Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TALES OF A WAYSIDE INN: THE THIRD DAY: INTERLUDE (5), by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TALES OF A WAYSIDE INN: THE THIRD DAY: INTERLUDE (5), by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Signor luigi,' said the jew
Last Line: Began his tale as followeth.


"Signor Luigi," said the Jew,
When the Sicilian's tale was told,
"The were-wolf is a legend old,
But the were-ass is something new,
And yet for one I think it true.
The days of wonder have not ceased
If there are beasts in forms of men,
As sure it happens now and then,
Why may not man become a beast,
In way of punishment at least?

"But this I will not now discuss,
I leave the theme, that we may thus
Remain within the realm of song.
The story that I told before,
Though not acceptable to all,
At least you did not find too long.
I beg you, let me try again,
With something in a different vein,
Before you bid the curtain fall.
Meanwhile keep watch upon the door,
Nor let the Landlord leave his chair,
Lest he should vanish into air,
And thus elude our search once more.

Thus saying, from his lips he blew
A little cloud of perfumed breath,
And then, as if it were a clew
To lead his footsteps safely through,
Began his tale as followeth.






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