Chapter 1

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THE TALES AND NOVELS OF J. DE LA FONTAINE

Volume 5.

THE PRINCESS BETROTHED TO THE KING OF GARBA

WHAT various ways in which a thing is told Some truth abuse, while others fiction hold; In stories we invention may admit; But diff'rent 'tis with what historick writ; Posterity demands that truth should then Inspire relation, and direct the pen.

ALACIEL'S story's of another kind, And I've a little altered it, you'll find; Faults some may see, and others disbelieve; 'Tis all the same:--'twill never make me grieve; Alaciel's mem'ry, it is very clear, Can scarcely by it lose; there's naught to fear. Two facts important I have kept in view, In which the author fully I pursue; The one--no less than eight the belle possessed, Before a husband's sight her eyes had blessed; The other is, the prince she was to wed Ne'er seemed to heed this trespass on his bed, But thought, perhaps, the beauty she had got Would prove to any one a happy lot.

HOWE'ER this fair, amid adventures dire, More sufferings shared than malice could desire; Though eight times, doubtless, she exchanged her knight No proof, that she her spouse was led to slight; 'Twas gratitude, compassion, or good will; The dread of worse;--she'd truly had her fill; Excuses just, to vindicate her fame, Who, spite of troubles, fanned the monarch's flame: Of eight the relict, still a maid received ;-- Apparently, the prince her pure believed; For, though at times we may be duped in this, Yet, after such a number--strange to miss! And I submit to those who've passed the scene, If they, to my opinion, do not lean.

THE king of Alexandria, Zarus named, A daughter had, who all his fondness claimed, A star divine Alaciel shone around, The charms of beauty's queen were in her found; With soul celestial, gracious, good, and kind, And all-accomplished, all-complying mind.

THE, rumour of her worth spread far and wide, The king of Garba asked her for his bride, And Mamolin (the sov'reign of the spot,) To other princes had a pref'rence got.

THE fair, howe'er, already felt the smart Of Cupid's arrow, and had lost her heart; But 'twas not known: princesses love conceal, And scarcely dare its whispers fond reveal; Within their bosoms poignant pain remains, Though flesh and blood, like lasses of the plains.

THE noble Hispal, one of zarus' court, A handsome youth, as histories report, Alaciel pleased; a mutual flame arose, Though this they durst not venture to disclose Or, if expressed, 'twas solely by the eyes:-- Soul-speaking language, nothing can disguise!

AFFIANCED thus, the princess, with a sigh, Prepared to part, and fully to comply. The father trusted her to Hispal's care, Without the least suspicion of the snare; They soon embarked and ploughed the briny main; With anxious hopes in time the port to gain.

WHEN they, from Egypt's coast had sailed a week; To gain the wind they saw a pirate seek, Which having done, he t'wards them bore in haste, To take the ship in which our fair was placed.

THE battle quickly raged; alike they erred; The pirates slaughter loved, and blood preferred, And, long accustomed to the stormy tide, Were most expert, and on their skill relied. In numbers, too, superior they were found; But Hisipal's valour greatly shone around, And kept the combat undecided long; At length Grifonio, wond'rous large and strong; With twenty sturdy, pirates got on board, And many soon lay gasping by the sword. Where'er he trod, grim death and horrour reigned; At length, the round the noble Hispal gained. His nervous arm laid many wretches low Rage marked his eyes, whene'er he dealt a blow:

BUT, while the youth was thus engaged in fight, Grifonio ran to gain a sweeter sight; The princess was on board full well he knew; No time he lost, but to her chamber flew; And, since his pleasures seemed to be her doom; He bore her like a sparrow from the room: But not content with such a charming fair, He took her diamonds, ornaments for hair, And those dear pledges ladies oft receive, When they a lover's ardent flame believe. Indeed, I've heard it hinted as a truth, (And very probable for such a youth,) That Hispal, while on board, his flame revealed; And what chagrin she felt was then concealed, The passage thinking an improper time, To shew a marked displeasure at his crime.

THE pirate-chief who carried off his prey, Had short-lived joy, for, wishing to convey His charming captive from the ship with speed; One vessel chanced a little to recede, Although securely fastened by the crew, With grappling hooks, as usually they do, When quite intent to pass, young Hispal made A blow, that dead at once the ruffian laid; His head and shoulders, severed from the trunk; Fell in the sea, and to the bottom sunk, Abjuring Mahomet, and all the tribe Of idle prophets, Catholics proscribe; Erect the rest upon the legs remained; The very posture as before retained; This curious sight no doubt a laugh had raised,-- But in the moment, she, so lately praised, With dread Grifonio, fell beyond their view; To save her, straight the gallant Hispal flew. The ships, for want of pilots at the helm, At random drifted over Neptune's realm.

GRIM death the pirate forced to quit his slave; Buoyed up by clothes, she floated on the wave, 'Till Hispal succour lent, who saw 'twas vain To try with her the vessel to regain. He could, with greater ease, the fair convey To certain rocks, and thither bent his way; Those rocks to sailors oft destruction proved, But now the couple saved, who thither moved: 'Tis even said the jewels were not lost, But sweet Alaciel, howsoever tost, Preserved the caskets, which with strings were tied; And seizing these, the treasure drew aside.

OUR swimmer on his back the princess bore; The rock attained; but hardships were not o'er; Misfortunes dire the noble pair pursued And famine, worst of ills, around was viewed. No ship was near; the light soon passed away; The night the same; again appeared the day; No vessel hove in sight; no food to eat; Our couple's wretchedness seemed now complete; Hope left them both, and, mutual passion moved, Their situation more tormenting proved.

LONG time in silence they each other eyed At length, to speak the lovely charmer tried Said she, 'tis useless, Hispal, to bewail: Tears, with the cruel Parcae, naught avail; Each other to console be now our aim; Grim death his course will follow still the same. To mitigate the smart let's try anew; In such a place as this few joys accrue.

CONSOLE each other, say you? Hispal cried; What can console when forced one's love to hide? Besides, fair princess, ev'ry way 'tis clear, Improper 'twere for you to love while here; I equally could death or famine brave; But you I tremble for, and wish to save.

THESE words so pained the fair, that gushing tears Bedewed Alaciel's cheeks, her looks spoke fears; The ardent flame which she'd so long concealed; Burst forth in sighs, and all its warmth revealed; While such emotion Hispal's eyes expressed, That more than words his anxious wish confessed. These tender scenes were followed by a kiss, The prelude sweet of soft enchanting bliss; But whether taken, or by choice bestowed, Alike 'twas clear, their heaving bosoms glowed.

THOSE vows now o'er, said Hispal with a sigh, In this adventure, if we're doomed to die, Indiff'rent surely 'tis, the prey to be Of birds of air, or fishes of the sea; My reason tells me ev'ry grave's the same, Return we must, at last, from whence we came, Here ling'ring death alone we can expect; To brave the waves 'tis better to elect; I yet have strength, and 'tis not far to land; The wind sets fair: let's try to gain the strand; From rock to rock we'll go: I many view, Where I can rest; to THIS we'll bid adieu.

TO move, Alaciel readily agreed; Again our couple ventured to proceed; The casket safe in tow; the weather hot; From rock to rock with care our swimmer got; The princess, anxious on his back to keep:-- New mode of traversing the wat'ry deep.

WITH Heav'n's assistance, and the rocks for rest, The youth, by hunger and fatigue oppressed, Uneasiness of mind, weighed down with care, Not for himself, but safety of the fair, A fast of two long tedious days now o'er, The casket and the belle he brought on shore:

I THINK you cry--how wond'rously exact, To bring the casket into ev'ry act! Is that a circumstance of weight I pray? It truly seems so, and without delay, You'll see if I be wrong; no airy flight, Or jeer, or raillery, have I in sight. Had I embarked our couple in a ship Without or cash or jewels for the trip, Distress had followed, you must be aware; 'Tis past our pow'r to live on love or air; In vain AFFECTION ev'ry effort tries Inexorable hunger ALL defies.

THE casket, with the diamonds proved a source, To which 'twas requisite to have recourse; Some Hispal sold, and others put in pawn, And purchased, near the coast, a house and lawn; With woods, extensive park, and pleasure ground; And many bow'rs and shady walks around, Where charming hours they passed, and this 'twas plain, Without the casket they could n'er obtain.

BENEATH the wood there was a secret grot, Where lovers, when they pleased, concealment got, A quiet, gloomy, solitary place, Designed by nature for the billing race.

ONE day, as through the grove a walk they sought, The god of love our couple thither brought; His wishes, Hispal, as they went along, Explained im part by words direct and strong; The rest his sighs expressed, (they spoke the soul;)-- The princess, trembling, listened to the whole.

SAID he, we now are in a place retired, Unknown to man, (such spots how oft desired!) Let's take advantage of the present hour: No joys, but those of LOVE, are in our pow'r; All others see withdrawn! and no one knows We even live; perhaps both friends and foes Believe us in the belly of a whale; Allow me, lovely princess, to prevail; Bestow your kindness, or, without delay, Those charms to Mamolin let me convey. Yet, why go thither?--happy you could make The man, whose constancy no perils shake, What would you more?--his passion's ardent grown; And surely you've enough resistance shown.

SUCH tender elocution Hispal used, That e'en to marble, 'Twould have warmth infused; While fair Alaciel, on the bark of trees, With bodkin wrote, apparently at ease. But Cupid drew her thoughts to higher things, Than merely graving what from fancy springs. Her lover and the place, at once assured, That such a secret would be well secured; A tempting bait, which made her, with regret, Resist the witching charm that her beset.

UNLUCKILY, 'twas then the month of May, When youthful hearts are often led astray, And soft desire can scarcely be concealed, But presses through the pores to be revealed. How many do we see, by slow degrees, And, step by step, accord their ALL to please, Who, at the onset, never dreamed to grant The smallest favour to their fond gallant. The god of love so archly acts his part, And, in unguarded moments, melts the heart, That many belles have tumbled in the snare, Who, how it happened, scarcely could declare.

WHEN they had reached the pleasing secret spot; Young Hispal wished to go within the grot; Though nearly overcome, she this declined; But then his services arose to mind; Her life from Ocean's waves, her honour too, To him she owed; what could he have in view? A something, which already has been shown, Was saved through Hispal's nervous arm alone: Said he, far better bless a real friend, Than have each treasure rifled in the end, By some successful ruffian; think it o'er; You little dream for whom you guard the store.

THE princess felt the truth of this remark, And half surrendered to the loving spark; A show'r obliged the pair, without delay, To seek a shed:--the place I need not say; The rest within the grotto lies concealed:-- The scenes of Cupid ne'er should be revealed. Alaciel blame, or not--I've many known, With less excuses, who've like favours shown.

ALONE the cavern witnessed not their bliss; In love, a point once gained, naught feels amiss, If trees could speak that grew within the dell, What joys they viewed--what stories they might tell! The park, the lawn, the pleasure grounds, and bow'rs, The belts of roses, and the beds of flow'rs, All, all could whisper something of the kind; At length, both longed their friends again to find, Quite cloyed with love, they sighed to be at court; Thus spoke the fair her wishes to support.

LOVED youth, to ME you must be ever dear; To doubt it would ungen'rous now appear; But tell me, pray, what's love without desire, Devoid of fear, and nothing to acquire? Flame unconfined is soon exhausted found, But, thwarted in its course 'twill long abound; I fear this spot, which we so highly prize, Will soon appear a desert in our eyes, And prove at last our grave; relieve my woe; At once to Alexandria, Hispal go; Alive pronounced, you presently will see, What worthy people think of you and me; Conceal our residence, declare you came, My journey to prepare, (your certain aim,) And see that I've a num'rous escort sent, To guard me from a similar event. By it, believe me, you shall nothing lose; And this is what I willingly would choose; For, be I single, or in Hymen's band, I'd have you follow me by sea and land, And be assured, should favour I withdraw, That I've observed in you some glaring flaw.

WERE her intentions fully as expressed, Or contrary to what her lips confessed, No matter which her view, 'twas very plain, If she would Hispal's services retain, 'Twere right the youth with promises to feed, While his assistance she so much must need: As soon as he was ready to depart She pressed him fondly to her glowing heart, And charged him with a letter to the king; This Hispal hastened to the prince to bring; Each sail he crowded:--plied with ev'ry oar; A wind quite fair soon brought him to shore; To court he went, where all with eager eyes, Demanded if he lived, amid surprise, And where he left the princess; what her state? These questions answered, Hispal, quite elate, Procured the escort, which, without delay, Though leaving him behind, was sent away: No dark mistrust retained the noble youth; But Zarus wished it: such appeared the truth.

BY one of early years the troop was led, A handsome lad, and elegantly bred. He landed with his party near the park. And these in two divided ere 'twas dark.

ONE half he left a guard upon the shore, And with the other hastened to the door, Where dwelled the belle, who daily fairer grew: Our chief was smitten instantly at view; And, fearing opportunity again, Like this, perhaps, he never might obtain, Avowed at once his passion to the fair; At which she frowned, and told him, with an air; To recollect his duty, and her rank:-- With equals only, he should be so frank.

ON these occasions, prudent 'tis to show Your disappointment by a face of woe; Seem ev'ry way the picture of despair:-- This countenance our knight appeared to wear; To starve himself he vowed was his design; To use the poniard he should ne'er incline, For then no time for penitence would rest.- The princess of his folly made a jest. He fasted one whole day; she-tried in vain To make him from the enterprise refrain.

AT length, the second day she 'gan to feel, And strong emotion scarcely could conceal. What! let a person die her charms could save! 'Twas cruel, thus to treat a youth so brave. Through pity, she at last, to please the chief, Consented to bestow on him relief; For, favours, when conferred with sullen air, But little gratify she was aware.

WHen satisfied the smart gallant appeared, And anxiously to putting off adhered, Pretending that the wind and tide would fail; The galleys sometimes were unfit to sail, Repairs required; then further heard the news, That certain pirates had unpleasant views; To fall upon the escort they'd contrived: At length, a pirate suddenly arrived, Surprized the party left upon the shore, Destroyed the whole; then sought the house for more, And scaled the walls while darkness spread around. The pirate was Grifonio's second found, Who, in a trice, the noble mansion took, And joy gave place to grief in ev'ry look.

THe Alexandrian swore and cursed his lot; The pirate soon the lady's story got, And, taking her aside, his share required Such impudence Alaciel's patience tired, Who, ev'ry thing refused with haughty air; Of this, howe'er, the robber was aware; In Venus' court no novice was he thought; To gain the princess anxiously he sought; Said he, you'd better take me as a friend; I'm more than pirate, and you'll comprehend, As you've obliged one dying swain to fast, You fast in turn, or you'll give way at last; 'Tis justice this demands: we sons of sea Know how to deal with those of each degree; Remember you will nothing have to eat, Till your surrender fully is complete.

NO haggling, princess pray, my word receive; What could be done, her terror to relieve? Above all law is might:--'twill take its course; Entire submission is the last resource.

OF'T what we would not, we're obliged to do, When fate our steps with rigour will pursue. No folly greater than to heighten pain, When we are sensible relief is vain. What she, through pity, to another gave, Might well be granted when herself 'twould save.

AT length she yielded to this suitor rude:-- No grief so great, but what may be subdued. 'Twould in the pirate doubtless have been wise, The belle to move, and thus prevent surprise; But who, from folly in amours is free? The god of love and wisdom ne'er agree.

WHILE our gay pirate thought himself at ease, The wind quite fair to sail when he might please, Dame Fortune, sleepy only while we wake, And slily watching when repose we take, Contrived a trick the cunning knave to play, And this was put in force ere break of day.

A LORD, the owner of a neighb'ring seat, Unmarried;--fond of what was nice and neat, Without attachment, and devoid of care, Save something new to meet among the FAIR; Grew tired of those he long around had viewed, Now constantly, in thought, our belle pursued. He'd money, friends, and credit all his days, And could two thousand men at pleasure raise: One charming morn, together these he brought; Said he, brave fellows, can it well be thought, That we allow a pirate, (dire disgrace!) To plunder as he likes before our face, And make a slave of one whose form 's divine? Let's to the castle, such is my design, And from the ruffian liberate the fair; This evening ev'ry one will here repair, Well armed, and then in silence we'll proceed, (By night 'tis nothing will impede,) And ere Aurora peeps, perform the task; The only booty that I mean to ask Is this fair dame; but not a slave to make, I anxiously desire to let her take Whate'er is her's:--restore her honour too; All other things I freely leave to you; Men, horses, baggage, in a word, the whole Of what the knavish rascals now control. Another thing, howe'er:--I wish to hang The pirate instantly, before his gang.

THIS speech so well succeeded to inspire, That scarcely could the men retain their ire.

THE evening came, the party soon arrived; They ate not much, but drink their rage revived. By such expensive treats we've armies known, In Germany and Flanders overthrown; And our commander was of this aware 'Twas prudent, surely, no expense to spare.

THEY carried ladders for the escalade, And each was furnished with a tempered blade; No other thing embarrassing they'd got; No drums; but all was silent as the grot.