Tales and Novels of J. de La Fontaine — Volume 20 by Jean de La Fontaine
page 7 of 16 (43%)
page 7 of 16 (43%)
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Which made the girl (not much improved in wit)
Exclaim, this Devil mischief will commit; 'Tis very plain, though strange it may appear To hurt his prison e'en he'll persevere; The injury now you clearly may perceive; But, for the evil done, I shall not grieve: Yet richly he deserves to be again Shut up effectually in his domain. IT shall be so, the anchorite replied; Once more the mystick art was fully tried; Such care he took, such charity was shown, That Hell, by use, free with the Devil grown, His presence pleasant always would have found; Could Rustick equally have kept his ground. CRIED Alibech, 'tis very truly said, No prison has so nice and soft a bed, But presently the host will weary grow; And here our pair soon discord seemed to show: Hell, for the prisoner, in vain inquired; Deaf was the fiend, and quietly retired; Repeated calls of course must irksome prove: The fair grew weary, when he would not move; Her strong desire to be a saint declined; And Rustick to get rid of her designed; In this with him the belle agreed so well, That secretly she left the hermit's cell, And home returned in haste the shortest way; But what the fair could to her parents say, |
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