Tales and Novels of J. de La Fontaine — Complete. Jean de la Fontaine
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Название: Tales and Novels of J. de La Fontaine — Complete

Автор: Jean de la Fontaine

Издательство: Bookwire

Жанр: Языкознание

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isbn: 4057664648785

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СКАЧАТЬ hop'd to act the maid while Sol gave light,

      But play at ease the fond gallant at night;

      At once she fill'd two places in the house,

      And thought in both the husband she should chouse,

      Who bless'd his stars that he'd escap'd so well,

      And sneak'd alone to rest within his cell,

      While our gay, am'rous pair advantage took,

      To play at will, and ev'ry solace hook,

      Convinc'd most thoroughly, once lovers kiss'd,

      That OPPORTUNITY should n'er be miss'd.

      Here ends the trick our wily gossip play'd;

      But now let's see the plot another laid.

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      Original

      THE second dame, whose husband was so meek,

      That only from her lips the truth he'd seek,

      When seated with him 'neath a pear tree's shade,

      Contriv'd at ease and her arrangement made.

      The story I shall presently relate;

      The butler, strong, well dress'd, and full of prate:

      Who often made the other servants trot,

      Stood near when madam hit upon her plot,

      To whom she said, I wish the fruit to taste;

      On which the man prepar'd with ev'ry haste,

      To climb the tree, and off the produce shook;

      But while above, the fellow gave a look

      Upon the ground below, and feign'd he saw

      The spouse and wife—do more than kiss and paw:

      The servant rubb'd his eyes, as if in doubt,

      And cried: why truly, sir, if you're so stout,

      That you must revel 'mid your lady's charms,

      Pray elsewhere take her to your longing arms,

      Where you at ease may frolick hours or days,

      Without my witnessing your loving ways;

      Indeed, I'm quite surprised at what I spy

      In publick, 'neath a tree such pranks to try!

      And, if you don't a servant's presence heed,

      With decency howe'er you should proceed.

      What, still go on? for shame, I say, for shame!

      Pray wait till by and by; you're much to blame;

      Besides, the nights are long enough you'll find;

      Heav'n genial joys for privacy design'd;

      And why this place, when you've nice chambers got?

      What, cried the lady, says this noisy sot?

      He surely dreams; Where can he learn these tales?

      Come down; let's see what 'tis the fellow ails.

      Down William came. How? said the master, how?

      Are we at play?

0110m

      Original

      WILLIAM

      Not now, sir, no, not now.

      HUSBAND

      Why, when then, friend?

      WILLIAM

      While I was in the tree,

      Alive, sir, flay me, if I did not see

      You on the verdant lawn my lady lay,

      And kiss, and toy, and other frolicks play.

      WIFE

      'Twere surely better if thou held'st thy tongue,

      Or thou'lt a beating get before 'tis long.

      HUSBAND

      No, no, my dear, he's mad, and I design

      The fellow in a madhouse to confine.

      WILLIAM

      Is't folly, pray, to see what we behold?

      WIFE

      What hast thou seen?

      WILLIAM

      What I've already told:—

      My master and yourself at Cupid's game,

      Or else the tree 's enchanted I proclaim.

      WIFE

      ENCHANTED! nonsense; such a sight to see!

      HUSBAND

      To know the truth myself, I'll climb the tree,

      Then you the fact will quickly from me learn;

      We may believe what we ourselves discern.

      SOON as the master they above descried,

      And that below our pair he sharply eyed,

      The butler took the lady in his arms,

      And grew at once familiar with her charms;

      At sight of this the husband gave a yell:

      Made СКАЧАТЬ