He put his band and beard in order, The sprucer to accost and board her: And now began t' approach the door, When she, wh' had spy'd him out before, Convey'd the informer out of sight, And went to entertain the Knight: With whom encount'ring, after longees Of humble and submissive congees, And all due ceremonies paid, He strok'd his beard, and thus he said: Madam, I do, as is my duty, 155 160 Honor the shadow of your shoe-tie : And now am come, to bring your ear 165 A present you'll be glad to hear; At least I hope so. The thing's done, Or may I never see the sun; For which I humbly now demand Performance at your gentle hand ; And that you'd please to do your part, With that he shrugg'd his sturdy back, As if he felt his shoulders ake. 170 175 Pretended not to apprehend The mystery of what he mean'd ; Madam, quoth he, I come to prove I freed from th' enchanted sconce ; you And that you promis'd for that favor, 180 185 To bind your back to 'ts good behaviour, 190 And for my sake and service vow'd To lay upon 't a heavy load, And what 't would bear, t' a scruple prove, As other knights do oft make love; Which whether you have done or no, Quoth he, if you suspect my troth, 19,5 I cannot prove it but by oath: 200 I'll pawn my soul that I have done 't; Quoth she, Some say, the soul's secure Is free from action, and exempt 1 And therefore few make any account Int' what incumbrances they run 't. For most men carry things so even Between this world, and hell, and heaven, Without the least offence to either, 215 They freely deal in all together; And equally abhor to quit This world for both, or both for it; And when they pawn and damn their souls, They are but pris'ners on paroles. For that, quoth he, 'tis rational, They may be accountable in all, For when there is that intercourse 220 Between divine and human pow'rs,g tona, o I |