在店里当“学徒”是他的宿命;一个名叫尼加斯的人;一个完全不懂行当的小伙子，什么算术能给他帮助;在狡猾的艺术中是个完美的新手，在爱情中是用来赢得人心的。以前的好商人学得晚，而我们在修士身上很快就能看出诀窍;他们从来不知道这些教训是怎么开始的，直到他们的下巴上满是皱纹。但现在，在实践中，这是公认的，这些店主都知道是最好的。我们古代的孩子没有那么先进;他的眼睛从来不看爱情的场面;尽管如此，他现在已经碍手碍脚了，只是缺乏机智才造成了拖延:一个美女确实对他下了心，他主人的女儿感受到了爱情的凄美; A girl of most engaging mind and mien, And always steady in her conduct seen. Sincerity of soul or humour free, Or whether with her taste it might agree, A fool 'twas clear presided o'er her soul, And all her thoughts and actions felt control. Some bold gallant would p'erhaps inform her plain, She ever kept wild Folly in her train, And nothing say to me who tales relate; But oft on reason such proceedings wait. If you a goddess love, advance she'll make; Our belle the same advantages would take. Her fortune, wit, and charm, attention drew, And many sparks would anxiously pursue; How happy he who should her heart obtain, And Hymen prove he had not sighed in vain! But she had promised, to the modest youth, Who first was named, her confidence and truth; The little god of pleasing soft desire With full compliance with his whims require. THe belle was pleased the 'prentice to prefer: A handsome lad with truth we may aver, Quite young, well made, with fascinating eye: Such charms are ne'er despised we may rely, But treasures thought, no FAIR will e'er neglect; Whate'er her senses say, she'll these respect. For one that LOVE lays hold of by the soul, A thousand by the eyes receive control. THIS sprightly girl with soft endearing ease, Exerted ev'ry care the lad to please, To his regards she never shy appeared; Now pinched his arm, then smiled and often leered; Her hand across his eyes would sometimes put; At others try to step upon his foot. To this he nothing offered in reply, Though oft his throbbing bosom heaved a sigh. So many tender scenes, at length we find, Produced the explanation LOVE designed; The youthful couple, we may well believe, Would from each other mutual vows receive; They neither promises nor kisses spared, Incalculable were the numbers shared; If he had tried to keep exact account, He soon had been bewildered with th' amount; To such infinity it clearly ran, Mistakes would rise if he pursued the plan; A ceremony solely was required, Which prudent girls have always much admired, Yet this to wait gave pain and made her grieve; From you, said she, the boon I would receive; Or while I live the rapture never know, That Hymen at his altar can bestow; To you I promise, by the pow'rs divine, My hand and heart I truly will resign. Howe'er I'll freely say, should Hymen fail To make me your's and wishes not prevail, You must not fancy I'll become a nun, Though much I hope to act as I've begun; To marry you would please me to the soul; But how can WE the ruling pow'rs control? Too much I'm confident you love my fame, To aim at what might bring me soon to shame: In wedlock I've been asked by that and this; My father thinks these offers not amiss; But, Nicaise, I'll allow you still to hope, That if with others I'm obliged to cope, No matter whether counsellor or judge. Since clearly ev'ry thing to such I grudge, The marriage eve, or morn, or day, or hour, To you I'll give--the first enchanting flow'r. THE lad most gratefully his thanks returned; His breast with ev'ry soft emotion burned. Within a week, to this sweet charmer came, A rich young squire, who soon declared his flame; On which she said to Nicaise:--he will do; This spark will easily let matters through; And as the belle was confident of that, She gave consent and listened to his chat. Soon all was settled and arranged the day, When marriage they no longer would delay, You'll fully notice this:--I think I view The thoughts which move around and you pursue; 'Twas doubtless clear, whatever bliss in store, The lady was betrothed, and nothing more. THOUGH all was fixed a week before the day, Yet fearing accidents might things delay, Or even break the treaty ere complete, She would not our apprentice fully greet, Till on the very morn she gave her hand, Lest chance defeated what was nicely planned. HOWE'ER the belle was to the altar led, A virgin stil