XVI. For glances beget ogles, ogles sighs, Sighs wishes, wishes words, and words a letter, Which flies on wings of light-heeled Mercuries, Who do such things because they know no better; And then, God knows what mischief may arise, When love links two young people in one fetter, Vile assignations, and adulterous beds, Elopements, broken vows, and hearts, and heads. XVII. Shakespeare described the sex in Desdemona Such matters may be probably the same, Except that since those times was never known a Husband whom mere suspicion could inflame To suffocate a wife no more than twenty, XVIII. Their jealousy (if they are ever jealous) Which smothers women in a bed of feather, XIX. Didst ever see a gondola? For fear You should not, I'll describe it you exactly: 'Tis a long cover'd boat that's common here, Carved at the prow, built lightly, but com. pactly, Row'd by two rowers, each call'd „Gondolier,“ It glides along the water looking blackly, Just like a coffin clapt in a canoe, Where none can make out what you say or do. XX. And up and down the long canals they go, By night and day, all paces, swift or slow, But not to them do woeful things belong, For sometimes they contain a deal of fun, But to my story. XXI. "Twas some years ago, It may be thirty, forty, more or less, The carnival was at its height, and so Were all kinds of buffoonery and dress; A certain lady went to see the show, Her real name I know not, nor can guess, And so we'll call her Laura, if you please, Because it slips into my verse with ease. B XXII. She was not old, nor young, nor at the years Because I never heard, nor could engage XXIII. Laura was blooming still, had made the best She look'd extremely well where'er she went : A pretty woman is a welcome guest, And Laura's brow a frown had rarely bent, Indeed she shone all smiles, and seem'd to flatter Mankind with her black eyes for looking at her. XXIV. She was a married woman; 'tis convenient, A well-timed wedding makes the scandal cool) I don't know how they ever can get over it, Except they manage never to discover it. XXV. Her husband sail'd upon the Adriatic, (A forty days' precaution 'gainst disease,) His name Giuseppe, called more briefly, Beppo. |