The Tales and Novels, v16: The Amorous Courtesan & Nicaise

Excerpt

          A hundred instances the fact attest,
          But sage Boccace has one, it is confessed,
          Which seems to me, howe’er we search around,
          To be a sample, rarely to be found. 
          ’Tis Chimon that I mean, a savage youth,
          Well formed in person, but the rest uncouth,
          A bear in mind, but Cupid much can do,
          LOVE licked the cub, and decent soon he grew. 
          A fine gallant at length the lad appeared;
          From whence the change?—­Fine eyes his bosom cheered
          The piercing rays no sooner reached his sight,
          But all the savage took at once to flight;
          He felt the tender flame; polite became;
          You’ll find howe’er, our tale is not the same.