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.