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Table of Contents | |
Section | Page |
Start of eBook | 1 |
Title: The Tales and Novels, v7: The Falcon and The Little Dog | 1 |
ETEXT EDITOR’S BOOKMARKS: | 16 |
Information about Project Gutenberg (one page) | 17 |
(Three Pages) | 19 |
Author: Jean de La Fontaine
Release Date: March, 2004 [EBook #5281] [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, V7 ***
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 7.
Contains:
The Falcon
The Little Dog
The falcon
I recollect, that lately much I blamed,
The sort of lover, avaricious named;
And if in opposites we reason see,
The liberal in paradise should be.
The rule is just and, with the warmest zeal,
To prove the fact I to the Church appeal.
InFlorence once there dwelled a gentle youth,
Who
loved a certain beauteous belle with truth;
O’er
all his actions she had full controul;—
To
please he would have sold his very soul.
If
she amusements wished, he’d lavish gold,
Convinced
in love or war you should be bold;
The
cash ne’er spare:—invincible its pow’rs,
O’erturning
walls or doors where’er it show’rs.
The
precious ore can every thing o’ercome;
’Twill
silence barking curs: make servants dumb;
And
these can render eloquent at will:—
Excel
e’en Tully in persuasive skill;
In
short he’d leave no quarter unsubdued,
Unless
therein the fair he could include.
Shestood th’ attack howe’er, and Frederick
failed;
His
force was vain whenever he assailed;
Without
the least return his wealth he spent:
Lands,
houses, manors of immense extent,
Were
ev’ry now and then to auction brought;
To
gratify his love was all he thought.
Therank of ’squire till lately he had claimed;
Now
scarcely was he even mister named;
Of
wealth by Cupid’s stratagems bereft,
A
single farm was all the man had left;
Friends
very few, and such as God alone,
Could
tell if friendship they might not disown;
The
best were led their pity to express;
’Twas
WithClytia he no longer was received,
Than
while he was a man of wealth believed;
Balls,
concerts, op’ras, tournaments, and plays,
Expensive
dresses, all engaging ways,
Were
used to captivate this lady fair,
While
scarcely one around but in despair,
Wife,
widow, maid, his fond affection sought;
To
gain him, ev’ry wily art was brought;
But
all in vain:—by passion overpow’red,
The
belle, whose conduct others would have soured,
To
him appeared a goddess full of charms,
Superior
e’en to Helen, in his arms;
From
whence we may conclude, the beauteous dame
Was
always deaf to Fred’rick’s ardent flame.
Enamouredof the belle, his lands he sold;
The
family estates were turned to gold;
And
many who the purchases had made,
With
pelf accumulated by their trade,
Assumed
the airs of men of noble birth:—
Fair
subjects oft for ridicule and mirth!
RichClytia was, and her good spouse, ’tis said,
Had
lands which far and wide around were spread;
No
cash nor presents she would ever take,
Yet
suffered Frederick splendid treats to make,
Without
designing recompense to grant,
Or
being more than merely complaisant.
Already,
if my mem’ry do not fail,
I’ve
said, the youth’s estates were put to sale,
To
pay for feasts the fair to entertain,
And
what he’d left was only one domain,
A
petty farm to which he now retired;
Ashamed
to show where once so much admired,
And
wretched too, a prey to lorn despair,
Unable
to obtain by splendid care,
A
beauty he’d pursued six years and more,
And
should for ever fervently adore.
His
want of merit was the cause he thought,
That
she could never to his wish be brought,
While
from him not a syllable was heard,
Against
the lovely belle his soul preferred.
’Midpoverty oft Fred’rick sighed and wept;
A
toothless hag—his only servant kept;
His
kitchen cold; (where commonly he dwelled;)
A
pretty decent horse his stable held;
A
falcon too; and round about the grange,
Our
quondam ’squire repeatedly would range,
Where
oft, to melancholy, he was led,
To
sacrifice the game which near him fed;
By
Clytia’s cruelty the gun was seized,
And
feathered victims black chagrin appeased.
’Twasthus the lover whiled his hours away;
His
heart-felt torments nothing could allay;
Blessed
if with fortune love he’d also lost,
Which
constantly his earthly comforts crossed;
But
this lorn passion preyed upon his mind:—
Where’er
he rode, black care would mount behind.
Deathtook at length the husband of the fair;
An
only son appointed was his heir,
A
sickly child, whose life, ’twas pretty plain,
Could
scarcely last till spring returned again,
Which
made the husband, by his will, decree,
His
wife the infant’s successor should be,
In
case the babe at early years should die,
Who
soon grew worse and raised the widow’s sigh.
Toomuch affection parents ne’er can show:—
A
mother’s feelings none but mothers know.
FairClytia round her child with anxious care,
Watched
day and night, and no expense would spare;
Inquired
if this or that would please his taste;
What
he desired should be procured with haste;
But
nothing would he have that she proposed;
An
ardent wish howe’er the boy disclosed,
For
Fred’rick’s Falcon, and most anxious grew:—
Tear
followed tear, and nothing else would do.
When
once a child has got a whim in brain,
No
peace, no rest, till he the boon obtain.
Weshould observe our belle, near Fred’rick’s
cot,
A
handsome house and many lands had got;
’Twas
there the lovely babe had lately heard,
Most
wondrous stories of the bird averred;
No
partridge e’er escaped its rapid wing:—
On
every morn down numbers it would bring;
No
money for it would its owner take;
Much
grieved was Clytia such request to make.
The
man, for her, of wealth had been bereft;
How
ask the only treasure he had left?
And
him if she were led to importune,
Could
she expect that he’d accord the boon?
Alas!
ungratefully she oft repaid,
His
liberal treats, his concerts, serenade,
And
haughtily behaved from first to last:
How
be so bold, (reflecting on the past,)
To
see the man that she so ill had used?
And
ask a favour?—could she be excused?
But
then her child!—perhaps his life ’twould
save;
Naught
would he take; the falcon she must crave.
Thather sweet babe might be induced to eat,
So
meant the bird of Fred’rick to intreat;
Her
boy was heard continually to cry,
Unless
he had the falcon, he should die.
Thesereasons strongly with the mother weighed;
Her
visit to the ’squire was not delayed;
With
fond affection for her darling heir,
One
morn, alone she sought the lorn repair.
ToFred’rick’s eye an angel she appeared;
But
shame he felt, that she, his soul revered,
Should
find him poor:—no servants to attend,
Nor
means to give a dinner to a friend.
The
poverty in which he now was viewed,
Distressed
his mind and all his griefs renewed.
Why
come? said he; what led you thus to trace,
An
humble slave of your celestial face?
A
villager, a wretched being here;
Too
great the honour doubtless must appear;
’Twas
somewhere else you surely meant to go?
The
lady in a moment answered no.
Cried
he, I’ve neither cook nor kettle left;
Then
how can I receive you, thus bereft?
But
you have bread, said Clytia:—that will do;—
The
lover quickly to the poultry flew,
In
search of eggs; some bacon too he found;
But
nothing else, except the hawk renowned,
Which
caught his eye, and instantly was seized,
Slain,
plucked, and made a fricassee that pleased.
Meanwhile the house-keeper for linen sought; Knives, forks, plates, spoons, cups, glass and chairs she brought; The fricassee was served, the dame partook, And on the dish with pleasure seemed to look.
Thedinner o’er, the widow then resolved,
To
ask the boon which in her mind resolved.
She
thus begun:—good sir, you’ll think
me mad,
To
come and to your breast fresh trouble add;
I’ve
much to ask, and you will feel surprise,
That
one, for whom your love could ne’er suffice,
Should
now request your celebrated bird;
Can
I expect the grant?—the thought ’s
absurd
But
pardon pray a mother’s anxious fear;
’Tis
for my child:—his life to me is dear.
The
falcon solely can the infant save;
Yet
since to you I nothing ever gave,
For
all your kindness oft on me bestowed;
Your
fortune wasted:—e’en your nice abode,
Alas!
disposed of, large supplies to raise,
To
entertain and please in various ways:
I
cannot hope this falcon to obtain;
For
sure I am the expectation’s vane;
No,
rather perish child and mother too;
Than
such uneasiness should you pursue:
Allow
howe’er this parent, I beseech,
Who
loves her offspring ’yond the pow’r of
speech,
Or
language to express, her only boy,
Sole
hope, sole comfort, all her earthly joy,
Alas!
the wretched lover straight replied,
The
bird was all I could for you provide;
’Twas
served for dinner.—Dead?—exclaimed
the dame,
While
trembling terror overspread her frame.
No
jest, said he, and from the soul I wish,
My
heart, instead of that, had been the dish;
But
doomed alas! am I by fate, ’tis clear,
To
find no grace with her my soul holds dear:
I’d
nothing left; and when I saw the bird,
To
kill it instantly the thought occurred;
Those
naught we grudge nor spare to entertain,
Who
o’er our feeling bosoms sov’reign reign:
All
I can do is speedily to get,
Another
falcon: easily they’re met;
And
by to-morrow I’ll the bird procure.
No,
Fred’rick, she replied, I now conjure
You’ll
think no more about it; what you’ve done
Is
all that fondness could have shown a son;
And
whether fate has doomed the child to die,
Or
with my prayers the pow’rs above comply;
For
you my gratitude will never end—
Pray
let us hope to see you as a friend.
ThenClytia took her leave, and gave her hand;
A
proof his love no more she would withstand.
He
kissed and bathed her fingers with his tears;
The
second day grim death confirmed their fears:
Themourning lasted long and mother’s grief;
But
days and months at length bestowed relief;
No
wretchedness so great, we may depend,
But
what, to time’s all-conqu’ring sithe will
bend:
Twofamed physicians managed with such care;
That
they recovered her from wild despair,
And
tears gave place to cheerfulness and joy:-
The
one was time the other Venus’ Boy.
Her
hand fair Clytia on the youth bestowed,
As
much from love as what to him she owed.
Letnot this instance howsoe’r mislead;
’Twere
wrong with hope our fond desires to feed,
And
waste our substance thus:—not all the fair,
Possess
of gratitude a decent share.
With
this exception they appear divine;
In
lovely woman angel-charms combine;
The
whole indeed I do not here include;
Alas;
too many act the jilt and prude.
When
kind, they’re ev’ry blessing found below:
When
otherwise a curse we often know.
The little dog
Thekey, which opes the chest of hoarded gold.
Unlocks
the heart that favours would withhold.
To
this the god of love has oft recourse,
When
arrows fail to reach the secret source,
And
I’ll maintain he’s right, for, ’mong
mankind,
Nice
presents ev’ry where we pleasing find;
Kings,
princes, potentates, receive the same,
And
when a lady thinks she’s not to blame,
To
do what custom tolerates around;
When
Venus’ acts are only Themis’ found,
I’ll
nothing ’gainst her say; more faults than one,
Besides
the present, have their course begun.
A
Mantuan judge espoused a beauteous fair:
Her
name was Argia:—Anselm was her care,
An
aged dotard, trembling with alarms,
While
she was young, and blessed with seraph charms.
But,
not content with such a pleasing prize,
His
jealousy appeared without disguise,
Which
greater admiration round her drew,
Who
doubtless merited, in ev’ry view,
Attention
from the first in rank or place
So
elegant her form, so fine her face.
’TWOULD
endless prove, and nothing would avail,
Each
lover’s pain minutely to detail:
Their
arts and wiles; enough ’twill be no doubt,
To
say the lady’s heart was found so stout,
She
let them sigh their precious hours away,
And
scarcely seemed emotion to betray.
Whileat the judge’s, Cupid was employed,
Some
weighty things the Mantuan state annoyed,
Of
such importance, that the rulers meant,
An
embassy should to the Pope be sent.
As
Anselm was a judge of high degree,
No
one so well embassador could be.
’Twaswith reluctance he agreed to go,
And
be at Rome their mighty Plenipo’;
The
business would be long, and he must dwell
Six
months or more abroad, he could not tell.
Though
great the honour, he should leave his dove,
Which
would be painful to connubial love.
Long
embassies and journeys far from home
Oft
cuckoldom around induce to roam.
Thehusband, full of fears about his wife;
Exclaimed—my
ever—darling, precious life,
I
must away; adieu, be faithful pray,
To
one whose heart from you can never stray
But
swear to me, my duck, (for, truth to tell,
I’ve
reason to be jealous of my belle,)
Now
swear these sparks, whose ardour I perceive,
Have
sighed without success, and I’ll believe.
But
Thegood man’s bounty seemingly was sweet;
All
pleasures, one excepted, she might greet;
But
that, alas! by bosoms unpossessed,
No
happiness arises from the rest:
His
lady promised ev’ry thing required:—
Deaf,
blind, and cruel,—whosoe’er admired;
And
not a present would her hand receive
At
his return, he fully might believe,
She
would be found the same as when he went,
Without
gallant, or aught to discontent.
Herhusband gone, she presently retired
Where
Anselm had so earnestly desired;
The
lovers came, but they were soon dismissed,
And
told, from visits they must all desist;
Their
assiduities were irksome grown,
And
she was weary of their lovesick tone.
Save
one, they all were odious to the fair;
A
handsome youth, with smart engaging air;
But
whose attentions to the belle were vain;
In
spite of arts, his aim he could not gain;
His
name was Atis, known to love and arms,
Who
grudged no pains, could he possess her charms.
Each
wile he tried, and if he’d kept to sighs,
No
doubt the source is one that never dries;
But
often diff’rent with expense ’tis found;
His
wealth was wasted rapidly around
He
wretched grew; at length for debt he fled,
And
sought a desert to conceal his head.
As
on the road he moved, a clown he met,
Who
with his stick an adder tried to get,
From
Whywould’st thou, friend, said Atis, these destroy?
God
meant that all should freely life enjoy.
The
youthful knight for reptiles had, we find,
Less
dread than what prevails with human kind;
He
bore them in his arms:—they marked his birth;
From
noble Cadmus sprung, who, when on earth,
At
last, to serpent was in age transformed;
The
adder’s bush the clown no longer stormed;
No
more the spotted reptile sought to stay,
But
seized the time, and quickly crept away.
Atlength our lover to a wood retired;
To
live concealed was what the youth desired;
Lorn
silence reigned, except from birds that sang,
And
dells that oft with sweetest echo rang.
There
happiness and frightful MIS’RY lay,
Quite
undistinguished: classed with beasts of prey;
That
growling prowled in search of food around:
There
Atis consolation never found.
Love
thither followed, and, however viewed,
’Twas
vain to hope his passion to elude;
Retirement
fed the tender, ardent flame,
And
irksome ev’ry minute soon became.
Let
us return, cried he, since such our fate:
’Tis
better, Atis, bear her frowns and hate,
Than
of her beauteous features lose the view;
Ye
nightingales and streams, ye woods adieu!
When
far from her I neither see nor hear:
’Tis
she alone my senses still revere;
A
slave I am, who fled her dire disdain;
Yet
seek once more to wear the cruel chain.
Asnear some noble walls our knight arrived,
Which
fairy-hands to raise had once contrived,
His
eyes beheld, at peep of early morn,
When
bright Aurora’s beams the earth adorn,
A
beauteous nymph in royal robes attired,
Of
noble mien, and formed to be admired,
Who
t’ward him drew, with pleasing, gracious air,
While
he was wrapped in thought, a prey to care.
Saidshe, I’d have you, Atis, happy be;
’Tis
in my pow’r, and this I hope to see;
A
fairy greet me, Manto is my name:—
Your
friend, and one you’ve served unknown:—the
same
My
fame you’ve heard, no doubt; from me proceeds
The
Mantuan town, renowned for ancient deeds;
In
days of yore I these foundations laid,
Once,
in each week to serpents we are changed;
Do
you remember how you here arranged,
To
save an adder from a clown’s attack?
’Twas
I, the furious rustick wished to hack,
When
you assisted me to get away;
For
recompense, my friend, without delay,
I’ll
you procure the kindness of the fair,
Who
makes you love and drives you to despair:
We’ll
go and see her:—be assured from me,
Before
two days are passed, as I foresee,
You’ll
gain, by presents, Argia and the rest,
Who
round her watch, and are the suitor’s pest.
Grudge
no expense, be gen’rous, and be bold,
Your
handfuls scatter, lavish be of gold.
Assured
you shall not want the precious ore;
For
I command the whole of Plutus’ store,
Preserved,
to please me, in the shades below;
This
charmer soon our magick pow’r shall know.
Thebetter to approach the cruel belle,
And
to your suit her prompt consent compel,
Myself
transformed you’ll presently perceive;
And,
as a little dog, I’ll much achieve,
Around
and round I’ll gambol o’er the lawn,
And
ev’ry way attempt to please and fawn,
While
you, a pilgrim, shall the bag-pipe play;
Come,
bring me to the dame without delay.
Nosooner said, the lover quickly changed,
Together
with the fairy, as arranged;
A
pilgrim he, like Orpheus, piped and sang;
While
Manto, as a dog, skipt, jumped, and sprang.
Theythus proceeded to the beauteous dame;
Soon
valets, maids, and others round them came;
The
dog and pilgrim gave extreme delight
And
all were quite diverted at the sight.
The lady heard the noise, and sent her maid, To learn the reason why they romped and played: She soon returned and told the lovely belle, A spaniel danced, and even spoke so well, it ev’ry thing could fully understand, And showed obedience to the least command. ’Twere better come herself and take a view: The things were wond’rous that the dog could do.
Thedame at any price the dog would buy,
In
case the master should the boon deny.
Themaid at this proposal felt surprise;
Her
mistress truly! less might well suffice;
A
paltry knave! cried she, it makes me laugh;
What!
take within her bed a pilgrim’s staff!
Were
such a circumstance abroad to get,
My
lady would with ridicule be met;
The
dog and master, probably, were last
Beneath
a hedge, or on a dunghill cast;
A
house like this they’ll never see agen;—
But
then the master is the pride of men,
And
that in love is ev’ry thing we find
Much
wealth and beauty please all womankind!
Hisfeatures and his mien the knight had changed;
Each
air and look for conquest were arranged.
The
maid exclaimed: when such a lover sues,
How
can a woman any thing refuse?
Besides
the pilgrim has a dog, ’tis plain,
Not
all the wealth of China could obtain.
Yet
to possess my lady for a night,
Would
to the master be supreme delight:
I
should have mentioned, that our cunning spark;
The
dog would whisper (feigning some remark,)
On
which ten ducats tumbled at his feet;
These
Atis gave the maid, (O deed discreet;)
Then
fell a diamond: this our wily wight
Took
up, and smiling at the precious sight,
Said
he, what now I hold I beg you’ll bear,
To
her you serve, so worthy of your care;
Present
my compliments, and to her say,
I’m
her devoted servant from to-day.
Thufemale quickly to her mistress went;
Our
charming little dog to represent:
The
various pow’rs displayed, and wonders done;
Yet
scarcely had she on the knight begun,
And
mentioned what he wished her to unfold,
But
Argia could her rage no longer hold;
Thispilgrim, cried the maid, has got the means
Not
only belles to get, but even queens;
Or
beauteous goddesses he could obtain:—
He’s
worth a thousand Atis’s ’tis plain.
Bur,
said the wife, my husband made me vow.
What?
cried the maid, you’d not bedeck his brow!
A
pretty promise truly:—can you think,
You
less from this, than from the first, should shrink?
Who’ll
know the fact, or publish it around?
Consider
well, how many might be found,
Who,
were they marked with spot upon the nose,
When
things had taken place that we suppose,
Would
not their heads so very lofty place,
I’m
well assured, but feel their own disgrace.
For
such a thing, are we the worse a hair?
No,
no, good lady, who presumes to swear,
He
can discern the lips which have been pressed,
By
those that never have the fact confessed,
Must
be possessed of penetrating eyes,
Which
pierce the sable veil of dark disguise.
This
favour, whether you accord or not,
’Twill
not a whit be less nor more a blot.
For
whom, I pray, love’s treasures would you
hoard?
For
one, who never will a treat afford,
Or
what is much the same, has not the pow’r?
All
he may want you’ll give him in an hour,
At
his return; he’s very weak and old,
And,
doubtless, ev’ry way is icy cold!
Thecunning girl such rhetorick displayed,
That
all she said, her mistress, having weighed,
Began
to doubt alone, and not deny
The
spaniel’s art, and pilgrim’s piercing eye:
To
her the master and his dog were led,
To
satisfy her mind while still in bed;
For
bright Aurora, from the wat’ry deep,
Not
more reluctantly arose from sleep.
Ourspark approached the dame with easy air,
Which
seemed the man of fashion to declare;
His
compliments were made with ev’ry grace,
That
minds most difficult could wish to trace.
Thefair was charmed, and with him quite content;
You
do not look, said she, like one who meant
Saint
James of Compostella soon to see,
Though,
doubtless, oft to saints you bend the knee.
Toentertain the smiling beauteous dame,
The
dog, by various tricks, confirmed his flame,
To
please the maid and mistress he’d in view:
Too
much for these of course he could not do;
Though,
for the husband, he would never move,
The
little fav’rite sought again to prove
His
wond’rous worth, and scattered o’er the
ground,
With
sudden shake, among the servants round,
Nice
pearls, which they on strings arranged with care;
And
these the pilgrim offered to the fair:
Gallantly
fastened them around her arms,
Admired
their whiteness and extolled her charms:
So
well he managed, ’twas at length agreed,
In
what his heart desired he should succeed;
The
dog was bought: the belle bestowed a kiss,
As
earnest of the promised future bliss.
Thenight arrived, when Atis fondly pressed,
Within
his arms, the lady thus caressed;
Himself
he suddenly became again,
On
which she scarcely could her joy contain:—
Th’
ambassador she more respect should show,
Than
favours on a pilgrim to bestow.
Thefair and spark so much admired the night;
That
others followed equal in delight;
Each
felt the same, for where’s the perfect shade;
That
can conceal when joys like these pervade?
Expression
strongly marks the youthful face,
And
all that are not blind the truth can trace.
Some
months had passed, when Anselm was dismissed;
Of
gifts and pardons, long appeared his list;
A
load of honours from the Pope he got:—
The
Church will these most lib’rally allot.
Fromhis vicegerent quickly he received
A
good account, and friends his fears relieved;
The
servants never dropt a single word
Of
what had passed, but all to please concurred.
Thejudge, both maid and servants, questioned much;
But
not a hint he got, their care was such.
Yet,
as it often happens ’mong the fair,
The
devil entered on a sudden there;
Such
quarrels ’tween the maid and mistress rose,
The
former vowed she would the tale disclose.
Revenge
induced her ev’ry thing to tell,
Though
she were implicated with the belle.
Sogreat the husband’s rage, no words can speak:
His
fury somewhere he of course would wreak;
But,
since to paint it clearly would be vain—
You’ll
by the sequel judge his poignant pain.
A
servant Anselm ordered to convey
His
wife a note, who was, without delay,
To
come to town her honoured spouse to see;
Extremely
ill (for such he feigned to be.)
As
yet the lady in the country stayed;
Her
husband to and fro’ his visits paid.
Saidhe, remember, when upon the road,
Conducting
Argia from her lone abode,
You
must contrive her men to get away,
And
with her none but you presume to stay.—
A
jade! she horns has planted on my brow:
Her
death shall be the consequence I vow.
Withforce a poinard in her bosom thrust;
Watch
well th’ occasion:—die, I say, she
must,
The
deed performed, escape; here’s for you aid;
The
money take:—pursuit you can evade;
As
I request, proceed; then trust to me:—
You
naught shall want wherever you may be.
Toseek fair Argia instantly he went;
She,
by her dog, was warned of his intent.
How
these can warn? if asked, I shall reply,
They
grumble, bark, complain, or fawn, or sigh;
Pull
petticoat or gown, and snarl at all,
Who
happen in their way just then to fall;
But
few so dull as not to comprehend;
Howe’er,
this fav’rite whispered to his friend,
The
dangers that awaited her around;
But
go, said he, protection you have found;
Confide
in me:—I’ll ev’ry ill prevent,
For
which the rascal hither has been sent.
As
on they moved, a wood was in the way,
Where
robbers often waited for their prey;
The
villain whom the husband had employed,
Sent
forward those whose company annoyed,
And
would prevent his execrable plan;
The
last of horrid crimes.—disgrace to man!
No
sooner had the wretch his orders told,
But
Argia vanished—none could her behold;
The
beauteous belle was quickly lost to view:
A
cloud, the fairy Manto o’er her threw.
Thiscircumstance astonished much the wretch,
Who
ran to give our doating spouse a sketch
Of
what had passed so strange upon the way;
Old
Anselm thither went without delay,
When,
marvellous to think! with great surprise,
He
saw a palace of extensive size,
Erected
where, an hour or two before,
A
hovel was not seen, nor e’en a door.
Thehusband stood aghast!—admired the place,
Not
built for man, e’en gods ’twould not disgrace.
The
rooms were gilt; the decorations fine;
The
gardens and the pleasure-grounds divine;
Such
rich magnificence was never seen;
Superb
the whole, a charming blessed demesne.
The
entrance ev’ry way was open found;
But
not a person could be viewed around,
Except
a negro, hideous to behold,
Who
much resembled AEsop, famed of old.
Ourjudge the negro for a porter took,
Who
was the house to clean and overlook;
And
taking him for such, the black addressed,
With
full belief the title was the best,
And
that he greatly honoured him, ’twas plain
(Of
ev’ry colour men are proud and vain:)
Said
he, my friend, what god this palace owns?
Too
much it seems for those of earthly thrones;
No
king, of consequence enough could be;
The
palace, cried the black, belongs to me.
Thejudge was instantly upon his knees,
The
negro’s pardon asked, and sought to please;
I
trust, said he, my lord, you’ll overlook
The
fault I made: my ignorance mistook.
The
universe has not so nice a spot;
The
world so beautiful a palace got!
Dost wish me, said the black, the house to give,
For thee and thine therein at ease to live?
On one condition thou shalt have the place
For thee I seriously intend the grace,
If thou ’lt on me a day or two attend,
As page of honour:—dost thou comprehend?
The custom know’st thou—better I’ll expound;
A cup-bearer with Jupiter is found,
Thou’st heard no doubt.
Anselm
What, Ganymede?
Negro
&
nbsp; The same;
And I’m that Jupiter of mighty fame;
The chief supreme who rules above the skies;
Be thou the lad with fascinating eyes,
Though not so handsome, nor in truth so young.
Anselm
You jest, my lord; to youth
I don’t belong;
’Tis very clear;—my judge’s
dress—my age!
Negro
I jest? thou dream’st.
Anselm
My lord?
Negro
You
won’t engage?
Just as you will:—’tis
all the same you’ll find.
Anselm
My lord!. . . . The
learned judge himself resigned,
The black’s mysterious wishes to obey;—
Alas! curst presents, how they always weigh!
A page the magistrate was quickly seen,
In dress, in look, in age, in air, in mien;
His hat became a cap; his beard alone
Remained unchanged; the rest had wholly flown.
Thusmetamorphosed to a pretty boy,
The
judge proceeded in the black’s employ.
Within
a corner hidden, Argia lay,
And
heard what Anselm had been led to say.
The
Moor howe’er was Manto, most renowned,
Transformed,
as oft the fairy we have found;
She
built the charming palace by her art,—
Now
youthful features would to age impart.
Atlength, as Anselm through a passage came,
He
suddenly beheld his beauteous dame.
What!
learned Anselm do I see, said she,
In
this disguise?—It surely cannot be;
My
eyes deceive me:—Anselm, grave and wise;
Give
such a lesson? I am all surprise.
’Tisdoubtless he: oh, oh! our bald-pate sire;
Ambassador
and judge, we must admire,
To
see your honour thus in masquerade:—
At
your age, truly, suffer to be made
A—modesty
denies my tongue its powr’s
What!—you
condemn to death for freaks like ours?
You,
whom I’ve found *** you understand—for
shame
Your
crimes are such as all must blush to name.
Though
I may have a negro for gallant,
And
erred when Atis for me seemed to pant,
His
merit and the black’s superior rank,
Must
lessen, if not quite excuse my prank.
Howe’er,
old boy, you presently shall see,
If
any belle solicited should be,
To
grant indulgencies, with presents sweet,
She
will not straight capitulation beat;
At
least, if they be such as I have viewed:—
Moor,
change to dog; immediately ensued
The
metamorphose that the fair required,
The
black’moor was again a dog admired.
Dance,
fav’rite; instantly he skipped and played;
And
to the judge his pretty paw conveyed.
Spaniel,
scatter gold; presently there fell
Large
sums of money, as the sound could tell.
Such
strong temptation who can e’er evade?
The
dog a present to your wife was made.
Then
show me, if you can, upon the earth,
A
queen, a princess, of the highest birth,
Who
would not virtue presently concede,
If
such excuses for it she could plead;
Particularly
if the giver proved
A
handsome lad that elegantly moved.
I,
truly, for the spaniel was exchanged;
What
you’d too much of, freely I arranged,
To
grant away, this jewel to obtain
My
value ’s nothing great, you think, ’tis
plain;
And,
surely, you’d have thought me very wrong,
When
such a prize I met, to haggle long.
’Twas
he this palace raised; but I have done;
Thewhole our judge conceded;—could he less?
The
secret of his recent change of dress
Was
promised to be kept: and that unknown,
E’en
cuckoldom again might there have flown.
Ourcouple mutual compensation made,
Then
bade adieu to hill, and dale, and glade.
Somecritick asks the handsome palace’ fate;
I
answer:—that, my friend, I shan’t
relate;
It
disappeared, no matter how nor when.
Why
put such questions?—strict is not my pen.
The
little dog, pray what of that became?
To
serve the lover was his constant aim.
Andhow was that?—You’re troublesome my
friend:
The
dog perhaps would more assistance lend;
On
new intrigues his master might be bent;
With
single conquest who was e’er content?
Thefav’rite spaniel oft was missing found;
But
when the little rogue had gone his round,
He’d
then return, as if from work relieved,
To
her who first his services received.
His
fondness into fervent friendship grew;
As
such gay Atis visited anew;
He
often came, but Argia was sincere,
And
firmly to her vow would now adhere:
Old
Anselm too, had sworn, by heav’n above;
No
more to be suspicious of his love;
And,
if he ever page became again,
To
suffer punishment’s severest pain.
Twere wrong with hope our fond desires to feed
*** End of the project gutenberg Ebook tales and novels of Fontaine, V7 ***
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