ON THE DEPARTURE OF A GUEST
_C'est ma Jeunesse qui s'en va.
Adieu! la tres gente compagne--
Oncques ne suis moins gai pour ca
(C'est ma Jeunesse qui s'en va)
Et lon-lon-laire, et lon-lon-la
Peut-etre perd's; peut-etre gagne.
C'est ma Jeunesse qui s'en va._
(From the Author's MSS. In the library of the Abbey of Theleme.)
Host: Well, Youth, I see you are about to leave me, and since it is
in the terms of your service by no means to exceed a certain period
in my house, I must make up my mind to bid you farewell.
Youth: Indeed, I would stay if I could; but the matter lies as you
know in other hands, and I may not stay.
Host: I trust, dear Youth, that you have found all comfortable while
you were my guest, that the air has suited you and the company?
Youth: I thank you, I have never enjoyed a visit more; you may say
that I have been most unusually happy.
Host: Then let me ring for the servant who shall bring down your
things.
Youth: I thank you civilly! I have brought them down already--see,
they are here. I have but two, one very large bag and this other
small one.
Host: Why, you have not locked the small one! See it gapes!
Youth (_somewhat embarrassed_): My dear Host .
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