ON his return he passed the cradle by; To place it as before he would not try, But went to sleep; when presently a sound, From something that had tumbled, rang around, Awoke his wife, who ran below, That what had happened she might clearly know. No fool in such adventures was our Wight: The opportunity he would not slight, But played the husband well: no, no, I'm wrong; He played it ill:--too oft, too much, too long; For whosoe'er would wish to do it well, Should softly go:--the gentle most excel. IN truth, the wife was quite surprised to find Her spouse so much to frolicking inclined; Said she, what ails the man, he's grown so gay? A lad of twenty's not more fond of play. Well! let's enjoy the moments while we can; God's will be done, since life is but a span! THE words were scarcely said, when our gallant Renewed his fun, and nothing seemed to want; Indeed, the hostess still her charms possessed, And, on occasion, well might be caressed. MEANWHILE Coletta, dreading a surprise, Prevailed upon her paramour to rise; 'Twas nearly break of day when he withdrew, But, groping to his place the way anew, Pinucio, by the cradle too, was led To miss his friend's and take the landlord's bed. No sooner in than with an under voice, (Intriguers oft too eagerly rejoice,) Said he, my friend, I wish I could relate The pleasure I've received; my bliss is great; To you, I'm sorry, Fortune proves so cold; Like happiness I'd fain in you behold; Coletta is a morsel for a king; Inestimable girl!--to me she'll cling. I've many seen, but such a charming fair, There's not another like her any where. WITH softest skin, delightful form and mien; Her ev'ry act resembles BEAUTY's queen; In short, before we'd ended with our fun, Six posts (without a fiction) we had run. The host was struck with what the spark averred, And muttered something indistinctly heard.