This eBook was produced by David Widger THE TALES AND NOVELS OF J. DE LA FONTAINE Volume 25. Contains: The Dress-maker The Gascon The Pitcher To Promise is One Thing, to Keep it, Another The Nightengale Epitaph of Fontaine THE DRESS-MAKER A CLOISTERED nun had a lover Dwelling in the neighb'ring town; Both racked their brains to discover How they best their love might crown. The swain to pass the convent-door!-- No easy matter!--Thus they swore, And wished it light.--I ne'er knew a nun In such a pass to be outdone:-- In woman's clothes the youth must dress, And gain admission. I confess The ruse has oft been tried before, But it succeeded as of yore. Together in a close barred cell The lovers were, and sewed all day, Nor heeded how time flew away.-- "What's that I hear? Refection bell! "'Tis time to part. Adieu!--Farewell!-- "How's this?" exclaimed the abbess, "why "The last at table?"--"Madam, I "Have had my dress-maker."--"The rent "On which you've both been so intent "Is hard to stop, for the whole day "To sew and mend, you made her stay; "Much work indeed you've had to do! "--Madam, 't would last the whole night through, "When in our task we find enjoyment "There is no end of the employment." THE GASCON I AM always inclined to suspect The best story under the sun As soon as by chance I detect That teller and hero are one. We're all of us prone to conceit, And like to proclaim our own glory, But our purpose we're apt to defeat As actors in chief of our story.