XXIII + 

The husband comes and interferes + 

With this unpleasant tête-à-tête, + 

With Eugene pranks of former years + 

And jests doth recapitulate. + 

They talked and laughed. The guests arrived. + 

The conversation was revived + 

By the coarse wit of worldly hate; + 

But round the hostess scintillate + 

Light sallies without coxcombry, + 

Awhile sound conversation seems + 

To banish far unworthy themes + 

And platitudes and pedantry, + 

And never was the ear affright + 

By liberties or loose or light. + 