Tales and Novels of J. de La Fontaine — Volume 15 by Jean de La Fontaine
page 9 of 22 (40%)
page 9 of 22 (40%)
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Nor beau, nor clown, nor king, nor lord, nor 'squire,
Save Nicia, with me freely shall retire. THE fair Lucretia seemed so firmly bent, To father Timothy at length they went, Who preached the lady such a fine discourse, She ceded more through penitence than force. MOREOVER she was promised that the lad Should be nor clownish, nor in person bad; Nor such as any way might give disgust, But one to whom she perfectly might trust. THE wondrous draught was taken by the fair; Next day our Wight prepared his wily snare: Himself bepowdered like a miller's man, With beard and whiskers to complete his plan; A better metamorphose ne'er was seen; Ligurio, who had in the secret been, So thoroughly disguised the lover thought, At midnight him to Nicia freely brought, With bandage o'er the eyes and hair disdained, Not once the husband of deceit complained. BESIDE the dame in silence slid our spark; In silence she attended in the dark, Perfumed and nicely ev'ry way bedecked; For what? you ask, or whom did she expect; Were all these pains a miller to receive?-- Too much they cannot take, the sex believe; |
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