More, learnèd friend, than you.

XIV.

'Bocca bacciata non perde ventura,

Anzi rinnuova come fa la luna:—

So thought Boccaccio, whose sweet words might cure a

Male prude, like you, from what you now endure, a

Low-tide in soul, like a stagnant laguna.'

XV.

Then Peter rubbed his eyes severe,

And smoothed his spacious forehead down