Tales and Novels of J. de La Fontaine Part 39

Oh yes, there is, rejoined the crafty knave, From such mishap I can the baby save; Yet solemnly I vow, for none but you I'd undertake the toilsome job to do.

The ills of others, if I may be plain, Except your husband's, never give me pain; But him I'd serve for ever, while I've breath; To do him good I'd e'en encounter death.

Now let us see, without more talk or fears, If I know how to forge the bantling ears.

Remember, cried the wife, to make them like.

Leave that to me, said he, I'll justly strike.

Then he prepared for work; the dame gave way; Not difficult she proved:--well pleased she lay; Philosophy was never less required, And Andrew's process much the fair admired, Who, to his work extreme attention paid; 'Twas now a tendon; then a fold he made, Or cartilage, of which he formed enough, And all without complaining of the stuff.

To-morrow we will polish it, said he: Then in perfection soon the whole will be; And from repeating this so oft, you'll get As perfect issue as was ever met.

I'm much obliged to you, the wife replied, A friend is good in whom we may confide.

NEXT day, when tardy Time had marked the hour; That Andrew hoped again to use his pow'r, He was not plunged in sleep, but briskly flew, His purpose with the charmer to pursue.

Said he, all other things aside I've laid, This ear to finish, and to lend you aid.

And I, the dame replied, was on the eve, To send and beg you not the job to leave; Above stairs let us go:--away they ran, And quickly recommenced as they began.

The work so oft was smoothed, that Alice showed Some scruples lest the ear he had bestowed Should do too much, and to the wily wight, She said, so little you the labour slight, 'Twere well if ears no more than two appear; Of that, rejoined the other, never fear; I've guarded thoroughly against defects, Mistake like that shall ne'er your senses vex.

THE ear howe'er was still in hand the same, When from his journey home the husband came.

Saluted Alice, who with anxious look, Exclaimed,--your work how finely you forsook, And, but for neighbour Andrew's kindness here, Our child would incomplete have been--an ear, I could not let a thing remain like this, And Andrew would not be to friends remiss, But, worthy man, he left his thriving trade, And for the babe a proper ear has made.

THE husband, not conceiving how his wife, Could be so weak and ignorant of life, The circ.u.mstances made her fully tell, Repeat them o'er and on each action dwell.

Enraged at length, a pistol by the bed He seized and swore at once he'd shoot her dead.

The belle with tears replied, howe'er she'd swerved, Such cruel treatment never she deserved.

Her innocence, and simple, gentle way, At length appeared his frantick rage to lay.

What injury, continued she, is done?

The strictest scrutiny I would not shun; Your goods and money, ev'ry thing is right; And Andrew told me, nothing he would slight; That you would find much more than you could want; And this I hope to me you'll freely grant; If falsehood I advance, my life I'll lose; Your equity, I trust, will me excuse.

A LITTLE cooled, then William thus replied, We'll say no more; you have been drawn aside; What pa.s.sed you fancied acting for the best, And I'll consent to put the thing at rest; To nothing good such altercations tend; I've but a word: to that attention lend; Contrive to-morrow that I here entrap This fellow who has caused your sad mishap; You'll utter not a word of what I've said; Be secret or at once I'll strike you dead.

Adroitly you must act: for instance say; I'm on a second journey gone away; A message or a letter to him send, Soliciting that he'll on you attend, That something you have got to let him know;-- To come, no doubt, the rascal won't be slow; Amuse him then with converse most absurd, But of the EAR remember,--not a word; That's finished now, and nothing can require; You'll carefully perform what I desire.

Poor innocent! the point she nicely hit; Fear oft gives simpletons a sort of wit.

THE arch gallant arrived; the husband came Ascended to the room where sat his dame; Much noise he made, his coming to announce; The lover, terrified, began to bounce; Now here, now there, no shelter could he meet; Between the bed and wall he put his feet, And lay concealed, while William loudly knocked; Fair Alice readily the door unlocked, And, pointing with her hand, informed the spouse, Where he might easily his rival rouse.

THE husband ev'ry way was armed so well, He four such men as Andrew could repel; In quest of succour howsoe'er he went: To kill him surely William never meant, But only take an ear, or what the Turks, Those savage beasts, cut off from Nature's works; Which doubtless must be infinitely worse Infernal practice and continual curse.

'Twas this he whispered should be Andrew's doom, When with his easy wife he left the room; She nothing durst reply: the door he shut, And our gallant 'gan presently to strut, Around and round, believing all was right, And William unacquainted with his plight.

THE latter having well the project weighed, Now changed his plan, and other schemes surveyed; Proposed within himself revenge to take, With less parade:--less noise it then would make, And better fruit the action would produce, Than if he were apparently profuse.

Said he to Alice, go and seek his wife; To her relate the whole that caused our strife; Minutely all from first to last detail; And then the better on her to prevail, To hasten here, you'll hint that you have fears, That Andrew risks the loss of--more than ears, For I have punishment severe in view, Which greatly she must wish I should not do; But if an ear-maker, like this, is caught, The worst of chastis.e.m.e.nt is always sought; Such horrid things as scarcely can be said: They make the hair to stand upon the head; That he's upon the point of suff'ring straight, And only for her presence things await; That though she cannot all proceedings stay, Perhaps she may some portion take away.

Go, bring her instantly, haste quickly, run; And, if she comes, I'll pardon what's been done.

WITH joy to Andrew's house fair Alice went; The wife to follow her appeared content; Quite out of breath, alone she ran up stairs, And, not perceiving him who shared her cares; Believed he was imprisoned in a room; And while with fear she trembled for his doom; The master (having laid aside his arms) Now came to compliment the lady's charms; He gave the belle a chair, who looked most nice:-- Said he, ingrat.i.tude's the worst of vice; To me your husband has been wondrous kind; So many services has done I find, That, ere you leave this house, I'd wish to make A little return, and this you will partake.

When I was absent from my loving dear, Obligingly he made her babe an ear.

The compliment of course I must admire; Retaliation is what I desire, And I've a thought:--your children all have got The nose a little short, which is a blot; A fault within the mould no doubt's the cause, Which I can mend, and any other flaws.

The business now let's execute I pray, On which the dame he took without delay, And placed her near where Andrew hid his head, Then 'gan to operate as he was led.

THE lady patiently his process bore, And blessed her stars that Andrew's risk was o'er That she had thus the dire return received, And saved the man for whom her bosom grieved.

So much emotion William seemed to feel, No grace he gave, but all performed with zeal; Retaliated ev'ry way so well, He measure gave for measure:--ell for ell.

How true the adage, that revenge is sweet!

The plan he followed clearly was discrete; For since he wished his honour to repair:-- Of any better way I'm not aware.

THE whole without a murmur Andrew viewed, And thanked kind Heav'n that nothing worse ensued; One ear most readily he would have lost, Could he be certain that would pay the cost.

He thought 'twould lucky be, could he get out, For all considered, better 'twere no doubt, Howe'er ridiculous the thing appears, To have a pair of horns than lose his ears.

THE RIVER SCAMANDER

I'M now disposed to give a pretty tale; Love laughs at what I've sworn and will prevail; Men, G.o.ds, and all, his mighty influence know, And full obedience to the urchin show.

In future when I celebrate his flame, Expressions not so warm will be my aim; I would not willingly abuses plant, But rather let my writings spirit want.

If in these verses I around should twirl, Some wily knave and easy simple girl, 'Tis with intention in the breast to place; On such occasions, dread of dire disgrace; The mind to open, and the s.e.x to set Upon their guard 'gainst snares so often met.

Gross ignorance a thousand has misled, For one that has been hurt by what I've said.

I'VE read that once, an orator renowned In Greece, where arts superior then were found, By law's severe decree, compelled to quit His country, and to banishment submit, Resolved that he a season would employ, In visiting the site of ancient Troy.

His comrade, Cymon, with him thither went, To view those ruins, we so oft lament.

A hamlet had been raised from Ilion's wall, Enn.o.bled by misfortune and its fall; Where now mere names are Priam and his court; Of all devouring Time the prey and sport.

O TROY! for me thy very name has got Superior charms:--in story fruitful spot; Thy famed remains I ne'er can hope to view, That G.o.ds by labour raised, and G.o.ds o'erthrew; Those fields where daring acts of valour shone; So many fights were lost:--so many won.

BUT to resume my thread, and not extend Too much the subjects which our plan suspend; This Cymon, who's the hero of our tale, When walking near the banks that form the dale Through which Scamander's waters freely flow, Observed a youthful charmer thither go, To breathe the cool refres.h.i.+ng breeze around; That on its verdant borders oft she'd found.

Her veil was floating, and her artless dress, A shepherdess seemed clearly to express.

Tall, elegantly formed, with beauteous mien, And ev'ry feature lovely to be seen, Young Cymon felt emotion and surprise, And thought 'twas Venus that had caught his eyes, Who on the river's side her charms displayed, Those wondrous treasures all perfection made.

A GROT was nigh, to which the simple fair, Not dreaming ills, was anxious to repair; The heat, some evil spirit, and the place, Invited her the moment to embrace, To bathe within the stream that near her ran; And instantly her project she began.

THE spark concealed himself; each charm admired; Now this, now that, now t'other feature fired; A hundred beauties caught his eager sight; And while his bosom felt supreme delight, He turned his thoughts advantages to take, And of the maiden's error something make; a.s.sumed the character, and dress; and air; That should a wat'ry deity declare; Within the gliding flood his vestments dipt: A crown of rushes on his head he slipt; Aquatick herbs and plants around he twined: Then Mercury intreated to be kind, And Cupid too, the wily G.o.d of hearts; How could the innocent resist these arts?

AT length a foot so fair the belle exposed, E'en Galatea never such disclosed; The stream, that glided by, received the prize; Her lilies she beheld with downcast eyes, And, half ashamed, herself surveyed at ease, While round the zephyrs wantoned in the breeze.

WHEN thus engaged, the lover near her drew; At whose approach away the damsel flew, And tried to hide within the rocky cell; Cried Cymon, I beneath these waters dwell, And o'er their course a sov'reign right maintain; Be G.o.ddess of the flood, and with me reign; Few rivers could with you like pow'rs divide; My crystal's clear: in me you may confide; My heart is pure; with flow'rs I'll deck the stream, If worthy of yourself the flood you deem; Too happy should this honour you bestow, And with me, 'neath the current, freely go.

Your fair companions, ev'ry one I'll make A nymph of fountains, hill, or grove, or lake; My pow'r is great, extending far around Where'er the eye can reach, 'tis fully found.

THE eloquence he used, her fears and dread; Lest she might give offence by what she said, In spite of bashfulness that bliss alloys, Soon all concluded with celestial joys.

'Tis even said that Cupid lent supplies; From superst.i.tion many things arise.

THE spark withdrew, delighted by success; Return said he:--we'll mutually caress; But secret prove: let none our union learn; Concealment is to me of high concern; To make it publick would improper be, Till on Olympus' mount the G.o.ds we see, In council met, to whom I'll state the case; On this the new-made G.o.ddess left the place, In ev'ry thing contented as a dove, And fully witnessed by the G.o.d of love.

Two months had pa.s.sed, and not a person knew Their frequent meetings, pleasure to pursue.

O mortals! is it true, as we are told, That ev'ry bliss at last is rendered cold?

The sly gallant, though not a word he said, The grot to visit now was rarely led.

AT length a wedding much attention caught; The lads and la.s.ses of the hamlet sought, To see the couple pa.s.s: 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 s.p.a.cious, blue, ethereal sky, Her marriage would be soon, they might rely.

A laugh prevailed; for what was to be done?

The G.o.d 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 G.o.ds 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.