Read Ebook: Tales and Novels of J. de La Fontaine — Volume 10 by La Fontaine Jean De

Font size: 10 px 15 px 20 px 25 px 30 px 35 px

Background color: BlackWhiteGrayLight GrayDark GrayDim Gray

Text color: BlackWhiteGrayLight GrayDark GrayDim Gray

Apply/Save settings

Ebook has 23 lines and 4768 words, and 1 pages

Edition: 10

THE TALES AND NOVELS OF J. DE LA FONTAINE

Volume 10.

Contains: The Two Friends The Country Justice Alice Sick The Kiss Returned Sister Jane An Imitation of Anacreon Another Imitation of Anacreon

THE TWO FRIENDS

IT happened, one of them so nicely played, The fav'rite lass produced a little maid, Which both extolled, and each his own believed, Though doubtless one or t'other was deceived.

BUT when to riper years the bantling grew, And sought her mother's foot-steps to pursue, Each friend desired to be her chosen swain, And neither would a parent's name retain.

SAID one, why brother, she's your very shade; The features are the same-:-your looks pervade. Oh no, the other cried, it cannot be Her chin, mouth, nose, and eyes, with your's agree; But that as 'twill, let me her favours win, And for the pleasure I will risk the sin.

THE COUNTRY JUSTICE

THE bench complained: the magistrate replied Don't blame I pray--'tis nothing new I've tried; Courts often judge at hazard in the law, Without deciding by the longest straw.

ALICE SICK

A MESSENGER was told, without delay, To take, with rapid steps, the convent way; He rang the bell--a monk enquired his name, And asked for what, or whom, the fellow came. I father Andrew want, the wight replied, Who's oft to Alice confessor and guide: With Andrew, cried the other, would you speak? If that's the case, he's far enough to seek; Poor man! he's left us for the regions blessed, And has in Paradise ten years confessed.

THE KISS RETURNED

AS WILLIAM walking with his wife was seen, A man of rank admired her lovely mien. Who gave you such a charming fair? he cried, May I presume to kiss your beauteous bride? With all my heart, replied the humble swain, You're welcome, sir:--I beg you'll not refrain; She's at your service: take the boon, I pray; You'll not such offers meet with ev'ry day.

THE gentleman proceeded as desired; To get a kiss, alone he had aspired; So fervently howe'er he pressed her lip, That Petronella blushed at ev'ry sip.

SEVEN days had scarcely run, when to his arms, The other took a wife with seraph charms; And William was allowed to have a kiss, That filled his soul with soft ecstatick bliss. Cried he, I wish, That when the gentleman a kiss received, From her I love, he'd gone to greater height, And with my Petronella passed the night.

SISTER JANE

WHEN Sister Jane, who had produced a child, In prayer and penance all her hours beguiled Her sister-nuns around the lattice pressed; On which the abbess thus her flock addressed: Live like our sister Jane, and bid adieu To worldly cares:--have better things in view.

YES, they replied, we sage like her shall be, When we with love have equally been free.

AN IMITATION OF ANACREON

ANOTHER IMITATION OF ANACREON

PRONE, on my couch I calmly slept Against my wont. A little child Awoke me as he gently crept And beat my door. A tempest wild Was raging-dark and cold the night. "Have pity on my naked plight," He begged, "and ope thy door".--"Thy name?" I asked admitting him.--"The same "Anon I'll tell, but first must dry "My weary limbs, then let me try "My mois'ened bow."--Despite my fear The hearth I lit, then drew me near My guest, and chafed his fingers cold. "Why fear?" I thought. "Let me be bold "No Polyphemus he; what harm "In such a child?--Then I'll be calm!" The playful boy drew out a dart, Shook his fair locks, and to my heart His shaft he launch'd.--"Love is my name," He thankless cried, "I hither came "To tame thee. In thine ardent pain "Of Cupid think and young Climene."-- "Ah! now I know thee, little scamp, "Ungrateful, cruel boy! Decamp!" Cupid a saucy caper cut, Skipped through the door, and as it shut, "My bow," he taunting cried, "is sound, "Thy heart, poor comrade, feels the wound."

Here is the briefest record of our progress :

Share on: WhatsApp @Hash Facebook Tweet