COLUTTA, (such her name,) though much admired;
          And many in the place her hand desired,
          Rejected some, and others would not take,
          And this most clearly for Pinucio’s sake. 
          Long conversations she could rarely get,
          And various obstacles the lovers met;
          No interviews where they might be at ease,
          But ev’ry thing conspired to fret and teaze. 
          O parents, husbands! be advised by me;
          Constraint with wives or children won’t agree;
          ’Tis then the god of love exerts his art,
          To find admittance to the throbbing heart.

          Pinucioand a friend, one stormy night,
          The landlord’s reached and would in haste alight;
          They asked for beds, but were too late they found: 
          You know, sir, cried the host, we don’t abound;
          And now the very garrets we have let: 
          You’d better elsewhere try your wish to get,
          And spite of weather, further on pursue
          At best, our lodging is unfit for you.

          Haveyou no truckle bed? the lover cried;
          No corner left?—­we fain would here abide: 
          Why, truly, said the host, we always keep
          Two beds within the chamber where we sleep;
          My wife and I, of course, take one of these;
          Together lie in t’other if you please. 
          The spark replied, this we will gladly do;
          Come, supper get; that o’er, the friends withdrew: 
          Pinucio, by Coletta’s sage advice,
          In looking o’er the room was very nice;
          With eagle-eyes particulars he traced,
          Then ’tween the clothes himself and friend he placed. 
          A camp-bed for the girl was on the floor;
          The landlord’s, ’gainst the wall and next the door;
          Another opposite the last was set,
          And this, to guests, at certain times was let;
          And ‘tween the two, but near the parents’ best,
          A cradle for the child to rest its head,
          From which a pleasant accident arrived,
          That our gallant’s young friend of rest deprived.

          Whenmidnight came, and this gay spark supposed
          The host and hostess’ eyes in sleep were closed,
          Convinced the time appointed was at hand,
          To put in execution what was planned,
          He to the camp-bed silently repaired,
          And found the belle by Morpheus not insnared;
          Coletta taught a play that mortals find
          Fatigues the body more than plagues the mind: 
          A truce succeeded, but ’twas quickly o’er: 
          Those rest not long who pilfer Cupid’s store.