Or thou didst scorn what I so fondly sought.

ASTONISHMENT, at once, our Roman seiz'd; But who's the fair that thus her bosom eas'd? Or, who's the gay Adonis, form'd to bless? You'd try a day, and not the secret guess, The queen's the belle:--and, doubtless you will stare, The king's own dwarf the idol of her care!

THE Roman saw a crevice in the wood, Through which he took a peep from where he stood; To Dorimene our lovers left the key, Which she had dropt when lately forc'd to flee, And this Joconde pick'd up, a lucky hit, Since he could use it when he best thought fit. It seems, said he, I'm not alone in name, And since a prince so handsome is the same, Although a valet has supplied my place, Yet see, the queen prefers a dwarf's embrace.

THIS thought consol'd so well,--his youthful rays Returned, and e'en excelled his former days; And those who lately ridicul'd his charms, Now anxious seem'd to revel in his arms 'Twas who could have him,--even prudes grew kind;-- By many belles Astolphus was resign'd; Though still the king retain'd enough, 'twas seen;-- But now let us resume the dwarf and queen.

OUR Roman, having satisfied his eyes, At length withdrew, confounded by surprise. Who follows courts, must oft with care conceal, And scarcely know what sight and ears reveal.

YET, by Joconde the king was lov'd so well, What now he'd seen he greatly wish'd to tell; But, since to princes full respect is due, And what concerns them, howsoever true, If thought displeasing, should not be dispos'd In terms direct, but obviously dispos'd, To catch the mind, Joconde at ease detail'd, From days of yore to those he now bewail'd, The names of emp'rors and of kings, whose brows, By wily wives, were crown'd with leafless boughs! And who, without repining, view'd their lot, Nor bad made worse, but thought things best forgot. E'en I, who now your majesty address, Continued he, am sorry to confess, The very day I left my native earth,

To wait upon a prince of royal birth, Was forced t'acknowledge cuckoldom among The gods who rule the matrimonial throng, And sacrifice thereto with aching heart Cornuted heads dire torments oft impart:

THE tale he then detail'd, that rais'd his spleen; And what within the closet he had seen; The king replied, I will not be so rude, To question what so clearly you have view'd; Yet, since 'twere better full belief to gain, A glimpse of such a fact I should obtain, Pray bring me thither; instantly our wight; Astolphus led, where both his ears and sight Full proof receiv'd, which struck the prince with awe; Who stood amaz'd at what he heard and saw. But soon reflection's all-convincing pow'r Induced the king vexation to devour; True courtier-like, who dire misfortunes braves, Feels sprouting horns, yet smiles at fools and knaves: Our wives, said he, a pretty trick have play'd, And shamefully the marriage bed betray'd; Let us the compliment return, my friend, And round the country our amours extend; But, in our plan the better to succeed, Our names we'll change; no servants we shall need;-- For your relation I desire to pass, So you'll true freedom use; then with a lass We more at ease shall feel, more pleasure gain; Than if attended by my usual train.

JOCONDE with joy the king's proposal heard; On which the latter with his friend conferr'd; Said he, 'twere surely right to have a book, In which to place the names of those we hook, The whole arrang'd according to their rank, And I'll engage no page remains a blank, But ere we leave the range of our design, E'en scrup'lous dames shall to our wish incline, Our persons handsome, with engaging air, And sprightly, brilliant wit no trifling share,-- 'Twere strange, possessing such engaging charms, They should not tumble freely in our arms.

THE, baggage ready, and the paper-book, our smart gallants the road together took, But 'twould be vain to number their amours; With beauties, Cupid favoured them by scores; Blessed, if only seen by either swain, And doubly bless'd who could attention gain: Nor wife of alderman, nor wife of mayor, Of justice, nor of governor was there, Who did not anxiously desire her name Might straight be entered in the book of fame! Hearts, which before were thought as cold as ice, Now warm'd at once and melted in a trice.

SOME infidel, I fancy, in my ear Would whisper-probabilities, I fear, Are rather wanting to support the fact; However perfectly gallants may act, To gain a heart requires full many a day If more be requisite I cannot say; 'Tis not my plan to dupe or young or old, But such to me, howe'er the tale is told, And Ariosto never truth forsakes; Yet, if at ev'ry step a writer takes, He's closely question'd as to time and place, He ne'er can end his work with easy grace. To those, from whom just credence I receive, Their tales I promise fully to believe.

AT length, when our advent'rers round had play'd, And danc'd with ev'ry widow, wife, and maid, The full blown lily and the tender rose, Astolphus said, though clearly I suppose, We can as many hearts securely link, As e'er we like, yet better now, I think, To stop a while in some delightful spot, And that before satiety we've got; For true it is, with love as with our meat; If we, variety of dishes eat, The doctors tell us inj'ry will ensue, And too much raking none can well pursue. Let us some pleasing fair-one then engage, To serve us both:--enough she'll prove I'll wage.

JOCONDE at once replied, with all my heart, And I a lady know who'll take the part; She's beautiful; possesses store of wit; And is the wife of one above a cit.

WITH such to meddle would be indiscreet, Replied the king, more charms we often meet, Beneath a chambermaid or laundress' dress, Than any rich coquette can well possess. Besides, with those, less form is oft requir'd, While dames of quality must be admir'd; Their whims complied with, though suspicions rise; And ev'ry hour produces fresh surprise, But this sweet charmer of inferior birth A treasure proves; a source of bliss on earth. No trouble she to carry here nor there; No balls she visits, and requires no care; The conquest easy, we may talk or not; The only difficulty we have got, Is how to find one, we may faithful view; So let us choose a girl, to love quite new.

SINCE these, replied the YOUTH, your thoughts appear, What think you of our landlord's daughter here? That she's a perfect virgin I've no doubt, Nor can we find a chaster round about; Her very doll more innocent won't prove, Than this sweet nymph design'd with us to move.

THE scheme our prince's approbation met; The very girl, said he, I wish'd to get; This night be our attack; and if her heart Surrenders when our wishes we impart, But one perplexity will then remain; 'Tis who her virgin favours shall obtain? The honour 's all a whim, and I, as king, At once assuredly should claim this thing: The rest 'tis very easy to arrange; As matters suit we presently can change.

IF ceremony 'twere, Joconde replied, All cavil then we quickly could decide; Precedence would no doubt with you remain: But this is quite another case 'tis plain; And equity demands that we agree, By lot to settle which the man shall be.

THE noble youths no arguments would spare, And each contended for the spoiler's care; Howe'er Joconde obtained the lucky hit, And first embrac'd this fancied dainty bit.

THE girl who was the noble rival's aim, That ev'ning to the room for something came; Our heroes gave her instantly a chair, And lavished praises on her face and hair; A diamond ring soon sparkled in her eyes; Its pleasing pow'rs at sight obtain'd the prize.

THE bargain made, she, in the dead of night, When silence reign'd and all was void of light, With careful steps their anxious wish obey'd, And 'tween them both, she presently was laid;