Читать книгу The Fairy Tales of Charles Perrault - Charles Perrault - Страница 7

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From this short story easy we discern

What conduct all young people ought to learn.

But above all, young, growing misses fair,

Whose orient rosy blooms begin t'appear:

Who, beauties in the fragrant spring of age,

With pretty airs young hearts are apt t'engage.

Ill do they listen to all sorts of tongues,

Since some inchant and lure like Syrens' songs.

No wonder therefore 'tis, if over-power'd,

So many of them has the Wolf devour'd.

The Wolf, I say, for Wolves too sure there are

Of every sort, and every character.

Some of them mild and gentle-humour'd be,

Of noise and gall, and rancour wholly free;

Who tame, familiar, full of complaisance

Ogle and leer, languish, cajole and glance;

With luring tongues, and language wond'rous sweet,

Follow young ladies as they walk the street,

Ev'n to their very houses, nay, bedside,

And, artful, tho' their true designs they hide;

Yet ah! these simpering Wolves! Who does not see

Most dangerous of Wolves indeed they be?