Tales and Novels of J. de La Fontaine — Volume 22 by Jean de La Fontaine
page 8 of 19 (42%)
page 8 of 19 (42%)
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NO sooner in a house the urchin gets, But rules and laws he at defiance sets; The place of reason whim at once assumes, Breaks ev'ry obstacle, frets, rages, fumes. With scenes like these will Cupid oft surprise, And frantick passion sparkle in his eyes. SOON on the floor was seen this boorish wight; For, whether that the chair was rather slight, Or that the composition of the clown Was not, like that of geese, of softest down, Or that Theresa, by her gay discourse, Had penetrated to the mystick source, The am'rous pulpit suddenly gave way, And on the ground the rustick quickly lay. The first attempt had clearly bad success, And fair Theresa suffered you may guess. YE censors keep from hence your eyes prophane; See, honest hearts, how Claudia tried amain, To take advantage of the dire mishap, And all she could, with eagerness entrap; For in the fall Theresa lost her hold; The other pushed her:--further off she rolled; And then, what she had quitted Claudia seized; Theresa, like a demon quite displeased, Endeavoured to recover what she'd lost:-- Again to take her seat, but she was crossed. The sister in possession ne'er inclined |
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