dots-menu
×

Home  »  Poetica Erotica  »  The Two Friends

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.
 
  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.
 
  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.
 
  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.