Tales and Novels of J. de La Fontaine — Volume 18 by Jean de La Fontaine
page 19 of 22 (86%)
page 19 of 22 (86%)
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And ten or dozen stripes laid on his back:--
'Tis thy unruly, jealous mind, said he, Displeases God, and dooms thee here to be. A MOURNFUL sigh the lorn receiver heaved, His aching shoulders rubbed, and sobbed and grieved; A thousand years, cried he, 'tis long indeed! My very soul with horror seems to bleed. WE should observe, this Angel was a wag, A novice-friar and a convent fag; Like him the others round had parts to act, And were disguised in dresses quite exact. Our penitent most humbly pardon sought; Said he, if e'er to life again I'm brought, No jealousy, suspicion's hateful bane, Shall ever enter my distracted brain. May I not have this grace, this wished for boon? Some hopes they gave, but it could not be soon; In short a year he lay upon the floor: Just food for life received, and nothing more, Each day on bread and water he was fed, And o'er his back the cat-o'nine-tails spread: Full twenty lashes were the number set, Unless the friar should from Heav'n first get Permission to remit at times a part, For charity was glowing in his heart. WE, must not doubt, he often offered prayers, To ease the culprit's sufferings and cares. |
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