9c0f1a --- /dev/null +++ b/5275.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1141 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook Joconde, by De La Fontaine +#1 in our series by Jean de La Fontaine (The Tales and Novels) + +Copyright laws are changing all over the world. Be sure to check the +copyright laws for your country before downloading or redistributing +this or any other Project Gutenberg eBook. + +This header should be the first thing seen when viewing this Project +Gutenberg file. Please do not remove it. Do not change or edit the +header without written permission. + +Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the +eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is +important information about your specific rights and restrictions in +how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**EBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These EBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers***** + + +Title: The Tales and Novels, v1: Joconde + +Author: Jean de La Fontaine + +Release Date: March, 2004 [EBook #5275] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on June 14, 2002] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + + + + + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TALES AND NOVELS OF FONTAINE, V1 *** + + + +This eBook was produced by David Widger + + + +[NOTE: There is a short list of bookmarks, or pointers, at the end of the +file for those who may wish to sample the author's ideas before making an +entire meal of them. D.W.] + + + + + + THE TALES AND NOVELS + OF + J. DE LA FONTAINE + + + + TABLE: + + LA FONTAINE'S LIFE + PREFACE + Joconde + The Cudgelled and Contented Cuckold + The Husband Confessor + The Cobbler + The Peasant and His Angry Lord + The Muleteer + The Servant Girl Justified + The Three Gossips' Wager + The Old Man's Calendar + The Avaricious Wife and Tricking Gallant + The Jealous Husband + The Gascon Punished + The Princess Betrothed to the King of Garba + The Magick Cup + The Falcon + The Little Dog + The Eel Pie + The Magnificent + The Ephesian Matron + Belphegor + The Little Bell + The Glutton + The Two Friends + The Country Justice + Alice Sick + The Kiss Returned + Sister Jane + An Imitation of Anacreon + Another Imitation of Anacreon + PREFACE (To The Second Book) + Friar Philip's Geese + Richard Minutolo + The Monks of Catalonia + The Cradle + St. Julian's Prayer + The Countryman Who Sought His Calf + Hans Carvel's Ring + The Hermit + The Convent Gardener of Lamporechio + The Mandrake + The Rhemese + The Amorous Courtesan + Nicaise + The Progress of Wit + The Sick Abbess + The Truckers + The Case of Conscience + The Devil of Pope-fig Island + Feronde + The Psalter + King Candaules and the Doctor of Laws + The Devil in Hell + Neighbour Peter's Mare + The Spectacles + The Bucking Tub + The Impossible Thing + The Picture + The Pack-Saddle + The Ear-maker, and the Mould-mender + The River Scamander + The Confidant Without Knowing It, or the + Stratagem + The Clyster + The Indiscreet Confession + The Contract + The Quid Pro Quo, or the Mistakes + The Dress-maker + The Gascon + The Pitcher + To Promise is One Thing, to Keep It, Another + The Nightingale + Epitaph of La Fontaine + + + + LIFE OF + JEAN DE LA FONTAINE + + +Jean de La Fontaine was born on the 8th of July, 1621, at Chateau- +Thierry, and his family held a respectable position there. + +His education was neglected, but he had received that genius which makes +amends for all. While still young the tedium of society led him into +retirement, from which a taste for independence afterwards withdrew him. + +He had reached the age of twenty-two, when a few sounds from the lyre of +Malherbe, heard by accident, awoke in him the muse which slept. + +He soon became acquainted with the best models: Pheedrus, Virgil, Horace +and Terence amongst the Latins; Plutarch, Homer and Plato, amongst the +Greeks; Rabelais, Marot and d'Urfe, amongst the French; Tasso, Ariosto +and Boccaccio, amongst the Italians. + +He married, in compliance with the wishes of his family, a beautiful, +witty and chaste woman, who drove him to despair. + +He was sought after and cherished by all distinguished men of letters. +But it was two Ladies who kept him from experiencing the pangs of +poverty. + +La Fontaine, if there remain anything of thee, and if it be permitted to +thee for a moment to soar above all time; see the names of La Sabliere +and of Hervard pass with thine to the ages to come! + +The life of La Fontaine was, so to speak, only one of continual +distraction. In the midst of society, he was absent from it. Regarded +almost as an imbecile by the crowd, this clever author, this amiable man, +only permitted himself to be seen at intervals and by friends. + +He had few books and few friends. + +Amongst a large number of works that he has left, everyone knows his +fables and his tales, and the circumstances of his life are written in +a hundred places. + +He died on the 16th of March, 1695. + +Let us keep silence about his last moments, for fear of irritating those +who never forgive. + +His fellow-citizens honour him in his posterity to this day. + +Long after his death, foreigners went to visit the room which he had +occupied. + +Once a year, I shall go to visit his tomb. + +On that day, I shall tear up a fable of La Mothe, a tale of Vergier, or +several of the best pages of Grecourt. + +He was buried in the cemetery of Saint-Joseph, by the side of Moliere. + +That spot will always be held sacred by poets and people of taste. + + + + + + THE AUTHOR'S PREFACE + + TO THE FIRST VOLUME OF THESE TALES + +I had resolved not to consent to the printing of these Tales, until after +I had joined to them those of Boccaccio, which are those most to my +taste; but several persons have advised me to produce at once what I +have remaining of these trifles, in order to prevent from cooling the +curiosity to see them, which is still in its first ardour. I gave way to +this advice without much difficulty, and I have thought well to profit by +the occasion. Not only is that permitted me, but it would be vanity on +my part to despise such an advantage. It has sufficed me to wish that no +one should be imposed upon in my favour, and to follow a road contrary to +that of certain persons, who only make friends in order to gain voices in +their favour by their means; creatures of the Cabal, very different from +that Spaniard who prided himself on being the son of his own works. +Although I may still be as much in want of these artifices as any other +person, I cannot bring myself to resolve to employ them; however I shall +accommodate myself if possible to the taste of the times, instructed as I +am by my own experience, that there is nothing which is more necessary. +Indeed one cannot say that all seasons are suitable for all classes of +books. We have seen the Roundelays, the Metamorphoses, the Crambos, +reign one after another. At present, these gallantries are out of date +and nobody cares about them: so certain is it that what pleases at one +time may not please at another! It only belongs to works of truly solid +merit and sovereign beauty, to be well received by all minds and in all +ages, without possessing any other passport than the sole merit with +which they are filled. As mine are so far distant from such a high +degree of perfection, prudence advises that I should keep them in my +cabinet unless I choose well my own time for producing them. This is +what I have done, or what I have tried to do in this edition, in which +I have only added new Tales, because it seemed to me that people were +prepared to take pleasure in them. There are some which I have extended, +and others which I have abridged, only for the sake of diversifying them +and making them less tedious. But I am occupying myself over matters +about which perhaps people will take no notice, whilst I have reason to +apprehend much more important objections. There are only two principal +ones which can be made against me; the one that this book is licentious; +the other that it does not sufficiently spare the fair sex. With regard +to the first, I say boldly that the nature of what is understood as a +tale decided that it should be so, it being an indispensable law +according to Horace, or rather according to reason and common sense, that +one must conform one's self to the nature of the things about which one +writes. Now, that I should be permitted to write about these as so many +others have done and with success I do not believe it can be doubted; and +people cannot condemn me for so doing, without also condemning Ariosto +before me and the Ancients before Ariosto. It may be said that I should +have done better to have suppressed certain details, or at least to have +disguised them. Nothing was more easy, but it would have weakened the +tale and taken away some of its charm: So much circumspection is only +necessary in works which promise great discretion from the beginning, +either by their subject or by the manner in which they are treated. I +confess that it is necessary to keep within certain limits, and that the +narrowest are the best; also it must be allowed me that to be too +scrupulous would spoil all. He who would wish to reduce Boccaccio to the +same modesty as Virgil, would assuredly produce nothing worth having, and +would sin against the laws of propriety by setting himself the task to +observe them. For in order that one may not make a mistake in matters +of verse and prose, extreme modesty and propriety are two very different +things. Cicero makes the latter consist in saying what is appropriate +one should say, considering the place, the time, and the persons to whom +one is speaking. This principle once admitted, it is not a fault of +judgment to entertain the people of to-day with Tales which are a little +broad. Neither do I sin in that against morality. If there is anything +in our writings which is capable of making an impression on the mind, it +is by no means the gaiety of these Tales; it passes off lightly; I should +rather fear a tranquil melancholy, into which the most chaste and modest +novels are very capable of plunging us, and which is a great preparation +for love. As to the second objection, by which people reproach me that +this book does wrong to womankind, they would be right if I were +speaking seriously: but who does not see that this is all in jest, +and consequently cannot injure? We must not be afraid on that account +that marriages in the future will be less frequent, and husbands more on +their guard. It may still be objected that these Tales are unfounded or +that they have everywhere a foundation easy to destroy; in short that +they are absurdities and have not the least tinge of probability. +I reply in a few words that I have my authorities: and besides it is +neither truth nor probability which makes the beauty and the charm of +these Tales: it is only the manner of telling them. These are the +principal points on which I have thought it necessary to defend myself. +I abandon the rest to the censors; the more so as it would be an infinite +undertaking to pretend to reply to all. Criticism never stops short nor +ever wants for subjects on which to exercise itself: even if those I am +able to foresee were taken from it, it would soon have discovered others. + + + + TALES AND NOVELS + OF + J. DE LA FONTAINE + ....... + + + JOCONDE + + + IN Lombardy's fair land, in days of yore, + Once dwelt a prince, of youthful charms, a store; + Each FAIR, with anxious look, his favours sought, + And ev'ry heart within his net was caught. + Quite proud of beauteous form and smart address, + In which the world was led to acquiesce, + He cried one day, while ALL attention paid, + I'll bet a million, Nature never made + Beneath the sun, another man like me, + Whose symmetry with mine can well agree. + If such exist, and here will come, I swear + I'll show him ev'ry lib'ral princely care. + + A noble Roman, who the challenge heard, + This answer gave the king his soul preferr'd + --Great prince, if you would see a handsome man, + To have my brother here should be your plan; + A frame more perfect Nature never gave; + But this to prove, your courtly dames I crave; + May judge the fact, when I'm convinc'd they'll find: + Like you, the youth will please all womankind; + And since so many sweets at once may cloy, + 'Twere well to have a partner in your joy. + + THE king, surpris'd, expressed a wish to view + This brother, form'd by lines so very true; + We'll see, said he, if here his charms divine + Attract the heart of ev'ry nymph, like mine; + And should success attend our am'rous lord, + To you, my friend, full credit we'll accord. + + AWAY the Roman flew, Joconde to get, + (So nam'd was he in whom these features met;) + 'Midst woods and lawns, retir'd from city strife, + And lately wedded to a beauteous wife; + If bless'd, I know not; but with such a fair, + On him must rest the folly to despair. + + THE Roman courtier came, his business told + The brilliant offers from the monarch bold; + His mission had success, but still the youth + Distraction felt, which 'gan to shake his truth; + A pow'rful monarch's favour there he view'd; + A partner here, with melting tears bedew'd; + And while he wavered on the painful choice, + She thus address'd her spouse with plaintive voice: + + CAN you, Joconde, so truly cruel prove, + To quit my fervent love in courts to move? + The promises of kings are airy dreams, + And scarcely last beyond the day's extremes + By watchful, anxious care alone retain'd, + And lost, through mere caprice, as soon as gain'd. + If weary of my charms, alas! you feel, + Still think, my love, what joys these woods conceal; + Here dwell around tranquillity and ease; + The streams' soft murmurs, and the balmy breeze, + Invite to sleep; these vales where breathe the doves, + All, all, my dear Joconde, renew our loves; + You laugh!--Ah! cruel, go, expose thy charms, + Grim death will quickly spare me these alarms! + + JOCONDE'S reply our records ne'er relate, + Nor what he did, nor how he left his mate; + And since contemp'raries decline the task; + 'Twere folly, such details of me to ask. + We're told, howe'er, when ready to depart, + With flowing tears she press'd him to her heart; + And on his arm a brilliant bracelet plac'd, + With hair around her picture nicely trac'd; + This guard in full remembrance of my love, + She cried;--then clasped her hands to pow'rs above. + + TO see such dire distress, and poignant grief, + Might lead to think, soon death would bring relief; + But I, who know full well the female mind, + At best oft doubt affliction of the kind. + + JOCONDE set out at length; but that same morn; + As on he mov'd, his soul with anguish torn, + He found the picture he had quite forgot, + Then turn'd his steed, and back began to trot. + While musing what excuse to make his mate, + At home he soon arriv'd, and op'd the gate; + Alighted unobserv'd, ran up the stairs; + And ent'ring to the lady unawares, + He found this darling rib, so full of charms; + Intwin'd within a valet's brawny arms! + + 'MIDST first emotions of the husband's ire; + To stab them while asleep he felt desire; + Howe'er, he nothing did; the courteous wight; + In this dilemma, clearly acted right; + The less of such misfortunes said is best; + 'Twere well the soul of feeling to divest; + Their lives, through pity, or prudential care; + With much reluctance, he was led to spare; + Asleep he left the pair, for if awake, + In honour, he a diff'rent step would take.-- + Had any smart gallant supplied my place, + Said he, I might put up with this disgrace; + But naught consoles the thought of such a beast; + Dan Cupid wantons, or is blind at least; + A bet, or some such whim, induc'd the god, + To give his sanction to amours so odd. + + THIS perfidy Joconde so much dismay'd; + His spirits droop'd, his lilies 'gan to fade; + No more he look'd the charmer he had been; + And when the court's gay dames his face had seen; + They cried, Is this the beauty, we were told, + Would captivate each heart, or young or old? + Why, he's the jaundice; ev'ry view displays + The mien of one,--just fasted forty days! + + WITH secret pleasure, this, Astolphus learn'd; + The Roman, for his brother, risks discern'd, + Whose secret griefs were carefully conceal'd, + (And these Joconde could never wish reveal'd;) + Yet, spite of gloomy looks and hollow eyes, + His graceful features pierc'd the wan disguise, + Which fail'd to please, alone through want of life, + Destroy'd by thinking on a guilty wife. + + THE god of love, in pity to our swain, + At last revok'd BLACK CARE'S corroding reign; + For, doubtless, in his views he oft was cross'd, + While such a lover to the world was lost. + + THE hero of our tale, at length, we find + Was well rewarded: LOVE again proved kind; + For, musing as he walk'd alone one day, + And pass'd a gall'ry, (held a secret way,) + A voice in plaintive accents caught his ear, + And from the neighb'ring closet came, 'twas clear: + My dear Curtade, my only hope below, + In vain I love;--you colder, colder grow; + While round no fair can boast so fine a face, + And numbers wish they might supply thy place, + Whilst thou with some gay page prefer'st a bet, + Or game of dice with some low, vulgar set, + To meeting me alone; and when just now + To thee I sent, with rage thou knit'st thy brow, + And Dorimene, with ev'ry curse abus'd + Then played again, since better that amus'd, + And left me here, as if not worth a thought, + Or thou didst scorn what I so fondly sought. + + ASTONISHMENT, at once, our Roman seiz'd; + But who's the fair that thus her bosom eas'd? + Or, who's the gay Adonis, form'd to bless? + You'd try a day, and not the secret guess, + The queen's the belle:--and, doubtless you will stare, + The king's own dwarf the idol of her care! + + THE Roman saw a crevice in the wood, + Through which he took a peep from where he stood; + To Dorimene our lovers left the key, + Which she had dropt when lately forc'd to flee, + And this Joconde pick'd up, a lucky hit, + Since he could use it when he best thought fit. + It seems, said he, I'm not alone in name, + And since a prince so handsome is the same, + Although a valet has supplied my place, + Yet see, the queen prefers a dwarf's embrace. + + THIS thought consol'd so well,--his youthful rays + Returned, and e'en excelled his former days; + And those who lately ridicul'd his charms, + Now anxious seem'd to revel in his arms + 'Twas who could have him,--even prudes grew kind;-- + By many belles Astolphus was resign'd; + Though still the king retain'd enough, 'twas seen;-- + But now let us resume the dwarf and queen. + + OUR Roman, having satisfied his eyes, + At length withdrew, confounded by surprise. + Who follows courts, must oft with care conceal, + And scarcely know what sight and ears reveal. + + YET, by Joconde the king was lov'd so well, + What now he'd seen he greatly wish'd to tell; + But, since to princes full respect is due, + And what concerns them, howsoever true, + If thought displeasing, should not be dispos'd + In terms direct, but obviously dispos'd, + To catch the mind, Joconde at ease detail'd, + From days of yore to those he now bewail'd, + The names of emp'rors and of kings, whose brows, + By wily wives, were crown'd with leafless boughs! + And who, without repining, view'd their lot, + Nor bad made worse, but thought things best forgot. + E'en I, who now your majesty address, + Continued he, am sorry to confess, + The very day I left my native earth, + + To wait upon a prince of royal birth, + Was forced t'acknowledge cuckoldom among + The gods who rule the matrimonial throng, + And sacrifice thereto with aching heart + Cornuted heads dire torments oft impart: + + THE tale he then detail'd, that rais'd his spleen; + And what within the closet he had seen; + The king replied, I will not be so rude, + To question what so clearly you have view'd; + Yet, since 'twere better full belief to gain, + A glimpse of such a fact I should obtain, + Pray bring me thither; instantly our wight; + Astolphus led, where both his ears and sight + Full proof receiv'd, which struck the prince with awe; + Who stood amaz'd at what he heard and saw. + But soon reflection's all-convincing pow'r + Induced the king vexation to devour; + True courtier-like, who dire misfortunes braves, + Feels sprouting horns, yet smiles at fools and knaves: + Our wives, said he, a pretty trick have play'd, + And shamefully the marriage bed betray'd; + Let us the compliment return, my friend, + And round the country our amours extend; + But, in our plan the better to succeed, + Our names we'll change; no servants we shall need;-- + For your relation I desire to pass, + So you'll true freedom use; then with a lass + We more at ease shall feel, more pleasure gain; + Than if attended by my usual train. + + JOCONDE with joy the king's proposal heard; + On which the latter with his friend conferr'd; + Said he, 'twere surely right to have a book, + In which to place the names of those we hook, + The whole arrang'd according to their rank, + And I'll engage no page remains a blank, + But ere we leave the range of our design, + E'en scrup'lous dames shall to our wish incline, + Our persons handsome, with engaging air, + And sprightly, brilliant wit no trifling share,-- + 'Twere strange, possessing such engaging charms, + They should not tumble freely in our arms. + + THE, baggage ready, and the paper-book, + our smart gallants the road together took, + But 'twould be vain to number their amours; + With beauties, Cupid favoured them by scores; + Blessed, if only seen by either swain, + And doubly bless'd who could attention gain: + Nor wife of alderman, nor wife of mayor, + Of justice, nor of governor was there, + Who did not anxiously desire her name + Might straight be entered in the book of fame! + Hearts, which before were thought as cold as ice, + Now warm'd at once and melted in a trice. + + SOME infidel, I fancy, in my ear + Would whisper-probabilities, I fear, + Are rather wanting to support the fact; + However perfectly gallants may act, + To gain a heart requires full many a day + If more be requisite I cannot say; + 'Tis not my plan to dupe or young or old, + But such to me, howe'er the tale is told, + And Ariosto never truth forsakes; + Yet, if at ev'ry step a writer takes, + He's closely question'd as to time and place, + He ne'er can end his work with easy grace. + To those, from whom just credence I receive, + Their tales I promise fully to believe. + + AT length, when our advent'rers round had play'd, + And danc'd with ev'ry widow, wife, and maid, + The full blown lily and the tender rose, + Astolphus said, though clearly I suppose, + We can as many hearts securely link, + As e'er we like, yet better now, I think, + To stop a while in some delightful spot, + And that before satiety we've got; + For true it is, with love as with our meat; + If we, variety of dishes eat, + The doctors tell us inj'ry will ensue, + And too much raking none can well pursue. + Let us some pleasing fair-one then engage, + To serve us both:--enough she'll prove I'll wage. + + JOCONDE at once replied, with all my heart, + And I a lady know who'll take the part; + She's beautiful; possesses store of wit; + And is the wife of one above a cit. + + WITH such to meddle would be indiscreet, + Replied the king, more charms we often meet, + Beneath a chambermaid or laundress' dress, + Than any rich coquette can well possess. + Besides, with those, less form is oft requir'd, + While dames of quality must be admir'd; + Their whims complied with, though suspicions rise; + And ev'ry hour produces fresh surprise, + But this sweet charmer of inferior birth + A treasure proves; a source of bliss on earth. + No trouble she to carry here nor there; + No balls she visits, and requires no care; + The conquest easy, we may talk or not; + The only difficulty we have got, + Is how to find one, we may faithful view; + So let us choose a girl, to love quite new. + + SINCE these, replied the YOUTH, your thoughts appear, + What think you of our landlord's daughter here? + That she's a perfect virgin I've no doubt, + Nor can we find a chaster round about; + Her very doll more innocent won't prove, + Than this sweet nymph design'd with us to move. + + THE scheme our prince's approbation met; + The very girl, said he, I wish'd to get; + This night be our attack; and if her heart + Surrenders when our wishes we impart, + But one perplexity will then remain; + 'Tis who her virgin favours shall obtain? + The honour 's all a whim, and I, as king, + At once assuredly should claim this thing: + The rest 'tis very easy to arrange; + As matters suit we presently can change. + + IF ceremony 'twere, Joconde replied, + All cavil then we quickly could decide; + Precedence would no doubt with you remain: + But this is quite another case 'tis plain; + And equity demands that we agree, + By lot to settle which the man shall be. + + THE noble youths no arguments would spare, + And each contended for the spoiler's care; + Howe'er Joconde obtained the lucky hit, + And first embrac'd this fancied dainty bit. + + THE girl who was the noble rival's aim, + That ev'ning to the room for something came; + Our heroes gave her instantly a chair, + And lavished praises on her face and hair; + A diamond ring soon sparkled in her eyes; + Its pleasing pow'rs at sight obtain'd the prize. + + THE bargain made, she, in the dead of night, + When silence reign'd and all was void of light, + With careful steps their anxious wish obey'd, + And 'tween them both, she presently was laid; + 'Twas Paradise they thought, where all is nice, + And our young spark believ'd he broke the ice. + + THE folly I forgive him;--'tis in vain + On this to reason--idle to complain; + The WISE have oft been dup'd it is confest, + And Solomon it seems among the rest. + But gay Joconde felt nothing of the kind, + A secret pleasure glow'd within his mind; + He thought Astolphus wond'rous bliss had missed, + And that himself alone the fair had kiss'd; + A clod howe'er, who liv'd within the place, + Had, prior to the Roman, her embrace. + + THE soft amour extended through the night, + The girl was pleas'd, and all proceeded right; + The foll'wing night, the next, 'twas still the same; + Young Clod at length her coldness 'gan to blame; + And as he felt suspicious of the act, + He watch'd her steps and verified the fact: + A quarrel instantly between them rose; + Howe'er the fair, his anger to compose, + And favour not to lose, on honour vow'd, + That when the sparks were gone, and time allow'd, + She would oblige his craving, fierce desire;-- + To which the village lad replied with ire:-- + Pray what care I for any tavern guest, + Of either sex; to you I now protest, + If I be not indulg'd this very night, + I'll publish your amours in mere despite. + + HOW can we manage it, replied the belle, + I'm quite distressed--indeed the truth to tell, + I've promis'd them this night to come again, + And if I fail, no doubt can then remain, + But I shall lose the ring, their pledg'd reward, + Which would, you know for me, be very hard. + + TO you I wish the ring, replied young Clod, + But do they sleep in bed, or only nod? + Tell me, pray; oh, said she, they sleep most sound; + But then between them plac'd shall I be found, + And while the one amidst Love's frolicks sports, + The other quiet lies, or Morpheus courts. + On hearing this the rustick lad proposed, + To visit her when others' eyes were closed. + Oh! never risk it, quickly she replied; + 'Twere folly to attempt it by their side. + He answer'd, never fear, but only leave + The door ajar, and me they'll not perceive. + + THE door she left exactly as he said; + The spark arriv'd, and then approach'd the bed, + ('Twas near the foot,) then 'tween the sheets he slid, + But God knows how he lay, or what he did. + Astolphus and Joconde ne'er smelt a rat, + Nor ever dreamt of what their girl was at, + At length when each had turn'd and op'd his eyes, + Continual movement fill'd him with surprise. + The monarch softly said:--why how is this? + My friend has eaten something, for in bliss, + He revels on, and truly much I fear, + His health will show, it may be bought too dear. + + THIS very sentiment Joconde bethought; + But Clod a breathing moment having caught, + Resum'd his fun, and that so oft would seek: + He gratified his wishes for a week; + Then watching carefully, he found once more; + Our noble heroes had begun to snore, + On which he slyly took himself away, + The road he came, and ere 'twas break of day; + The girl soon follow'd, since she justly fear'd, + Still more fatigues:--so off she quickly steer'd, + + AT length when both the nobles were awake; + Astolphus said, my friend you rest should take, + 'Twere better till to-morrow keep in bed, + Since sleep, with such fatigues, of course has fled: + You talk at random, cried the Roman youth; + More rest I fancy you require in truth; + You've led a pretty life throughout the night; + I? said the king; why I was weary quite, + So long I waited; you no respite gave, + But wholly seem'd our little nymph t' enslave; + At length to try if I from rage could keep, + I turn'd my back once more, and went to sleep. + If you had willingly the belle resign'd, + I was, my friend, to take a turn inclin'd; + That had sufficed for me, since I, like you, + Perpetual motion never can pursue. + + YOUR raillery, the Roman youth replied, + Quite disconcerted, pray now lay aside, + And talk of something else; you've fully shown, + That I'm your vassal, and since you are grown + So fond that you to keep the girl desire, + E'en wholly to yourself, why I'll retire; + Do with her what you please, and we shall see, + How long this furor will with you agree. + + IT may, replied the king, for ever last, + If ev'ry night like this, I'm doom'd to fast. + + SIRE, said Joconde, no longer let us thus, + In terms of playful raillery discuss; + Since such your pleasure, send me from your view; + On this the youthful monarch angry grew, + And many words between the friends arose; + The presence of the nymph Astolphus chose; + To her they said, between us judge, sweet fair, + And every thing was stated then with care. + + THE girl with blushing cheeks before them kneel'd, + And the mysterious tale at once reveal'd. + Our heroes laugh'd; the treach'ry vile excus'd; + And gave the ring, which much delight diffus'd; + Together with a handsome sum of gold, + Which soon a husband in her train enroll'd, + Who, for a maid, the pretty fair-one took; + And then our heroes wand'ring pranks forsook, + With laurels cover'd, which in future times, + Will make them famous through the Western climes; + More glorious since, they only cost, we find, + Those sweet ATTENTIONS pleasing to the MIND. + + So many conquests proud of having made, + And over full the BOOK of--those who'd play'd; + Said gay Astolphus we will now, my friend, + Return the shortest road and poaching end; + If false our mates, yet we'll console ourselves, + That many others have inconstant elves. + Perhaps, in things a change will be one day, + And only tender flames LOVE'S torch display; + But now it seems some evil star presides, + And Hymen's flock the devil surely rides. + Besides, vile fiends the universe pervade, + Whose constant aim is mortals to degrade, + And cheat us to our noses if they can, + (Hell's imps in human shape, disgrace to man!) + Perhaps these wretches have bewitch'd our wives, + And made us fancy errors in their lives. + Then let us like good citizens, our days + In future pass amidst domestick ways; + Our absence may indeed restore their hearts, + For jealousy oft virtuous truths imparts. + + IN this Astolphus certainly believ'd; + The friends return'd, and kindly were receiv'd; + A little scolding first assail'd the ear; + But blissful kisses banish'd ev'ry fear. + To balls and banquets ALL themselves resigned; + Of dwarf or valet nothing more we find; + Each with his wife contentedly remained:-- + 'Tis thus alone true happiness is gained. + + + + +ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS: + +Criticism never stops short nor ever wants for subjects +In the midst of society, he was absent from it +Regarded almost as an imbecile by the crowd +The less of such misfortunes said is best +The promises of kings are airy dreams +Who only make friends in order to gain voices in their favour +Who would wish to reduce Boccaccio to the same modesty as Virgil +Wife beautiful, witty and chaste woman, who drove him to despair + + + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TALES AND NOVELS OF FONTAINE, V1 *** + +*********** This file should be named 5275.txt or 5275.zip ********** + +This eBook was produced by David Widger + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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