Tales and Novels of J. de La Fontaine — Volume 20 by Jean de La Fontaine
page 13 of 16 (81%)
page 13 of 16 (81%)
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From learning, what advantages arise!
Is this pray sold?--If I'd much money got, To make the purchase I'd the cash allot. CONTINUED John:--now I will thee instruct, The proper manner, matters to conduct, For thee to have a clever mare by day, And still at night a charming wife survey; Face, legs, and ev'ry thing shall reappear; Come, see it done, and I'll perform it here; Thou'lt then the method fully comprehend; But hold thy tongue, or all will quickly end: A single word the magick would dispel, And, during life, no more with us 'twould dwell. Keep close thy mouth and merely ope' thy eyes: A glimpse alone to learn it will suffice; This o'er, thyself shall practise it the same, And all will follow as when first it came. THE husband promised he would hold his tongue; And John disliked deferring matters long. Come, Magdalene, said he, you will undress; To quit those Sunday-clothes, you'll acquiesce, And put yourself in Nature's pure array Well, well, proceed; with stays and sleeves away; That's better still; now petticoats lay by; How nicely with my orders you comply. WHEN Magdalene was to the linen come, Some marks of shame around her senses swum; |
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