s: With nothing livid, still her lips were red;


s: She had no pulse, but death seem'd absent still;


s: No hideous sign proclaim'd her surely dead;


s: Corruption came not in each mind to kill


s: All hope; to look upon her sweet face bred


s: New thoughts of life, for it seem'd full of soul--


s: She had so much, earth could not claim the whole.


s: The ruling passion, such as marble shows


s: When exquisitely chisell'd, still lay there,


s: But fix'd as marble's unchanged aspect throws


s: Their energy like life forms all their fame,


s: Yet looks not life, for they are still the same.


s: She woke at length, but not as sleepers wake,


s: Rather the dead, for life seem'd something new,


s: A strange sensation which she must partake


s: Struck not on memory, though a heavy ache


s: Lay at her heart, whose earliest beat still true


s: Brought back the sense of pain without the cause,


s: For, for a while, the furies made a pause.


s: She look'd on many a face with vacant eye,


s: She saw them watch her without asking why,


s: And reck'd not who around her pillow sat;


s: Not speechless, though she spoke not; not a sigh


s: Relieved her thoughts; dull silence and quick chat


s: Were tried in vain by those who served; she gave


s: No sign, save breath, of having left the grave.


s: Her handmaids tended, but she heeded not;


s: Her father watch'd, she turn'd her eyes away;


s: They changed from room to room--but all forgot--


s: At length those eyes, which they would fain be weaning


s: Back to old thoughts, wax'd full of fearful meaning.


s: And then a slave bethought her of a harp;


s: The harper came, and tuned his instrument;


s: At the first notes, irregular and sharp,


s: Then to the wall she turn'd as if to warp


s: Her thoughts from sorrow through her heart re-sent;


s: Of ancient days, ere tyranny grew strong.


s: In time to his old tune; he changed the theme,


s: And sung of love; the fierce name struck through all


s: Her recollection; on her flash'd the dream


s: Of what she was, and is, if ye could call


s: The tears rush'd forth from her o'erclouded brain,


s: Like mountain mists at length dissolved in rain.


s: Short solace, vain relief!--thought came too quick,


s: And whirl'd her brain to madness; she arose


s: As one who ne'er had dwelt among the sick,


s: And flew at all she met, as on her foes;


s: But no one ever heard her speak or shriek,


s: Although her paroxysm drew towards its dose;--


s: Hers was a phrensy which disdain'd to rave,


s: Even when they smote her, in the hope to save.


s: Yet she betray'd at times a gleam of sense;


s: Nothing could make her meet her father's face,


s: Though on all other things with looks intense


s: She gazed, but none she ever could retrace;


s: Food she refused, and raiment; no pretence


s: Avail'd for either; neither change of place,


s: Nor time, nor skill, nor remedy, could give her


s: Senses to sleep--the power seem'd gone for ever.


s: Twelve days and nights she wither'd thus; at last,


s: Without a groan, or sigh, or glance, to show


s: A parting pang, the spirit from her past:


s: And they who watch'd her nearest could not know


s: The very instant, till the change that cast


s: Her sweet face into shadow, dull and slow,


s: Glazed o'er her eyes--the beautiful, the black--


s: O! to possess such lustre--and then lack!


s: She died, but not alone; she held within


s: Have dawn'd a fair and sinless child of sin;


s: But closed its little being without light,


s: And went down to the grave unborn, wherein


s: Blossom and bough lie wither'd with one blight;


s: In vain the dews of Heaven descend above


s: The bleeding flower and blasted fruit of love.


s: Thus lived--thus died she; never more on her


s: Shall sorrow light, or shame. She was not made


s: Through years or moons the inner weight to bear,


s: Which colder hearts endure till they are laid


s: By age in earth: her days and pleasures were


s: Brief, but delightful--such as had not staid


s: Long with her destiny; but she sleeps well


s: By the sea-shore, whereon she loved to dwell.


s: Its dwellings down, its tenants pass'd away;


s: None but her own and father's grave is there,


s: And nothing outward tells of human clay;


s: Ye could not know where lies a thing so fair,


s: No stone is there to show, no tongue to say


s: What was; no dirge, except the hollow sea's,


s: Sighs o'er her name; and many an islander


s: With her sire's story makes the night less long;


s: Valour was his, and beauty dwelt with her:


s: If she loved rashly, her life paid for wrong--


s: A heavy price must all pay who thus err,


s: In some shape; let none think to fly the danger,


s: For soon or late Love is his own avenger.


s: But let me change this theme which grows too sad,


s: And lay this sheet of sorrows on the shelf;


s: I don't much like describing people mad,


s: For fear of seeming rather touch'd myself--


s: Besides, I 've no more on this head to add;


s: With Juan, left half-kill'd some stanzas back.


s: Wounded and fetter'd, 'cabin'd, cribb'd, confined,'


s: Some days and nights elapsed before that he


s: And when he did, he found himself at sea,


s: Sailing six knots an hour before the wind;


s: The shores of Ilion lay beneath their lee--


s: Another time he might have liked to see 'em,


s: But now was not much pleased with Cape Sigaeum.


s: There, on the green and village-cotted hill, is


s: (Flank'd by the Hellespont and by the sea)


s: Entomb'd the bravest of the brave, Achilles;


s: And further downward, tall and towering still, is


s: The tumulus--of whom? Heaven knows! 't may be


s: All heroes, who if living still would slay us.


s: A vast, untill'd, and mountain-skirted plain,


s: And Ida in the distance, still the same,


s: The situation seems still form'd for fame--


s: A hundred thousand men might fight again


s: With case; but where I sought for Ilion's walls,


s: The quiet sheep feeds, and the tortoise crawls;


s: Troops of untended horses; here and there


s: Some little hamlets, with new names uncouth;


s: Some shepherds (unlike Paris) led to stare


s: Whom to the spot their school-boy feelings bear;


s: A turk, with beads in hand and pipe in mouth,


s: Are what I found there--but the devil a Phrygian.


s: From his dull cabin, found himself a slave;


s: Forlorn, and gazing on the deep blue surge,


s: O'ershadow'd there by many a hero's grave;


s: Weak still with loss of blood, he scarce could urge


s: A few brief questions; and the answers gave


s: He saw some fellow captives, who appear'd


s: From them, at least, their destiny he heard,


s: Which was an odd one; a troop going to act


s: In their vocation) had not been attack'd


s: But sold by the impresario at no high rate.


s: By one of these, the buffo of the party,


s: For although destined to the Turkish mart, he


s: Still kept his spirits up--at least his face;


s: The little fellow really look'd quite hearty,


s: And bore him with some gaiety and grace,


s: Showing a much more reconciled demeanour,


s: In a few words he told their hapless story,


s: Hail'd a strange brig--Corpo di Caio Mario!


s: We were transferr'd on board her in a hurry,


s: We will revive our fortunes before long.


s: And subject, when the house is thin, to cold,


s: Has some good notes; and then the tenor's wife,


s: With no great voice, is pleasing to behold;


s: 'And then there are the dancers; there 's the Nini,


s: With more than one profession, gains by all;


s: And made at least five hundred good zecchini,


s: But spends so fast, she has not now a paul;


s: And then there 's the Grotesca--such a dancer!


s: Where men have souls or bodies she must answer.


s: The rest of all that tribe; with here and there


s: A pretty person, which perhaps may strike,


s: There 's one, though tall and stiffer than a pike,


s: Which might go far, but she don't dance with vigour;


s: The more 's the pity, with her face and figure.


s: 'As for the men, they are a middling set;


s: His singing I no further trust can place in:


s: From all the Pope makes yearly 't would perplex


s: To find three perfect pipes of the third sex.


s: 'The tenor's voice is spoilt by affectation,


s: And for the bass, the beast can only bellow;


s: An ignorant, noteless, timeless, tuneless fellow;


s: But being the prima donna's near relation,


s: Who swore his voice was very rich and mellow,


s: They hired him, though to hear him you 'd believe


s: ''T would not become myself to dwell upon


s: My own merits, and though young--I see, Sir--you


s: Have got a travell'd air, which speaks you one


s: You 've heard of Raucocanti?--I 'm the man;


s: The time may come when you may hear me too;


s: You was not last year at the fair of Lugo,


s: But next, when I 'm engaged to sing there--do go.


s: A pretty lad, but bursting with conceit;


s: With graceful action, science not a jot,


s: A voice of no great compass, and not sweet,


s: Forsooth, scarce fit for ballads in the street;


s: In lovers' parts his passion more to breathe,


s: Having no heart to show, he shows his teeth.'


s: Who came at stated moments to invite all


s: The captives back to their sad berths; each threw


s: A rueful glance upon the waves (which bright all


s: From the blue skies derived a double blue,


s: And then went down the hatchway one by one.


s: They heard next day--that in the Dardanelles,


s: The most imperative of sovereign spells,


s: More to secure them in their naval cells,


s: Were to be chain'd and lotted out per couple,


s: It seems when this allotment was made out,


s: There chanced to be an odd male, and odd female,


s: Who (after some discussion and some doubt,


s: If the soprano might be deem'd to be male,


s: They placed him o'er the women as a scout)


s: Were link'd together, and it happen'd the male


s: Was Juan,--who, an awkward thing at his age,


s: Pair'd off with a Bacchante blooming visage.


s: Found only on the stage, and each more pain'd


s: With this his tuneful neighbour than his fate;


s: Sad strife arose, for they were so cross-grain'd,


s: That each pull'd different ways with many an oath,


s: 'Arcades ambo,' id est--blackguards both.


s: But bred within the March of old Ancona,


s: With eyes that look'd into the very soul


s: (And other chief points of a 'bella donna'),


s: Bright--and as black and burning as a coal;


s: And through her dear brunette complexion shone


s: Great wish to please--a most attractive dower,


s: For sorrow o'er each sense held stern command;


s: Her eye might flash on his, but found it dim;


s: And though thus chain'd, as natural her hand


s: Touch'd his, nor that--nor any handsome limb


s: (And she had some not easy to withstand)


s: Could stir his pulse, or make his faith feel brittle;


s: Perhaps his recent wounds might help a little.


s: No matter; we should ne'er too much enquire,


s: But facts are facts: no knight could be more true,


s: We will omit the proofs, save one or two:


s: 'T is said no one in hand 'can hold a fire


s: By thought of frosty Caucasus;' but few,


s: Was more triumphant, and not much less real.


s: Here I might enter on a chaste description,


s: Having withstood temptation in my youth,


s: But hear that several people take exception


s: At the first two books having too much truth;


s: Therefore I 'll make Don Juan leave the ship soon,


s: Because the publisher declares, in sooth,


s: Through needles' eyes it easier for the camel is


s: To pass, than those two cantos into families.


s: 'T is all the same to me; I 'm fond of yielding,


s: And therefore leave them to the purer page


s: Who say strange things for so correct an age;


s: And recollect the time when all this cant


s: Would have provoked remarks which now it shan't.


s: As boys love rows, my boyhood liked a squabble;


s: But at this hour I wish to part in peace,


s: Whether my verse's fame be doom'd to cease


s: While the right hand which wrote it still is able,


s: The grass upon my grave will grow as long,


s: And sigh to midnight winds, but not to song.


s: Of poets who come down to us through distance


s: Of time and tongues, the foster-babes of Fame,


s: Life seems the smallest portion of existence;


s: 'T is as a snowball which derives assistance


s: From every flake, and yet rolls on the same,


s: Even till an iceberg it may chance to grow;


s: But, after all, 't is nothing but cold snow.


s: And so great names are nothing more than nominal,


s: Who would as 't were identify their dust


s: From out the wide destruction, which, entombing all,


s: Leaves nothing till 'the coming of the just'-


s: Save change: I 've stood upon Achilles' tomb,


s: And heard Troy doubted; time will doubt of Rome.


s: And, buried, sinks beneath its offspring's doom:


s: Where are the epitaphs our fathers read?


s: Save a few glean'd from the sepulchral gloom


s: Which once-named myriads nameless lie beneath,


s: Where perish'd in his fame the hero-boy,


s: Who lived too long for men, but died too soon


s: But which neglect is hastening to destroy,


s: While weeds and ordure rankle round the base.


s: I pass each day where Dante's bones are laid:


s: Protects his dust, but reverence here is paid


s: To the bard's tomb, and not the warrior's column.


s: The time must come, when both alike decay'd,


s: The chieftain's trophy, and the poet's volume,


s: Will sink where lie the songs and wars of earth,


s: Before Pelides' death, or Homer's birth.


s: With human blood that column was cemented,


s: With human filth that column is defiled,


s: As if the peasant's coarse contempt were vented


s: To show his loathing of the spot he soil'd:


s: Thus is the trophy used, and thus lamented


s: Should ever be those blood-hounds, from whose wild


s: Instinct of gore and glory earth has known


s: Those sufferings Dante saw in hell alone.


s: Yet there will still be bards: though fame is smoke,


s: Its fumes are frankincense to human thought;


s: And the unquiet feelings, which first woke


s: Song in the world, will seek what then they sought;


s: As on the beach the waves at last are broke,


s: Thus to their extreme verge the passions brought


s: Or at least was so ere it grew a fashion.


s: Men, who partake all passions as they pass,


s: Acquire the deep and bitter power to give


s: And in such colours that they seem to live;


s: You may do right forbidding them to show 'em,


s: O! ye, who make the fortunes of all books!


s: Those Cornish plunderers of Parnassian wrecks?


s: Proscribed from tasting your Castalian tea!


s: What! can I prove 'a lion' then no more?


s: A ball-room bard, a foolscap, hot-press darling?


s: And sigh, 'I can't get out,' like Yorick's starling;


s: Why then I 'll swear, as poet Wordy swore


s: (Because the world won't read him, always snarling),


s: That taste is gone, that fame is but a lottery,


s: Drawn by the blue-coat misses of a coterie.


s: As some one somewhere sings about the sky,


s: They say your stockings are so (Heaven knows why,


s: Round the Patrician left-legs, which adorn


s: The festal midnight, and the levee morn.


s: Yet some of you are most seraphic creatures--


s: But times are alter'd since, a rhyming lover,


s: You read my stanzas, and I read your features:


s: And--but no matter, all those things are over;


s: Still I have no dislike to learned natures,


s: For sometimes such a world of virtues cover;


s: The loveliest, chastest, best, but--quite a fool.


s: Humboldt, 'the first of travellers,' but not


s: As well as the sublime discovery's date,


s: An airy instrument, with which he sought


s: Her cargo, from the plague being safe and sound,


s: And there with Georgians, Russians, and Circassians,


s: Bought up for different purposes and passions.


s: Some went off dearly; fifteen hundred dollars


s: For one Circassian, a sweet girl, were given,


s: Warranted virgin; beauty's brightest colours


s: Had deck'd her out in all the hues of heaven:


s: Her sale sent home some disappointed bawlers,


s: Who bade on till the hundreds reach'd eleven;


s: But when the offer went beyond, they knew


s: 'T was for the Sultan, and at once withdrew.


s: Twelve negresses from Nubia brought a price


s: Which the West Indian market scarce would bring;


s: Though Wilberforce, at last, has made it twice


s: What 't was ere Abolition; and the thing


s: Is always much more splendid than a king:


s: The virtues, even the most exalted, Charity,


s: Are saving--vice spares nothing for a rarity.


s: But for the destiny of this young troop,


s: How some to burdens were obliged to stoop,


s: The females stood, as one by one they pick'd 'em,


s: To make a mistress, or fourth wife, or victim:


s: All this must be reserved for further song;


s: (Because this Canto has become too long),


s: Must be postponed discreetly for the present;


s: But could not for the muse of me put less in 't:


s: Till what is call'd in Ossian the fifth Juan.


s: And pair their rhymes as Venus yokes her doves,


s: They little think what mischief is in hand;


s: The greater their success the worse it proves,


s: Even Petrarch's self, if judged with due severity,


s: I therefore do denounce all amorous writing,


s: Plain--simple--short, and by no means inviting,


s: Form'd rather for instructing than delighting,


s: And with all passions in their turn attack'd;


s: Now, if my Pegasus should not be shod ill,


s: Sprinkled with palaces; the ocean stream


s: Here and there studded with a seventy-four;


s: The cypress groves; Olympus high and hoar;


s: The twelve isles, and the more than I could dream,


s: Far less describe, present the very view


s: Which charm'd the charming Mary Montagu.


s: I have a passion for the name of 'Mary,'


s: And still it half calls up the realms of fairy,


s: All feelings changed, but this was last to vary,


s: A spell from which even yet I am not quite free:


s: But I grow sad--and let a tale grow cold,


s: The wind swept down the Euxine, and the wave


s: Broke foaming o'er the blue Symplegades;


s: 'T is a grand sight from off 'the Giant's Grave


s: To watch the progress of those rolling seas


s: Between the Bosphorus, as they lash and lave


s: Europe and Asia, you being quite at ease;


s: There 's not a sea the passenger e'er pukes in,


s: Turns up more dangerous breakers than the Euxine.


s: 'T was a raw day of Autumn's bleak beginning,


s: When nights are equal, but not so the days;


s: The Parcae then cut short the further spinning


s: Of seamen's fates, and the loud tempests raise


s: The waters, and repentance for past sinning


s: In all, who o'er the great deep take their ways:


s: They vow to amend their lives, and yet they don't;


s: Because if drown'd, they can't--if spared, they won't.


s: A crowd of shivering slaves of every nation,


s: And age, and sex, were in the market ranged;


s: Each bevy with the merchant in his station:


s: Poor creatures! their good looks were sadly changed.


s: All save the blacks seem'd jaded with vexation,


s: From friends, and home, and freedom far estranged;


s: Used to it, no doubt, as eels are to be flay'd.


s: As most at his age are, of hope and health;


s: And now and then a tear stole down by stealth;


s: Perhaps his recent loss of blood might pull


s: His spirit down; and then the loss of wealth,


s: A mistress, and such comfortable quarters,


s: To be put up for auction amongst Tartars,


s: Were things to shake a stoic; ne'ertheless,


s: His figure, and the splendour of his dress,


s: Of which some gilded remnants still were seen,


s: Drew all eyes on him, giving them to guess


s: And then, though pale, he was so very handsome;


s: And then--they calculated on his ransom.


s: Like a backgammon board the place was dotted


s: With whites and blacks, in groups on show for sale,


s: Some bought the jet, while others chose the pale.


s: It chanced amongst the other people lotted,


s: Next Juan stood, till some might choose to buy.


s: He had an English look; that is, was square


s: In make, of a complexion white and ruddy,


s: Good teeth, with curling rather dark brown hair,


s: And, it might be from thought or toil or study,


s: And there he stood with such sang-froid, that greater


s: Could scarce be shown even by a mere spectator.


s: At present weigh'd down by a doom which had


s: O'erthrown even men, he soon began to show


s: Which for himself he seem'd to deem no worse


s: Than any other scrape, a thing of course.


s: 'My boy!' said he, 'amidst this motley crew


s: Of Georgians, Russians, Nubians, and what not,


s: With whom it is our luck to cast our lot,


s: 'T would give me pleasure.--Pray, what is your nation?'


s: When Juan answer'd--'Spanish!' he replied,


s: 'I thought, in fact, you could not be a Greek;


s: Those servile dogs are not so proudly eyed:


s: Fortune has play'd you here a pretty freak,


s: But that 's her way with all men, till they 're tried;


s: But never mind,--she 'll turn, perhaps, next week;


s: She has served me also much the same as you,


s: Except that I have found it nothing new.'


s: 'Pray, sir,' said Juan, 'if I may presume,


s: What brought you here?'--'Oh! nothing very rare--


s: Six Tartars and a drag-chain.'--'To this doom


s: But what conducted, if the question's fair,


s: Is that which I would learn.'--'I served for some


s: Months with the Russian army here and there,


s: And taking lately, by Suwarrow's bidding,


s: A town, was ta'en myself instead of Widdin.'


s: 'Have you no friends?'--'I had--but, by God's blessing,


s: Have not been troubled with them lately. Now


s: I have answer'd all your questions without pressing,


s: 'Alas!' said Juan, ''t were a tale distressing,


s: And long besides.'--'Oh! if 't is really so,


s: You 're right on both accounts to hold your tongue;


s: A sad tale saddens doubly, when 't is long.


s: 'But droop not: Fortune at your time of life,


s: Will hardly leave you (as she 's not your wife)


s: For any length of days in such a pickle.


s: To strive, too, with our fate were such a strife


s: As if the corn-sheaf should oppose the sickle:


s: Men are the sport of circumstances, when


s: The circumstances seem the sport of men.'


s: ''T is not,' said Juan, 'for my present doom


s: I mourn, but for the past;--I loved a maid:'-


s: He paused, and his dark eye grew full of gloom;


s: A moment, and then dropp'd; 'but to resume,


s: 'T is not my present lot, as I have said,


s: Which I deplore so much; for I have borne


s: Hardships which have the hardiest overworn,


s: 'On the rough deep. But this last blow-' and here


s: He stopp'd again, and turn'd away his face.


s: 'Ay,' quoth his friend, 'I thought it would appear


s: And these are things which ask a tender tear,


s: Such as I, too, would shed if in your place:


s: 'My third-'--'Your third!' quoth Juan, turning round;


s: 'You scarcely can be thirty: have you three?'


s: One person thrice in holy wedlock bound!'


s: 'Well, then, your third,' said Juan; 'what did she?


s: She did not run away, too,--did she, sir?'


s: 'You take things coolly, sir,' said Juan. 'Why,'


s: There still are many rainbows in your sky,


s: But mine have vanish'd. All, when life is new,


s: Commence with feelings warm, and prospects high;


s: But time strips our illusions of their hue,


s: And one by one in turn, some grand mistake


s: Casts off its bright skin yearly like the snake.


s: ''T is true, it gets another bright and fresh,


s: Or fresher, brighter; but the year gone through,


s: This skin must go the way, too, of all flesh,


s: Love 's the first net which spreads its deadly mesh;


s: Ambition, Avarice, Vengeance, Glory, glue


s: The glittering lime-twigs of our latter days,


s: Where still we flutter on for pence or praise.'


s: 'All this is very fine, and may be true,'


s: It betters present times with me or you.'


s: 'No?' quoth the other; 'yet you will allow


s: By setting things in their right point of view,


s: Knowledge, at least, is gain'd; for instance, now,


s: We know what slavery is, and our disasters


s: May teach us better to behave when masters.'


s: 'Would we were masters now, if but to try


s: Their present lessons on our Pagan friends here,'


s: Said Juan,--swallowing a heart-burning sigh:


s: 'Heaven help the scholar whom his fortune sends here!'


s: 'Perhaps we shall be one day, by and by,'


s: Rejoin'd the other, when our bad luck mends here;


s: Meantime (yon old black eunuch seems to eye us)


s: 'But after all, what is our present state?


s: 'T is bad, and may be better--all men's lot:


s: Most men are slaves, none more so than the great,


s: To their own whims and passions, and what not;


s: Kindness, destroys what little we had got:


s: Of the world's stoics--men without a heart.'


s: Of the third sex stept up, and peering over


s: The captives, seem'd to mark their looks and age,


s: If they were fitted for the purposed cage:


s: Horse by a blackleg, broadcloth by a tailor,


s: 'T is pleasant purchasing our fellow-creatures;


s: Their passions, and are dext'rous; some by features


s: Are bought up, others by a warlike leader,


s: Some by a place--as tend their years or natures;


s: The most by ready cash--but all have prices,


s: From crowns to kicks, according to their vices.


s: The eunuch, having eyed them o'er with care,


s: Turn'd to the merchant, and begun to bid


s: First but for one, and after for the pair;


s: They haggled, wrangled, swore, too--so they did!


s: As though they were in a mere Christian fair


s: Cheapening an ox, an ass, a lamb, or kid;


s: So that their bargain sounded like a battle


s: At last they settled into simple grumbling,


s: Turning each piece of silver o'er, and tumbling


s: Some down, and weighing others in their hand,


s: And by mistake sequins with paras jumbling,


s: And then the merchant giving change, and signing


s: Receipts in full, began to think of dining.


s: Methinks at meals some odd thoughts might intrude,


s: And conscience ask a curious sort of question,


s: About the right divine how far we should


s: Sell flesh and blood. When dinner has opprest one,


s: I think it is perhaps the gloomiest hour


s: Which turns up out of the sad twenty-four.


s: Voltaire says 'No:' he tells you that Candide


s: He 's wrong--unless man were a pig, indeed,


s: Unless he 's drunk, and then no doubt he 's freed


s: From his own brain's oppression while it reels.


s: Of food I think with Philip's son, or rather


s: Ammon's (ill pleased with one world and one father);


s: And fish, and soup, by some side dishes back'd,


s: Can give us either pain or pleasure, who


s: Would pique himself on intellects, whose use


s: The other evening ('t was on Friday last)--


s: Just as my great coat was about me cast,


s: My hat and gloves still lying on the table,


s: I heard a shot--'t was eight o'clock scarce past--


s: Stretch'd in the street, and able scarce to pant.


s: Poor fellow! for some reason, surely bad,


s: They had slain him with five slugs; and left him there


s: Him borne into the house and up the stair,


s: And stripp'd and look'd to--But why should I ad


s: More circumstances? vain was every care;


s: The man was gone: in some Italian quarrel


s: Kill'd by five bullets from an old gun-barrel.


s: And though I have seen many corpses, never


s: So calm; though pierced through stomach, heart, and liver,


s: He seem'd to sleep,--for you could scarcely tell


s: Of gore divulged the cause) that he was dead:


s: So as I gazed on him, I thought or said--


s: 'Can this be death? then what is life or death?


s: Speak!' but he spoke not: 'Wake!' but still he slept:--


s: 'But yesterday and who had mightier breath?


s: A thousand warriors by his word were kept


s: In awe: he said, as the centurion saith,


s: "Go," and he goeth; "come," and forth he stepp'd.


s: And now nought left him but the muffled drum.'


s: And they who waited once and worshipp'd--they


s: With their rough faces throng'd about the bed


s: To gaze once more on the commanding clay


s: Which for the last, though not the first, time bled:


s: Had faced Napoleon's foes until they fled,--


s: The foremost in the charge or in the sally,


s: Should now be butcher'd in a civic alley.


s: The scars of his old wounds were near his new,


s: Those honourable scars which brought him fame;


s: And horrid was the contrast to the view--


s: But let me quit the theme; as such things claim


s: From me: I gazed (as oft I have gazed the same)


s: To try if I could wrench aught out of death


s: Which should confirm, or shake, or make a faith;


s: And there we go:--but where? five bits of lead,


s: Or three, or two, or one, send very far!


s: And is this blood, then, form'd but to be shed?


s: And air--earth--water--fire live--and we dead?


s: We whose minds comprehend all things? No more;


s: Embark'd himself and them, and off they went thence


s: As fast as oars could pull and water float;


s: They look'd like persons being led to sentence,


s: Wondering what next, till the caique was brought


s: O'ertopp'd with cypresses, dark-green and tall.


s: Here their conductor tapping at the wicket


s: Of a small iron door, 't was open'd, and


s: He led them onward, first through a low thicket


s: Flank'd by large groves, which tower'd on either hand:


s: They almost lost their way, and had to pick it--


s: For night was dosing ere they came to land.


s: The eunuch made a sign to those on board,


s: Who row'd off, leaving them without a word.


s: As they were plodding on their winding way


s: Through orange bowers, and jasmine, and so forth


s: (Of which I might have a good deal to say,


s: There being no such profusion in the North


s: But that of late your scribblers think it worth


s: Their while to rear whole hotbeds in their works


s: Because one poet travell'd 'mongst the Turks)--


s: As they were threading on their way, there came


s: Into Don Juan's head a thought, which he


s: Whisper'd to his companion:--'t was the same


s: Which might have then occurr'd to you or me.


s: 'Methinks,' said he, 'it would be no great shame


s: If we should strike a stroke to set us free;


s: Let 's knock that old black fellow on the head,


s: And march away--'t were easier done than said.'


s: 'Yes,' said the other, 'and when done, what then?


s: And when we once were fairly out, and when


s: From Saint Bartholomew we have saved our skin,


s: And worse off than we hitherto have been;


s: Besides, I 'm hungry, and just now would take,


s: Like Esau, for my birthright a beef-steak.


s: 'We must be near some place of man's abode;--


s: With his two captives, by so queer a road,


s: Shows that he thinks his friends have not been sleeping;


s: A single cry would bring them all abroad:


s: 'T is therefore better looking before leaping--


s: And there, you see, this turn has brought us through,


s: Which open'd on their view, and o'er the front


s: There seem'd to be besprent a deal of gilding


s: And various hues, as is the Turkish wont,--


s: A gaudy taste; for they are little skill'd in


s: The arts of which these lands were once the font:


s: Each villa on the Bosphorus looks a screen


s: And nearer as they came, a genial savour


s: Of certain stews, and roast-meats, and pilaus,


s: Things which in hungry mortals' eyes find favour,


s: Made Juan in his harsh intentions pause,


s: And put himself upon his good behaviour:


s: His friend, too, adding a new saving clause,


s: Said, 'In Heaven's name let's get some supper now,


s: And then I 'm with you, if you 're for a row.'


s: Some talk of an appeal unto some passion,


s: Some to men's feelings, others to their reason;


s: The last of these was never much the fashion,


s: For reason thinks all reasoning out of season.


s: Some speakers whine, and others lay the lash on,


s: But more or less continue still to tease on,


s: With arguments according to their 'forte;'


s: But I digress: of all appeals,--although


s: I grant the power of pathos, and of gold,


s: Of beauty, flattery, threats, a shilling,--no


s: Method 's more sure at moments to take hold


s: Of the best feelings of mankind, which grow


s: Than that all-softening, overpowering knell,


s: The tocsin of the soul--the dinner-bell.


s: Turkey contains no bells, and yet men dine;


s: And Juan and his friend, albeit they heard


s: No Christian knoll to table, saw no line


s: Yet smelt roast-meat, beheld a huge fire shine,


s: And cooks in motion with their clean arms bared,


s: And gazed around them to the left and right


s: And giving up all notions of resistance,


s: They follow'd close behind their sable guide,


s: Who little thought that his own crack'd existence


s: He motion'd them to stop at some small distance,


s: And knocking at the gate, 't was open'd wide,


s: I won't describe; description is my forte,


s: But every fool describes in these bright days


s: His wondrous journey to some foreign court,


s: And spawns his quarto, and demands your praise--


s: Death to his publisher, to him 't is sport;


s: While Nature, tortured twenty thousand ways,


s: To guide-books, rhymes, tours, sketches, illustrations.


s: Along this hall, and up and down, some, squatted


s: Upon their hams, were occupied at chess;


s: And some seem'd much in love with their own dress.


s: And divers smoked superb pipes decorated


s: With amber mouths of greater price or less;


s: And several strutted, others slept, and some


s: Prepared for supper with a glass of rum.


s: As the black eunuch enter'd with his brace


s: Of purchased Infidels, some raised their eyes


s: A moment without slackening from their pace;


s: But those who sate ne'er stirr'd in anywise:


s: One or two stared the captives in the face,


s: Just as one views a horse to guess his price;


s: But no one troubled him with conversation.


s: He leads them through the hall, and, without stopping,


s: On through a farther range of goodly rooms,


s: Splendid but silent, save in one, where, dropping,


s: A marble fountain echoes through the glooms


s: Of night which robe the chamber, or where popping


s: Some female head most curiously presumes


s: To thrust its black eyes through the door or lattice,


s: As wondering what the devil a noise that is.


s: Some faint lamps gleaming from the lofty walls


s: Gave light enough to hint their farther way,


s: But not enough to show the imperial halls,


s: In all the flashing of their full array;


s: Perhaps there 's nothing--I 'll not say appals,


s: But saddens more by night as well as day,


s: To break the lifeless splendour of the whole.


s: Two or three seem so little, one seems nothing:


s: In deserts, forests, crowds, or by the shore,


s: There solitude, we know, has her full growth in


s: The spots which were her realms for evermore;


s: But in a mighty hall or gallery, both in


s: More modern buildings and those built of yore,


s: A kind of death comes o'er us all alone,


s: Seeing what 's meant for many with but one.


s: Are things which make an English evening pass;


s: Though certes by no means so grand a sight


s: I pass my evenings in long galleries solely,


s: And that 's the reason I 'm so melancholy.


s: Alas! man makes that great which makes him little:


s: I grant you in a church 't is very well:


s: What speaks of Heaven should by no means be brittle,


s: But strong and lasting, till no tongue can tell


s: Their names who rear'd it; but huge houses fit ill--


s: And huge tombs worse--mankind, since Adam fell:


s: Methinks the story of the tower of Babel


s: Might teach them this much better than I 'm able.


s: Babel was Nimrod's hunting-box, and then


s: A town of gardens, walls, and wealth amazing,


s: Reign'd, till one summer's day he took to grazing,


s: And Daniel tamed the lions in their den,


s: The people's awe and admiration raising;


s: 'T was famous, too, for Thisbe and for Pyramus,


s: That injured Queen by chroniclers so coarse


s: Has been accused (I doubt not by conspiracy)


s: (Love, like religion, sometimes runs to heresy):


s: This monstrous tale had probably its source


s: (For such exaggerations here and there I see)


s: In writing 'Courser' by mistake for 'Courier:'


s: I wish the case could come before a jury here.


s: But to resume,--should there be (what may not


s: Be in these days?) some infidels, who don't,


s: Because they can't find out the very spot


s: Of that same Babel, or because they won't


s: (Though Claudius Rich, Esquire, some bricks has got,


s: Must be believed, though they believe not you,


s: Yet let them think that Horace has exprest


s: Of those, forgetting the great place of rest,


s: Who give themselves to architecture wholly;


s: We know where things and men must end at best:


s: Shows that we build when we should but entomb us.


s: At last they reach'd a quarter most retired,


s: Where echo woke as if from a long slumber;


s: Though full of all things which could be desired,


s: One wonder'd what to do with such a number


s: Here wealth had done its utmost to encumber


s: Which puzzled Nature much to know what Art meant.


s: A range or suite of further chambers, which


s: Might lead to heaven knows where; but in this one


s: So costly were they; carpets every stitch


s: Of workmanship so rare, they made you wish


s: You could glide o'er them like a golden fish.


s: The black, however, without hardly deigning


s: A glance at that which wrapt the slaves in wonder,


s: Trampled what they scarce trod for fear of staining,


s: As if the milky way their feet was under


s: With all its stars; and with a stretch attaining


s: A certain press or cupboard niched in yonder--


s: In that remote recess which you may see--


s: Or if you don't the fault is not in me,--


s: I wish to be perspicuous; and the black,


s: I say, unlocking the recess, pull'd forth


s: And yet, though I have said there was no dearth,


s: He chose himself to point out what he thought


s: Most proper for the Christians he had bought.


s: The suit he thought most suitable to each


s: Was, for the elder and the stouter, first


s: A Candiote cloak, which to the knee might reach,


s: And trousers not so tight that they would burst,


s: A shawl, whose folds in Cashmire had been nurst,


s: Slippers of saffron, dagger rich and handy;


s: In short, all things which form a Turkish Dandy.


s: While he was dressing, Baba, their black friend,


s: Which fortune plainly seem'd to recommend;


s: And then he added, that he needs must say,


s: ''T would greatly tend to better their condition,


s: If they would condescend to circumcision.


s: 'For his own part, he really should rejoice


s: Would leave his proposition to their choice.'


s: Of goodness, in thus leaving them a voice


s: In such a trifle, scarcely could express


s: 'Sufficiently' (he said) 'his approbation


s: Of all the customs of this polish'd nation.


s: 'For his own share--he saw but small objection


s: And, after swallowing down a slight refection,


s: He doubted not a few hours of reflection


s: Would reconcile him to the business quite.'


s: 'Will it?' said Juan, sharply: 'Strike me dead,


s: But they as soon shall circumcise my head!


s: 'Cut off a thousand heads, before-'--'Now, pray,'


s: Sir!--as I said, as soon as I have supt,


s: Provided always your great goodness still


s: Remits the matter to our own free-will.'


s: As dress yourself-' and pointed out a suit


s: In which a Princess with great pleasure would


s: Array her limbs; but Juan standing mute,


s: Gave it a slight kick with his Christian foot;


s: Replied, 'Old gentleman, I 'm not a lady.'


s: 'What you may be, I neither know nor care,'


s: I have no more time nor many words to spare.'


s: 'At least,' said Juan, 'sure I may enquire


s: The cause of this odd travesty?'--'Forbear,'


s: Said Baba, 'to be curious; 't will transpire,


s: No doubt, in proper place, and time, and season:


s: I have no authority to tell the reason.'


s: This spirit 's well, but it may wax too bold,


s: And you will find us not top fond of joking.'


s: 'What, sir!' said Juan, 'shall it e'er be told


s: That I unsex'd my dress?' But Baba, stroking


s: The things down, said, 'Incense me, and I call


s: Those who will leave you of no sex at all.


s: 'I offer you a handsome suit of clothes:


s: A woman's, true; but then there is a cause


s: Why you should wear them.'--'What, though my soul loathes


s: The effeminate garb?'--thus, after a short pause,


s: Sigh'd Juan, muttering also some slight oaths,


s: 'What the devil shall I do with all this gauze?'


s: Thus he profanely term'd the finest lace


s: Which e'er set off a marriage-morning face.


s: And then he swore; and, sighing, on he slipp'd


s: A pair of trousers of flesh-colour'd silk;


s: Next with a virgin zone he was equipp'd,


s: Which girt a slight chemise as white as milk;


s: But tugging on his petticoat, he tripp'd,


s: Which--as we say--or, as the Scotch say, whilk


s: (The rhyme obliges me to this; sometimes


s: Monarchs are less imperative than rhymes)--


s: Whilk, which (or what you please), was owing to


s: His garment's novelty, and his being awkward:


s: And yet at last he managed to get through


s: His toilet, though no doubt a little backward:


s: When some untoward part of raiment stuck hard;


s: And, wrestling both his arms into a gown,


s: He paused, and took a survey up and down.


s: So many false long tresses all to spare,


s: That soon his head was most completely crown'd,


s: And this addition with such gems was bound


s: While Baba made him comb his head and oil it.


s: With some small aid from scissors, paint, and tweezers,


s: He look'd in almost all respects a maid,


s: And Baba smilingly exclaim'd, 'You see, sirs,


s: A perfect transformation here display'd;


s: And now, then, you must come along with me, sirs,


s: That is--the Lady:' clapping his hands twice,


s: Four blacks were at his elbow in a trice.


s: 'You, sir,' said Baba, nodding to the one,


s: 'Will please to accompany those gentlemen


s: To supper; but you, worthy Christian nun,


s: Will follow me: no trifling, sir; for when


s: What fear you? think you this a lion's den?


s: Why, 't is a palace; where the truly wise


s: 'You fool! I tell you no one means you harm.'


s: 'So much the better,' Juan said, 'for them;


s: Else they shall feel the weight of this my arm,


s: Which is not quite so light as you may deem.


s: I yield thus far; but soon will break the charm


s: That this disguise may lead to no mistake.'


s: 'Blockhead! come on, and see,' quoth Baba; while


s: Though somewhat grieved, could scarce forbear a smile


s: 'Farewell!' they mutually exclaim'd: 'this soil


s: Seems fertile in adventures strange and new;


s: One 's turn'd half Mussulman, and one a maid,


s: By this old black enchanter's unsought aid.'


s: 'Farewell!' said Juan: 'should we meet no more,


s: I wish you a good appetite.'--'Farewell!'


s: Replied the other; 'though it grieves me sore;


s: When we next meet we 'll have a tale to tell:


s: We needs must follow when Fate puts from shore.


s: Keep your good name; though Eve herself once fell.'


s: 'Nay,' quoth the maid, 'the Sultan's self shan't carry me,


s: Unless his highness promises to marry me.


s: And thus they parted, each by separate doors;


s: Through glittering galleries and o'er marble floors,


s: Till a gigantic portal through the gloom,


s: Haughty and huge, along the distance lowers;


s: It seem'd as though they came upon a shrine,


s: For all was vast, still, fragrant, and divine.


s: The giant door was broad, and bright, and high,


s: Of gilded bronze, and carved in curious guise;


s: Warriors thereon were battling furiously;


s: Here stalks the victor, there the vanquish'd lies;


s: There captives led in triumph droop the eye,


s: And in perspective many a squadron flies:


s: It seems the work of times before the line


s: Of Rome transplanted fell with Constantine.


s: This massy portal stood at the wide close


s: Two little dwarfs, the least you could suppose,


s: In mockery to the enormous gate which rose


s: The gate so splendid was in all its features,


s: You never thought about those little creatures,


s: The wondrous hideousness of those small men,


s: Whose colour was not black, nor white, nor grey,


s: Can trace, although perhaps the pencil may;


s: Monsters, who cost a no less monstrous sum.


s: Their duty was--for they were strong, and though


s: They look'd so little, did strong things at times--


s: To ope this door, which they could really do,


s: The hinges being as smooth as Rogers' rhymes;


s: And now and then, with tough strings of the bow,


s: As is the custom of those Eastern climes,


s: They spoke by signs--that is, not spoke at all;


s: And looking like two incubi, they glared


s: To heaving back the portal folds: it scared


s: With shrinking serpent optics on him stared;


s: It was as if their little looks could poison


s: Or fascinate whome'er they fix'd their eyes on.


s: Before they enter'd, Baba paused to hint


s: To Juan some slight lessons as his guide:


s: 'If you could just contrive,' he said, 'to stint


s: 'T would be as well, and (though there 's not much in 't)


s: To swing a little less from side to side,


s: Which has at times an aspect of the oddest;--


s: And also could you look a little modest,


s: ''T would be convenient; for these mutes have eyes


s: Like needles, which may pierce those petticoats;


s: And if they should discover your disguise,


s: You know how near us the deep Bosphorus floats;


s: And you and I may chance, ere morning rise,


s: To find our way to Marmora without boats,


s: Stitch'd up in sacks--a mode of navigation


s: A good deal practised here upon occasion.'


s: In such sort, that the eye along it cast


s: Object on object flash'd so bright and fast;


s: A dazzling mass of gems, and gold, and glitter,


s: Wealth had done wonders--taste not much; such things


s: In the more chasten'd domes of Western kings


s: (Of which I have also seen some six or seven),


s: Where I can't say or gold or diamond flings


s: Great lustre, there is much to be forgiven;


s: Groups of bad statues, tables, chairs, and pictures,


s: On which I cannot pause to make my strictures.


s: A lady; Baba stopp'd, and kneeling sign'd


s: To Juan, who though not much used to pray,


s: Knelt down by instinct, wondering in his mind,


s: What all this meant: while Baba bow'd and bended


s: As Venus rose with from the wave, on them


s: Of eyes, which put out each surrounding gem;


s: And raising up an arm as moonlight fair,


s: She sign'd to Baba, who first kiss'd the hem


s: Of her deep purple robe, and speaking low,


s: Whose force description only would abate:


s: I 'd rather leave it much to your own mind,


s: Of forms and features; it would strike you blind


s: Were ripe, they might make six-and-twenty springs;


s: But there are forms which Time to touch forbears,


s: And turns aside his scythe to vulgar things,


s: Such as was Mary's Queen of Scots; true--tears


s: And love destroy; and sapping sorrow wrings


s: Charms from the charmer, yet some never grow


s: She spake some words to her attendants, who


s: Composed a choir of girls, ten or a dozen,


s: And were all clad alike; like Juan, too,


s: They form'd a very nymph-like looking crew,


s: Which might have call'd Diana's chorus 'cousin,'


s: They bow'd obeisance and withdrew, retiring,


s: But not by the same door through which came in


s: Baba and Juan, which last stood admiring,


s: At some small distance, all he saw within


s: This strange saloon, much fitted for inspiring


s: Marvel and praise; for both or none things win;


s: And I must say, I ne'er could see the very


s: (Plain truth, dear Murray, needs few flowers of speech)


s: (So take it in the very words of Creech)--


s: And thus Pope quotes the precept to re-teach


s: From his translation; but had none admired,


s: Would Pope have sung, or Horace been inspired?


s: Baba, when all the damsels were withdrawn,


s: A second time desired him to kneel down,


s: And kiss the lady's foot; which maxim when


s: Drew himself up to his full height again,


s: And said, 'It grieved him, but he could not stoop


s: Baba, indignant at this ill-timed pride,


s: Made fierce remonstrances, and then a threat


s: He mutter'd (but the last was given aside)


s: About a bow-string--quite in vain; not yet


s: Would Juan bend, though 't were to Mahomet's bride:


s: There 's nothing in the world like etiquette


s: He stood like Atlas, with a world of words


s: About his ears, and nathless would not bend:


s: The blood of all his line 's Castilian lords


s: Boil'd in his veins, and rather than descend


s: A thousand times of him had made an end;


s: At length perceiving the 'foot' could not stand,


s: Baba proposed that he should kiss the hand.


s: Where they might meet in much more peaceful guise;


s: Adding, that this was commonest and best,


s: For through the South the custom still commands


s: And he advanced, though with but a bad grace,


s: Though on more thorough-bred or fairer fingers


s: No lips e'er left their transitory trace;


s: On such as these the lip too fondly lingers,


s: And for one kiss would fain imprint a brace,


s: As you will see, if she you love shall bring hers


s: In contact; and sometimes even a fair stranger's


s: An almost twelvemonth's constancy endangers.


s: The lady eyed him o'er and o'er, and bade


s: As if well used to the retreating trade;


s: And taking hints in good part all the while,


s: And looking on him with a sort of smile,


s: Took leave, with such a face of satisfaction


s: As good men wear who have done a virtuous action.


s: When he was gone, there was a sudden change:


s: I know not what might be the lady's thought,


s: But o'er her bright brow flash'd a tumult strange,


s: And into her dear cheek the blood was brought,


s: Blood-red as sunset summer clouds which range


s: The verge of Heaven; and in her large eyes wrought,


s: A mixture of sensations might be scann'd,


s: Of half voluptuousness and half command.


s: Her form had all the softness of her sex,


s: Her features all the sweetness of the devil,


s: Eve, and paved (God knows how) the road to evil;


s: The sun himself was scarce more free from specks


s: Than she from aught at which the eye could cavil;


s: Yet, somehow, there was something somewhere wanting,


s: As if she rather order'd than was granting.


s: A chain o'er all she did; that is, a chain


s: Was thrown as 't were about the neck of you,--


s: And rapture's self will seem almost a pain


s: With aught which looks like despotism in view:


s: Our souls at least are free, and 't is in vain


s: We would against them make the flesh obey--


s: The spirit in the end will have its way.


s: Her very smile was haughty, though so sweet;


s: There was a self-will even in her small feet,


s: As though they were quite conscious of her station--


s: They trod as upon necks; and to complete


s: Her state (it is the custom of her nation),


s: A poniard deck'd her girdle, as the sign


s: She was a sultan's bride (thank Heaven, not mine!).


s: 'To hear and to obey' had been from birth


s: All phantasies which yielded joy or mirth,


s: Had been her slaves' chief pleasure, as her will;


s: Her blood was high, her beauty scarce of earth:


s: Judge, then, if her caprices e'er stood still;


s: Had she but been a Christian, I 've a notion


s: We should have found out the 'perpetual motion.'


s: Whate'er she saw and coveted was brought;


s: Whate'er she did not see, if she supposed


s: It might be seen, with diligence was sought,


s: And when 't was found straightway the bargain closed;


s: There was no end unto the things she bought,


s: Nor to the trouble which her fancies caused;


s: Juan, the latest of her whims, had caught


s: And Baba, who had ne'er been known to fail


s: At all such auctions knew how to prevail:


s: She had no prudence, but he had; and this


s: Explains the garb which Juan took amiss.


s: His youth and features favour'd the disguise,


s: And, should you ask how she, a sultan's bride,


s: Could risk or compass such strange phantasies,


s: Emperors are only husbands in wives' eyes,


s: And kings and consorts oft are mystified,


s: Some by experience, others by tradition.


s: But to the main point, where we have been tending:--


s: She now conceived all difficulties past,


s: And deem'd herself extremely condescending


s: Without more preface, in her blue eyes blending


s: Passion and power, a glance on him she cast,


s: And merely saying, 'Christian, canst thou love?'


s: Conceived that phrase was quite enough to move


s: And so it was, in proper time and place;


s: But Juan, who had still his mind o'erflowing


s: With Haidee's isle and soft Ionian face,


s: Felt the warm blood, which in his face was glowing,


s: Rush back upon his heart, which fill'd apace,


s: And left his cheeks as pale as snowdrops blowing;


s: These words went through his soul like Arab-spears,


s: So that he spoke not, but burst into tears.


s: She was a good deal shock'd; not shock'd at tears,


s: For women shed and use them at their liking;


s: But there is something when man's eye appears


s: Wet, still more disagreeable and striking;


s: A woman's tear-drop melts, a man's half sears,


s: Like molten lead, as if you thrust a pike in


s: His heart to force it out, for (to be shorter)


s: To them 't is a relief, to us a torture.


s: And she would have consoled, but knew not how:


s: Having no equals, nothing which had e'er


s: And never having dreamt what 't was to bear


s: Aught of a serious, sorrowing kind, although


s: There might arise some pouting petty care


s: To cross her brow, she wonder'd how so near


s: Her eyes another's eye could shed a tear.


s: But nature teaches more than power can spoil,


s: And, when a strong although a strange sensation


s: Moves--female hearts are such a genial soil


s: For kinder feelings, whatsoe'er their nation,


s: And thus Gulbeyaz, though she knew not why,


s: Felt an odd glistening moisture in her eye.


s: But tears must stop like all things else; and soon


s: Of one who dared to ask if 'he had loved,'


s: Call'd back the stoic to his eyes, which shone


s: Bright with the very weakness he reproved;


s: Felt most indignant still at not being free.


s: Gulbeyaz, for the first time in her days,


s: In all her life with aught save prayers and praise;


s: Him whom she meant to tutor in love's ways


s: To lose the hour would make her quite a martyr,


s: And they had wasted now almost a quarter.


s: With us there is more law given to the chase,


s: But here a small delay forms a great crime:


s: Is just two minutes for your declaration--


s: A moment more would hurt your reputation.


s: Juan's was good; and might have been still better,


s: However strange, he could not yet forget her,


s: Which made him seem exceedingly ill-bred.


s: Gulbeyaz, who look'd on him as her debtor


s: Grow deadly pale, and then blush back again.


s: Her hand on his, and bending on him eyes


s: Look'd into his for love, where none replies:


s: Her brow grew black, but she would not upbraid,


s: That being the last thing a proud woman tries;


s: She rose, and pausing one chaste moment, threw


s: Herself upon his breast, and there she grew.


s: This was an awkward test, as Juan found,


s: But he was steel'd by sorrow, wrath, and pride:


s: With gentle force her white arms he unwound,


s: And seated her all drooping by his side,


s: Then rising haughtily he glanced around,


s: And looking coldly in her face, he cried,


s: 'Thou ask'st if I can love? be this the proof


s: How much I have loved--that I love not thee!


s: In this vile garb, the distaff, web, and woof,


s: Were fitter for me: Love is for the free!


s: Whate'er thy power, and great it seems to be;


s: Heads bow, knees bend, eyes watch around a throne,


s: And hands obey--our hearts are still our own.'


s: Not so to her, who ne'er had heard such things:


s: She deem'd her least command must yield delight,


s: Earth being only made for queens and kings.


s: If hearts lay on the left side or the right


s: She hardly knew, to such perfection brings


s: Aware of their due royal rights o'er men.


s: Besides, as has been said, she was so fair


s: Some stress on charms, which seldom are, if e'er,


s: By their possessors thrown into the shade:


s: She thought hers gave a double 'right divine;'


s: Ye, who have kept your chastity when young,


s: While some more desperate dowager has been waging


s: Love with you, and been in the dog-days stung


s: On such a subject; then suppose the face


s: Of a young downright beauty in this case.


s: Suppose,--but you already have supposed,


s: Phaedra, and all which story has disclosed


s: But when you have supposed the few we know,


s: Of ladies who can not have their own way;


s: But though my turn will not be served with less,


s: These don't express one half what I should say:


s: For what is stealing young ones, few or many,


s: To cutting short their hopes of having any?


s: The love of offspring 's nature's general law,


s: From tigresses and cubs to ducks and ducklings;


s: There 's nothing whets the beak, or arms the claw


s: Like an invasion of their babes and sucklings;


s: And all who have seen a human nursery, saw


s: How mothers love their children's squalls and chucklings;


s: This strong extreme effect (to tire no longer


s: Your patience) shows the cause must still be stronger.


s: If I said fire flash'd from Gulbeyaz' eyes,


s: 'T were nothing--for her eyes flash'd always fire;


s: Or said her cheeks assumed the deepest dyes,


s: I should but bring disgrace upon the dyer,


s: For ne'er till now she knew a check'd desire:


s: Even ye who know what a check'd woman is


s: (Enough, God knows!) would much fall short of this.


s: Her rage was but a minute's, and 't was well--


s: A moment's more had slain her; but the while


s: It lasted 't was like a short glimpse of hell:


s: Nought 's more sublime than energetic bile,


s: Though horrible to see yet grand to tell,


s: Like ocean warring 'gainst a rocky isle;


s: And the deep passions flashing through her form


s: And yet she did not want to reach the moon,


s: Like moderate Hotspur on the immortal page;


s: Perhaps the fault of her soft sex and age--


s: Her wish was but to 'kill, kill, kill,' like Lear's,


s: And then her thirst of blood was quench'd in tears.


s: A storm it raged, and like the storm it pass'd,


s: Pass'd without words--in fact she could not speak;


s: And then her sex's shame broke in at last,


s: Is sometimes good for people in her station


s: It teaches them that they are flesh and blood,


s: It also gently hints to them that others,


s: Although of clay, are yet not quite of mud;


s: That urns and pipkins are but fragile brothers,


s: And works of the same pottery, bad or good,


s: Though not all born of the same sires and mothers:


s: It teaches--Heaven knows only what it teaches,


s: But sometimes it may mend, and often reaches.


s: Her first thought was to cut off Juan's head;


s: Her second, to cut only his--acquaintance;


s: Her third, to ask him where he had been bred;


s: Her fourth, to rally him into repentance;


s: Her fifth, to call her maids and go to bed;


s: Her sixth, to stab herself; her seventh, to sentence


s: The lash to Baba:--but her grand resource


s: Was to sit down again, and cry of course.


s: She thought to stab herself, but then she had


s: The dagger close at hand, which made it awkward;


s: For Eastern stays are little made to pad,


s: So that a poniard pierces if 't is stuck hard:


s: She thought of killing Juan--but, poor lad!


s: Though he deserved it well for being so backward,


s: The cutting off his head was not the art


s: Most likely to attain her aim--his heart.


s: For dogs, or to be slain with pangs refined,


s: Or thrown to lions, or made baits for fish,


s: Rather than sin--except to his own wish:


s: But all his great preparatives for dying


s: Dissolved like snow before a woman crying.


s: As through his palms Bob Acres' valour oozed,


s: And first he wonder'd why he had refused;


s: And then, if matters could be made up now;


s: Which mostly ends in some small breach of both.


s: But words are not enough in such a matter,


s: Although you borrow'd all that e'er the muses


s: Have sung, or even a Dandy's dandiest chatter,


s: Just as a languid smile began to flatter


s: His peace was making, but before he ventured


s: Further, old Baba rather briskly enter'd.


s: ('T was thus he spake) 'and Empress of the Earth!


s: Whose frown would put the spheres all out of tune,


s: Whose smile makes all the planets dance with mirth,


s: Your slave brings tidings--he hopes not too soon--


s: Which your sublime attention may be worth:


s: 'Is it,' exclaim'd Gulbeyaz, 'as you say?


s: I wish to heaven he would not shine till morning!


s: Hence, my old comet! give the stars due warning--


s: And, Christian! mingle with them as you may,


s: And as you 'd have me pardon your past scorning-'


s: Sound, and then by a cry, 'The Sultan 's coming!'


s: First came her damsels, a decorous file,


s: And then his Highness' eunuchs, black and white;


s: The train might reach a quarter of a mile:


s: For being the last wife of the Emperour,


s: She was of course the favorite of the four.


s: Shawl'd to the nose, and bearded to the eyes,


s: Snatch'd from a prison to preside at court,


s: His lately bowstrung brother caused his rise;


s: Of Cantemir, or Knolles, where few shine


s: He went to mosque in state, and said his prayers


s: He left to his vizier all state affairs,


s: Four wives and twice five hundred maids, unseen,


s: Were ruled as calmly as a Christian queen.


s: If now and then there happen'd a slight slip,


s: The story scarcely pass'd a single lip--


s: The sack and sea had settled all in time,


s: The Public knew no more than does this rhyme;


s: No scandals made the daily press a curse--


s: Morals were better, and the fish no worse.


s: He saw with his own eyes the moon was round,


s: Was also certain that the earth was square,


s: Because he had journey'd fifty miles, and found


s: 'T is true, a little troubled here and there,


s: By rebel pachas, and encroaching giaours,


s: But then they never came to 'the Seven Towers;'


s: Except in shape of envoys, who were sent


s: To lodge there when a war broke out, according


s: To the true law of nations, which ne'er meant


s: Those scoundrels, who have never had a sword in


s: Their spleen in making strife, and safely wording


s: Their lies, yclep'd despatches, without risk or


s: He had fifty daughters and four dozen sons,


s: Of whom all such as came of age were stow'd,


s: They lived till some Bashaw was sent abroad,


s: When she, whose turn it was, was wed at once,


s: Sometimes at six years old--though it seems odd,


s: 'T is true; the reason is, that the Bashaw


s: His sons were kept in prison, till they grew


s: Of years to fill a bowstring or the throne,


s: Could yet be known unto the fates alone;


s: Meantime the education they went through


s: Was princely, as the proofs have always shown:


s: So that the heir apparent still was found


s: No less deserving to be hang'd than crown'd.


s: Who clear'd her sparkling eyes and smooth'd her brows,


s: As suits a matron who has play'd a prank;


s: These must seem doubly mindful of their vows,


s: To save the credit of their breaking bank:


s: To no men are such cordial greetings given


s: As those whose wives have made them fit for heaven.


s: His Highness cast around his great black eyes,


s: And looking, as he always look'd, perceived


s: At which he seem'd no whit surprised nor grieved,


s: But just remark'd with air sedate and wise,


s: While still a fluttering sigh Gulbeyaz heaved,


s: 'I see you 've bought another girl; 't is pity


s: That a mere Christian should be half so pretty.'


s: This compliment, which drew all eyes upon


s: The new-bought virgin, made her blush and shake.


s: Her comrades, also, thought themselves undone:


s: O! Mahomet! that his majesty should take


s: Such notice of a giaour, while scarce to one


s: There was a general whisper, toss, and wriggle,


s: But etiquette forbade them all to giggle.


s: The Turks do well to shut--at least, sometimes--


s: Is not a thing of that astringent quality


s: Which in the North prevents precocious crimes,


s: And makes our snow less pure than our morality;


s: The sun, which yearly melts the polar ice,


s: Thus in the East they are extremely strict,


s: And Wedlock and a Padlock mean the same;


s: Excepting only when the former 's pick'd


s: It ne'er can be replaced in proper frame;


s: Spoilt, as a pipe of claret is when prick'd:


s: But then their own Polygamy 's to blame;


s: Why don't they knead two virtuous souls for life


s: Thus far our chronicle; and now we pause,


s: Though not for want of matter; but 't is time


s: To slacken sail, and anchor with our rhyme.


s: Let this fifth canto meet with due applause,


s: The sixth shall have a touch of the sublime;


s: Meanwhile, as Homer sometimes sleeps, perhaps


s: You 'll pardon to my muse a few short naps.


s: Which,--taken at the flood,'--you know the rest,


s: And most of us have found it now and then;


s: At least we think so, though but few have guess'd


s: The moment, till too late to come again.


s: But no doubt every thing is for the best--


s: When things are at the worst they sometimes mend.


s: Which, taken at the flood, leads--God knows where:


s: Whose charts lay down its current to a hair;


s: With its strange whirls and eddies can compare:


s: Men with their heads reflect on this and that--


s: But women with their hearts on heaven knows what!


s: And yet a headlong, headstrong, downright she,


s: Young, beautiful, and daring--who would risk


s: A throne, the world, the universe, to be


s: Beloved in her own way, and rather whisk


s: The stars from out the sky, than not be free


s: As are the billows when the breeze is brisk--


s: Though such a she 's a devil (if that there be one),


s: Yet she would make full many a Manichean.


s: Thrones, worlds, et cetera, are so oft upset


s: By commonest ambition, that when passion


s: Or at the least forgive, the loving rash one.


s: 'Tis not his conquests keep his name in fashion,


s: I wish their years had been fifteen and twenty,


s: For then wealth, kingdoms, worlds are but a sport--I


s: Remember when, though I had no great plenty


s: Of worlds to lose, yet still, to pay my court, I


s: Gave what I had--a heart: as the world went, I


s: Gave what was worth a world; for worlds could never


s: Restore me those pure feelings, gone forever.


s: 'Twas the boy's 'mite,' and, like the 'widow's,' may


s: Perhaps be weigh'd hereafter, if not now;


s: But whether such things do or do not weigh,


s: All who have loved, or love, will still allow


s: Life has nought like it. God is love, they say,


s: And Love 's a god, or was before the brow


s: Of earth was wrinkled by the sins and tears


s: Of--but Chronology best knows the years.


s: A kind of state more awkward than uncommon,


s: For gentlemen must sometimes risk their skin


s: For that sad tempter, a forbidden woman:


s: Sultans too much abhor this sort of sin,


s: And don't agree at all with the wise Roman,


s: Who lent his lady to his friend Hortensius.


s: And so must tell the truth, howe'er you blame it.


s: Her reason being weak, her passions strong,


s: She thought that her lord's heart (even could she claim it)


s: Was scarce enough; for he had fifty-nine


s: Years, and a fifteen-hundredth concubine.


s: I am not, like Cassio, 'an arithmetician,'


s: But by 'the bookish theoric' it appears,


s: If 'tis summ'd up with feminine precision,


s: That, adding to the account his Highness' years,


s: For, were the Sultan just to all his dears,


s: She could but claim the fifteen-hundredth part


s: It is observed that ladies are litigious


s: And not the least so when they are religious,


s: Which doubles what they think of the transgression:


s: With suits and prosecutions they besiege us,


s: As the tribunals show through many a session,


s: When they suspect that any one goes shares


s: In that to which the law makes them sole heirs.


s: Now, if this holds good in a Christian land,


s: The heathen also, though with lesser latitude,


s: Are apt to carry things with a high hand,


s: And take what kings call 'an imposing attitude,'


s: And for their rights connubial make a stand,


s: When their liege husbands treat them with ingratitude:


s: And as four wives must have quadruple claims,


s: The Tigris hath its jealousies like Thames.


s: Gulbeyaz was the fourth, and (as I said)


s: The favourite; but what 's favour amongst four?


s: Most wise men, with one moderate woman wed,


s: To make the nuptial couch a 'Bed of Ware.'


s: His Highness, the sublimest of mankind,--


s: Of every monarch, till they are consign'd


s: Who on the very loftiest kings have dined,--


s: His Highness gazed upon Gulbeyaz' charms,


s: (A 'Highland welcome' all the wide world over).


s: Now here we should distinguish; for howe'er


s: Kisses, sweet words, embraces, and all that,


s: May look like what is--neither here nor there,


s: Or rather bonnet, which the fair sex wear,


s: Trimm'd either heads or hearts to decorate,


s: Which form an ornament, but no more part


s: Of heads, than their caresses of the heart.


s: A slight blush, a soft tremor, a calm kind


s: More in the eyelids than the eyes, resign'd


s: Rather to hide what pleases most unknown,


s: Of love, when seated on his loveliest throne,


s: A sincere woman's breast,--for over-warm


s: For over-warmth, if false, is worse than truth;


s: If true, 'tis no great lease of its own fire;


s: Would like (I think) to trust all to desire,


s: Which is but a precarious bond, in sooth,


s: And apt to be transferr'd to the first buyer


s: At a sad discount: while your over chilly


s: Women, on t' other hand, seem somewhat silly.


s: That is, we cannot pardon their bad taste,


s: For so it seems to lovers swift or slow,


s: Who fain would have a mutual flame confess'd,


s: Even were St. Francis' paramour their guest,


s: In short, the maxim for the amorous tribe is


s: The 'tu' 's too much,--but let it stand,--the verse


s: Requires it, that 's to say, the English rhyme,


s: But, after all, there 's neither tune nor time


s: In the last line, which cannot well be worse,


s: And was thrust in to close the octave's chime:


s: As a rule, but truth may, if you translate it.


s: Is much in most things, not less in the heart


s: Self-love in man, too, beats all female art;


s: They lie, we lie, all lie, but love no less;


s: And no one virtue yet, except starvation,


s: Could stop that worst of vices--propagation.


s: A bed is not a throne, and they may sleep,


s: Whate'er their dreams be, if of joys or woes:


s: Our least of sorrows are such as we weep;


s: 'Tis the vile daily drop on drop which wears


s: The soul out (like the stone) with petty cares.


s: To pay, unpaid, protested, or discounted


s: At a per-centage; a child cross, dog ill,


s: A favourite horse fallen lame just as he 's mounted,


s: Which leaves you minus of the cash you counted


s: As certain;--these are paltry things, and yet


s: I 've rarely seen the man they did not fret.


s: Bills, beasts, and men, and--no! not womankind!


s: With one good hearty curse I vent my gall,


s: And then my stoicism leaves nought behind


s: And I can give my whole soul up to mind;


s: Though what is soul or mind, their birth or growth,


s: Is more than I know--the deuce take them both!


s: Which doth your true believer so much please:


s: 'Tis so sententious, positive, and terse,


s: And decorates the book of Common Prayer,


s: As doth a rainbow the just clearing air.


s: At least one of them!--Oh, the heavy night,


s: When wicked wives, who love some bachelor,


s: Lie down in dudgeon to sigh for the light


s: Of the gray morning, and look vainly for


s: Its twinkle through the lattice dusky quite--


s: To toss, to tumble, doze, revive, and quake


s: Lest their too lawful bed-fellow should wake!


s: Four-posted and silk curtain'd, which are given


s: For rich men and their brides to lay their heads


s: Upon, in sheets white as what bards call 'driven


s: Snow.' Well! 'tis all hap-hazard when one weds.


s: Perhaps as wretched if a peasant's quean.


s: With all the damsels in their long array,


s: Had bow'd themselves before th' imperial eyes,


s: Back to their chambers, those long galleries


s: Their delicate limbs; a thousand bosoms there


s: Beating for love, as the caged bird's for air.


s: I love the sex, and sometimes would reverse


s: The tyrant's wish, 'that mankind only had


s: One neck, which he with one fell stroke might pierce:'


s: My wish is quite as wide, but not so bad,


s: And much more tender on the whole than fierce;


s: It being (not now, but only while a lad)


s: To kiss them all at once from North to South.


s: And heads, if thou hadst all things multiplied


s: In such proportion!--But my Muse withstands


s: The giant thought of being a Titan's bride,


s: In which we left him several lines above.


s: He went forth with the lovely Odalisques,


s: At the given signal join'd to their array;


s: Yet he could not at times keep, by the way


s: (Although the consequences of such frisks


s: Are worse than the worst damages men pay


s: In moral England, where the thing 's a tax),


s: From ogling all their charms from breasts to backs.


s: Still he forgot not his disguise:--along


s: The galleries from room to room they walk'd,


s: By eunuchs flank'd; while at their head there stalk'd


s: The female ranks, so that none stirr'd or talk'd


s: Without her sanction on their she-parades:


s: Her title was 'the Mother of the Maids.'


s: Or whether they were 'maids' who call'd her mother;


s: Young women, and correct them when they blunder'd.


s: And guards, and bolts, and walls, and now and then


s: Along the rest, contrived to keep this den


s: Where all the passions have, alas! but one vent.


s: And what is that? Devotion, doubtless--how


s: Could you ask such a question?--but we will


s: Of one good man, with stately march and slow,


s: Like water-lilies floating down a rill--


s: Or rather lake, for rills do not run slowly--


s: Paced on most maiden-like and melancholy.


s: But when they reach'd their own apartments, there,


s: Like birds, or boys, or bedlamites broke loose,


s: When freed from bonds (which are of no great use


s: Their guards being gone, and as it were a truce


s: Establish'd between them and bondage, they


s: Began to sing, dance, chatter, smile, and play.


s: Their talk, of course, ran most on the new comer;


s: Her shape, her hair, her air, her everything:


s: Some thought her dress did not so much become her,


s: Some said her years were getting nigh their summer,


s: Others contended they were but in spring;


s: Some thought her rather masculine in height,


s: While others wish'd that she had been so quite.


s: But no one doubted on the whole, that she


s: Was what her dress bespoke, a damsel fair,


s: Who with the brightest Georgians might compare:


s: They wonder'd how Gulbeyaz, too, could be


s: So silly as to buy slaves who might share


s: (If that his Highness wearied of his bride)


s: Her throne and power, and every thing beside.


s: But what was strangest in this virgin crew,


s: They all found out as few, or fewer, specks


s: In the fair form of their companion new,


s: When they survey, with Christian eyes or Heathen,


s: In a new face 'the ugliest creature breathing.'


s: And yet they had their little jealousies,


s: Like all the rest; but upon this occasion,


s: Whether there are such things as sympathies


s: Without our knowledge or our approbation,


s: Although they could not see through his disguise,


s: You please--we will not quarrel about that:


s: But certain 'tis they all felt for their new


s: Companion something newer still, as 'twere


s: A sentimental friendship through and through,


s: Extremely pure, which made them all concur


s: Who wish'd they had a brother just like her,


s: Whom, if they were at home in sweet Circassia,


s: Of those who had most genius for this sort


s: Of sentimental friendship, there were three,


s: (To save description), fair as fair can be


s: Were they, according to the best report,


s: And clime and time, and country and complexion;


s: They all alike admired their new connection.


s: With great blue eyes, a lovely hand and arm,


s: And feet so small they scarce seem'd made to tread,


s: But rather skim the earth; while Dudu's form


s: Being somewhat large, and languishing, and lazy,


s: Who gazed upon her cheek's transcendent hue,


s: Her Attic forehead, and her Phidian nose:


s: Few angles were there in her form, 'tis true,


s: Thinner she might have been, and yet scarce lose;


s: Yet, after all, 'twould puzzle to say where


s: It would not spoil some separate charm to pare.


s: Stole on your spirit like a May-day breaking;


s: Her eyes were not too sparkling, yet, half-shut,


s: She look'd (this simile 's quite new) just cut


s: From marble, like Pygmalion's statue waking,


s: The mortal and the marble still at strife,


s: Katinka ask'd her also whence she came--


s: 'From Spain.'--'But where is Spain?'--'Don't ask such stuff,


s: Nor show your Georgian ignorance--for shame!'


s: Said Lolah, with an accent rather rough,


s: To poor Katinka: 'Spain 's an island near


s: And looking at her steadfastly, she sigh'd,


s: A pretty stranger without friend or guide,


s: And all abash'd, too, at the general stare


s: Which welcomes hapless strangers in all places,


s: With kind remarks upon their mien and faces.


s: But here the Mother of the Maids drew near,


s: With, 'Ladies, it is time to go to rest.


s: I 'm puzzled what to do with you, my dear,'


s: And every couch is occupied; you had best


s: We will have all things settled for you fairly.'


s: You don't sleep soundly, and I cannot bear


s: I 'll take Juanna; we 're a slenderer pair


s: Than you would make the half of;--don't say no;


s: And I of your young charge will take due care.'


s: 'Besides, I hate to sleep alone,' quoth she.


s: The matron frown'd: 'Why so?'--'For fear of ghosts,'


s: And then I have the worst dreams that can be,


s: Of Guebres, Giaours, and Ginns, and Gouls in hosts.'


s: The dame replied, 'Between your dreams and you,


s: I fear Juanna's dreams would be but few.


s: Alone, for reasons which don't matter; you


s: And will not toss and chatter the night through.


s: What say you, child?'--Dudu said nothing, as


s: Her talents were of the more silent class;


s: But she rose up, and kiss'd the matron's brow


s: Between the eyes, and Lolah on both cheeks,


s: (Curt'sies are neither used by Turks nor Greeks)


s: Their place of rest, and left to both their piques,


s: The others pouting at the matron's preference


s: Of Dudu, though they held their tongues from deference.


s: The Turkish title), and ranged round the wall


s: Were couches, toilets--and much more than this


s: I might describe, as I have seen it all,


s: 'Twas on the whole a nobly furnish'd hall,


s: With all things ladies want, save one or two,


s: And even those were nearer than they knew.


s: Dudu, as has been said, was a sweet creature,


s: Not very dashing, but extremely winning,


s: With the most regulated charms of feature,


s: Which painters cannot catch like faces sinning


s: Against proportion--the wild strokes of nature


s: Which they hit off at once in the beginning,


s: Full of expression, right or wrong, that strike,


s: And pleasing or unpleasing, still are like.


s: But she was a soft landscape of mild earth,


s: Where all was harmony, and calm, and quiet,


s: Luxuriant, budding; cheerful without mirth,


s: Which, if not happiness, is much more nigh it


s: Than are your mighty passions and so forth,


s: Which some call 'the sublime:' I wish they 'd try it:


s: I 've seen your stormy seas and stormy women,


s: And pity lovers rather more than seamen.


s: But she was pensive more than melancholy,


s: And serious more than pensive, and serene,


s: Her thoughts, at least till now, appear to have been.


s: The strangest thing was, beauteous, she was wholly


s: Unconscious, albeit turn'd of quick seventeen,


s: That she was fair, or dark, or short, or tall;


s: And therefore was she kind and gentle as


s: The Age of Gold (when gold was yet unknown,


s: But what was not; a sort of style that 's grown


s: Extremely common in this age, whose metal


s: The devil may decompose, but never settle:


s: I think it may be of 'Corinthian Brass,'


s: The brazen uppermost). Kind reader! pass


s: My faults even with your own! which meaneth, Put


s: But that you won't--then don't--I am not less free.


s: 'Tis time we should return to plain narration,


s: With every kindness short of ostentation,


s: Show'd Juan, or Juanna, through and through


s: This labyrinth of females, and each station


s: Described--what 's strange--in words extremely few:


s: I have but one simile, and that 's a blunder,


s: For wordless woman, which is silent thunder.


s: And next she gave her (I say her, because


s: In outward show, which is a saving clause)


s: With all their chaste integrity of laws,


s: The stricter doubtless grow the vestal duties


s: Dudu was fond of kissing--which I 'm sure


s: Because 'tis pleasant, so that it be pure,


s: And between females means no more than this--


s: That they have nothing better near, or newer.


s: 'Kiss' rhymes to 'bliss' in fact as well as verse--


s: Her toilet, which cost little, for she was


s: 'Twas like the fawn, which, in the lake display'd,


s: Beholds her own shy, shadowy image pass,


s: When first she starts, and then returns to peep,


s: Were laid aside; but not before she offer'd


s: Of modesty declined the assistance proffer'd:


s: Which pass'd well off--as she could do no less;


s: Though by this politesse she rather suffer'd,


s: Pricking her fingers with those cursed pins,


s: Which surely were invented for our sins,--


s: Not to be rashly touch'd. But still more dread,


s: O ye! whose fate it is, as once 'twas mine,


s: In early youth, to turn a lady's maid;--


s: The pins were placed sufficiently, but not


s: But these are foolish things to all the wise,


s: And I love wisdom more than she loves me;


s: On most things, from a tyrant to a tree;


s: But still the spouseless virgin Knowledge flies.


s: What are we? and whence came we? what shall be


s: Our ultimate existence? what 's our present?


s: Are questions answerless, and yet incessant.


s: There was deep silence in the chamber: dim


s: And distant from each other burn'd the lights,


s: And slumber hover'd o'er each lovely limb


s: Of the fair occupants: if there be sprites,


s: They should have walk'd there in their sprightliest trim,


s: By way of change from their sepulchral sites,


s: And shown themselves as ghosts of better taste


s: Than haunting some old ruin or wild waste.


s: Like flowers of different hue, and dime, and root,


s: With cost, and care, and warmth induced to shoot.


s: One with her auburn tresses lightly bound,


s: And fair brows gently drooping, as the fruit


s: Nods from the tree, was slumbering with soft breath,


s: And lips apart, which show'd the pearls beneath.


s: One with her flush'd cheek laid on her white arm,


s: And raven ringlets gather'd in dark crowd


s: Above her brow, lay dreaming soft and warm;


s: And smiling through her dream, as through a cloud


s: The moon breaks, half unveil'd each further charm,


s: As, slightly stirring in her snowy shroud,


s: Her beauties seized the unconscious hour of night


s: This is no bull, although it sounds so; for


s: 'Twas night, but there were lamps, as hath been said.


s: A third's all pallid aspect offer'd more


s: The traits of sleeping sorrow, and betray'd


s: Through the heaved breast the dream of some far shore


s: Beloved and deplored; while slowly stray'd


s: (As night-dew, on a cypress glittering, tinges


s: The black bough) tear-drops through her eyes' dark fringes.


s: A fourth as marble, statue-like and still,


s: Lay in a breathless, hush'd, and stony sleep;


s: White, cold, and pure, as looks a frozen rill,


s: Or Lot's wife done in salt,--or what you will;--


s: So pick and choose--perhaps you 'll be content


s: And lo! a fifth appears;--and what is she?


s: I know not, never counting past their teens;


s: But there she slept, not quite so fair to see,


s: Which lays both men and women on the shelf,


s: But all this time how slept, or dream'd, Dudu?


s: With strict inquiry I could ne'er discover,


s: But ere the middle watch was hardly over,


s: Just when the fading lamps waned dim and blue,


s: And phantoms hover'd, or might seem to hover,


s: The apartment, on a sudden she scream'd out:


s: Matron and maids, and those whom you may call


s: Neither, came crowding like the waves of ocean,


s: One on the other, throughout the whole hall,


s: All trembling, wondering, without the least notion


s: More than I have myself of what could make


s: But wide awake she was, and round her bed,


s: With floating draperies and with flying hair,


s: With eager eyes, and light but hurried tread,


s: And bosoms, arms, and ankles glancing bare,


s: By the North Pole,--they sought her cause of care,


s: For she seem'd agitated, flush'd, and frighten'd,


s: Her eye dilated and her colour heighten'd.


s: But what was strange--and a strong proof how great


s: Not all the clamour broke her happy state


s: Of slumber, ere they shook her,--so they say


s: At least,--and then she, too, unclosed her eyes,


s: And yawn'd a good deal with discreet surprise.


s: And now commenced a strict investigation,


s: Which, as all spoke at once and more than once,


s: Conjecturing, wondering, asking a narration,


s: Dudu had never pass'd for wanting sense,


s: Could not at first expound what was amiss.


s: At length she said, that in a slumber sound


s: She dream'd a dream, of walking in a wood--


s: A 'wood obscure,' like that where Dante found


s: Himself in at the age when all grow good;


s: Life's half-way house, where dames with virtue crown'd


s: Run much less risk of lovers turning rude;


s: And that this wood was full of pleasant fruits,


s: And trees of goodly growth and spreading roots;


s: Rather too high and distant; that she threw


s: Her glances on it, and then, longing, flung


s: Stones and whatever she could pick up, to


s: Bring down the fruit, which still perversely clung


s: To its own bough, and dangled yet in sight,


s: But always at a most provoking height;--


s: That on a sudden, when she least had hope,


s: Her feet; that her first movement was to stoop


s: And pick it up, and bite it to the core;


s: A bee flew out and stung her to the heart,


s: And so--she awoke with a great scream and start.


s: All this she told with some confusion and


s: Of the unpleasant kind, with none at hand


s: To expound their vain and visionary gleams.


s: I 've known some odd ones which seem'd really plann'd


s: A 'strange coincidence,' to use a phrase


s: By which such things are settled now-a-days.


s: The damsels, who had thoughts of some great harm,


s: That broke for nothing on their sleeping car.


s: The matron, too, was wroth to leave her warm


s: Bed for the dream she had been obliged to hear,


s: And chafed at poor Dudu, who only sigh'd,


s: And said that she was sorry she had cried.


s: 'I 've heard of stories of a cock and bull;


s: To take us from our natural rest, and pull


s: The whole Oda from their beds at half-past three,


s: Would make us think the moon is at its full.


s: You surely are unwell, child! we must see,


s: To-morrow, what his Highness's physician


s: 'And poor Juanna, too--the child's first night


s: With such a clamour! I had thought it right


s: That the young stranger should not lie alone,


s: With you, Dudu, a good night's rest have known;


s: But now I must transfer her to the charge


s: Of Lolah--though her couch is not so large.'


s: Lolah's eyes sparkled at the proposition;


s: But poor Dudu, with large drops in her own,


s: Resulting from the scolding or the vision,


s: Implored that present pardon might be shown


s: For this first fault, and that on no condition


s: Her future dreams should all be kept in hand.


s: She promised never more to have a dream,


s: At least to dream so loudly as just now;


s: She wonder'd at herself how she could scream--


s: 'Twas foolish, nervous, as she must allow,


s: For laughter--but she felt her spirits low,


s: And begg'd they would excuse her; she 'd get over


s: This weakness in a few hours, and recover.


s: And said she felt herself extremely well


s: Where she then was, as her sound sleep disclosed


s: When all around rang like a tocsin bell:


s: She did not find herself the least disposed


s: To quit her gentle partner, and to dwell


s: Save that of dreaming once 'mal-a-propos.'


s: And hid her face within Juanna's breast:


s: Her neck alone was seen, but that was found


s: I can't tell why she blush'd, nor can expound


s: The mystery of this rupture of their rest;


s: All that I know is, that the facts I state


s: Are true as truth has ever been of late.


s: And so good night to them,--or, if you will,


s: Good morrow--for the cock had crown, and light


s: And the mosque crescent struggled into sight


s: Of dewy dawn wound slowly round each height


s: That stretches to the stony belt, which girds


s: Asia, where Kaff looks down upon the Kurds.


s: With the first ray, or rather grey of morn,


s: Gulbeyaz rose from restlessness; and pale


s: Array'd herself with mantle, gem, and veil.


s: The nightingale that sings with the deep thorn,


s: Which fable places in her breast of wail,


s: Is lighter far of heart and voice than those


s: Whose headlong passions form their proper woes.


s: And that 's the moral of this composition,


s: If people would but see its real drift;--


s: But that they will not do without suspicion,


s: Because all gentle readers have the gift


s: Of closing 'gainst the light their orbs of vision;


s: Their voices 'gainst each other, which is natural,


s: The numbers are too great for them to flatter all.


s: Rose the sultana from a bed of splendour,


s: Softer than the soft Sybarite's, who cried


s: Aloud because his feelings were too tender


s: To brook a ruffled rose-leaf by his side,--


s: So beautiful that art could little mend her,


s: Though pale with conflicts between love and pride;--


s: A thing of much less import in that clime--


s: At least to those of incomes which afford


s: The filling up their whole connubial cargo--


s: Than where two wives are under an embargo.


s: He did not think much on the matter, nor


s: And therefore of Circassians had good store,


s: Had made him lately bask in his bride's beauty.


s: And now he rose; and after due ablutions


s: He drank six cups of coffee at the least,


s: And then withdrew to hear about the Russians,


s: In Catherine's reign, whom glory still adores,


s: But oh, thou grand legitimate Alexander!


s: Her son's son, let not this last phrase offend


s: Thine ear, if it should reach--and now rhymes wander


s: Of murmuring Liberty's wide waves, which blend


s: Their roar even with the Baltic's--so you be


s: Your father's son, 'tis quite enough for me.


s: Their mothers as the antipodes of Timon,


s: That hater of mankind, would be a shame,


s: A libel, or whate'er you please to rhyme on:


s: But people's ancestors are history's game;


s: And if one lady's slip could leave a crime on


s: What pedigree the best would have to show?


s: Their own true interests, which kings rarely know


s: Until 'tis taught by lessons rather rude,


s: There was a way to end their strife, although


s: Perhaps precarious, had they but thought good,


s: She to dismiss her guards and he his haram,


s: And for their other matters, meet and share 'em.


s: How to encounter with this martial scold,


s: Of all the pillars of the state, which leans


s: Meantime Gulbeyaz, when her king was gone,


s: For love or breakfast; private, pleasing, lone,


s: And rich with all contrivances which grace


s: Those gay recesses:--many a precious stone


s: Sparkled along its roof, and many a vase


s: Of porcelain held in the fetter'd flowers,


s: Those captive soothers of a captive's hours.


s: Mother of pearl, and porphyry, and marble,


s: Vied with each other on this costly spot;


s: And singing birds without were heard to warble;


s: And the stain'd glass which lighted this fair grot


s: Varied each ray;--but all descriptions garble


s: The true effect, and so we had better not


s: Be too minute; an outline is the best,--


s: And here she summon'd Baba, and required


s: Of what had pass'd since all the slaves retired,


s: And whether he had occupied their station;


s: Kept up; and above all, the where and how


s: He had pass'd the night, was what she wish'd to know.


s: To this long catechism of questions, ask'd


s: More easily than answer'd,--that he had tried


s: His best to obey in what he had been task'd;


s: But there seem'd something that he wish'd to hide,


s: Which hesitation more betray'd than mask'd;


s: He scratch'd his ear, the infallible resource


s: To which embarrass'd people have recourse.


s: Nor much disposed to wait in word or deed;


s: She liked quick answers in all conversations;


s: And when she saw him stumbling like a steed


s: In his replies, she puzzled him for fresh ones;


s: And as his speech grew still more broken-kneed,


s: Her cheek began to flush, her eyes to sparkle,


s: And her proud brow's blue veins to swell and darkle.


s: When Baba saw these symptoms, which he knew


s: To bode him no great good, he deprecated


s: Her anger, and beseech'd she 'd hear him through--


s: He could not help the thing which he related:


s: Then out it came at length, that to Dudu


s: Juan was given in charge, as hath been stated;


s: But not by Baba's fault, he said, and swore on


s: The holy camel's hump, besides the Koran.


s: As soon as they re-enter'd their own room,


s: For Baba's function stopt short at the door,


s: Had settled all; nor could he then presume


s: (The aforesaid Baba) just then to do more,


s: Might make the matter still worse than it was.


s: He hoped, indeed he thought, he could be sure


s: 'Twas certain that his conduct had been pure,


s: But ended in his being found out and sack'd,


s: And thrown into the sea.--Thus Baba spoke


s: Of all save Dudu's dream, which was no joke.


s: This he discreetly kept in the background,


s: And talk'd away--and might have talk'd till now,


s: So deep an anguish wrung Gulbeyaz' brow:


s: Her cheek turn'd ashes, ears rung, brain whirl'd round,


s: And the heart's dew of pain sprang fast and chilly


s: O'er her fair front, like Morning's on a lily.


s: Although she was not of the fainting sort,


s: Baba thought she would faint, but there he err'd--


s: It was but a convulsion, which though short


s: Can never be described; we all have heard,


s: And some of us have felt thus 'all amort,'


s: When things beyond the common have occurr'd;--


s: What she could ne'er express--then how should I?


s: Stands on her tripod, agonised, and full


s: When all the heart-strings like wild horses pull


s: The heart asunder;--then, as more or lees


s: Their speed abated or their strength grew dull,


s: She sunk down on her seat by slow degrees,


s: And bow'd her throbbing head o'er trembling knees.


s: Her face declined and was unseen; her hair


s: Fell in long tresses like the weeping willow,


s: Sweeping the marble underneath her chair,


s: Stirr'd up and down her bosom like a billow,


s: Which rushes to some shore whose shingles check


s: Its farther course, but must receive its wreck.


s: Her head hung down, and her long hair in stooping


s: Conceal'd her features better than a veil;


s: And one hand o'er the ottoman lay drooping,


s: Would that I were a painter! to be grouping


s: O that my words were colours! but their tints


s: May serve perhaps as outlines or slight hints.


s: Baba, who knew by experience when to talk


s: And when to hold his tongue, now held it till


s: This passion might blow o'er, nor dared to balk


s: At length she rose up, and began to walk


s: Slowly along the room, but silent still,


s: And her brow clear'd, but not her troubled eye;


s: The wind was down, but still the sea ran high.


s: She stopp'd, and raised her head to speak--but paused,


s: And then moved on again with rapid pace;


s: Then slacken'd it, which is the march most caused


s: By deep emotion:--you may sometimes trace


s: A feeling in each footstep, as disclosed


s: By all the demons of all passions, show'd


s: Their work even by the way in which he trode.


s: Gulbeyaz stopp'd and beckon'd Baba:--'Slave!


s: Bring the two slaves!' she said in a low tone,


s: But one which Baba did not like to brave,


s: And yet he shudder'd, and seem'd rather prone


s: To prove reluctant, and begg'd leave to crave


s: (Though he well knew the meaning) to be shown


s: What slaves her highness wish'd to indicate,


s: 'The Georgian and her paramour,' replied


s: The imperial bride--and added, 'Let the boat


s: You know the rest.' The words stuck in her throat,


s: Despite her injured love and fiery pride;


s: And begg'd by every hair of Mahomet's beard,


s: She would revoke the order he had heard.


s: 'To hear is to obey,' he said; 'but still,


s: Your orders, even in their severest sense;


s: 'But your own feelings. Even should all the rest


s: Be hidden by the rolling waves, which hide


s: Deep in the caverns of the deadly tide--


s: You love this boyish, new, seraglio guest,


s: Excuse my freedom, when I here assure you,


s: That killing him is not the way to cure you.'


s: 'What dost thou know of love or feeling?--Wretch!


s: Begone!' she cried, with kindling eyes--'and do


s: My bidding!' Baba vanish'd, for to stretch


s: His own remonstrance further he well knew


s: Might end in acting as his own 'Jack Ketch;'


s: And though he wish'd extremely to get through