Tales and Novels of J. de La Fontaine — Volume 20 by Jean de La Fontaine
page 6 of 16 (37%)
page 6 of 16 (37%)
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BY passion moved, he bade at once adieu,
To hair-cloth, discipline, and fasting too; Cried he, my saints are these; to them I'll pray; From Alibech no longer he would stay, But to her flew, and roused the girl from sleep: Said he, so soon you should not silence keep, It is not right:--there's something to be done, Ere we suspend the converse we've begun: 'Tis proper that, to please the pow'rs divine; We Satan instantly in Hell confine; He was created for no other end; To block him up let's ev'ry effort lend. IMMEDIATELY within the bed he slid, When, scarcely knowing what young Rustick did; And, unaccustomed to the mystick scene, She knew not what the anchorite could mean, Nor this nor that but, partly by consent, And partly force, yet wishing to prevent, Though not presuming to resist his sway To him 'mid pain and pleasure, she gave way, Believing ev'ry thing was most exact, And, what the saint performed, a gracious act, By thus the Devil shutting up in Hell, Where he was destined with his imps to dwell. HENCEFORTH 'twas requisite, if saint she'd be; From martyrdom she must not think to flee, For friar Rustick little sought to please: The lesson was not given quite at ease, |
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