我们听说，在每个时代，在那不勒斯，阴谋和英勇是无法控制的;有许多美丽的东西被祝福。周围没有一个国家拥有这么多;美丽流露出如此迷人的魅力，那不可抗拒的柔情在流淌。“在这些美人中，有一个美人，迷人迷人，曾被一个出身高贵的人爱过;他的名字是米努托洛(和理查德)，在丘比特的训练下，一个名声显赫的青年:罗马和巴黎之间没有人比他更勇敢，没有人的心为他而呼吸。卡特拉(因此被称为我们的美人)，然而，长久以来，我抵挡住了理查的圈套，以致祈祷、誓言和承诺都是徒劳的;这是米努托洛得不到的恩惠。最后，我们的英雄疲倦了，表现出冷漠;——另一个人去找，假装他那颗温柔的心已经爱上了她的魅力。卡特拉笑了，但嫉妒已经临近; 'Twas for her friend that now He heaved the sigh. THESE dames together met, and Richard too, The gay gallant a glowing picture drew, Of certain husbands, lovers, prudes, and wives; Who led in secret most lascivious lives. Though none he named, Catella was amazed; His hints suspicions of her husband raised; And such her agitation and affright, That, anxious to procure more certain light, In haste she took Minutolo aside, And begged the names he would not from her hide, With all particulars, from first to last:-- Her ardent wish to know whate'er had passed. SO long your reign, said Richard, o'er my mind, Deny I could not, howsoe'er inclined; With Mrs. Simon often is your spouse; Her character no doubt your spleen will rouse; I've no design, observe to give offence, But, when I see your int'rest in suspense, I cannot silent keep; though, were I still A slave, devoted wholly to your will, As late I moved, I would not drop a word Mistrust of lovers may not be absurd; Besides, you'd fancy other motives led To tell you of your husband what was said; But heav'n be praised, of you I nothing want; My object's plain--no more the fond gallant. I'VE lately certain information had, Your spouse (I scarcely thought the man so bad,) Has with the lady an appointment made; At Jack's nice bagnio he will meet the jade. NOW clearly Jack's not rich, and there's no doubt; A hundred ducats give, and--ALL will out; Let him but have a handsome sum in view, And any thing you wish, be sure he'll do; You then can manage ev'ry way so well, That, at the place assigned to meet his belle, You'll take this truant husband by surprise;-- Permit me in this nice affair to advise. THE lady has agreed, you will remark, That in a room where ev'ry part is dark, (Perhaps to 'scape the keeper's prying sight, Or shame directs exclusion of the light,) She will receive your gay inconstant spouse; Now, take her place; the case deceit allows; Make Jack your friend; nor haggle at the price; A hundred ducats give, is my advice; He'll place you in the room where darkness reigns; Think not too fast, nor suffer heavy chains; Do what you wish, and utter not a word; To speak, assuredly would be absurd; 'Twould spoil the whole; destroy the project quite; Attend, and see if all things be not right. THE project pleased Catella to the soul; Her wrath, no longer able to controul, She Richard stopt; enough, enough, she cried; I fully understand:--leave me to guide; I'll play the fellow and his wanton lass A pretty trick-shall all their art surpass, Unless the string gives way and spoils my scheme; What, take me for a nincompoop?--they dream. THIS said, she sought excuse to get away, And went in quest of Jack without delay. The keeper, howsoe'er, a hint had got; Minutolo had schooled him for the plot; Oft cash does wonders, and, if such the case In France or Britain, when conferred a grace, The bribe is taken, and the truth abused, In Italy it will not be refused; There this sole quiver Cupid useful finds,-- A purse well stored--all binds, gunlocks, or blinds: Jack took the pelf from Richard and the dame; Had Satan offered--'twould have been the same. In short, Minutolo had full success, All came about, and marked the spark's address. THE lady had at first some warm dispute To many questions Jack was even mute; But when he saw the golden charms unmasked, Far more he promised than Catella asked. THE time of rendezvous arrived, our spark To Jack's repaired, and found the room quite dark; So well arranged, no crevice could he find, Through which the light might hurt what he designed. NOT long he waited, ere our jealous dame, Who longed to find her faithless husband, came, Most thoroughly prepared his ears to greet. Jack br