Atlength their ardour ’gan, it seems, to cool,
          And Harry, they no longer tried to fool;
          ’Twas time to seek the myst’ry of the plot,
          Since, to three acts, the comedy was got.

          Atmidnight, when the spark had left the bed;
          A servant, by his orders, drew the thread;
          On whom the husband, without fear, laid hold,
          And with him enter’d like a soldier bold,
          Not then supposing he’d a valet seiz’d;
          Well tim’d it prov’d, howe’er;—­the lady pleas’d
          Her voice to raise, on hearing what was said,
          And through the house confusion quickly spread.

          Thevalet now before them bent the knee,
          And openly declar’d, he came to see
          The chambermaid, whom he was wont to greet,
          And by the thread to rouse when time to meet: 

          Arethese your knavish tricks, replied the dame,
          With eyes upon her maid that darted flame;
          When I by chance observ’d about your toe,
          A thread one night, I then resolv’d to know
          Your scheme in full, and round my own I tied
          A clue, on which I thoroughly relied,
          To catch this gay gallant, that you pretend
          Your husband will become, I apprehend.

          Be that as ’twill, to-night from hence you go. 
          My dear, said Berlinguier, I’d fain say no;
          Let things remain until to-morrow, pray
          And then my lady presently gave way. 
          A fortune Harry on the girl bestow’d;
          The like our valet to his master ow’d;
          To church the happy couple smiling went:—­
          They’d known each other long, and were content.

          Thusended then, the third and last amour;
          The trio hasten’d Macae to implore,
          To say which gain’d the bet, who soon replied:—­
          I find it, friends, not easy to decide.

          Thecase hangs up, and there will long remain;
          ’Tis often thus when justice we’d obtain: 

ETEXT EDITOR’S BOOKMARKS: 

Was always wishing distant scenes to know

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