Tales and Novels of J. de La Fontaine | Page 8

think his point was gained.
THE better then to prove his dark intent,?I feigned an inclination to consent,?And in the garden, promised as to-night,?I'd near the pear-tree meet this roguish wight.?Said I, my husband never moves from hence;?No jealous fancy, but to show the sense?He entertains of my pure, virtuous life,?And fond affection for a loving wife.?Thus circumstanced, your wishes see are vain,?Unless when he's asleep a march I gain,?And softly stealing from his torpid side,?With trembling steps I, to my lover, glide.?So things remain, my dear; an odd affair:--?On this Square-toes 'gan to curse and swear;?But his fond rib most earnestly besought,?His rage to stifle, as she clearly thought,?He might in person, if he'd take the pain,?Secure the rascal and redress obtain?You know, said she, the tree is near the door,?Upon the left and bears of fruit great store;?But if I may my sentiments express,?In cap and petticoats you'd best to dress;?His insolence is great, and you'll be right,?To give your strokes with double force to night;?Well work his back; flat lay him on the ground:-- A rascal! honourable ladies round,?No doubt he many times has served the same;?'Tis such impostors characters defame.?To rouse his wrath the story quite sufficed;?The spouse resolved to do as she advised.?Howe'er to dupe him was an easy lot;?The hour arrived, his dress he soon had got,?Away he ran with anxious fond delight.?In hopes the wily spark to trap that night.?But no one there our easy fool could see,?And while he waited near the fav'rite tree,?Half dead with cold, the falc'ner slyly stole,?To her who had so well contrived the whole;?Time, place, and disposition, all combined?The loving pair to mutual joys resigned.?When our expert gallant had with the dame,?An hour or more indulged his ardent flame,?Though forced at length to quit the loving lass,?'Twas not without the favourite parting glass;?He then the garden sought, where long the 'squire, Upon the knave had wished to vent his ire.
NO sooner he the silly husband spied,?But feigning 'twas the wily wife he eyed,?At once he cried,--ah, vilest of the sex!?Are these thy tricks, so good a man to vex??Oh shame upon thee! thus to treat his love,?As pure as snow, descending from above.?I could not think thou hadst so base a heart,?But clear it is, thou need'st a friendly part,?And that I'll act: I asked this rendezvous?With full intent to see if thou wert true;?And, God be praised, without a loose design,?To plunge in luxuries pronounced divine.?Protect me Heav'n! poor sinner that I'm here!?To guard thy honour I will persevere.?My worthy master could I thus disgrace??Thou wanton baggage with unblushing face,?Thee on the spot I'll instantly chastise,?And then thy husband of the fact advise.
THE fierce harangue o'er Square-toes pleasure spread, Who, mutt'ring 'tween his teeth, with fervour said: O gracious Lord! to thee my thanks are due--?To have a wife so chaste--a man so true!?But presently he felt upon his back?The falc'ner's cudgel vigorously thwack,?Who soundly basted him as on he ran,?To gain the house, with terror, pale and wan.
THE squire had wished his trusty man, no doubt,?Had not, at cudgelling, been quite so stout;?But since he showed himself so true a friend,?And with his actions could such prudence blend,?The master fully pardoned what he knew,?And quickly to his wife in bed he flew,?When he related every thing that passed?Were we, cried he, a hundred years to last,?My lovely dear, we ne'er on earth could find?A man so faithful, and so well inclined.?I'd have him take within our town a wife,?And you and I'll regard him during life.?In that, replied the lady, we agree,?And heartily thereto I pledged will be.
THE HUSBAND-CONFESSOR
WHEN Francis (named the first) o'er Frenchmen reign'd, In Italy young Arthur laurels gained,?And oft such daring valour showed in fight,?With ev'ry honour he was made a knight;?The monarch placed the spur upon his heel,?That all around his proper worth might feel.?Then household deities at home he sought,?Where--not at prayers his beauteous dame he caught: He'd left her, truly, quite dissolv'd in tears;?But now the belle had bid adieu to fears;?And oft was dancing joyously around,?With all the company that could be found.
GALLANTS in crowds Sir Arthur soon perceived;?At sight of these the knight was sorely grieved;?And, turning in his mind how best to act;?Cried he, Can this be truly held a fact,?That I've been worthy while I'd fame in view,?Of cuckoldom at home, and knighthood too??It ought to be but half:--the truth let's know;?From constancy the purest blessings flow.?Then like a father-confessor he dressed,?And took his seat where priests their flock confessed. His lady absolution sought that day,?And on her knees before him 'gan to pray;?The minor sins were told with downcast eyes,?And then for hearing those of larger size,?The husband-confessor prepared his ears:--?Said she, Good father, ('mid a flood of tears),?My bed receives, (the fault I