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<div style="background:#fff;border:#bbb dashed 1px;padding:5px"><a href="http://en.citatepedia.ro/comments.php?id=431341" style="color:#000;text-decoration:none"><div style="margin:10px 0"><strong>King Candaules And The Doctor Of Laws</strong></div><div style="margin:10px 0">IN life oft ills from self-imprudence spring;<br>As proof, Candaules' story we will bring;<br>In folly's scenes the king was truly great:<br>His vassal, Gyges, had from him a bait,<br>The like in gallantry was rarely known,<br>And want of prudence never more was shown.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">MY friend, said he, you frequently have seen<br>The beauteous face and features of the queen;<br>But these are naught, believe me, to the rest,<br>Which solely can be viewed when quite undressed.<br>Some day I'll let you gratify your eyes;<br>Without her knowledge I'll means devise;<br>But on condition:--you'll remember well<br>What you behold, to no one you will tell,<br>In ev'ry step most cautiously proceed,<br>And not your mind with silly wishes feed;<br>No sort of pleasure surely I could take,<br>To see vain passion you her lover make.<br>You must propose, this charming form to view,<br>As if mere marble, though to nature true;<br>And I'm convinced you'll readily declare,<br>Beyond nor art can reach, nor thought prepare;<br>Just now I left her in the bath at ease:<br>A judge you are, and shall the moment seize;<br>Come, witness my felicity supreme;<br>You know her beauties are my constant theme.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">AWAY they went, and Gyges much admired;<br>Still more than that: in truth his breast was fired;<br>For when she moved astonishment was great,<br>And ev'ry grace upon her seemed to wait.<br>Emotion to suppress howe'er he tried,<br>Since he had promised what he felt to hide;<br>To hold his tongue he wished, but that might raise<br>Suspicions of designs and mystick ways.<br>Exaggeration was the better part,<br>And from the subject he would never start,<br>But fully praised each beauty in detail,<br>Without appearing any thing to veil.<br>Gods! Gyges cried, how truly, king, you're blessed;<br>The skin how fair--how charming all the rest!</div><div style="margin:10px 0">THIS am'rous conversation by the queen<br>Was never heard, or she'd enraged have been;<br>In ancient days of ignorance, we find,<br>The sex, to show resentment, much inclined;<br>In diff'rent light at present this appears,<br>And fulsome praises ne'er offend their ears.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">OUR arch observer struggled with his sighs<br>Those feelings much increased, so fair the prize:<br>The prince, in doubt, conducted him away;<br>But in his heart a hundred arrows lay;<br>Each magick charm directed pointed darts;<br>To flee were useless: LOVE such pain imparts,<br>That nothing can at times obstruct its course;<br>So quick the flight: so truly great the force.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">WHILE near the king, much caution Gyges showed;<br>But soon the belle perceived his bosom glowed;<br>She learned the cause:--her spouse the tale disclosed,<br>And laughed and jeered, as he the facts exposed:<br>A silly blockhead! not to know a queen<br>Could raillery not bear on such a scene.<br>But had it pleased her wishes, still 'twere right<br>(Such honour's dictates) to discover spite;<br>And this she truly did, while in her mind,<br>To be revenged she fully was inclined.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">FOR once, good reader, I should wish thee wife;<br>Or otherwise, thou never can'st in life,<br>Conceive the lengths a woman oft will go,<br>Whose breast is filled with wrath and secret woe.<br>A mortal was allowed these charms to view,<br>Which others' eyes could never dare pursue.<br>Such treasures were for gods, or rather kings<br>The privilege of both are beauteous things.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">THESE thoughts induced the queen revenge to seek;<br>Rage moved her breast, and shame possessed her cheek.<br>E'en Cupid, we are told, assistance gave;<br>What from his aim effectually can save?<br>Fair in person was Gyges to behold;<br>Excuses for her easy 'twere to mould;<br>To show her charms, what baseness could excel?<br>And on th' exposer all her hatred fell.<br>Besides, he was a husband, which is worse<br>With these each sin receives a double curse.<br>What more shall I detail?--the facts are plain:<br>Detested was the king:--beloved the swain;<br>All was accomplished, and the monarch placed<br>Among the heroes who with horns are graced;<br>No doubt a dignity not much desired,<br>Though in repute, and easily acquired.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">SUCH merit had the prince's folly got,<br>'In petto', Vulcan's brother was his lot;<br>The distance thence is little to the HAT:<br>The honour much the same of this or that.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">SO far 'twas passing well, but, in the intrigue;<br>The cruel Parcae now appeared to league;<br>And soon the lovers, on possession bent,<br>To black Cocytus' shores the monarch sent;<br>Too much of certain potions forced to drink,<br>He quickly viewed the dreary, horrid brink;<br>While pleasing the objects Gyges' eyes beheld;<br>And in the palace presently he dwelled,<br>For, whether love or rage the widow fired,<br>Her throne and hand she gave, as was required.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">T' EXTEND this tale was never my design;<br>Though known full well, I do not now repine;<br>The case so thoroughly my purpose served.<br>Ne'er from the narrative the object swerved;<br>And scarcely can I fancy, better light<br>The DOCTOR will afford to what I write.<br>The scenes that follow I from Rome have drawn;<br>Not Rome of old, ere manners had their dawn,<br>When customs were unpleasant and severe<br>The females, silly, and gallants in fear;<br>But Rome of modern days, delightful spot!<br>Where better tastes have into fashion got,<br>And pleasure solely occupies the mind<br>To rapture ev'ry bosom seems resigned.<br>A tempting journey truly it appears,<br>For youths from twenty on to thirty years.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">NOT long ago, then, in the city dwelled,<br>A master, who in teaching law excelled;<br>In other matters he, howe'er, was thought<br>A man that jollity and laughter sought.<br>He criticised whatever passed around,<br>And oft, at others' cost, diversion found.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">IT happened that our learned doctor had,<br>Among his many pupils (good and bad)<br>A Frenchman, less designed to study laws,<br>Than, in amours, perhaps, to gain applause.<br>One day, observing him with clouded mien,<br>My friend, said he, you surely have the spleen,<br>And, out of college, nothing seem to do;<br>No law books read:--some object I'd pursue;<br>A handsome Frenchman should his hours improve;<br>Seek soft intrigues, or as a lover move;<br>Talents you have, and gay coquettes are here<br>Not one, thank heav'n, but numbers oft appear.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">THE, student answered, I am new at Rome,<br>And, save the belles who sell their beauteous bloom,<br>I can't perceive, gallants much business find,<br>Each house, like monasteries, is designed,<br>With double doors, and bolts, and matrons sour,<br>And husbands Argus-eyed, who'd you devour.<br>Where can I go to follow up your plan,<br>And hope, in spots like these, a flame to fan?<br>'Twere not less difficult to reach the moon,<br>And with my teeth I'd bite it just as soon.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">HA! HA! replied the doctor with delight,<br>The honour which you do us is not slight;<br>I pity men quite fresh and raw like you;<br>Our town, I see, you've hardly travelled through,<br>You fancy then, such wily snares are set,<br>'Tis difficult intrigues in Rome to get.<br>I'd have you know, we've creatures who devise,<br>To horn their husbands under Argus' eyes.<br>'Tis very common; only try around,<br>And soon you'll find, that sly amours abound.<br>Within the neighb'ring church go take your place,<br>And, to the dames who pass in search of grace,<br>Present your fingers dipt in water blessed:--<br>A sign for those who wish to be caressed.<br>In case the suppliant's air some lady please,<br>Who knows her trade, and how to act at ease,<br>She'll send a message, something to desire:<br>You'll soon be found, wherever you retire,<br>Though lodged so secretly, that God alone,<br>Till then, your place of residence had known.<br>An aged female will on you attend,<br>Who, used to this, will full assistance lend,<br>Arrange an interview with wily art;<br>No trouble take, you'll have an easy part;<br>No trouble did I say? why, that's too much;<br>Some things I would except, their pow'r is such;<br>And proper 'tis, my friend, that I should hint,<br>Attentions you at Rome should well imprint,<br>And be discrete; in France you favours boast:<br>Of ev'ry moment here you make the most;<br>The Romans to the greatest lengths proceed.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">So best, the spark replied, I like the deed;<br>And, though no Gascon, I may boldly say;<br>Superior prowess always I display.<br>Perhaps 'twas otherwise, for ev'ry wight;<br>In this, to play the Gascon, thinks it right.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">To all the doctor's words our youth adhered,<br>And presently within a church appeared,<br>Where daily came the choicest belles around,<br>And loves and graces in their train were found,<br>Or, if 'tis wished in modern phrase to speak,<br>Attention num'rous angels there would seek.<br>Beneath their veils were beauteous sparkling eyes;<br>The holy-water scarcely would suffice.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">IN lucky spot the spark his station took,<br>And gave to each that passed a plaintive look;<br>To some he bowed; to others seemed to pray,<br>And holy water offered on their way.<br>One angel 'mong the rest the boon received,<br>With easy pleasing air, that much relieved;<br>On which the student to himself expressed,<br>A fond belief, with her he might be blessed.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">WHEN home, an aged female to him came,<br>And soon a meeting place he heard her name.<br>To count particulars howe'er were vain<br>Their pranks were many, and their folly plain;<br>The belle was handsome; ev'ry bliss was sought,<br>And all their moments most delightful thought.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">HE, to the doctor, ev'ry matter told<br>Discretion in a Frenchman would be cold;<br>'Tis out of nature, and bespeaks the cit;<br>Smells strong of shop, and would not fashion fit.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">THE learned teacher satisfaction showed,<br>That such success from his instructions flowed,<br>Laughed heartily at husbands, silly wights,<br>Who had not wit to guard connubial rights,<br>And from their lamb the wily wolf to keep:<br>A shepherd will o'erlook a hundred sheep,<br>While foolish man's unable to protect,<br>E'en one where most he'd wish to be correct.<br>Howe'er, this care he thought was somewhat hard,<br>But not a thing impossible to guard;<br>And if he had not got a hundred eyes,<br>Thank heav'n, his wife, though cunning to devise,<br>He could defy:--her thoughts so well he knew,<br>That these intrigues she never would pursue.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">YOU'LL, ne'er believe, good reader, without shame,<br>The doctor's wife was she our annals name;<br>And what's still worse, so many things he asked,<br>Her look, air, form, and secret charms unmasked,<br>That ev'ry answer fully seemed to say,<br>'Twas clearly she, who thus had gone astray.<br>One circumstance the lawyer led to doubt:<br>Some talents had the student pointed out,<br>Which she had never to her husband shown,<br>And this relief administered alone.<br>Thought he, those manners not to her belong,<br>But all the rest are indications strong,<br>And prove the case; yet she at home is dull;<br>While this appears to be a prattling trull,<br>And pleasing in her conversation too;<br>In other matters 'tis my wife we view,<br>Form, face, complexion, features, eyes, and hair,<br>The whole combined pronounces her the fair.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">AT length, when to himself the sage had said<br>'Tis she; and then, 'tis not;--his senses led<br>To make him in the first opinion rest,<br>You well may guess what rage was in his breast.<br>A second meeting you have fixed? cried he;<br>Yes, said the Frenchman, that was made with glee;<br>We found the first so pleasing to our mind,<br>That to another both were well inclined,<br>And thoroughly resolved more fun to seek.<br>That's right, replied the doctor, have your freak;<br>The lady howsoe'er I now could name.<br>The scholar answered, that to me's the same;<br>I care not what she's called, Nor who she be:<br>'Tis quite enough that we so well agree.<br>By this time I'm convinced her loving spouse.<br>Possesses what an anchorite might rouse;<br>And if a failure any where be met,<br>At such a place to-morrow one may get,<br>What I shall hope, exactly at the hour,<br>To find resigned and fully in my pow'r:</div><div style="margin:10px 0">IN bed I shall be instantly received,<br>And from anxiety be soon relieved.<br>The place of meeting is a room below,<br>Most nicely furnished, rich, but void of show.<br>At first I through a passage dark was led,<br>Where Sol's bright rays are ne'er allowed to spread;<br>But soon, by my conductress, I was brought,<br>'Mid LOVE'S delights, where all with charms was frought.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">ON this you may suppose the doctor's pain;<br>But presently he thought a point to gain,<br>And take the student's place by wily art,<br>Where, acting in disguise the lover's part,<br>His rib he might entangle in a net,<br>And vassalage bestow she'd ne'er forget.<br>Our learned man was clearly in the wrong;<br>'Twere better far to sleep and hold his tongue;<br>Unless, with God's assistance, he could raise<br>A remedy that merited full praise.<br>Whenever wives have got a candidate,<br>To be admitted to the Cuckold's state,<br>If thence he get scot free 'tis luck indeed;<br>But once received, and ornaments decreed,<br>A blot the more will surely nothing add,<br>To one already in the garment clad.<br>The doctor otherwise however thought;<br>Yet still his reason no advantage brought;<br>Indeed he fancied, if he could forestall<br>The youth who now he might his master call;<br>The trick would to his wisdom credit do,<br>And show, superior wiles he could pursue.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">AWAY the husband hastened to the place;<br>In full belief, that, hiding well his face,<br>And favoured by the darkness of the spot,<br>The silence marked, and myst'ry of the plot,<br>He, undiscovered, safely might be led,<br>Where such delicious fruits were ready spread.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">MISFORTUNE, howsoe'er, would so direct<br>The aged female nothing to neglect,<br>Had with her got a lantern to conduct,<br>The light from which at will she could obstruct,<br>And, far more cunning than our learned sage,<br>Perceived at once with whom she had t'engage;<br>But, marking no surprise, she bade him wait,<br>While she, his coming, to her dame should state.<br>Said she, unless I tell her first you're here,<br>I dare not let you in her room appear.<br>Besides, you have not got the right attire;<br>Undressed, in truth, is what she would desire.<br>My lady, you must know, is gone to bed:--<br>Then, thrusting in a dressing room his head,<br>He there beheld the necessary fare,<br>Of night-cap, slippers, shirt, and combs for hair,<br>With perfumes too, in Rome the nicest known,<br>And fit for highest cardinals to own.<br>His clothes the learned doctor laid aside;<br>The aged female came his steps to guide;<br>Through passages she led him by the hand,<br>Where all was dark, and many turnings planned;<br>At once bewildered, and deprived of sight,<br>The lawyer tottered much for want of light.<br>At length she ope'd a door, and pushed the sage,<br>Where most unpleasantly he must engage,<br>Though doubtless ev'ry way his proper place:--<br>The school where he was used the LAWS to trace!<br>O'ercome with shame, confusion, and surprise,<br>He nearly fainted, vain 'twere to disguise.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">THE circumstances ran throughout the town;<br>Each student then was waiting in his gown;<br>Enough, no doubt, his fortunes to destroy;<br>The laugh went round, and all was jest and joy.<br>What, is he mad? said they, or would he seek<br>Some lass, and with her wish to have a freak?<br>Still worse arrived:--his beauteous spouse complained;<br>A trial followed, and distractions reigned;<br>Her relatives supported well the cause,<br>And represented, that the MAN of LAWS,<br>Occasioned jars and matrimonial strife;<br>That he was mad, and she, a prudent wife,<br>The marriage was annulled, and she withdrew:<br>Retirement now the lady would pursue,<br>In Vavoureuse a prelate blessed the dame,<br>And, at Saint Croissant, she a nun became.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br /></a><br />poem by <a href="http://en.citatepedia.ro/by.php?a=La+Fontaine">La Fontaine</a><div class=q>
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<script type="text/javascript" src="//s7.addthis.com/js/300/addthis_widget.js#pubid=citatepedia" async="async"></script><div style="display:inline-block" class="addthis_sharing_toolbox" data-url="http://en.citatepedia.ro/comments.php?id=431341" data-title="King Candaules And The Doctor Of Laws de La Fontaine" data-description="IN life oft ills from self-imprudence spring;
As proof, Candaules' story we will bring;
In folly's scenes the king was truly great:
His vassal, Gyges, had from him a bait,
The like in gallantry was rarely known,
And want of prudence never more was..."></div>
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