<div style="background:#fff;border:#bbb dashed 1px;padding:5px"><a href="http://en.citatepedia.ro/comments.php?id=431346" style="color:#000;text-decoration:none"><div style="margin:10px 0"><strong>St. Julian's Prayer</strong></div><div style="margin:10px 0">TO charms and philters, secret spells and prayers,<br>How many round attribute all their cares!<br>In these howe'er I never can believe,<br>And laugh at follies that so much deceive.<br>Yet with the beauteous FAIR, 'tis very true,<br>These WORDS, as SACRED VIRTUES, oft they view;<br>The spell and philter wonders work in love<br>Hearts melt with charms supposed from pow'rs above!</div><div style="margin:10px 0">MY aim is now to have recourse to these,<br>And give a story that I trust will please,<br>In which Saint Julian's prayer, to Reynold D'Ast,<br>Produced a benefit, good fortune classed.<br>Had he neglected to repeat the charm,<br>Believed so thoroughly to guard from harm,<br>He would have found his cash accounts not right,<br>And passed assuredly a wretched night.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">ONE day, to William's castle as he moved.<br>Three men, whose looks he very much approved,<br>And thought such honest fellows he had round,<br>Their like could nowhere be discovered round;<br>Without suspecting any thing was wrong,<br>The three, with complaisance and fluent tongue,<br>Saluted him in humble servile style,<br>And asked, (the minutes better to beguile,)<br>If they might bear him company the way;<br>The honour would be great, and no delay;<br>Besides, in travelling 'tis safer found,<br>And far more pleasant, when the party's round;<br>So many robbers through the province range,<br>(Continued they) 'tis wonderfully strange,<br>The prince should not these villains more restrain;<br>But there:--bad MEN will somewhere still remain.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">TO their proposal Reynold soon agreed,<br>And they resolved together to proceed.<br>When 'bout a league the travellers had moved,<br>Discussing freely, as they all approved,<br>The conversation turned on spells and prayer,<br>Their pow'r o'er worms of earth, or birds of air;<br>To charm the wolf, or guard from thunder's roar,<br>And many wonderful achievements more;<br>Besides the cures a prayer would oft produce;<br>To man and beast it proves of sov'reign use,<br>Far greater than from doctors e'er you'll view,<br>Who, with their Latin, make so much ado.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">IN turn, the three pretended knowledge great,<br>And mystick facts affected to relate,<br>While Reynold silently attention paid<br>To all the words the honest fellows said:--<br>Possess you not, said one, some secret prayer<br>To bring you aid, when dangers round you stare?<br>To this our Reynold seriously replied,<br>Myself, on secret spells, I do not pride;<br>But still some WORDS I have that I repeat,<br>Each morn I travel, that I may not meet<br>A horrid lodging where I stop at night;<br>'Tis called SAINT JULIAN'S PRAYER that I recite,<br>And truly I have found, that when I fail<br>To say this prayer, I've reason to bewail.<br>But rarely I neglect so good a thing,<br>That ills averts, and may such blessings bring.<br>And have you clearly said it, sir, to day?<br>Cried one of those he met upon his way.<br>Yes, Reynold answered. Well, replied the Wight;<br>I'll wage, I'm better lodged than you to-night.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">'TWAS very cold, and darkness 'gan to peep;<br>The place was distant yet, where they might sleep.<br>Perhaps, said Reynold, 'tis your usual care,<br>In travelling, to say, like me, this prayer.<br>Not so, the other cried, to you I vow,<br>Invoking saints is not my practice now;<br>But should I lose, thenceforth I'll them address.--<br>Said Reynold, readily I acquiesce;<br>My life I'd venture, should you to an inn,<br>For, in the town, I've neither friend nor kin,<br>And, if you like, we'll this exception make.<br>The other answered: Well, the bet I'll take;<br>Your horse and coat against my purse you wage,<br>And, sure of gaining, readily engage.<br>Our Wight might then have thoroughly perceived,<br>His horse was lost--no chance to be relieved.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">BESIDE a wood, as on the party moved,<br>The one, who betting had so much approved,<br>Now changed his tone, and in a surly way,<br>Exclaimed:--Alight--you'll find it time to pray;<br>Let me apprize you, distant is the place,<br>And much you'll need Saint Julian's special grace.<br>Come off, I tell you:--instantly they took<br>His purse, horse, clothes, and all their hands could hook<br>E'en seized his boots, and said with subtle sneer,<br>Your feet, by walking, won't the worse appear;<br>Then sought a diff'rent road by rapid flight,<br>And, presently the knaves were out of sight;<br>While Reynold still with stockings, drawers, and shirt,<br>But wet to skin, and covered o'er with dirt:<br>(The wind north-east in front--as cold as clay <br>In doleful dumps proceeded on his way,<br>And justly feared, that spite of faith and prayer,<br>He now should meet, at night, with wretched fare.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">HOWEVER, some pleasing hopes he still had yet,<br>That, from his cloak-bag, he some clothes might get;<br>For, we should note, a servant he had brought,<br>Who in the neighbourhood a farrier sought.<br>To set a shoe upon his horse, and then<br>Should join his master on the road agen;<br>But that, as we shall find, was not the case,<br>And Reynold's dire misfortune thence we trace.<br>In fact, the fellow, worthless we'll suppose,<br>Had viewed from far what accidents arose,<br>Then turned aside, his safety to secure,<br>And left his master dangers to endure;<br>So steadily be kept upon the trot,<br>To Castle-William, ere 'twas night, he got,<br>And took the inn which had the most renown;<br>For fare and furniture within the town,<br>There waited Reynold's coming at his ease,<br>With fire and cheer that could not fail to please.<br>His master, up to neck in dirt and wet,<br>Had num'rous difficulties o'er to get;<br>And when the snow, in flakes obscured the air,<br>With piercing cold and winds, he felt despair;<br>Such ills he bore, that hanging might be thought<br>A bed of roses rather to be sought.<br>CHANCE so arranges ev'ry thing around<br>ALL good, or ALL that's bad is solely found;<br>When favours flow the numbers are so great,<br>That ev'ry wish upon us seems to wait;<br>But, if disposed, misfortunes to bestow;<br>No ills forgot: each poignant pang we know.<br>In proof, attend my friends, this very night,<br>The sad adventures that befell our wight,<br>Who, Castle-William did not reach till late,<br>When they, an hour or more, had shut the gate.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">AT length our traveller approached the wall,<br>And, somehow to the foot contrived to crawl;<br>A roofed projection fortune led him near,<br>That joined a house, and 'gan his heart to cheer.<br>Delighted with the change he now had got,<br>He placed himself upon the sheltered spot;<br>A lucky hit but seldom comes alone;<br>Some straw, by chance, was near the mansion thrown,<br>Which Reynold 'neath the jutting penthouse placed<br>There, God be praised, cried he, a bed I've traced.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">MEANWHILE, the storm from ev'ry quarter pressed;<br>Our traveller was soon to death distressed;<br>With cold benumbed; by fell despair o'erspread;<br>He trembled, groaned:--teeth chattered in his head;<br>So loud his plaints, at length they reached the ear<br>Of one who dwelled within the mansion near:<br>A servant girl; her mistress brisk and gay:<br>A youthful widow, charming as the day;<br>The governor she privately received:<br>A noble marquis, who her cares relieved.<br>Oft interrupted when he sought the fair,<br>And wished at ease her company to share;<br>Desirous too of passing quite unknown,<br>A private door he presently was shown,<br>That opened to the fields, and gave access:<br>Through this he visited with such address,<br>That none within the town his commerce viewed,<br>Nor e'en a servant's eye his course pursued.<br>Surprise I feel, since pleasures of the mind,<br>Apparently were not for lords designed;<br>More pleased they seem when made the talk around<br>And soft amours divulged, delights are found.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">IT happened that the night our Job arrived,<br>And, stretched on straw, misfortune just survived,<br>The lady thought her fond gallant to see,<br>And ev'ry moment hoped with him to be.<br>The supper ready, and the room prepared,<br>Each rarity was served: no trouble spared;<br>Baths, perfumes, wines, most exquisite, in place,<br>And ev'ry thing around displaying grace,<br>With Cupid's whole artillery in view,<br>Not his, who would with sighs alone pursue,<br>But that kind god who always favour shows,<br>The source of happiness, whence pleasure flows.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">MEANWHILE, however, while thus the lady sought.<br>By ev'ry charm to please, a note was brought;<br>A page conveyed it, by the marquis sent,<br>To say his coming business would prevent.<br>The disappointment doubtless was severe,<br>But consolation certainly was near;<br>It proved to Reynold wonderfully kind,<br>For scarcely had our traveller resigned,<br>And groaned aloud, but, tender as her dame,<br>In haste the confidential servant came,<br>And to the widow said:--I hear below<br>Some poor unfortunate o'ercome with woe;<br>'Tis piercing cold, and he perhaps will die<br>Some place, pray grant, where he to-night may lie.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">MOST readily, replied the courteous fair,<br>We never use the garret:--lodge him there;<br>Some straw upon a couch will make a bed,<br>On which the wand'rer may repose his head;<br>Shut well the door, but first provide some meat,<br>And then permit him thither to retreat.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">WITHOUT this timely help 'twas clear our wight<br>Had ne'er survived the horrors of the night;<br>The door was ope'd, and Reynold blessed the hand<br>That gave relief, and stopt life's ebbing sand.<br>His tale he told; got spirits, strength, and ease;<br>In person tall, well made, and formed to please,<br>He looked not like a novice in amour,<br>Though young, and seeking shelter at a door.<br>His want of dress and miserable state<br>Raised shame indeed, and showed distress was great.<br>Though LOVE be seen in Nature's pure array,<br>No dirt appears, however you survey.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">THIS servant girl now hastened to the fair,<br>And ev'ry circumstance detailed with care.<br>See, said the lady, if within the press<br>There be not clothes to furnish him a dress;<br>My husband, now no more, must some have left;<br>Yes, said the girl, you're not of them bereft,<br>I recollect his wardrobe did abound;<br>And presently a handsome suit she found.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">MEANWHILE the lady having learned the name<br>Of Reynold D'Ast, his quality and fame,<br>(Himself it seems particulars detailed,<br>While all around his suff'rings keen bewailed,)<br>Her orders gave, the bath for her prepared<br>Should now receive the man her care had spared.<br>Unasked, the stranger this attention got,<br>And well perfumed ere clothes they would allot.<br>When dressed, he waited on the widow fair,<br>And paid his compliments with graceful air.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">THE supper (for the marquis first designed)<br>At length was served with taste the most refined.<br>Our trav'ller glad, an appetite displayed;<br>The lady carefully her guest surveyed,<br>And anxious seemed to gratify his wish,<br>By helping what appeared his favourite dish.<br>Already, perhaps, she felt a Cupid's dart,<br>And in her throbbing bosom knew the smart;<br>Or sympathy, or pity for his woes,<br>Might touch the spring whence softest passion flows.<br>On ev'ry side assailed the youthful dame<br>Herself surrendered unto Cupid's flame.<br>Should I give way, said she, who'll tell the tale?<br>No risk is run if secrecy prevail.<br>The marquis merits to be played the trick;<br>He no excuse can have, unless he's sick.<br>One sin against another I may weigh,<br>And man for man will equally repay.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">SO inexperienced Reynold was not found,<br>But that he saw how things were going round,<br>And, that Saint Julian's Prayer would yet succeed,<br>To give him all the lodging he might need.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">THE supper o'er, our couple left alone,<br>What fairer field could truly have been shown?<br>The belle now wore a smart becoming dress,<br>Designed, in ev'ry view, to prepossess.<br>'Twas NEGLIGENCE, so requisite to please<br>And fascinate, with airy, careless ease,<br>According to the taste which I pursue,<br>That made her charms so exquisite to view.<br>No gaudy tinsel: all was flowing light;<br>Though not superb, yet pleasing to the sight;<br>A neckerchief, where much should be concealed,<br>Was made so narrow,--beauties half revealed;<br>Beneath is shade--what words can ne'er express;<br>And Reynold saw enough the rest to guess.<br>No more I say; the belle indeed was fair,<br>Possessed of youth and all engaging air;<br>Tall, nicely formed; each grace, that hearts could win;<br>Not much of fat, nor yet appeared too thin.<br>Emotion, at the view, who would not feel?<br>To soft delight what bosom proves of steel?<br>No marble bust, philosopher, nor stone,<br>But similar sensation would have shown.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">THE silence first was broken by the dame;<br>Who spoke so freely, Reynold bolder came.<br>He knew not well, howe'er, discourse to find;<br>To help him out the widow was inclined;<br>Said she, you much remind me of a friend,<br>Whose ev'ry wish I sought with mine to blend<br>My husband (rest his soul!) had just those eyes,<br>That look, air, mouth:--the very height and size:<br>You greatly honour me, the spark replied:<br>Your charms howe'er might well have been his pride;<br>I ne'er beheld such soft engaging mien:<br>On earth, like beauty never yet was seen.<br>But, in extremes to be, appears my lot;<br>Just now I felt quite chilled:--at present hot;<br>Pray tell me which is best? The fair looked down,<br>And humbly seemed to wave the proffered crown,<br>That she might still more flattery receive<br>Address not small, if we'll our eyes believe.<br>The swain now praised each charm within his view,<br>And whatsoe'er his wishes could pursue;<br>Where hope was strong, and expectation high,<br>She would not long be cruel and deny.<br>To give the praise, your due, the lover cried,<br>And note the beauties that my heart divide,<br>'Twould take an age, and I've a single night,<br>Which surely might be passed with more delight.<br>The widow smiled; enough it seems was said;<br>And Reynold shortened--what to nothing led.<br>In war or love, time equally is dear;<br>More happy than our spark none could appear;<br>No point but what he gained; the smiling dame<br>Resistance only showed to raise the flame;<br>Nor more nor less; each belle like art has got,<br>And practises at will, or maid or not.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">BUT truly, it was never my intent<br>To count each favour she to Reynold lent;<br>Particulars exact of ev'ry kiss,<br>And all the preludes incident to bliss;<br>Both, doubtless, knew more ways than one to please;<br>And sought, with anxious care, love's charms to seize.<br>On recollection of the wretched state<br>In which our traveller had moved of late,<br>Some favour was bestowed:--there, cried the dame,<br>Is something to repay the road you came;<br>This for the cold; that fear; there thieves disgraced;<br>So, one by one, the whole was soon effaced.<br>In this way to be paid for ills we meet,<br>Who'd not be satisfied with boons so sweet?<br>And we conclude, that Reynold on the spot,<br>Love's am'rous recompense of pleasures got.<br>Now easy conversation was renewed;<br>Then mutual kisses; ev'ry sweet pursued.<br>'Twas time for bed; howe'er, the widow fair<br>Determined that her own the spark should share;<br>'Twas prudent, doubtless; like a lady wise;<br>Gallantly done: one room would well suffice.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">WHAT further passed betwixt the pair that night;<br>I cannot say, though we'll believe 'twas right;<br>Between the clothes when laid, and unrestrained,<br>Most clearly, Reynold all his wishes gained.<br>There he was recompensed for ev'ry grief;<br>The lady too, received so much relief,<br>That she desired his company again,<br>But still these visits secrets should remain;<br>'Twas requisite the governor to see;<br>Howe'er the dame delighted seemed to be,<br>And not content with what she had bestowed,<br>A purse well stored with gold to Reynold showed:<br>He took no more, indeed, than what would pay<br>The bare expenses on his homeward way;<br>Then sought the street that to the tavern led,<br>Where still his lazy servant was in bed;<br>The fellow mauled; then changed throughout his dress;<br>Since to the cloak-bag now he had access.<br>His fortune to complete, that day they took<br>The very wretches that he wished to hook.<br>He to the judge repaired with ev'ry haste;<br>In such a case you never time should waste;<br>For, once the things are into court received,<br>'Tis like the lion's den: naught e'er 's retrieved;<br>Their hands are closed, not 'gainst what may be brought<br>But to secure what from their grasp is sought.<br>Who seeks redress by law, facts oft have shown,<br>May bless his stars if he but keep his own.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">THE trial o'er, a gallows treble-faced,<br>Was, for their swinging, in the market placed,<br>ONE of the three harangued the mob around,<br>(His speech was for the others also found)<br>Then, 'bout their necks the halters being tied,<br>Repentant and confessed the culprits died.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">WHO, after this, will doubt the pow'r of prayers?<br>These silly knaves had banished all their cares;<br>And when at ease they thought to skip and prance,<br>Were seized and quickly taught another dance.<br>On t'other hand, where dire distress prevailed,<br>And death, in various ways, our spark assailed,<br>A beauty suddenly his senses charmed,<br>Who might a prelate's bosom have alarmed.<br>So truly fortunate, indeed, his lot,<br>Again his money, baggage, horse he got;<br>And, thank Saint Julian, howsoever tossed,<br>He passed a, blissful night that nothing cost.</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> <img src="https://www.citatepedia.ro/g/32share.png" style="float:left" alt="Share"> <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=431346" data-title="St. Julian's Prayer de La Fontaine" data-description="TO charms and philters, secret spells and prayers, How many round attribute all their cares! In these howe'er I never can believe, And laugh at follies that so much deceive. Yet with the beauteous FAIR, 'tis very true, These WORDS, as SACRED VIRTU..."></div> </div> </div>

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