The Tales and Novels, v15: The Mandrake & The Rhemese

Excerpt

          TO Florence then returned a youth from France;
          Where he had studied,—­more than complaisance: 
          Well trained as any from that polished court;
          To Fortune’s favours anxious to resort;
          Gallant and seeking ev’ry FAIR to please;
          Each house, road, alley, soon he knew at ease;
          The husbands, good or bad, their whims and years,
          With ev’ry thing that moved their hopes or fears;
          What sort of fuel best their females charmed;
          What spies were kept by those who felt alarmed;
          The if’s, for’s, to’s, and ev’ry artful wile,
          That might in love a confidant beguile,
          Or nurse, or father-confessor, or dog;
          When passion prompts, few obstacles can clog.