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diff --git a/5285.txt b/5285.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ce37d85 --- /dev/null +++ b/5285.txt @@ -0,0 +1,942 @@ +The Project Gutenberg Ebook Friar Philip's Geese &c., by La Fontaine +#11 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, v11: Friar Philip's Geese and Minutolo + +Author: Jean de La Fontaine + +Release Date: March, 2004 [EBook #5285] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on June 21, 2002] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + + + + + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TALES AND NOVELS OF FONTAINE, V11 *** + + + +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 + + + +Contains: + Preface to The Second Book + Friar Philips Geese + Richard Minutolo + + + + THE AUTHOR'S PREFACE + TO THE SECOND BOOK OF THESE TALES + + +These are the last works of this style that will come from the pen of +the Author, and consequently this is the last opportunity he has of +vindicating the boldness and privilege which he has assumed. We make no +mention of villainous rhymes, of lines that run into the next, of two +vowels without elision, nor, in general, of such kinds of carelessness +as he would not allow himself in another style of poetry, but which +are part and parcel, so to say, of this style. Too anxious a care +in avoiding such would force a tale-writer into a labyrinth of shifts, +into narratives as dull as they are grand, into straits that are utterly +useless, and would make him disregard the pleasure of the heart in order +to labour for the gratification of the ear. We must leave studied +narrative for lofty subjects, and not compose an epic poem of the +Adventures of Renaud d'Ast. Suppose the Author, who has put these tales +into rhyme, had brought to bear on them all the care and preciseness +required of him; not only would this care be observed, especially as it +is unnecessary, but it would also transgress the precept lain down by +Ouintilian, still the Author would not have attained the main object, +which is to interest the reader, to charm him, to rivet his attention +in spite of himself,--in a word, to please him. As everybody knows, the +secret of pleasing the reader is not always based on regulation, nor even +on symmetry; there is need of smartness and tastefulness, if we would +strike home. How many of those perfect types of beauty do we see which +never strike home, and of which nobody feels enamoured! We do not wish +to rob Modern Authors of the praise that is due to them. Nicely turned +lines, fine language, accuracy, elegance of rhyme are accomplishments in +a poet. However that may be, let us consider of our own epigrams wherein +all these qualities are combined, perhaps we shall find in them far less +point, nay, I would venture to add, far less charm than in those of +Marot or Saint-Gelais, although almost all the works of the latter poets +are full of the same faults as are attributed to us. We will be told +that these were not faults in their day, whereas they are very great +faults in ours. To this we answer by a similar kind of argument, by +saying, as we have already said, that these would undoubtedly be faults +in another style of poetry, but not in this. The late M. de Voiture is +a proof in point. We need only read the works in which he brings to life +again the character of Marot. For our Author does not lay claim to +praise for himself, nor to rounds of applause from the public for having +put a few tales into rhyme. Without doubt he has entered on quite a new +path, and has pursued it to the utmost of his power, choosing now one +road, now another, and always treading with surer step when he has +followed the manner of our old poets "quorum in hae re imitari +negligentiam exoptat potius quam istorum diligentiam." + +But while saying that we wished to waive this question, we have +unconsciously involved ourselves in its discussion. Perhaps this has not +been without advantage; for there is nothing that resembles faults more +than these licenses. Let us now consider the liberty which the Author +has assumed in cutting into the property of others as well as his own, +without making exception even to the best known stories, none of which +he scruples to tamper with. He curtails, enlarges, and alters incidents +and details, at times the main issue and the sequel; in short, the story +is no longer the same; it is, in point of fact, quite a new tale; its +original author would find it no small difficulty to recognise in it his +own work. "Non sic decet contaminari fabulas," Critics will say. Why +should they not? They twitted Terence in just the same way; but Terence +sneered at them, and claimed a right to treat the matter as he did. He +has mingled his own ideas with the subjects he drew from Menander, just +as Sophocles and Euripides mingled theirs with the subjects they drew +from former writers, sparing neither history nor romance, where "decorum" +and the rules of the Drama were at issue. Shall this privilege cease +with respect to fictitious stories? Must we in future have more +scrupulous or religious regard, if we may be allowed the expression, +for falsehood than the Ancients had for truth? What people call a good +tale never passes from hand to hand without receiving some fresh touch +of embellishment. How comes it then, we may be asked, that in many +passages the Author curtails instead of enlarging on the original? +On that point we are agreed: the Author does so in order to avoid +lengthiness and ambiguity,--two faults which are inadmissible in such +matters, especially the latter. For if lucidity is to be commended in +all literary works, we may say that it is especially necessary in +narratives, where one thing is, as a rule, the sequel and the result of +another; where the less important sometimes lays the basis of the more +important; so that, once the thread becomes broken, the reader cannot +gather it up again. Besides, as narratives in verse are very awkward, +the author must clog himself with details as little as possible; by means +of this you relieve not only yourself, but also the reader, for whom an +author should not fail to prepare pleasure unalloyed. Whenever the +Author has altered a few particulars and even a few catastrophes, he has +been forced to do so by the cause of that catastrophe and the urgency of +giving it a happy termination. He has fancied that in tales of this kind +everyone ought to be satisfied with the end: it pleases the reader at +any rate, if the author has not given the characters too distasteful +a rendering. But he must not go so far as that, if possible, nor make +the reader laugh and cry in the same tale. This medley shocks Horace +above all things; his wish is not that our works should border on the +grotesque, and that we should draw a picture half woman half fish. These +are the general motives the Author has had in view. We might still quote +special motives and vindicate each point; but we must needs leave +something to the capacity and leniency of our readers. They will be +satisfied, then, with the motives we have mentioned. We would have +stated them more clearly and have set more by them, had the general +compass of a Preface so allowed. + + + + + + + FRIAR PHILIP'S GEESE + + + IF these gay tales give pleasure to the FAIR, + The honour's great conferred, I'm well aware; + Yet, why suppose the sex my pages shun? + Enough, if they condemn where follies run; + Laugh in their sleeve at tricks they disapprove, + And, false or true, a muscle never move. + A playful jest can scarcely give offence: + Who knows too much, oft shows a want of sense. + From flatt'ry oft more dire effects arise, + Enflame the heart and take it by surprise; + Ye beauteous belles, beware each sighing swain, + Discard his vows:--my book with care retain; + Your safety then I'll guarantee at ease.-- + But why dismiss?--their wishes are to please: + And, truly, no necessity appears + For solitude:--consider well your years. + I HAVE, and feel convinced they do you wrong, + Who think no virtue can to such belong; + White crows and phoenixes do not abound; + But lucky lovers still are sometimes found; + And though, as these famed birds, not quite so rare, + The numbers are not great that favours share; + I own my works a diff'rent sense express, + But these are tales:--mere tales in easy dress. + + To beauty's wiles, in ev'ry class, I've bowed; + Fawned, flattered, sighed, e'en constancy have vowed + What gained? you ask--but little I admit; + Howe'er we aim, too oft we fail to hit. + My latter days I'll now devote with care, + To guard the sex from ev'ry latent snare. + Tales I'll detail, and these relate at ease: + Narrations clear and neat will always please; + Like me, to this attention criticks pay; + Then sleep, on either side, from night till day. + If awkward, vulgar phrase intervene, + Or rhymes imperfect o'er the page be seen, + Condemn at will; but stratagems and art, + Pass, shut your eyes, who'd heed the idle part? + Some mothers, husbands, may perhaps be led, + To pull my locks for stories white or red; + So matters stand: a fine affair, no doubt, + And what I've failed to do--my book makes out. + + THE FAIR my pages safely may pursue, + And this apology they'll not refuse. + What recompense can I presume to make? + A tale I'll give, where female charms partake, + And prove resistless whatsoe'er assail: + Blessed BEAUTY, NATURE ever should prevail. + + HAD Fate decreed our YOUTH, at early morn, + To view the angel features you adorn, + The captivating pow'rs AURORA bless, + Or airy SPRING bedecked in beauteous dress, + And all the azure canopy on high + Had vanished like a dream, once you were nigh. + And when his eyes at length your charms beheld, + His glowing breast with softest passion swelled; + Superior lustre beamed at ev'ry view; + No pleasures pleased: his soul was fixed on you. + Crowns, jewels, palaces, appeared as naught. + 'Twas solely beauteous woman now he sought. + + A WOOD, from earliest years, his home had been, + And birds the only company he'd seen, + Whose notes harmonious often lulled his care, + Beguiled his hours, and saved him from despair; + Delightful sounds! from nightingale and dove + Unknown their tongue, yet indicant of love. + + THIS savage, solitary, rustick school, + The father chose his infancy to rule. + The mother's recent death induced the sire, + To place the son where only beasts retire; + And long the forest habitants alone + Were all his youthful sight had ever known. + + TWO reasons, good or bad, the father led + To fly the world:--all intercourse to dread + Since fate had torn his lovely spouse from hence; + Misanthropy and fear o'ercame each sense; + Of the world grown tired, he hated all around:-- + Too oft in solitude is sorrow found. + His partner's death produced distaste of life, + And made him fear to seek another wife. + A hermit's gloomy, mossy cell he took, + And wished his child might thither solely look. + + AMONG the poor his little wealth he threw, + And with his infant son alone withdrew; + The forest's dreary wilds concealed his cell; + There Philip (such his name) resolved to dwell. + + BY holy motives led, and not chagrin, + The hermit never spoke of what he'd seen; + But, from the youth's discernment, strove to hide, + Whate'er regarded love, and much beside, + The softer sex, with all their magick charms, + That fill the feeling bosom with alarms. + As years advanced, the boy with care he taught; + What suited best his age before him brought; + At five he showed him animals and flow'rs, + The birds of air, the beasts, their sev'ral pow'rs; + And now and then of hell he gave a hint, + Old Satan's wrath, and what might awe imprint, + How formed, and doomed to infamy below; + In childhood FEAR 's the lesson first we know! + + THE years had passed away, when Philip tried, + In matters more profound his son to guide; + He spoke of Paradise and Heav'n above; + But not a word of woman,--nor of LOVE. + Fifteen arrived, the sire with anxious care, + Of NATURE'S works declaimed,--but not the FAIR: + An age, when those, for solitude designed, + Should be to scenes of seriousness confined, + Nor joys of youth, nor soft ideas praised + The flame soon spreads when Cupid's torch is raised. + + AT length, when twenty summers time had run, + The father to the city brought his son; + With years weighed down, the hermit scarcely knew + His daily course of duty to pursue; + And when Death's venomed shaft should on him fall; + On whom could then his boy for succour call? + How life support, unknowing and unknown? + Wolves, foxes, bears, ne'er charity have shown; + And all the sire could give his darling care, + A staff and wallet, he was well aware + Fine patrimony, truly, for a child! + To which his mind was no way reconciled. + Bread few, 'twas clear, the hermit would deny, + And rich he might have been you may rely; + When he drew near, the children quickly cried + Here's father Philip--haste, the alms provide; + And many pious men his friends were found, + But not one female devotee around: + None would he hear; the FAIR he always fled + Their smiles and wiles the friar kept in dread. + + OUR hermit, when he thought his darling youth; + Well fixed in duty and religious truth, + Conveyed him 'mong his pious friends, to learn + How food to beg, and other ways discern. + In tears he viewed his son the forest quit, + And fain would have him for the world unfit. + + THE city's palaces and lofty spires, + Our rustick's bosom filled with new desires. + The prince's residence great splendour showed, + And lively pleasure on the youth bestowed. + What's here? said he; The court, his friends replied:-- + What there?--The mansions where the great reside:-- + And these?--Fine statues, noble works of art: + All gave delight and gratitude his heart. + But when the beauteous FAIR first caught his view, + To ev'ry other sight he bade adieu; + The palace, court, or mansions he admired, + No longer proved the objects he desired; + Another cause of admiration rose, + His breast pervaded, and disturbed repose. + What's this, he cried, so elegantly neat? + O tell me, father; make my joy complete! + + WHAT gave the son such exquisite delight, + The parent filled with agonizing fright. + To answer, howsoe'er he'd no excuse, + So told the youth--a bird they call a goose. + + O BEAUTEOUS bird, exclaimed th' enraptured boy, + Sing, sound thy voice, 'twill fill my soul with joy; + To thee I'd anxiously be better known; + O father, let me have one for my own! + A thousand times I fondly ask the boon; + Let's take it to the woods: 'tis not too soon; + Young as it is, I'll feed it morn and night, + And always make it my supreme delight. + + + + + + + RICHARD MINUTOLO + + + IN ev'ry age, at Naples, we are told, + Intrigue and gallantry reign uncontrolled; + With beauteous objects in abundance blessed. + No country round so many has possessed; + Such fascinating charms the FAIR disclose, + That irresistibly soft passion flows. + + 'MONG these a belle, enchanting to behold, + Was loved by one, of birth and store of gold; + Minutolo (and Richard) was his name, + In Cupid's train a youth of brilliant fame: + 'Tween Rome and Paris none was more gallant, + And num'rous hearts were for him known to pant. + + CATELLA (thus was called our lady fair,) + So long, howe'er, resisted Richard's snare, + That prayers, and vows, and promises were vain; + A favour Minutolo could not gain. + At length, our hero weary, coldness showed, + And dropt attendance, since no kindness flowed; + Pretended to be cured:--another sought, + And feigned her charms his tender heart had caught: + Catella laughed, but jealousy was nigh; + 'Twas for her friend that now He heaved the sigh. + + THESE dames together met, and Richard too, + The gay gallant a glowing picture drew, + Of certain husbands, lovers, prudes, and wives; + Who led in secret most lascivious lives. + Though none he named, Catella was amazed; + His hints suspicions of her husband raised; + And such her agitation and affright, + That, anxious to procure more certain light, + In haste she took Minutolo aside, + And begged the names he would not from her hide, + With all particulars, from first to last:-- + Her ardent wish to know whate'er had passed. + + SO long your reign, said Richard, o'er my mind, + Deny I could not, howsoe'er inclined; + With Mrs. Simon often is your spouse; + Her character no doubt your spleen will rouse; + I've no design, observe to give offence, + But, when I see your int'rest in suspense, + I cannot silent keep; though, were I still + A slave, devoted wholly to your will, + As late I moved, I would not drop a word + Mistrust of lovers may not be absurd; + Besides, you'd fancy other motives led + To tell you of your husband what was said; + But heav'n be praised, of you I nothing want; + My object's plain--no more the fond gallant. + + I'VE lately certain information had, + Your spouse (I scarcely thought the man so bad,) + Has with the lady an appointment made; + At Jack's nice bagnio he will meet the jade. + + NOW clearly Jack's not rich, and there's no doubt; + A hundred ducats give, and--ALL will out; + Let him but have a handsome sum in view, + And any thing you wish, be sure he'll do; + You then can manage ev'ry way so well, + That, at the place assigned to meet his belle, + You'll take this truant husband by surprise;-- + Permit me in this nice affair to advise. + + THE lady has agreed, you will remark, + That in a room where ev'ry part is dark, + (Perhaps to 'scape the keeper's prying sight, + Or shame directs exclusion of the light,) + She will receive your gay inconstant spouse; + Now, take her place; the case deceit allows; + Make Jack your friend; nor haggle at the price; + A hundred ducats give, is my advice; + He'll place you in the room where darkness reigns; + Think not too fast, nor suffer heavy chains; + Do what you wish, and utter not a word; + To speak, assuredly would be absurd; + 'Twould spoil the whole; destroy the project quite; + Attend, and see if all things be not right. + + THE project pleased Catella to the soul; + Her wrath, no longer able to controul, + She Richard stopt; enough, enough, she cried; + I fully understand:--leave me to guide; + I'll play the fellow and his wanton lass + A pretty trick-shall all their art surpass, + Unless the string gives way and spoils my scheme; + What, take me for a nincompoop?--they dream. + + THIS said, she sought excuse to get away, + And went in quest of Jack without delay. + The keeper, howsoe'er, a hint had got; + Minutolo had schooled him for the plot; + Oft cash does wonders, and, if such the case + In France or Britain, when conferred a grace, + The bribe is taken, and the truth abused, + In Italy it will not be refused; + There this sole quiver Cupid useful finds,-- + + A purse well stored--all binds, gunlocks, or blinds: + Jack took the pelf from Richard and the dame; + Had Satan offered--'twould have been the same. + In short, Minutolo had full success, + All came about, and marked the spark's address. + + THE lady had at first some warm dispute + To many questions Jack was even mute; + But when he saw the golden charms unmasked, + Far more he promised than Catella asked. + + THE time of rendezvous arrived, our spark + To Jack's repaired, and found the room quite dark; + So well arranged, no crevice could he find, + Through which the light might hurt what he designed. + + NOT long he waited, ere our jealous dame, + Who longed to find her faithless husband, came, + Most thoroughly prepared his ears to greet. + Jack brought the couple presently to meet. + The lady found, howe'er, not what she sought: + No guilty spouse, nor Mrs. Simon caught; + But wily Richard, who, without alarms, + In silence took Catella in his arms. + What further passed between the easy pair, + Think what you will, I mean not to declare; + The lover certainly received delight + The lady showed no terror nor affright; + On neither side a syllable was dropt + With care Minutolo his laughter stopt; + Though difficult, our spark succeeded well; + No words of mine can Richard's pleasure tell. + His fav'rite beauteous belle he now possessed, + And triumphed where so oft he'd been repressed, + Yet fondly hoped her pardon he should get, + Since they together had so gaily met. + + AT length, the fair could no longer contain: + Vile wretch, she cried, I've borne too much 'tis plain; + I'm not the fav'rite whom thou had'st in view: + To tear thy eyes out justly were thy due, + 'Tis this, indeed, that makes thee silent keep, + Each morn feign sickness, and pretend to sleep, + Thyself reserving doubtless for amours:-- + Speak, villain! say, of charms have I less stores? + Or what has Mrs. Simon more than I? + A wanton wench, in tricks so wondrous sly! + Where my love less? though truly now I hate; + Would that I'd seen thee hung, thou wretch ingrate! + + MINUTOLO, while thus Catella spoke, + Caressed her much, but silence never broke; + A kiss e'en tried to gain, without success; + She struggled, and refused to acquiesce; + Begone! said she, nor treat me like a child; + Stand off!--away!--thy taction is defiled; + My tears express an injured woman's grief; + No more thy wife I'll be, but seek relief; + Return my fortune--go:--thy mistress seek; + To be so constant:--How was I so weak? + It surely would be nothing more than right, + Were Richard I to see this very night, + Who adoration constantly has paid:-- + You much deserve to be a cuckold made; + I'm half inclined, I vow, to do the worst. + At this our arch gallant with laughter burst. + What impudence!--You mock me too? she cried + Let's see, with blushes if his face be dyed? + When from his arms she sprang, a window sought; + The shutters ope'd, and then a view she caught; + Minutolo, her lover! * * * what surprise! + Pale, faint, she instant grew, and closed her eyes: + Who would have thought, said she, thou wert so base? + I'm lost! * * * for ever sunk in dire disgrace! + + WHO'LL, know it? Richard earnestly replied; + In Jack's concealment we may both confide; + Excuse the trick I've played and ne'er repine; + Address, force, treachery, in love combine; + All are permitted when intrigue 's the word; + To hold the contrary were quite absurd. + Till stratagem was used I naught could gain, + But looks and darts from eyes, for all my pain. + I've paid myself;--Would you have done it?--No; + 'Tis all as might be wished;--come, smiles bestow; + I'm satisfied, the fault was not with you. + In this, to make you wretched, naught I view; + Why sigh and groan?--What numbers could I name, + Who would be happy to be served the same. + + HIS reas'ning yet could not the belle appease; + She wept, and sought by tears her mind to ease; + Affliction highly added to her charms; + Minutolo still gave her new alarms; + He took her hand, which she at once withdrew: + Away, she cried; no longer me pursue; + Be satisfied; you surely don't desire + That I assistance from the house require, + Or rouse the neighbours with my plaintive cries + I'll ev'ry thing declare without disguise. + + SUCH folly don't commit, replied the spark; + Your wisest plan is nothing to remark: + The world at present is become so vile, + If you the truth divulge, they'll only smile; + Not one a word of treachery would believe, + But think you came--and money to receive: + Suppose, besides, it reached your husband's ears; + Th' effect has reason to excite your fears; + 'Twould give displeasure and occasion strife: + Would you in duels wish to risk his life? + Whatever makes you with him disagree, + At all events, I'm full as bad as he. + + THESE reasons with Catella greatly weighed + Since things, continued he, are thus displayed; + And cannot be repaired, console your mind; + A perfect being never was designed. + If, howsoe'er you will * * * but say no more; + Such thoughts for ever banish, I implore. + 'Mid all my perseverance, zeal, and art, + I nothing got but frowns that pierced the heart: + 'Twill now on you depend if pleasure prove + This day imperfect, ere from hence we move. + What more remains to do? the worst is past; + 'Tis step the first that costs, however classed. + + So well Minutolo preferred his suit, + The lady with him more would not dispute, + With downcast eyes she listened to his prayer, + And looked disposed to tranquilize his care; + From easy freedom soon he 'gan to soar; + A smile received:--a kiss bestowed and more: + At length, the lady passed resistance by, + And all conceded, e'en without a sigh. + + OUR hero felt a thousand times more blessed + Than when he first the beauteous fair caressed; + For when a flame reciprocal is raised, + The bliss redoubles, and by all is praised. + + THUS Richard pleasantly employed his time, + Contented lived, concentring joys sublime. + A sample, now, we have given of his pow'rs, + And who would wish for more delightful hours? + O grant, kind heav'n! that I the like may meet, + And ever prove so wary and discreet. + + + + +ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS: + +In childhood FEAR 's the lesson first we know! +Who knows too much, oft shows a want of sense + + + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TALES AND NOVELS OF FONTAINE, V11 *** + +*********** This file should be named 5285.txt or 5285.zip *********** + +This eBook was produced by David Widger <widger@cecomet.net> + +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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