Tales and Novels of J. de La Fontaine Part 19

A sprightly youth, who oft the maids beset, And liked to prattle to the girls he met, With sparkling eyes, white teeth, and easy air, Plain russet petticoat and flowing hair, Beside a rivulet, while Io round, With little bell that gave a tinkling sound, On herbs her palate gratified at will, And gazed and played, and fondly took her fill.

AMONG the rustic nymphs our spark perceived A charming girl, for whom his bosom heaved; Too young, however, to feel the poignant smart, By Cupid oft inflicted on the heart.

I will not say thirteen's an age unfit The contrary most fully I admit; The LAW supposes (such its prudent fears) Maturity at still more early years; But this apparently refers to towns, While LOVE was born for groves, and lawns, and downs.

THE youth exerted ev'ry art to please; But all in vain: he only seemed to teaze: Whate'er he said, however nicely graced, Ill-humour, inexperience, or distaste, Induced the belle, unlearned in Cupid's book; To treat his pa.s.sion with a froward look.

BELIEVING ev'ry artifice in love Was tolerated by the pow'rs above, One eve he turned a heifer from the rest; Conducted by the girl his thoughts possessed; The others left, not counted by the fair, (Youth seldom shows the necessary care,) With easy, loit'ring steps the cottage sought, Where ev'ry night they usually were brought.

HER mother, more experienced than the maid, Observed, that from the cattle one had strayed; The girl was scolded much, and sent to find The heifer indiscreetly left behind.

Fair Isabella gave a vent to tears; Invoked sweet echo to disperse her fears: Solicited with fervent, piercing cry, To tell her where lorn Io she might spy, Whose little bell the spark deprived of sound; When he withdrew her from the herd around.

THE lover now the tinkling metal shook; The path that t'wards it led the charmer took.

The well known note was pleasing to her ear; Without suspecting treachery was near, She followed to a wood, both deep and large, In hopes at least she might regain her charge.

GUESS her surprise, good reader, when she heard, A lover's voice, who would not be deterred.

Said he, fair maid whene'er the heart's on fire, 'Tis all permitted that can quench desire.

On this, with piercing cries she rent the air; But no one came:--she sunk to dire despair.

YE beauteous dames avoid the Sylvan shade; Dread dangers solitary woods pervade.

THE GLUTTON

A STURGEON, once, a glutton famed was led To have for supper--all, except the head.

With wond'rous glee he feasted on the fish; And quickly swallowed down the royal dish.

O'ercharged, howe'er, his stomach soon gave way; And doctors were required without delay.

THE danger imminent, his friends desired He'd settle ev'ry thing affairs required.

Said he, in that respect I'm quite prepared; And, since my time so little is declared, With diligence, I earnestly request, The sturgeon's head you'll get me nicely dressed.

THE TWO FRIENDS

AXIOCHUS, a handsome youth of old, And Alcibiades, (both gay and bold,) So well agreed, they kept a beauteous belle, With whom by turns they equally would dwell.

IT happened, one of them so nicely played, The fav'rite la.s.s produced a little maid, Which both extolled, and each his own believed, Though doubtless one or t'other was deceived.

BUT when to riper years the bantling grew, And sought her mother's foot-steps to pursue, Each friend desired to be her chosen swain, And neither would a parent's name retain.

SAID one, why brother, she's your very shade; The features are the same-:-your looks pervade.

Oh no, the other cried, it cannot be Her chin, mouth, nose, and eyes, with your's agree; But that as 'twill, let me her favours win, And for the pleasure I will risk the sin.

THE COUNTRY JUSTICE

TWO lawyers to their cause so well adhered, A country justice quite confused appeared, By them the facts were rendered so obscure With which the truth remained he was not sure.

At length, completely tired, two straws he sought Of diff'rent lengths, and to the parties brought.

These in his hand he held:--the plaintiff drew (So fate decreed) the shortest of the two.

On this the other homeward took his way, To boast how nicely he had gained the day.

THE bench complained: the magistrate replied Don't blame I pray--'tis nothing new I've tried; Courts often judge at hazard in the law, Without deciding by the longest straw.

ALICE SICK

SICK, Alice grown, and fearing dire event, Some friend advised a servant should be sent Her confessor to bring and ease her mind;-- Yes, she replied, to see him I'm inclined; Let father Andrew instantly be sought:-- By him salvation usually I'm taught.

A MESSENGER was told, without delay, To take, with rapid steps, the convent way; He rang the bell--a monk enquired his name, And asked for what, or whom, the fellow came.

I father Andrew want, the wight replied, Who's oft to Alice confessor and guide: With Andrew, cried the other, would you speak?

If that's the case, he's far enough to seek; Poor man! he's left us for the regions blessed, And has in Paradise ten years confessed.

THE KISS RETURNED

AS WILLIAM walking with his wife was seen, A man of rank admired her lovely mien.

Who gave you such a charming fair? he cried, May I presume to kiss your beauteous bride?

With all my heart, replied the humble swain, You're welcome, sir:--I beg you'll not refrain; She's at your service: take the boon, I pray; You'll not such offers meet with ev'ry day.

THE gentleman proceeded as desired; To get a kiss, alone he had aspired; So fervently howe'er he pressed her lip, That Petronella blushed at ev'ry sip.

SEVEN days had scarcely run, when to his arms, The other took a wife with seraph charms; And William was allowed to have a kiss, That filled his soul with soft ecstatick bliss.

Cried he, I wish, (and truly I am grieved) That when the gentleman a kiss received, From her I love, he'd gone to greater height, And with my Petronella pa.s.sed the night.