Tales and Novels of J. de La Fontaine — Volume 08 by Jean de La Fontaine
page 17 of 22 (77%)
page 17 of 22 (77%)
![]() | ![]() |
|
EACH friend endeavoured to console the fair;
Of sorrow, she'd already had her share: 'Twas wrong herself so fully to resign;-- Such pious preachings only more incline The soul to anguish 'mid distractions dire: Extremes in ev'ry thing will soonest tire. AT length, resolved to shun the glorious light, Since her dear spouse no longer had the sight, O'erwhelmed with grief she sought Death's dreary cell, Her love to follow, and with him to dwell. A SLAVE, through pity, with the widow went; To live or die with her she was content; To die, howe'er, she never could intend: No doubt she only thought about her friend, The mistress whom she never wished to quit, Since from her birth with her she used to sit. They loved each other with a friendship true: From early years it daily stronger grew; Look through the universe you'll scarcely find, So great a likeness, both in heart and mind. The slave, more clever than the lady fair, At first her mistress left to wild despair; She then essayed to soothe each torment dire; But reason 's fruitless, with a soul on fire. No consolation would the belle receive, For one no more, she constantly would grieve, And sought to follow him to regions blessed:-- The sword had shortest proved, if not the best. |
|