"Ah, who?" she turned; I smiled like amorous Zeus; A certain vagueness clouded her wild eyes As though she saw a swan, a bull, a shower Of hurried flames, and felt divinely pleased. I cracked the whip and we were jolted down; A kiss was snatched getting the ribbons straight; We hardly heard them first begin to bawl, So great our expedition towards the town: We flew. I pulled up at an inn, then bid them Stable my mules and chariot and prepare A meal for Dives; meanwhile we would stroll Down to the market. Took her arm in mine, And, out of sight, hurried her through cross-lanes, Bade her choose, now at a fruit, now pastry booth. Until we gained my lodging she spoke little But often laughed, tittering from time to time, "O Bacchus, what a prank!--Just think of Cymon, So stout as he is, at least five miles to walk Without a carriage!--well you take things coolly"-- Or such appreciation nice of gifts I need not boast of, since I had them gratis. When my stiff door creaked open grudgingly Her face first fell; the room looked bare enough. Still we brought with us food and cakes; I owned A little cellar of delicious wine; An unasked neighbour's garden furnished flowers; Jests helped me nimbly, I surpassed myself; So we were friends and, having laughed, we drank, Ate, sang, danced, grew wild. Soon both had one Desire, effort, goal, One bed, one sleep, one dream ... O Damon, Damon, both had one alarm, When woken by the door forced rudely open, Lit from the stair, bedazzled, glowered at, hated! She clung to me; her master, husband, uncle (I know not which or what he was) stood there; It crossed my mind he might have been her father. Naked, unarmed, I rose, and did assume What dignity is not derived from clothes, Bid them to quit my room, my private dwelling. It was no use, for that gross beast was rich; Had his been neither legal right nor moral, My natural right was nought, for his she was In eyes of those bribed catchpolls. Brute revenge Seethed in his pimpled face: "To gaol with him!" He shouted huskily. I wrapped some clothes About my shuddering bed-fellow, a sheet Flung round myself; ere she was led away, Had whispered to her "Shriek, faint on the stairs!" Then I was seized by two dog officers. That girl was worth her keep, for, going down, She suddenly writhed, gasped, and had a fit. My chance occurred, and I whipped through the casement; All they could do was catch away the sheet; I dropped a dozen feet into a bush, Soon found my heels and plied them; here I am.' Cydilla: A strange tale, Damon, this to tell to me And introduce as thou at first began. Damon: