The sorrowing fair-one clasp'd him to her breast Sore wept the crafty Greek, and, with a sigh, 435 Give me, at least, ere we for ever part, T'allay the flame that preys upon my heart; In vain (she answers) much-lov'd youth, you sue, 440 415 450 Awhile she paus'd; then, smiling bade him come, While all were slumbering, to the wish'd-for room; 455 Describ'd the way, and taught what course to take, How, undiscover'd, his return to make.' Well pleas'd he heard, and when the drowsy god Had laid on every eye his potent rod, He seeks her door, with long and silent strides ; 460 The door admits him: slowly in he glides: Firm on his hindmost foot awhile he stays, The other, rais'd, with cautious stealth essays A forward step; and wide his hands are spread, On either side to find th' expected bed. 465 He reach'd the feet, and made his artful way Beneath the covering where Flammetta lay. Soon as the Greek, the night's short blessing o'er, Returning seeks the way he came before, And Phœbus' beams to light the east begin, 470 Flammetta rising lets the pages in. Now with his friend the king prepares to jest: Brother (he cry'd) it fits thee sure to rest: Some leisure must recruit your weary spright, Jocundo then replies in taunting vein : 475 480 I, (said the king) I would in truth have try'd Till oft repeated jests, grown serious, rise 486 To harsh debate: they call the girl to clear The doubtful truth: the girl, with conscious fear, Steps trembling forth, commanded to reveal 490 What each alike seem'd earnest to conceal. Which of us two, so long in love's delight Usurp'd with thec the pleasures of the night? 495 Impatient both await the girl's reply, 500 That, urg'd by love, which long had sway'd her breast, Some pity on a faithful swain to take, Who years had sigh'd, and sigh'd but for her sake, 505 That night she gave the tender frailty way, Thus she Jocundo and the king amaz'd, Ne'er had they heard, nor through the world believ'd Two like themselves by female guile deceiv'd. Now sudden mirth the place of wonder took, And either's side convulsive laughter shook With peals so loud, that scarcely could they breathe, 510 So much they laugh'd, their bosoms ach'd with pain, 515 Nor could their eyes the gushing tears restrain: At length they said---What man shall hope to stay His wife from wandering the forbidden way? 520 525 Then cease we more to blame our mates, or find Their thoughts less chaste than those of all their kind; And since they both are virtuous as the best, Let us return and live with them at rest. 530 This point resolv'd, they bade the lover come, (Call'd by Flammetta) to receive his doom; With many a witness present, for his bride 535 540 Ver. 537. Here ceas'd mine host---] This is copied by Spenser, in his account of the Squire of Dames, with no less severity on the fair sex, where the squire relates, that travelling through the world in search of a chaste woman, he finds only three to reject his suit, thus humourously characterized by the poet. The first that then refused me (said he) Had lodging in so mean a maintenance: Save her, I never any woman found That chastity did for itself embrace, &c. Fairy Queen, B. III. C..vii. St. 58. Not all the power of human wit can tell, But one of graver years, and reverend mien, And better judgment at the board was seen, Who inly wroth to hear the beauteous race Thus roughly treated by a tongue so base, 545 And, conscious of their worth, in secret burn'd, 550 What cruel slanders every day supplies Detested tales, but thine the worst of lies! In other points, ev'n gospel truths were hung; 555 On all the sex such blame unjustly threw. Would more their praises than their censure hear. 560 For one to blame, his lips might number o'er From honour's laws, which thousands have preserv'd. 565 Not judgment sway'd, but passion warp'd his thought. Who, when occasion call'd, refus'd to taste Is there a husband will not leave his home 570 |