Title:  The Tales and Novels, v10:  Imitation of Anacreon

Author:  Jean de La Fontaine

Release Date:  March, 2004 [EBook #5284] [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, V10 ***

This eBook was produced by David Widger widger@cecomet.net

The tales and novels
of
J. De La Fontaine

Volume 10.

Contains: 
The Two Friends
The Country Justice
Alice Sick
The Kiss Returned
Sister Jane
An Imitation of Anacreon
Another Imitation of Anacreon

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 lass produced a little maid,
Which both extolled, and each his own believed,
Though doubtless one or t’other was deceived.

          Butwhen 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.

          Saidone, 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

          Twolawyers 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.

          Thebench 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.

AliceSick

          Sick,