Читать книгу Tales and Novels of J. de La Fontaine — Complete - Jean de la Fontaine - Страница 18

NO sooner he the silly husband spied,

But feigning 'twas the wily wife he eyed,

At once he cried—ah, vilest of the sex!

Are these thy tricks, so good a man to vex?

Oh shame upon thee! thus to treat his love,

As pure as snow, descending from above.

I could not think thou hadst so base a heart,

But clear it is, thou need'st a friendly part,

And that I'll act: I asked this rendezvous

With full intent to see if thou wert true;

And, God be praised, without a loose design,

To plunge in luxuries pronounced divine.

Protect me Heav'n! poor sinner that I'm here!

To guard thy honour I will persevere.

My worthy master could I thus disgrace?

Thou wanton baggage with unblushing face,

Thee on the spot I'll instantly chastise,

And then thy husband of the fact advise.

THE fierce harangue o'er Square-toes pleasure spread,

Who, mutt'ring 'tween his teeth, with fervour said:

O gracious Lord! to thee my thanks are due—

To have a wife so chaste—a man so true!

But presently he felt upon his back

The falc'ner's cudgel vigorously thwack,

Who soundly basted him as on he ran,

To gain the house, with terror, pale and wan.

THE squire had wished his trusty man, no doubt,

Had not, at cudgelling, been quite so stout;

But since he showed himself so true a friend,

And with his actions could such prudence blend,

The master fully pardoned what he knew,

And quickly to his wife in bed he flew,

When he related every thing that passed

Were we, cried he, a hundred years to last,

My lovely dear, we ne'er on earth could find

A man so faithful, and so well inclined.

I'd have him take within our town a wife,

And you and I'll regard him during life.

In that, replied the lady, we agree,

And heartily thereto I pledged will be.