Tales and Novels of J. de La Fontaine — Volume 23 by Jean de La Fontaine
page 6 of 19 (31%)
page 6 of 19 (31%)
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AT length a wedding much attention caught; The lads and lasses of the hamlet sought, To see the couple pass: the belle perceived The very man for whom her bosom heaved, And loudly cried, behold Scamander's flood! Which raised surprise; soon numbers round her stood, Astonishment expressed, but still the fair, Whate'er was asked, would nothing more declare, Than, in the spacious, blue, ethereal sky, Her marriage would be soon, they might rely. A laugh prevailed; for what was to be done? The god with hasty steps away had run, And none with stones pursued his rapid flight: The deity was quickly ought of sight. WERE this to happen now, Scamander's stream Would not so easily preserve esteem; But crimes like these (whoever was abused), In former days, were easily excused. With time our maxims change, and what was then, Though wrong at present, may prevail agen. Scamander's spouse some raillery received; But in the end she fully was relieved: A lover e'en superior thought her charms, (His taste was such) and took her to his arms. The gods can nothing spoil! but should they cause A belle to lose a portion of applause, A handsome fortune give, and you'll behold, That ev'ry thing can be repaired by gold. |
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