| T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22. | | | | The Two Friends | | By Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695) |
| | (From Tales and Novels, 1764)
AXIOCHUS, a handsome youth of old, | |
| And Alcibiades, (both gay and bold,) | |
| So well agreed, they kept a beauteous belle, | |
| With whom by turns they equally would dwell. | |
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| It happened, one of them so nicely played, | 5 |
| The fav’rite lass produced a little maid, | |
| Which both extolled, and each his own believed, | |
| Though doubtless one or t’other was deceived. | |
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| But when to riper years the bantling grew, | |
| And sought her mother’s foot-steps to pursue, | 10 |
| Each friend desired to be her chosen swain, | |
| And neither would a parent’s name retain. | |
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| Said one, why brother, she’s your very shade; | |
| The features are the same:—your looks pervade. | |
| Oh no, the other cried, it cannot be: | 15 |
| Her chin, mouth, nose, and eyes, with yours agree; | |
| But that as ’twill, let me her favours win, | |
| And for the pleasure I will risk the sin. | | | | |
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