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| Table of Contents | |
| Section | Page |
| Start of eBook | 1 |
| Title: The Tales and Novels, v5: The Princess Bethrothed to Garba | 1 |
| ETEXT EDITOR’S BOOKMARKS: | 16 |
| Information about Project Gutenberg (one page) | 17 |
| (Three Pages) | 18 |
Author: Jean de La Fontaine
Release Date: March, 2004 [EBook #5279] [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, V5 ***
This eBook was produced by David Widger widger@cecomet.net
[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
Volume 5.
The princess
betrothed to the
king of Garba
What various ways in which a thing is told
Some truth abuse, while others fiction hold;
In stories we invention may admit;
But diff’rent ’tis with what historick writ;
Posterity demands that truth should then
Inspire relation, and direct the pen.
Alaciel’sstory’s of another kind,
And
I’ve a little altered it, you’ll find;
Faults
some may see, and others disbelieve;
’Tis
all the same:—’twill never make me
grieve;
Alaciel’s
mem’ry, it is very clear,
Can
scarcely by it lose; there’s naught to fear.
Two
facts important I have kept in view,
In
which the author fully I pursue;
The
one—no less than eight the belle possessed,
Before
a husband’s sight her eyes had blessed;
The
other is, the prince she was to wed
Ne’er
seemed to heed this trespass on his bed,
But
thought, perhaps, the beauty she had got
Would
prove to any one a happy lot.
HOWE’ER
this fair, amid adventures dire,
More
sufferings shared than malice could desire;
Though
eight times, doubtless, she exchanged her knight
No
proof, that she her spouse was led to slight;
’Twas
gratitude, compassion, or good will;
The
dread of worse;—she’d truly had her
fill;
Excuses
just, to vindicate her fame,
Who,
spite of troubles, fanned the monarch’s flame:
Of
eight the relict, still a maid received ;—
Apparently,
the prince her pure believed;
For,
though at times we may be duped in this,
Yet,
after such a number—strange to miss!
And
I submit to those who’ve passed the scene,
If
they, to my opinion, do not lean.
Theking of Alexandria, Zarus named,
A
daughter had, who all his fondness claimed,
A
star divine Alaciel shone around,
The
charms of beauty’s queen were in her found;
With
soul celestial, gracious, good, and kind,
And
all-accomplished, all-complying mind.
The,
rumour of her worth spread far and wide,
The
king of Garba asked her for his bride,
And
Mamolin (the sov’reign of the spot,)
To
other princes had a pref’rence got.
Thefair, howe’er, already felt the smart
Of
Cupid’s arrow, and had lost her heart;
But
’twas not known: princesses love conceal,
And
scarcely dare its whispers fond reveal;
Within
their bosoms poignant pain remains,
Though
flesh and blood, like lasses of the plains.
Thenoble Hispal, one of zarus’ court,
A
handsome youth, as histories report,
Alaciel
pleased; a mutual flame arose,
Though
this they durst not venture to disclose
Or,
if expressed, ’twas solely by the eyes:—
Soul-speaking
language, nothing can disguise!
Affiancedthus, the princess, with a sigh,
Prepared
to part, and fully to comply.
The
father trusted her to Hispal’s care,
Without
the least suspicion of the snare;
They
soon embarked and ploughed the briny main;
With
anxious hopes in time the port to gain.
Whenthey, from Egypt’s coast had sailed a week;
To
gain the wind they saw a pirate seek,
Which
having done, he t’wards them bore in haste,
To
take the ship in which our fair was placed.
Thebattle quickly raged; alike they erred;
The
pirates slaughter loved, and blood preferred,
And,
long accustomed to the stormy tide,
Were
most expert, and on their skill relied.
In
numbers, too, superior they were found;
But
Hisipal’s valour greatly shone around,
And
kept the combat undecided long;
At
length Grifonio, wond’rous large and strong;
With
twenty sturdy, pirates got on board,
And
many soon lay gasping by the sword.
Where’er
he trod, grim death and horrour reigned;
At
length, the round the noble Hispal gained.
His
nervous arm laid many wretches low
Rage
marked his eyes, whene’er he dealt a blow:
But,
while the youth was thus engaged in fight,
Grifonio
ran to gain a sweeter sight;
The
princess was on board full well he knew;
No
time he lost, but to her chamber flew;
And,
Thepirate-chief who carried off his prey,
Had
short-lived joy, for, wishing to convey
His
charming captive from the ship with speed;
One
vessel chanced a little to recede,
Although
securely fastened by the crew,
With
grappling hooks, as usually they do,
When
quite intent to pass, young Hispal made
A
blow, that dead at once the ruffian laid;
His
head and shoulders, severed from the trunk;
Fell
in the sea, and to the bottom sunk,
Abjuring
Mahomet, and all the tribe
Of
idle prophets, Catholics proscribe;
Erect
the rest upon the legs remained;
The
very posture as before retained;
This
curious sight no doubt a laugh had raised,—
But
in the moment, she, so lately praised,
With
dread Grifonio, fell beyond their view;
To
save her, straight the gallant Hispal flew.
The
ships, for want of pilots at the helm,
At
random drifted over Neptune’s realm.
Grimdeath the pirate forced to quit his slave;
Buoyed
up by clothes, she floated on the wave,
’Till
Hispal succour lent, who saw ’twas vain
To
try with her the vessel to regain.
He
could, with greater ease, the fair convey
To
certain rocks, and thither bent his way;
Those
rocks to sailors oft destruction proved,
But
now the couple saved, who thither moved:
’Tis
even said the jewels were not lost,
But
sweet Alaciel, howsoever tost,
Preserved
the caskets, which with strings were tied;
And
seizing these, the treasure drew aside.
Ourswimmer on his back the princess bore;
The
rock attained; but hardships were not o’er;
Misfortunes
dire the noble pair pursued
And
famine, worst of ills, around was viewed.
No
ship was near; the light soon passed away;
The
night the same; again appeared the day;
No
vessel hove in sight; no food to eat;
Our
couple’s wretchedness seemed now complete;
Hope
left them both, and, mutual passion moved,
Their
situation more tormenting proved.
Longtime in silence they each other eyed
At
length, to speak the lovely charmer tried
Said
she, ’tis useless, Hispal, to bewail:
Tears,
with the cruel Parcae, naught avail;
Each
other to console be now our aim;
Grim
death his course will follow still the same.
To
mitigate the smart let’s try anew;
In
such a place as this few joys accrue.
Consoleeach other, say you? Hispal cried;
What
can console when forced one’s love to hide?
Besides,
fair princess, ev’ry way ’tis clear,
Improper
’twere for you to love while here;
I
equally could death or famine brave;
But
you I tremble for, and wish to save.
Thesewords so pained the fair, that gushing tears
Bedewed
Alaciel’s cheeks, her looks spoke fears;
The
ardent flame which she’d so long concealed;
Burst
forth in sighs, and all its warmth revealed;
While
such emotion Hispal’s eyes expressed,
That
more than words his anxious wish confessed.
These
tender scenes were followed by a kiss,
The
prelude sweet of soft enchanting bliss;
But
whether taken, or by choice bestowed,
Alike
’twas clear, their heaving bosoms glowed.
Thosevows now o’er, said Hispal with a sigh,
In
this adventure, if we’re doomed to die,
Indiff’rent
surely ’tis, the prey to be
Of
birds of air, or fishes of the sea;
My
reason tells me ev’ry grave’s the same,
Return
we must, at last, from whence we came,
Here
ling’ring death alone we can expect;
To
brave the waves ’tis better to elect;
I
yet have strength, and ’tis not far to land;
The
wind sets fair: let’s try to gain the strand;
From
rock to rock we’ll go: I many view,
Where
I can rest; to this we’ll bid adieu.
Tomove, Alaciel readily agreed;
Again
our couple ventured to proceed;
The
casket safe in tow; the weather hot;
From
rock to rock with care our swimmer got;
The
princess, anxious on his back to keep:—
New
mode of traversing the wat’ry deep.
WithHeav’n’s assistance, and the rocks for
rest,
The
youth, by hunger and fatigue oppressed,
Uneasiness
of mind, weighed down with care,
Not
for himself, but safety of the fair,
A
fast of two long tedious days now o’er,
The
casket and the belle he brought on shore:
I
think you cry—how wond’rously
exact,
To
bring the casket into ev’ry act!
Is
that a circumstance of weight I pray?
It
truly seems so, and without delay,
You’ll
see if I be wrong; no airy flight,
Or
jeer, or raillery, have I in sight.
Had
I embarked our couple in a ship
Without
or cash or jewels for the trip,
Distress
had followed, you must be aware;
’Tis
past our pow’r to live on love or air;
In
vain affection ev’ry effort tries
Inexorable
hunger all defies.
Thecasket, with the diamonds proved a source,
To
which ’twas requisite to have recourse;
Some
Hispal sold, and others put in pawn,
And
purchased, near the coast, a house and lawn;
With
woods, extensive park, and pleasure ground;
And
many bow’rs and shady walks around,
Where
charming hours they passed, and this ’twas plain,
Without
the casket they could n’er obtain.
Beneaththe wood there was a secret grot,
Where
lovers, when they pleased, concealment got,
A
quiet, gloomy, solitary place,
Designed
by nature for the billing race.
Oneday, as through the grove a walk they sought,
The
god of love our couple thither brought;
His
wishes, Hispal, as they went along,
Explained
im part by words direct and strong;
The
rest his sighs expressed, (they spoke the soul;)—
The
princess, trembling, listened to the whole.
Saidhe, we now are in a place retired,
Unknown
to man, (such spots how oft desired!)
Let’s
take advantage of the present hour:
No
joys, but those of love, are in our pow’r;
All
others see withdrawn! and no one knows
We
even live; perhaps both friends and foes
Believe
us in the belly of a whale;
Allow
me, lovely princess, to prevail;
Bestow
your kindness, or, without delay,
Those
charms to Mamolin let me convey.
Yet,
why go thither?—happy you could make
The
man, whose constancy no perils shake,
What
would you more?—his passion’s ardent
grown;
And
surely you’ve enough resistance shown.
Suchtender elocution Hispal used,
That
e’en to marble, ’Twould have warmth infused;
While
fair Alaciel, on the bark of trees,
With
bodkin wrote, apparently at ease.
But
Cupid drew her thoughts to higher things,
Than
merely graving what from fancy springs.
Her
lover and the place, at once assured,
That
such a secret would be well secured;
A
tempting bait, which made her, with regret,
Resist
the witching charm that her beset.
Unluckily,
’twas then the month of May,
When
youthful hearts are often led astray,
And
soft desire can scarcely be concealed,
But
presses through the pores to be revealed.
How
many do we see, by slow degrees,
And,
step by step, accord their all to please,
Who,
at the onset, never dreamed to grant
The
smallest favour to their fond gallant.
The
god of love so archly acts his part,
And,
in unguarded moments, melts the heart,
That
many belles have tumbled in the snare,
Who,
how it happened, scarcely could declare.
Whenthey had reached the pleasing secret spot;
Young
Hispal wished to go within the grot;
Though
nearly overcome, she this declined;
But
then his services arose to mind;
Her
life from Ocean’s waves, her honour too,
To
him she owed; what could he have in view?
A
something, which already has been shown,
Was
saved through Hispal’s nervous arm alone:
Said
he, far better bless a real friend,
Than
have each treasure rifled in the end,
By
some successful ruffian; think it o’er;
You
little dream for whom you guard the store.
Theprincess felt the truth of this remark,
And
half surrendered to the loving spark;
A
show’r obliged the pair, without delay,
To
seek a shed:—the place I need not say;
The
rest within the grotto lies concealed:—
The
scenes of Cupid ne’er should be revealed.
Alaciel
blame, or not—I’ve many known,
With
less excuses, who’ve like favours shown.
Alonethe cavern witnessed not their bliss;
In
love, a point once gained, naught feels amiss,
If
trees could speak that grew within the dell,
What
joys they viewed—what stories they might
tell!
The
park, the lawn, the pleasure grounds, and bow’rs,
The
belts of roses, and the beds of flow’rs,
All,
all could whisper something of the kind;
At
length, both longed their friends again to find,
Quite
cloyed with love, they sighed to be at court;
Thus
spoke the fair her wishes to support.
Lovedyouth, to me you must be ever dear;
To
doubt it would ungen’rous now appear;
But
tell me, pray, what’s love without desire,
Devoid
of fear, and nothing to acquire?
Flame
unconfined is soon exhausted found,
But,
thwarted in its course ’twill long abound;
I
fear this spot, which we so highly prize,
Will
soon appear a desert in our eyes,
Wereher intentions fully as expressed,
Or
contrary to what her lips confessed,
No
matter which her view, ’twas very plain,
If
she would Hispal’s services retain,
’Twere
right the youth with promises to feed,
While
his assistance she so much must need:
As
soon as he was ready to depart
She
pressed him fondly to her glowing heart,
And
charged him with a letter to the king;
This
Hispal hastened to the prince to bring;
Each
sail he crowded:—plied with ev’ry
oar;
A
wind quite fair soon brought him to shore;
To
court he went, where all with eager eyes,
Demanded
if he lived, amid surprise,
And
where he left the princess; what her state?
These
questions answered, Hispal, quite elate,
Procured
the escort, which, without delay,
Though
leaving him behind, was sent away:
No
dark mistrust retained the noble youth;
But
Zarus wished it: such appeared the truth.
Byone of early years the troop was led,
A
handsome lad, and elegantly bred.
He
landed with his party near the park.
And
these in two divided ere ’twas dark.
Onehalf he left a guard upon the shore,
And
with the other hastened to the door,
Where
dwelled the belle, who daily fairer grew:
Our
chief was smitten instantly at view;
And,
fearing opportunity again,
Like
this, perhaps, he never might obtain,
Avowed
at once his passion to the fair;
At
which she frowned, and told him, with an air;
To
recollect his duty, and her rank:—
With
equals only, he should be so frank.
Onthese occasions, prudent ’tis to show
Your
disappointment by a face of woe;
Seem
ev’ry way the picture of despair:—
This
countenance our knight appeared to wear;
To
starve himself he vowed was his design;
Atlength, the second day she ’gan to feel,
And
strong emotion scarcely could conceal.
What!
let a person die her charms could save!
’Twas
cruel, thus to treat a youth so brave.
Through
pity, she at last, to please the chief,
Consented
to bestow on him relief;
For,
favours, when conferred with sullen air,
But
little gratify she was aware.
WHen
satisfied the smart gallant appeared,
And
anxiously to putting off adhered,
Pretending
that the wind and tide would fail;
The
galleys sometimes were unfit to sail,
Repairs
required; then further heard the news,
That
certain pirates had unpleasant views;
To
fall upon the escort they’d contrived:
At
length, a pirate suddenly arrived,
Surprized
the party left upon the shore,
Destroyed
the whole; then sought the house for more,
And
scaled the walls while darkness spread around.
The
pirate was Grifonio’s second found,
Who,
in a trice, the noble mansion took,
And
joy gave place to grief in ev’ry look.
THe
Alexandrian swore and cursed his lot;
The
pirate soon the lady’s story got,
And,
taking her aside, his share required
Such
impudence Alaciel’s patience tired,
Who,
ev’ry thing refused with haughty air;
Of
this, howe’er, the robber was aware;
In
Venus’ court no novice was he thought;
To
gain the princess anxiously he sought;
Said
he, you’d better take me as a friend;
I’m
more than pirate, and you’ll comprehend,
As
you’ve obliged one dying swain to fast,
You
fast in turn, or you’ll give way at last;
’Tis
justice this demands: we sons of sea
Know
how to deal with those of each degree;
Remember
you will nothing have to eat,
Till
your surrender fully is complete.
Nohaggling, princess pray, my word receive;
What
could be done, her terror to relieve?
Above
all law is might:—’twill take its
course;
Entire
submission is the last resource.
Of’twhat we would not, we’re obliged to do,
When
fate our steps with rigour will pursue.
No
folly greater than to heighten pain,
When
we are sensible relief is vain.
What
she, through pity, to another gave,
Might
well be granted when herself ’twould save.
Atlength she yielded to this suitor rude:—
No
grief so great, but what may be subdued.
’Twould
in the pirate doubtless have been wise,
The
belle to move, and thus prevent surprise;
But
who, from folly in amours is free?
The
god of love and wisdom ne’er agree.
Whileour gay pirate thought himself at ease,
The
wind quite fair to sail when he might please,
Dame
Fortune, sleepy only while we wake,
And
slily watching when repose we take,
Contrived
a trick the cunning knave to play,
And
this was put in force ere break of day.
A
Lord, the owner of a neighb’ring seat,
Unmarried;—fond
of what was nice and neat,
Without
attachment, and devoid of care,
Save
something new to meet among the fair;
Grew
tired of those he long around had viewed,
Now
constantly, in thought, our belle pursued.
He’d
money, friends, and credit all his days,
And
could two thousand men at pleasure raise:
One
charming morn, together these he brought;
Said
he, brave fellows, can it well be thought,
That
we allow a pirate, (dire disgrace!)
To
plunder as he likes before our face,
And
make a slave of one whose form ’s divine?
Let’s
to the castle, such is my design,
And
from the ruffian liberate the fair;
This
evening ev’ry one will here repair,
Well
armed, and then in silence we’ll proceed,
(By
night ’tis nothing will impede,)
And
ere Aurora peeps, perform the task;
The
only booty that I mean to ask
Is
this fair dame; but not a slave to make,
I
anxiously desire to let her take
Whate’er
is her’s:—restore her honour too;
All
other things I freely leave to you;
Men,
horses, baggage, in a word, the whole
Of
what the knavish rascals now control.
Another
thing, howe’er:—I wish to hang
The
pirate instantly, before his gang.
Thisspeech so well succeeded to inspire,
That
scarcely could the men retain their ire.
Theevening came, the party soon arrived;
They
ate not much, but drink their rage revived.
By
such expensive treats we’ve armies known,
In
Germany and Flanders overthrown;
And
our commander was of this aware
’Twas
prudent, surely, no expense to spare.
Theycarried ladders for the escalade,
And
each was furnished with a tempered blade;
No
other thing embarrassing they’d got;
No
drums; but all was silent as the grot.
Theyreached the house when nearly break of day,
The
time old Morpheus’ slumbers often weigh;
The
gang, with few exceptions, (then asleep),
Were
sent, their vigils with grim death to keep.
Thechief hung up:—the princess soon appeared;
Her
spirits presently our champion cheered;
The
pirate scarcely had her bosom moved:—
No
tears at least a marked affection proved;
But,
by her prayers she pardon sought to gain,
For
some who were not in the conflict slain;
Consoled
the dying, and lamented those,
Who,
by the sword, had closed their book of woes:
Then
left the place without the least regret,
Where
such adventures and alarms she’d met.
’Tis
said, indeed, she presently forgot
The
two gallants who last became her lot;
And
I can easily the fact believe:
Removed
from sight, but few for lovers grieve.
She,
by her neighbour, was received, we’re told,
’Mid
costly furniture and burnished gold;
We
may suppose what splendour shone around,
When
all-attracting he would fain be found;
The
best of wines; each dish considered rare:—
The
gods themselves received not better fare:
Till
then, Alaciel ne’er had tasted wine;
Her
faith forbade a liquor so divine;
And,
unacquainted with the potent juice,
She
much indulged at table in its use.
If
lately love disquieted her brain,
New
poison now pervaded ev’ry vein;
Both
fraught with danger to the beauteous fair,
Whose
charms should guarded be with ev’ry care.
Theprincess by the maids in bed was placed;
Then
thither went the host with anxious haste,
What
sought he? you will ask:—mere torpid charms:—
I
wish the like were clasped within my arms.
Give
me as much, said one the other week,
And
see if I’d a neighbour’s kindness seek.
Through
Morpheus’ sleepy pow’r, and Bacchus’
wine:
Our
host, at length, completed his design.
Alaciel,
when at morn, she oped her eyes,
Was
quite o’ercome with terror and surprise,
No
tears would flow, and fear restrained her voice;
Unable
to resist, she’d got no choice.
A
night thus passed, the wily lover said,
Must
surely give a license to your bed.
The
princess thought the same; but our gallant,
Soon
cloyed, for other conquests ’gan to pant.
Thehost one evening from the mansion went;
A
friend he left himself to represent,
And
with the charming fair supply his place,
Which,
in the dark he thought, with easy grace,
Might
be effected, if he held his tongue,
And
properly behaved the whole night long.
To
this the other willingly agreed;
(What
friend would be refused, if thus in need?)
And
this new-comer had complete success
He
scarcely could his ecstacy express.
Thedame exclaimed:—pray how could he pretend;
To
treat me so, and leave me to a friend?
The
other thought the host was much to blame;
But
since ’tis o’er, said he, be now your aim,
To
punish his contempt of beauteous charms;
With
favours load me—take me to your arms;
Caress
with fond embrace; bestow delight;
And
seem to love me, though in mere despite.
Shefollowed his advice: avenged the wrong;
And
naught omitted, pleasures to prolong.
If
he obtained his wishes from the fair,
The
host about it scarcely seemed to care.
Thesixth adventure of our charming belle,
Some
writers one way, some another tell;
Whence
many think that favour I have shown,
And
for her, one gallant the less would own.
Mere
scandal this; from truth I would nor swerve,
To
please the fair: more credence I deserve;
Her
husband only eight precursors had;
The
fact was such;—I none suppress nor add.
Thehost returned and found his friend content;
To
pardon him Alaciel gave consent;
And
’tween them things would equally divide
Of
royal bosoms clemency’s the pride.
Whilethus the princess passed from hand to hand
She
oft amused her fancy ’mong a band
Of
charming belles that on her would attend,
And
one of these she made an humble friend.
The
fav’rite in the house a lover had,
A
smart, engaging, handsome, clever lad,
Well
born, but much to violence inclined
A
wooer that could scarcely be confined
To
gentle means, but oft his suit began,
Where
others end, who follow Cupid’s plan.
Itone day happened, that this forward spark;
The
girl we speak of, met within the park,
And
to a summer-house the fav’rite drew;
The
course they took the princess chanced to view
As
wand’ring near; but neither swain nor fair,
Suspicion
had, that any one was there;
And
this gallant most confidently thought,
Thelover, now convinced that he was feared;
In
dark designs upon her persevered.
No
sooner had she entered, than our man
Locked
instantly the door, but vain his plan;
To
open it the princess had a key;
The
girl her fault perceived, and tried to flee;
He
held her fast; the charmer loudly called;
The
princess came—or vainly she had squalled.
Quitedisappointed: overcome with ire,
He
wholly lost respect amid desire,
And
swore by all the gods, that, ere they went,
The
one or other should to him consent;
Their
hands he’d firmly tie to have his way;
For
help (the place so far) ’twere vain to pray;
To
take a lot was all that he’d allow;
Come,
draw, he said; to Fortune you must bow;
No
haggling I request—comply; be still:
Resolved
I am with one to have my will.
Whathas the princess done? the girl replied,
That
you, to make her suffer, thus decide
Yes,
said the spark, if on her fall the lot,
Then
you’ll, at least for present, be forgot.
No,
cried Alaciel, ne’er I’ll have it said,
To
sacrifice I saw a maiden led;
I’ll
suffer rather all that you expect,
If
you will spare my friend as I direct.
’Twas
all in vain, the lots were drawn at last,
And
on the princess was the burthen cast;
The
other was permitted to retire,
And
each was sworn that nothing should transpire:
But
our gallant would sooner have been hung,
Than
have upon such secrets held his tongue;
’Tis
clear, no longer silent he remained,
Than
one to listen to his tale he’d gained.
Thischange of favourites the princess grieved;
That
Cupid trifled with her she perceived;
With
much regret she saw her blooming charms,
The
Helen of too many Paris’ arms.
Oneday it happened, as our beauteous belle
Was
sleeping in a wood beside a dell,
By
chance there passed, quite near, a wand’ring
knight,
Like
those the ladies followed with delight,
When
they on palfreys rode in days of old,
And
purity were always thought to hold.
Thisknight, who copied those of famed romance,
Sir
Roger, and the rest, in complisance,
No
sooner saw the princess thus asleep,
Than
instantly he wished a kiss to reap.
While
thinking, whether from the neck or lip,
’Twere
best the tempting balm of bliss to sip,
He
suddenly began to recollect
The
laws of chivalry he should respect.
Although
the thought retained, his fervent prayer
To
Cupid was, that while the nymph was there,
Her
fascinating charms he might enjoy;
Sure
love’s soft senses were ne’er designed
to cloy!
Theprincess woke, and great surprise expressed;
Oh!
charming fair, said he, be not distressed;
No
savage of the woods nor giant ’s nigh,
A
wand’ring knight alone you now descry,
Delighted
thus to meet a beauteous belle
Such
charms divine, what angel can excel!
Thiscompliment was followed by his sighs,
And
frank confession, both from tongue and eyes;
Our
lover far in little time could go;
At
length, he offered on her to bestow,
His
hand and heart, and ev’ry thing beside,
Which
custom sanctions when we seek a bride.
Withcourtesy his offer was received,
And
she related what her bosom grieved;
Detailed
her hist’ry, but with care concealed
The
six gallants, as wrong to be revealed.
The
knight, in what he wished, indulgence got;
And,
while the princess much deplored her lot,
The
youth proposed Alaciel he should bring,
To
Mamolin, or Alexandria’s king.
ToMamolin? replied the princess fair,
No,
no—I now indeed would fain repair,
(Could
I my wishes have), to Zarus’ court,
My
native country:—thither give support.
IfCupid grant me life, rejoined the knight,
You
there shall go, and I’ll assist your, flight;
To
have redress, upon yourself depends,
As
well as to requite the best of friends;
But
should I perish in the bold design,
Submit
you must, as wills the pow’rs divine.
I’ll
freely say, howe’er, that I regard,
My
services enough to claim reward.
Alacielreadily to this agreed;
And
favours fondly promised to concede;
T’ensure,
indeed, his guarding her throughout,
They
were to be conferred upon the route,
From
time to time as onward they should go,
Not
all at once, but daily some to flow.
Thingsthus arranged, the fair behind the knight
Got
up at once, and with him took to flight.
Our
cavalier his servants sought to find,
That,
when he crossed the wood, he left behind;
With
these a nephew and his tutor rode;
The
belle a palfrey took, as more the mode,
But,
by her walked attentively the spark,
A
tale he’d now relate; at times remark
The
passing scene; then press his ardent flame;
And
thus amused our royal, beauteous dame.
Thetreaty was most faithfully observed;
No
calculation wrong; from naught they swerved.
At
length they reached the sea; on ship-board got;
A
quick and pleasing passage was their lot;
Delightfully
serene, which joy increased;
To
land they came (from perils thought released;)
At
Joppa they debarked; two days remained:
And
when refreshed, the proper road they gained;
Their
escort was the lover’s train alone;
On
Asia’s shores to plunder bands are prone;
By
these were met our spark and lovely fair;
New
dangers they, alas! were forced to share.
Tocede, at first, their numbers forced the train;
But
rallied by our knight they were again;
A
desp’rate push he made; repulsed their force;
And
by his valour stopt, at length, their course;
In
which attack a mortal wound he got,
But
was not left for dead upon the spot.
Beforehis death he full instructions gave,
To
grant the belle whatever she might crave;
He
ordered too, his nephew should convey,
Alaciel
to her home without delay,
Bequeathing
him whatever he possessed,
And—what
the princess owed among the rest.
Atlength, from dread alarms and tears released,
The
pair fulfilled the will of our deceased;
Discharged
each favour was, of which the last
Was
cancelled just as they the frontiers passed.
Thenephew here his precious charge resigned,
For
fear the king should be displeased to find,
His
daughter guarded by a youthful swain:—
The
tutor only with her could remain.
Nowords of mine, no language can express
The
monarch’s joy his child to re-possess;
And,
since the difficulty I perceive,
I’ll
imitate old Sol’s retreat at eve,
Who
falls with such rapidity of view,
He
seems to plunge, dame Thetis to pursue.
Thetutor liked his own details to hear,
And
entertaining made his tales appear:
The
num’rous perils that the fair had fled,
Who
laughed aside, no doubt, at what he said.
I
should observe, the aged tutor cried,
The
princess, while for liberty she sighed,
And
quite alone remained (by Hispal left,)
That
she might be of idleness bereft,
Resolved
most fervently a god to serve,
From
whom she scarcely since would ever swerve,
A
god much worshipped ’mong the people there,
With
num’rous temples which his honours share,
Denominated
cabinets and bow’rs,
In
which, from high respect to heav’nly pow’rs,
They
represent the image of a bird,
A
pleasing sight, though (what appears absurd)
’Tis
bare of plumage, save about the wings;
To
this each youthful bosom incense brings,
While
other gods, as I’ve been often told,
They
scarcely notice, till they’re growing old.
Didyou but know the virtuous steps she trod,
While
thus devoted to the little god,
You’d
thank a hundred times the pow’rs above,
That
gave you such a child to bless your love.
But
many other customs there abound:—
The
fair with perfect liberty are found:
Can
go and come, whene’er the humour fits;
No
eunuch (shadow like) that never quits;
But
watches ev’ry movement:—always feared;
No
men, but who’ve upon the chin a beard:
Your
daughter from the first, their manners took:
So
easy is her ev’ry act and look,
And
truly to her honour I may say,
She’s
all-accommodating ev’ry way.
Theking delighted seemed at what he heard;
But
since her journey could not be deferred,
The
princess, with a num’rous escort, tried
Again
o’er seas t’wards Garba’s shores
to glide,
And,
there arrived, was cordially received
By
Mamolin, who loved, she soon believed,
To
fond excess; and, all her suite to aid,
A
handsome gift to ev’ry one was made.
The king with noble feasts the court regaled, At which Alaciel pleasantly detailed just what she liked, or true or false, ’twas clear; The prince and courtiers were disposed to hear.
Atnight the queen retired to soft repose,
From
whence next morn with honour she arose;
The
king was found much pleasure to express;
Alaciel
asked no more, you well may guess.
Bythis we learn, that husbands who aver
Their
wond’rous penetration often err;
And
while they fancy things so very plain,
They’ve
been preceded by a fav’rite swain.
The
safest rule ’s to be upon your guard;
Fear
ev’ry guile; yet hope the full reward.
Sweet,
charming fair, your characters revere;
The
Mamolin’s a bird not common here.
With
us Love’s fascination is so soon
Succeeded
by the licensed honey moon,
There’s
scarcely opportunity to fool,
Though
oft the husband proves an easy tool.
Yourfriendships may be very chaste and pure,
But
strangely Cupid’s lessons will allure.
Defeat
his wiles; resist his tempting charms
E’en
from suspicion suffer not alarms.
Don’t
laugh at my advice; ’twere like the boys,
Who
better might amuse themselves with toys.
Ifany one, howe’er unable seem,
To
make resistance ’gainst the flame supreme
Turn
all to jest; though right to keep the crown
Yet
lost, ’there wrong, yourself to hang or drown.
Above all law is might
Ev’ry grave’s the same
Favours, when conferred with sullen air, But little
gratify
Historick writ
No folly greater than to heighten pain
No grief so great, but what may be subdued
Of’t what we would not, we’re obliged
to do
Removed from sight, but few for lovers grieve
The eyes:—Soul-speaking language, nothing
can disguise
The god of love and wisdom ne’er agree
Tis all the same:—’twill never make
me grieve
Tis past our pow’r to live on love or air
You little dream for whom you guard the store
*** End of the project gutenberg Ebook tales and novels of Fontaine, V5 ***
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