Tales and Novels of J. de La Fontaine — Volume 13 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 32 pages of information about Tales and Novels of J. de La Fontaine — Volume 13.

Tales and Novels of J. de La Fontaine — Volume 13 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 32 pages of information about Tales and Novels of J. de La Fontaine — Volume 13.
          More happy than our spark none could appear;
          No point but what he gained; the smiling dame
          Resistance only showed to raise the flame;
          Nor more nor less; each belle like art has got,
          And practises at will, or maid or not.

          Buttruly, it was never my intent
          To count each favour she to Reynold lent;
          Particulars exact of ev’ry kiss,
          And all the preludes incident to bliss;
          Both, doubtless, knew more ways than one to please;
          And sought, with anxious care, love’s charms to seize. 
          On recollection of the wretched state
          In which our traveller had moved of late,
          Some favour was bestowed:—­there, cried the dame,
          Is something to repay the road you came;
          This for the cold; that fear; there thieves disgraced;
          So, one by one, the whole was soon effaced. 
          In this way to be paid for ills we meet,
          Who’d not be satisfied with boons so sweet? 
          And we conclude, that Reynold on the spot,
          Love’s am’rous recompense of pleasures got. 
          Now easy conversation was renewed;
          Then mutual kisses; ev’ry sweet pursued. 
          ’Twas time for bed; howe’er, the widow fair
          Determined that her own the spark should share;
          ’Twas prudent, doubtless; like a lady wise;
          Gallantly done:  one room would well suffice.

          Whatfurther passed betwixt the pair that night;
          I cannot say, though we’ll believe ’twas right;
          Between the clothes when laid, and unrestrained,
          Most clearly, Reynold all his wishes gained. 
          There he was recompensed for ev’ry grief;
          The lady too, received so much relief,
          That she desired his company again,
          But still these visits secrets should remain;
          ’Twas requisite the governor to see;
          Howe’er the dame delighted seemed to be,
          And not content with what she had bestowed,
          A purse well stored with gold to Reynold showed: 
          He took no more, indeed, than what would pay
          The bare expenses on his homeward way;
          Then sought the street that to the tavern led,
          Where still his lazy servant was in bed;
          The fellow mauled; then changed throughout his dress;
          Since to the cloak-bag now he had access. 
          His fortune to complete, that day they took
          The very wretches that he wished to hook. 
          He to the judge repaired with ev’ry haste;
          In such a case you never time should waste;
          For, once the things are into court received,
          ’Tis like the lion’s den:  naught e’er ’s retrieved;
          Their hands are closed, not ’gainst what may be brought
          But to secure what from their grasp is sought. 
          Who seeks redress by law, facts oft have shown,
          May bless his stars if he but keep his own.

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Tales and Novels of J. de La Fontaine — Volume 13 from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.