LOVE AND A QUIET LIFE. FROM “L’AMOR PACIFICO.”

O blessed peace! O close and sacred tie!

Long life to Veneranda and her dove!

But I must needs inform you how and why

This faithful pair first told their tender love.

At a friend’s house they’d dined, and when upstairs

Found themselves side by side in two arm-chairs.

75When half-an-hour had mutely passed away,

Taddeo plucked up heart and broke the ice.

“Pray, madam, ... did you like the cream to-day?”

“Delicious!” “I’m so glad you thought it nice.

The ham too?” “Exquisite!” “And then the birds?”

“Perfection!” “And the fish?” “Beyond all words!”

“’Tis true that we had hardly room to sit.”

“Nay, ’twas a pleasure, when one sat by you;

But if, dear ma’am, I jogged your arm a bit,

Trust me, ’twas what I could not choose but do.”

“Don’t mention it. You suffered, I suspect?

I’m stout, you see!” “An excellent defect!”

“Indeed?” “Indeed! That face now, in my eyes,

Blooms like May day. Long may it last in blow!”

“I’m healthy!” “Healthy! Fresh as Paradise!”

“Come, come! I’m somewhat stout!” “And better so!

For my part, if I might, I’d very fain

Have leave to call upon you now and then.”

“Oh! you’d be bored!” “I bored! What words are these?

’Twould rather be my best and primest pleasure.”

“Fie! Now you’re flattering! Well! Come when you please!”

“I think, dear madam, in no common measure,

Our characters are fitted to unite,

What do you say?”

“La!—Well—perhaps they might!”

Giuseppe Giusti (1809–1850).

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