| T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22. | | | | The Pack-saddle | | By Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695) |
| | (From Tales and Novels, 1764)
A FAMOUS painter, jealous of his wife, | |
| Whose charms he valued more than fame or life, | |
| When going on a journey used his art, | |
| To paint an ASS upon a certain part, | |
| (Umbilical, ’tis said) and like a seal: | 5 |
| Impressive token, nothing thence to steal. | |
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| A brother brush, enamoured of the dame, | |
| Now took advantage, and declared his flame: | |
| The ASS effaced, but God knows how ’twas done; | |
| Another soon howe’er he had begun, | 10 |
| And finished well, upon the very spot; | |
| In painting, few more praises ever got; | |
| But want of recollection made him place | |
| A saddle, where before he none could trace. | |
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| The husband, when returned, desired to look | 15 |
| At what he drew, when leave he lately took. | |
| Yes, see my dear, the wily wife replied, | |
| The ASS is witness, faithful I abide. | |
| Zounds! said the painter, when he got a sight,— | |
| What!—you’d persuade me ev’ry thing is right? | 20 |
| I wish the witness you display so well, | |
| And him who saddled it, were both in Hell. | | | | |
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