Tales and Novels of J. de La Fontaine | Page 3

whom one is
speaking. This principle once admitted, it is not a fault of judgment to
entertain the people of to-day with Tales which are a little broad.
Neither do I sin in that against morality. If there is anything in our
writings which is capable of making an impression on the mind, it is by
no means the gaiety of these Tales; it passes off lightly; I should rather
fear a tranquil melancholy, into which the most chaste and modest
novels are very capable of plunging us, and which is a great preparation
for love. As to the second objection, by which people reproach me that
this book does wrong to womankind, they would be right if I were

speaking seriously: but who does not see that this is all in jest, and
consequently cannot injure? We must not be afraid on that account that
marriages in the future will be less frequent, and husbands more on
their guard. It may still be objected that these Tales are unfounded or
that they have everywhere a foundation easy to destroy; in short that
they are absurdities and have not the least tinge of probability. I reply
in a few words that I have my authorities: and besides it is neither truth
nor probability which makes the beauty and the charm of these Tales: it
is only the manner of telling them. These are the principal points on
which I have thought it necessary to defend myself. I abandon the rest
to the censors; the more so as it would be an infinite undertaking to
pretend to reply to all. Criticism never stops short nor ever wants for
subjects on which to exercise itself: even if those I am able to foresee
were taken from it, it would soon have discovered others.
TALES AND NOVELS
O F
J. DE LA FONTAINE
.......
JOCONDE
IN Lombardy's fair land, in days of yore,
Once dwelt a prince, of
youthful charms, a store; Each FAIR, with anxious look, his favours
sought, And ev'ry heart within his net was caught.
Quite proud of
beauteous form and smart address,
In which the world was led to
acquiesce,
He cried one day, while ALL attention paid,
I'll bet a
million, Nature never made
Beneath the sun, another man like me,

Whose symmetry with mine can well agree.
If such exist, and here
will come, I swear
I'll show him ev'ry lib'ral princely care.
A noble Roman, who the challenge heard,
This answer gave the king
his soul preferr'd
--Great prince, if you would see a handsome man,

To have my brother here should be your plan;
A frame more perfect
Nature never gave;
But this to prove, your courtly dames I crave;

May judge the fact, when I'm convinc'd they'll find: Like you, the youth
will please all womankind;
And since so many sweets at once may

cloy,
'Twere well to have a partner in your joy.
THE king, surpris'd, expressed a wish to view
This brother, form'd by
lines so very true;
We'll see, said he, if here his charms divine

Attract the heart of ev'ry nymph, like mine;
And should success
attend our am'rous lord,
To you, my friend, full credit we'll accord.
AWAY the Roman flew, Joconde to get,
(So nam'd was he in whom
these features met;)
'Midst woods and lawns, retir'd from city strife,
And lately wedded to a beauteous wife;
If bless'd, I know not; but
with such a fair,
On him must rest the folly to despair.
THE Roman courtier came, his business told
The brilliant offers from
the monarch bold;
His mission had success, but still the youth

Distraction felt, which 'gan to shake his truth;
A pow'rful monarch's
favour there he view'd;
A partner here, with melting tears bedew'd;

And while he wavered on the painful choice,
She thus address'd her
spouse with plaintive voice:
CAN you, Joconde, so truly cruel prove,
To quit my fervent love in
courts to move?
The promises of kings are airy dreams,
And
scarcely last beyond the day's extremes
By watchful, anxious care
alone retain'd,
And lost, through mere caprice, as soon as gain'd. If
weary of my charms, alas! you feel,
Still think, my love, what joys
these woods conceal; Here dwell around tranquillity