s: This awkward business without harm to others,


s: He still preferr'd his own neck to another's.


s: Growling and grumbling in good Turkish phrase


s: Against all women of whate'er condition,


s: Their never knowing their own mind two days,


s: The trouble that they gave, their immorality,


s: Which made him daily bless his own neutrality.


s: And then he call'd his brethren to his aid,


s: That they must instantly be well array'd,


s: And brought before the empress, who had made


s: At which Dudu look'd strange, and Juan silly;


s: But go they must at once, and will I--nill I.


s: And here I leave them at their preparation


s: For the imperial presence, wherein whether


s: Gulbeyaz show'd them both commiseration,


s: Like other angry ladies of her nation,--


s: Are things the turning of a hair or feather


s: May settle; but far be 't from me to anticipate


s: In what way feminine caprice may dissipate.


s: I leave them for the present with good wishes,


s: Though doubts of their well doing, to arrange


s: Of this our banquet we must sometimes change;


s: And trusting Juan may escape the fishes,


s: Although his situation now seems strange


s: And scarce secure, as such digressions are fair,


s: The Muse will take a little touch at warfare.


s: Of such transcendent and more fleeting flight.


s: Chill, and chain'd to cold earth, we lift on high


s: Our eyes in search of either lovely light;


s: Assume, then leave us on our freezing way.


s: And such as they are, such my present tale is,


s: Which flashes o'er a waste and icy clime.


s: When we know what all are, we must bewail us,


s: To laugh at all things--for I wish to know


s: What, after all, are all things--but a show?


s: They accuse me--Me--the present writer of


s: At human power and virtue, and all that;


s: And this they say in language rather rough.


s: Good God! I wonder what they would be at!


s: I say no more than hath been said in Dante's


s: Who knew this life was not worth a potato.


s: 'T is not their fault, nor mine, if this be so--


s: But which is best, you know no more than I.


s: 'To know that nothing could be known;' a pleasant


s: Each man of wisdom, future, past, or present.


s: Newton (that proverb of the mind), alas!


s: Declared, with all his grand discoveries recent,


s: Picking up shells by the great ocean--Truth.'


s: Ecclesiastes said, 'that all is vanity'-


s: Most modern preachers say the same, or show it


s: In short, all know, or very soon may know it;


s: And in this scene of all-confess'd inanity,


s: By saint, by sage, by preacher, and by poet,


s: Must I restrain me, through the fear of strife,


s: From holding up the nothingness of life?


s: Dogs, or men!--for I flatter you in saying


s: That ye are dogs--your betters far--ye may


s: Read, or read not, what I am now essaying


s: As little as the moon stops for the baying


s: Of wolves, will the bright muse withdraw one ray


s: From out her skies--then howl your idle wrath!


s: While she still silvers o'er your gloomy path.


s: 'Fierce loves and faithless wars'--I am not sure


s: If this be the right reading--'t is no matter;


s: The fact 's about the same, I am secure;


s: I sing them both, and am about to batter


s: And was beleaguer'd both by land and water


s: Who loved blood as an alderman loves marrow.


s: The fortress is call'd Ismail, and is placed


s: Upon the Danube's left branch and left bank,


s: But still a fortress of the foremost rank,


s: Or was at least, unless 't is since defaced,


s: Which with your conquerors is a common prank:


s: It stands some eighty versts from the high sea,


s: And measures round of toises thousands three.


s: Upon the left, which from its loftier station


s: A Greek had raised around this elevation


s: So placed as to impede the fire of those


s: Who held the place, and to assist the foe's.


s: This circumstance may serve to give a notion


s: But the town ditch below was deep as ocean,


s: The rampart higher than you 'd wish to hang:


s: But then there was a great want of precaution


s: (Prithee, excuse this engineering slang),


s: Nor work advanced, nor cover'd way was there,


s: To hint at least 'Here is no thoroughfare.'


s: But a stone bastion, with a narrow gorge,


s: And walls as thick as most skulls born as yet;


s: Two batteries, cap-a-pie, as our St. George,


s: Case-mated one, and t' other 'a barbette,'


s: Of Danube's bank took formidable charge;


s: Rose over the town's right side, in bristling tier,


s: But from the river the town 's open quite,


s: Because the Turks could never be persuaded


s: A Russian vessel e'er would heave in sight;


s: And such their creed was, till they were invaded,


s: When it grew rather late to set things right.


s: But as the Danube could not well be waded,


s: They look'd upon the Muscovite flotilla,


s: And only shouted, 'Allah!' and 'Bis Millah!'


s: How shall I spell the name of each Cossacque


s: Who were immortal, could one tell their story?


s: Achilles' self was not more grim and gory


s: Than thousands of this new and polish'd nation,


s: Whose names want nothing but--pronunciation.


s: Still I 'll record a few, if but to increase


s: Our euphony: there was Strongenoff, and Strokonoff,


s: Meknop, Serge Lwow, Arsniew of modern Greece,


s: And more might be found out, if I could poke enough


s: Into gazettes; but Fame (capricious strumpet),


s: It seems, has got an ear as well as trumpet,


s: And cannot tune those discords of narration,


s: Which may be names at Moscow, into rhyme;


s: Yet there were several worth commemoration,


s: Soft words, too, fitted for the peroration


s: Ending in 'ischskin,' 'ousckin,' 'iffskchy,' 'ouski:


s: All proper men of weapons, as e'er scoff'd high


s: Against a foe, or ran a sabre through skin:


s: Unless to make their kettle-drums a new skin


s: Out of their hides, if parchment had grown dear,


s: Then there were foreigners of much renown,


s: Not fighting for their country or its crown,


s: A pleasant thing to young men at their years.


s: 'Mongst them were several Englishmen of pith,


s: Sixteen call'd Thomson, and nineteen named Smith.


s: Jack Thomson and Bill Thomson; all the rest


s: Had been call'd 'Jemmy,' after the great bard;


s: I don't know whether they had arms or crest,


s: Three of the Smiths were Peters; but the best


s: Amongst them all, hard blows to inflict or ward,


s: Was he, since so renown'd 'in country quarters


s: At Halifax;' but now he served the Tartars.


s: The rest were jacks and Gills and Wills and Bills;


s: But when I 've added that the elder jack Smith


s: And that his father was an honest blacksmith,


s: I 've said all I know of a name that fills


s: Three lines of the despatch in taking 'Schmacksmith,'


s: I wonder (although Mars no doubt 's a god


s: Because, though I am but a simple noddy,


s: I think one Shakspeare puts the same thought in


s: The mouth of some one in his plays so doting,


s: Which many people pass for wits by quoting.


s: Then there were Frenchmen, gallant, young, and gay:


s: I 'd rather tell ten lies than say a word


s: Of truth;--such truths are treason; they betray


s: Their country; and as traitors are abhorr'd


s: Who name the French in English, save to show


s: How Peace should make John Bull the Frenchman's foe.


s: The Russians, having built two batteries on


s: An isle near Ismail, had two ends in view;


s: The first was to bombard it, and knock down


s: The public buildings and the private too,


s: No matter what poor souls might be undone.


s: The city's shape suggested this, 't is true;


s: Form'd like an amphitheatre, each dwelling


s: Presented a fine mark to throw a shell in.


s: The moment of the general consternation,


s: To attack the Turk's flotilla, which lay nigh


s: Extremely tranquil, anchor'd at its station:


s: A phantasy which sometimes seizes warriors,


s: Unless they are game as bull-dogs and fox-terriers.


s: The cause of killing Tchitchitzkoff and Smith;


s: One of the valorous 'Smiths' whom we shall miss


s: Out of those nineteen who late rhymed to 'pith;'


s: But 't is a name so spread o'er 'Sir' and 'Madam,'


s: That one would think the first who bore it 'Adam.'


s: Because they were constructed in a hurry;


s: Thus the same cause which makes a verse want feet,


s: And throws a cloud o'er Longman and John Murray,


s: When the sale of new books is not so fleet


s: As they who print them think is necessary,


s: May likewise put off for a time what story


s: Sometimes calls 'murder,' and at others 'glory.'


s: Whether it was their engineer's stupidity,


s: Their haste, or waste, I neither know nor care,


s: They either miss'd, or they were never miss'd,


s: Three fireships lost their amiable existence


s: Before they reach'd a spot to take effect:


s: The match was lit too soon, and no assistance


s: They blew up in the middle of the river,


s: While, though 't was dawn, the Turks slept fast as ever.


s: At seven they rose, however, and survey'd


s: 'T was nine, when still advancing undismay'd,


s: Within a cable's length their vessels lay


s: Which was return'd with interest, I may say,


s: And shells and shot of every size and shape.


s: For six hours bore they without intermission


s: The Turkish fire, and aided by their own


s: Land batteries, work'd their guns with great precision:


s: At length they found mere cannonade alone


s: By no means would produce the town's submission,


s: One bark blew up, a second near the works


s: Running aground, was taken by the Turks.


s: The Moslem, too, had lost both ships and men;


s: Their Delhis mann'd some boats, and sail'd again,


s: And gall'd the Russians with a heavy fire,


s: And tried to make a landing on the main;


s: But here the effect fell short of their desire:


s: Count Damas drove them back into the water


s: Pell-mell, and with a whole gazette of slaughter.


s: 'If' (says the historian here) 'I could report


s: All that the Russians did upon this day,


s: I think that several volumes would fall short,


s: And I should still have many things to say;'


s: And so he says no more--but pays his court


s: To some distinguish'd strangers in that fray;


s: Names great as any that the roll of Fame has.


s: This being the case, may show us what Fame is:


s: For out of these three 'preux Chevaliers,' how


s: That such existed? (and they may live now


s: For aught we know.) Renown 's all hit or miss;


s: There 's fortune even in fame, we must allow.


s: 'T is true the Memoirs of the Prince de Ligne


s: Have half withdrawn from him oblivion's screen.


s: But here are men who fought in gallant actions


s: But buried in the heap of such transactions


s: Their names are rarely found, nor often sought.


s: Thus even good fame may suffer sad contractions,


s: And is extinguish'd sooner than she ought:


s: You can't repeat nine names from each Gazette.


s: In short, this last attack, though rich in glory,


s: Show'd that somewhere, somehow, there was a fault,


s: And Admiral Ribas (known in Russian story)


s: In which he was opposed by young and hoary,


s: Which made a long debate; but I must halt,


s: For if I wrote down every warrior's speech,


s: I doubt few readers e'er would mount the breach.


s: Not that his manhood could be call'd in question,


s: Had been as short in youth as indigestion


s: Made his last illness, when, all worn and wan,


s: He died beneath a tree, as much unblest on


s: The soil of the green province he had wasted,


s: As e'er was locust on the land it blasted.


s: This was Potemkin--a great thing in days


s: If stars and titles could entail long praise,


s: This fellow, being six foot high, could raise


s: In the then sovereign of the Russian people,


s: Who measured men as you would do a steeple.


s: While things were in abeyance, Ribas sent


s: A courier to the prince, and he succeeded


s: I cannot tell the way in which he pleaded,


s: In the mean time, the batteries proceeded,


s: And fourscore cannon on the Danube's border


s: Were briskly fired and answer'd in due order.


s: But on the thirteenth, when already part


s: Of the troops were embark'd, the siege to raise,


s: A courier on the spur inspired new heart


s: By his despatches couch'd in pithy phrase;


s: Announcing the appointment of that lover of


s: Battles to the command, Field-Marshal Souvaroff.


s: The letter of the prince to the same marshal


s: Been one to which a good heart could be partial--


s: Defence of freedom, country, or of laws;


s: But as it was mere lust of power to o'er-arch all


s: With its proud brow, it merits slight applause,


s: Save for its style, which said, all in a trice,


s: 'You will take Ismail at whatever price.'


s: 'Let there be light! said God, and there was light!'


s: 'Let there be blood!' says man, and there 's a seal


s: The fiat of this spoil'd child of the Night


s: (For Day ne'er saw his merits) could decree


s: More evil in an hour, than thirty bright


s: Summers could renovate, though they should be


s: Lovely as those which ripen'd Eden's fruit;


s: For war cuts up not only branch, but root.


s: Our friends the Turks, who with loud 'Allahs' now


s: (Or beaten, if you insist on grammar, though


s: But here I say the Turks were much mistaken,


s: Who hating hogs, yet wish'd to save their bacon.


s: For, on the sixteenth, at full gallop, drew


s: In sight two horsemen, who were deem'd Cossacques


s: For some time, till they came in nearer view.


s: They had but little baggage at their backs,


s: For there were but three shirts between the two;


s: But on they rode upon two Ukraine hacks,


s: Till, in approaching, were at length descried


s: In this plain pair, Suwarrow and his guide.


s: 'Great joy to London now!' says some great fool,


s: Which to that bottle-conjurer, John Bull,


s: Is of all dreams the first hallucination;


s: So that the streets of colour'd lamps are full,


s: That Sage (said john) surrenders at discretion


s: His purse, his soul, his sense, and even his nonsense,


s: To gratify, like a huge moth, this one sense.


s: 'T is strange that he should farther 'damn his eyes,'


s: For they are damn'd; that once all-famous oath


s: Since John has lately lost the use of both.


s: Debt he calls wealth, and taxes Paradise;


s: And Famine, with her gaunt and bony growth,


s: Which stare him in the face, he won't examine,


s: Or swears that Ceres hath begotten Famine.


s: But to the tale:--great joy unto the camp!


s: O'er whom Suwarrow shone like a gas lamp,


s: Which all who saw it follow'd, wrong or right.


s: But certes matters took a different face;


s: The fleet and camp saluted with great grace,


s: And all presaged good fortune to their cause.


s: Within a cannon-shot length of the place


s: They drew, constructed ladders, repair'd flaws


s: In former works, made new, prepared fascines,


s: Makes that of multitudes take one direction,


s: As roll the waters to the breathing wind,


s: Or roams the herd beneath the bull's protection;


s: Or a bell-wether form the flock's connection


s: By tinkling sounds, when they go forth to victual;


s: Such is the sway of your great men o'er little.


s: The whole camp rung with joy; you would have thought


s: That they were going to a marriage feast


s: (This metaphor, I think, holds good as aught,


s: Since there is discord after both at least):


s: There was not now a luggage boy but sought


s: Danger and spoil with ardour much increased;


s: And why? because a little--odd--old man,


s: Stript to his shirt, was come to lead the van.


s: Detachment of three columns took its station,


s: And waited but the signal's voice to burst


s: Was also in three columns, with a thirst


s: For glory gaping o'er a sea of slaughter:


s: The third, in columns two, attack'd by water.


s: New batteries were erected, and was held


s: That stranger to most councils, here prevail'd,


s: As sometimes happens in a great extremity;


s: While Souvaroff, determined to obtain it,


s: Was teaching his recruits to use the bayonet


s: It is an actual fact, that he, commander


s: In chief, in proper person deign'd to drill


s: The awkward squad, and could afford to squander


s: Just as you 'd break a sucking salamander


s: To swallow flame, and never take it ill:


s: He show'd them how to mount a ladder (which


s: Was not like Jacob's) or to cross a ditch.


s: Also he dress'd up, for the nonce, fascines


s: Like men with turbans, scimitars, and dirks,


s: And made them charge with bayonet these machines,


s: And when well practised in these mimic scenes,


s: He judged them proper to assail the works;


s: At which your wise men sneer'd in phrases witty:


s: He made no answer; but he took the city.


s: Most things were in this posture on the eve


s: A stern repose; which you would scarce conceive;


s: Yet men resolved to dash through thick and thin


s: That all is settled:--there was little din,


s: For some were thinking of their home and friends,


s: And others of themselves and latter ends.


s: Surveying, drilling, ordering, jesting, pondering;


s: A thing to wonder at beyond most wondering;


s: Hero, buffoon, half-demon, and half-dirt,


s: Praying, instructing, desolating, plundering;


s: Now Mars, now Momus; and when bent to storm


s: The day before the assault, while upon drill--


s: For this great conqueror play'd the corporal--


s: Some Cossacques, hovering like hawks round a hill,


s: Had met a party towards the twilight's fall,


s: One of whom spoke their tongue--or well or ill,


s: 'T was much that he was understood at all;


s: But whether from his voice, or speech, or manner,


s: They found that he had fought beneath their banner.


s: They brought him and his comrades to head-quarters;


s: Their dress was Moslem, but you might have guess'd


s: That these were merely masquerading Tartars,


s: And that beneath each Turkish-fashion'd vest


s: Lurk'd Christianity; which sometimes barters


s: Her inward grace for outward show, and makes


s: It difficult to shun some strange mistakes.


s: Exclaiming, fooling, swearing at the inert,


s: And lecturing on the noble art of killing,--


s: This great philosopher was thus instilling


s: His maxims, which to martial comprehension


s: Proved death in battle equal to a pension;--


s: Of Cossacques and their prey, turn'd round and cast


s: Upon them his slow brow and piercing eye:--


s: 'Whence come ye?'--'From Constantinople last,


s: Captives just now escaped,' was the reply.


s: 'What are ye?'--'What you see us.' Briefly pass'd


s: To whom he spoke, and made his words but few.


s: 'Your names?'--'Mine 's Johnson, and my comrade 's Juan;


s: Is neither man nor woman.' The chief threw on


s: The party a slight glance, then said, 'I have heard


s: Your name before, the second is a new one:


s: To bring the other three here was absurd:


s: But let that pass:--I think I have heard your name


s: In the Nikolaiew regiment?'--'The same.'


s: 'You served at Widdin?'--'Yes.'--'You led the attack?'


s: 'You were the first i' the breach?'--'I was not slack


s: At least to follow those who might be so.'


s: 'What follow'd?'--'A shot laid me on my back,


s: 'You shall have vengeance, for the town surrounded


s: Is twice as strong as that where you were wounded.


s: 'Where will you serve?'--'Where'er you please.'--'I know


s: And doubtless would be foremost on the foe


s: After the hardships you 've already borne.


s: And this young fellow--say what can he do?


s: He with the beardless chin and garments torn?'


s: 'Why, general, if he hath no greater fault


s: In war than love, he had better lead the assault.'


s: 'He shall if that he dare.' Here Juan bow'd


s: Low as the compliment deserved. Suwarrow


s: Continued: 'Your old regiment's allow'd,


s: By special providence, to lead to-morrow,


s: Or it may be to-night, the assault: I have vow'd


s: To several saints, that shortly plough or harrow


s: Shall pass o'er what was Ismail, and its tusk


s: 'So now, my lads, for glory!'--Here he turn'd


s: And drill'd away in the most classic Russian,


s: For cash and conquest, as if from a cushion


s: A preacher had held forth (who nobly spurn'd


s: All earthly goods save tithes) and bade them push on


s: To slay the Pagans who resisted, battering


s: The armies of the Christian Empress Catherine.


s: Himself a favourite, ventured to address


s: Suwarrow, though engaged with accents high


s: Among the foremost; but if you 'd express


s: And self would know what duty to attend.'


s: 'Right! I was busy, and forgot. Why, you


s: Will join your former regiment, which should be


s: Now under arms. Ho! Katskoff, take him to


s: His post, I mean the regiment Nikolaiew:


s: The stranger stripling may remain with me;


s: To the other baggage, or to the sick tent.'


s: But here a sort of scene began to ensue:


s: The ladies,--who by no means had been bred


s: Doubtless to that of doctrines the most true,


s: Passive obedience,--now raised up the head,


s: With flashing eyes and starting tears, and flung


s: Their arms, as hens their wings about their young,


s: Who were thus honour'd by the greatest chief


s: That ever peopled hell with heroes slain,


s: Or plunged a province or a realm in grief.


s: O, foolish mortals! Always taught in vain!


s: O, glorious laurel! since for one sole leaf


s: Of blood and tears must flow the unebbing sea.


s: Suwarrow, who had small regard for tears,


s: And not much sympathy for blood, survey'd


s: The women with their hair about their ears


s: And natural agonies, with a slight shade


s: Men's hearts against whole millions, when their trade


s: Will touch even heroes--and such was Suwarrow.


s: He said,--and in the kindest Calmuck tone,--


s: 'Why, Johnson, what the devil do you mean


s: By bringing women here? They shall be shown


s: In fact they can be safe. You should have been


s: Aware this kind of baggage never thrives:


s: Save wed a year, I hate recruits with wives.'


s: 'May it please your excellency,' thus replied


s: Our British friend, 'these are the wives of others,


s: To break the rules by bringing one's own bride


s: Into a camp: I know that nought so bothers


s: 'But these are but two Turkish ladies, who


s: A thousand perils in this dubious shape.


s: To them, poor things, it is an awkward scrape.


s: I therefore, if you wish me to fight freely,


s: Request that they may both be used genteelly.'


s: Meantime these two poor girls, with swimming eyes,


s: Look'd on as if in doubt if they could trust


s: Their own protectors; nor was their surprise


s: Less than their grief (and truly not less just)


s: To see an old man, rather wild than wise


s: In aspect, plainly clad, besmear'd with dust,


s: Stript to his waistcoat, and that not too clean,


s: More fear'd than all the sultans ever seen.


s: For every thing seem'd resting on his nod,


s: As they could read in all eyes. Now to them,


s: (That royal bird, whose tail 's a diadem),


s: With all the pomp of power, it was a doubt


s: How power could condescend to do without.


s: John Johnson, seeing their extreme dismay,


s: Though little versed in feelings oriental,


s: Suggested some slight comfort in his way:


s: Don Juan, who was much more sentimental,


s: Swore they should see him by the dawn of day,


s: Or that the Russian army should repent all:


s: And, strange to say, they found some consolation


s: And then with tears, and sighs, and some slight kisses,


s: They parted for the present--these to await,


s: According to the artillery's hits or misses,


s: What sages call Chance, Providence, or Fate


s: While their beloved friends began to arm,


s: To burn a town which never did them harm.


s: Suwarrow,--who but saw things in the gross,


s: Being much too gross to see them in detail,


s: And as the wind a widow'd nation's wail,


s: (So that their efforts should at length prevail)


s: As wife and friends did for the boils of job,--


s: What was 't to him to hear two women sob?


s: Nothing.--The work of glory still went on


s: But now, instead of slaying Priam's son,


s: Bombs, drums, guns, bastions, batteries, bayonets, bullets,--


s: Hard words, which stick in the soft Muses' gullets.


s: O, thou eternal Homer! who couldst charm


s: All cars, though long; all ages, though so short,


s: Arms to which men will never more resort,


s: Unless gunpowder should be found to harm


s: Much less than is the hope of every court,


s: Which now is leagued young Freedom to annoy;


s: But they will not find Liberty a Troy:--


s: To paint a siege, wherein more men were slain,


s: With deadlier engines and a speedier blow,


s: Than in thy Greek gazette of that campaign;


s: And yet, like all men else, I must allow,


s: As for a brook to cope with ocean's flood;


s: But still we moderns equal you in blood;


s: And fact is truth, the grand desideratum!


s: Of which, howe'er the Muse describes each act,


s: There should be ne'ertheless a slight substratum.


s: But now the town is going to be attack'd;


s: Great deeds are doing--how shall I relate 'em?


s: Souls of immortal generals! Phoebus watches


s: To colour up his rays from your despatches.


s: O, ye less grand long lists of kill'd and wounded!


s: Shade of Leonidas, who fought so hearty,


s: When my poor Greece was once, as now, surrounded!


s: O, Caesar's Commentaries! now impart, ye


s: Shadows of glory! (lest I be confounded)


s: When I call 'fading' martial immortality,


s: Who, when we come to sum up the totality


s: Turns out to be a butcher in great business,


s: Afflicting young folks with a sort of dizziness.


s: Medals, rank, ribands, lace, embroidery, scarlet,


s: To women; there is scarce a crimson varlet


s: But deems himself the first in Glory's van.


s: But Glory's glory; and if you would find


s: What that is--ask the pig who sees the wind!


s: At least he feels it, and some say he sees,


s: Or, if that simple sentence should displease,


s: Say, that he scuds before it like a brig,


s: This Canto, ere my Muse perceives fatigue.


s: The next shall ring a peal to shake all people,


s: Like a bob-major from a village steeple.


s: Hark! through the silence of the cold, dull night,


s: The hum of armies gathering rank on rank!


s: Along the leaguer'd wall and bristling bank


s: Of the arm'd river, while with straggling light


s: The stars peep through the vapours dim and dank,


s: Which curl in curious wreaths:--how soon the smoke


s: Of Hell shall pall them in a deeper cloak!


s: Here pause we for the present--as even then


s: That awful pause, dividing life from death,


s: Struck for an instant on the hearts of men,


s: Thousands of whom were drawing their last breath!


s: The march! the charge! the shouts of either faith!


s: The death-cry drowning in the battle's roar.


s: O blood and thunder! and oh blood and wounds!


s: These are but vulgar oaths, as you may deem,


s: Too gentle reader! and most shocking sounds:


s: And so they are; yet thus is Glory's dream


s: At present such things, since they are her theme,


s: So be they her inspirers! Call them Mars,


s: Bellona, what you will--they mean but wars.


s: All was prepared--the fire, the sword, the men


s: March'd forth with nerve and sinews bent to slay,--


s: To breathe destruction on its winding way,


s: Whose heads were heroes, which cut off in vain


s: History can only take things in the gross;


s: But could we know them in detail, perchance


s: War's merit it by no means might enhance,


s: To waste so much gold for a little dross,


s: As hath been done, mere conquest to advance.


s: Of honest fame, than shedding seas of gore.


s: And why?--because it brings self-approbation;


s: Shouts, bridges, arches, pensions from a nation,


s: Which (it may be) has not much left to spare,


s: Though they may make Corruption gape or stare,


s: Yet, in the end, except in Freedom's battles,


s: Are nothing but a child of Murder's rattles.


s: And such they are--and such they will be found:


s: Whose every battle-field is holy ground,


s: Which breathes of nations saved, not worlds undone.


s: How sweetly on the ear such echoes sound!


s: While the mere victor's may appal or stun


s: The servile and the vain, such names will be


s: A watchword till the future shall be free.


s: The night was dark, and the thick mist allow'd


s: Nought to be seen save the artillery's flame,


s: Which arch'd the horizon like a fiery cloud,


s: And in the Danube's waters shone the same--


s: A mirror'd hell! the volleying roar, and loud


s: Long booming of each peal on peal, o'ercame


s: The ear far more than thunder; for Heaven's flashes


s: Spare, or smite rarely--man's make millions ashes!


s: The column order'd on the assault scarce pass'd


s: Beyond the Russian batteries a few toises,


s: When up the bristling Moslem rose at last,


s: Answering the Christian thunders with like voices:


s: Then one vast fire, air, earth, and stream embraced,


s: Which rock'd as 't were beneath the mighty noises;


s: While the whole rampart blazed like Etna, when


s: In the same moment, loud as even the roar


s: Of war's most mortal engines, to their foes


s: Hurling defiance: city, stream, and shore


s: Resounded 'Allah!' and the clouds which close


s: With thick'ning canopy the conflict o'er,


s: Vibrate to the Eternal name. Hark! through


s: All sounds it pierceth 'Allah! Allah! Hu!'


s: The columns were in movement one and all,


s: But of the portion which attack'd by water,


s: Thicker than leaves the lives began to fall,


s: Though led by Arseniew, that great son of slaughter,


s: As brave as ever faced both bomb and ball.


s: 'Carnage' (so Wordsworth tells you) 'is God's daughter:'


s: If he speak truth, she is Christ's sister, and


s: The Prince de Ligne was wounded in the knee;


s: Count Chapeau-Bras, too, had a ball between


s: His cap and head, which proves the head to be


s: More than the cap; in fact, the ball could mean


s: Amidst some groaning thousands dying near,--


s: All common fellows, who might writhe and wince,


s: The General Markow, who could thus evince


s: His sympathy for rank, by the same token,


s: To teach him greater, had his own leg broken.


s: Three hundred cannon threw up their emetic,


s: And thirty thousand muskets flung their pills


s: Thy plagues, thy famines, thy physicians, yet tick,


s: Like the death-watch, within our ears the ills


s: Past, present, and to come;--but all may yield


s: To the true portrait of one battle-field.


s: There the still varying pangs, which multiply


s: Which meet the gaze whate'er it may regard--


s: The groan, the roll in dust, the all-white eye


s: Turn'd back within its socket,--these reward


s: Your rank and file by thousands, while the rest


s: Yet I love glory;--glory 's a great thing:--


s: Maintain'd at the expense of your good king:


s: A moderate pension shakes full many a sage,


s: And heroes are but made for bards to sing,


s: Which is still better; thus in verse to wage


s: Half-pay for life, make mankind worth destroying.


s: The troops, already disembark'd, push'd on


s: To take a battery on the right; the others,


s: Who landed lower down, their landing done,


s: Had set to work as briskly as their brothers:


s: Being grenadiers, they mounted one by one,


s: Cheerful as children climb the breasts of mothers,


s: The fire was, that were red Vesuvius loaded,


s: Besides its lava, with all sorts of shot


s: And shells or hells, it could not more have goaded.


s: Hounds, when the huntsman tumbles, are at fault.


s: For fifty thousand heroes, name by name,


s: And what is worse still, a much longer story:


s: And therefore we must give the greater number


s: To the Gazette--which doubtless fairly dealt


s: By the deceased, who lie in famous slumber


s: In ditches, fields, or wheresoe'er they felt


s: Their clay for the last time their souls encumber;--


s: Thrice happy he whose name has been well spelt


s: In the despatch: I knew a man whose loss


s: Was printed Grove, although his name was Grose.


s: Juan and Johnson join'd a certain corps,


s: And fought away with might and main, not knowing


s: The way which they had never trod before,


s: And still less guessing where they might be going;


s: But on they march'd, dead bodies trampling o'er,


s: Firing, and thrusting, slashing, sweating, glowing,


s: But fighting thoughtlessly enough to win,


s: To their two selves, one whole bright bulletin.


s: Thus on they wallow'd in the bloody mire


s: Of dead and dying thousands,--sometimes gaining


s: A yard or two of ground, which brought them nigher


s: To some odd angle for which all were straining;


s: At other times, repulsed by the close fire,


s: Which really pour'd as if all hell were raining


s: Instead of heaven, they stumbled backwards o'er


s: A wounded comrade, sprawling in his gore.


s: Though 't was Don Juan's first of fields, and though


s: In the chill dark, when courage does not glow


s: Perhaps might make him shiver, yawn, or throw


s: A glance on the dull clouds (as thick as starch,


s: Which stiffen'd heaven) as if he wish'd for day;--


s: Indeed he could not. But what if he had?


s: There have been and are heroes who begun


s: With something not much better, or as bad:


s: Frederic the Great from Molwitz deign'd to run,


s: For the first and last time; for, like a pad,


s: Or hawk, or bride, most mortals after one


s: Warm bout are broken into their new tricks,


s: And fight like fiends for pay or politics.


s: Which settles all things, Roman, Greek, or Runic,


s: Swear that Pat's language sprung from the same clime


s: With Hannibal, and wears the Tyrian tunic


s: Of Dido's alphabet; and this is rational


s: As any other notion, and not national);--


s: Or the sensation (if that phrase seem wrong),


s: And afterward, if he must needs destroy,


s: To battles, sieges, and that kind of pleasure,


s: No less delighted to employ his leisure;


s: Or loved, it was with what we call 'the best


s: Intentions,' which form all mankind's trump card,


s: To be produced when brought up to the test.


s: The statesman, hero, harlot, lawyer--ward


s: Off each attack, when people are in quest


s: Of their designs, by saying they meant well;


s: 'T is pity 'that such meaning should pave hell.'


s: Whether hell's pavement--if it be so paved--


s: Must not have latterly been quite worn out,


s: Not by the numbers good intent hath saved,


s: Those ancient good intentions, which once shaved


s: And smooth'd the brimstone of that street of hell


s: Which bears the greatest likeness to Pall Mall.


s: Juan, by some strange chance, which oft divides


s: Warrior from warrior in their grim career,


s: Like chastest wives from constant husbands' sides


s: Just at the close of the first bridal year,


s: By one of those odd turns of Fortune's tides,


s: When, after a good deal of heavy firing,


s: He found himself alone, and friends retiring.


s: I don't know how the thing occurr'd--it might


s: Be that the greater part were kill'd or wounded,


s: And that the rest had faced unto the right


s: About; a circumstance which has confounded


s: Of his whole army, which so much abounded


s: In courage, was obliged to snatch a shield,


s: Juan, who had no shield to snatch, and was


s: No Caesar, but a fine young lad, who fought


s: Stopp'd for a minute, as perhaps he ought


s: For a much longer time; then, like an as


s: (Start not, kind reader; since great Homer thought


s: Perhaps may find it better than a new one)--


s: Then, like an ass, he went upon his way,


s: And, what was stranger, never look'd behind;


s: But seeing, flashing forward, like the day


s: A path, to add his own slight arm and forces


s: To corps, the greater part of which were corses.


s: Of his own corps, nor even the corps, which had


s: Quite disappear'd--the gods know howl (I can't


s: Account for every thing which may look bad


s: In search of glory, should look on before,


s: Nor care a pinch of snuff about his corps):--


s: And left at large, like a young heir, to make


s: His way to--where he knew not--single handed;


s: An 'ignis fatuus;' or as sailors stranded


s: Rush'd where the thickest fire announced most foes.


s: He knew not where he was, nor greatly cared,


s: Fill'd as with lightning--for his spirit shared


s: The hour, as is the case with lively brains;


s: And where the hottest fire was seen and heard,


s: And the loud cannon peal'd his hoarsest strains,


s: He rush'd, while earth and air were sadly shaken


s: And as he rush'd along, it came to pass he


s: Fell in with what was late the second column,


s: Into an elegant extract (much less massy)


s: Of heroism, and took his place with solemn


s: Air 'midst the rest, who kept their valiant faces


s: And levell'd weapons still against the glacis.


s: Just at this crisis up came Johnson too,


s: Who had 'retreated,' as the phrase is when


s: Men run away much rather than go through


s: Destruction's jaws into the devil's den;


s: Knew when and how 'to cut and come again,'


s: Was nothing but a valorous kind of cunning.


s: And so, when all his corps were dead or dying,


s: More virgin valour never dreamt of flying


s: On its own strength, with careless nerves and thews,--


s: Those who catch cold in 'shadows of Death's valley.'


s: And there, a little shelter'd from the shot,


s: Which rain'd from bastion, battery, parapet,


s: Rampart, wall, casement, house,--for there was not


s: Which did not combat like the devil, as yet,


s: He found a number of Chasseurs, all scatter'd


s: By the resistance of the chase they batter'd.


s: And these he call'd on; and, what 's strange, they came


s: The vasty deep,' to whom you may exclaim,


s: Says Hotspur, long ere they will leave their home.


s: Their reasons were uncertainty, or shame


s: And that odd impulse, which in wars or creeds


s: Makes men, like cattle, follow him who leads.


s: By Jove! he was a noble fellow, Johnson,


s: And though his name, than Ajax or Achilles,


s: Sounds less harmonious, underneath the sun soon


s: We shall not see his likeness: he could kill his


s: Man quite as quietly as blows the monsoon


s: Her steady breath (which some months the same still is):


s: Seldom he varied feature, hue, or muscle,


s: And therefore, when he ran away, he did so


s: He would find others who would fain be rid so


s: Trouble heroic stomachs. Though their lids so


s: Oft are soon closed, all heroes are not blind,


s: But when they light upon immediate death,


s: Which Hamlet tells us is a pass of dread.


s: To Jack howe'er this gave but slight concern:


s: And led them back into the heaviest fire.


s: Egad! they found the second time what they


s: The first time thought quite terrible enough


s: To fly from, malgre all which people say


s: Which fills a regiment (besides their pay,


s: That daily shilling which makes warriors tough)--


s: They found on their return the self-same welcome,


s: Which made some think, and others know, a hell come.


s: They fell as thick as harvests beneath hail,


s: Grass before scythes, or corn below the sickle,


s: Proving that trite old truth, that life 's as frail


s: As any other boon for which men stickle.


s: The Turkish batteries thrash'd them like a flail,


s: Putting the very bravest, who were knock'd


s: Upon the head, before their guns were cock'd.


s: The Turks, behind the traverses and flanks


s: Of the next bastion, fired away like devils,


s: And swept, as gales sweep foam away, whole ranks:


s: However, Heaven knows how, the Fate who levels


s: Towns, nations, worlds, in her revolving pranks,


s: So order'd it, amidst these sulphury revels,


s: That Johnson and some few who had not scamper'd,


s: Reach'd the interior talus of the rampart.


s: First one or two, then five, six, and a dozen,


s: Came mounting quickly up, for it was now


s: All neck or nothing, as, like pitch or rosin,


s: Flame was shower'd forth above, as well 's below,


s: So that you scarce could say who best had chosen,


s: The gentlemen that were the first to show


s: Or those who thought it brave to wait as yet.


s: But those who scaled, found out that their advance


s: To see in forts of Netherlands or France


s: (Though these to our Gibraltar must knock under)--


s: Just named, these palisades were primly set:


s: Paces were left, whereon you could contrive


s: To march; a great convenience to our men,


s: At least to all those who were left alive,


s: Who thus could form a line and fight again;


s: And that which farther aided them to strive


s: Was, that they could kick down the palisades,


s: Which scarcely rose much higher than grass blades.


s: Among the first,--I will not say the first,


s: Will oftentimes make deadly quarrels burst


s: Out between friends as well as allied nations:


s: The Briton must be bold who really durst


s: Put to such trial John Bull's partial patience,


s: Was beaten--though the Prussians say so too;--


s: And God knows who besides in 'au' and 'ow,'


s: Into the hearts of those who fought till now


s: The Duke of Wellington had ceased to show


s: His orders, also to receive his pensions,


s: Which are the heaviest that our history mentions.


s: But never mind;--'God save the king!' and kings!


s: For if he don't, I doubt if men will longer--


s: The people by and by will be the stronger:


s: The veriest jade will wince whose harness wrings


s: So much into the raw as quite to wrong her


s: Beyond the rules of posting,--and the mob


s: At first it grumbles, then it swears, and then,


s: Like David, flings smooth pebbles 'gainst a giant;


s: Snatch when despair makes human hearts less pliant.


s: Then comes 'the tug of war;'--'t will come again,


s: I rather doubt; and I would fain say 'fie on 't,'


s: Alone can save the earth from hell's pollution.


s: But of the first, our little friend Don Juan


s: Walk'd o'er the walls of Ismail, as if nursed


s: Amidst such scenes--though this was quite a new one


s: To him, and I should hope to most. The thirst


s: Of glory, which so pierces through and through one,


s: Pervaded him--although a generous creature,


s: As warm in heart as feminine in feature.


s: And here he was--who upon woman's breast,


s: Even from a child, felt like a child; howe'er


s: The man in all the rest might be confest,


s: And he could even withstand that awkward test


s: Which Rousseau points out to the dubious fair,


s: 'Observe your lover when he leaves your arms;'


s: But Juan never left them, while they had charms,


s: Unless compell'd by fate, or wave, or wind,


s: Or near relations, who are much the same.


s: But here he was!--where each tie that can bind


s: Flung here by fate or circumstance, which tame


s: The loftiest, hurried by the time and place,


s: Dash'd on like a spurr'd blood-horse in a race.


s: So was his blood stirr'd while he found resistance,


s: As is the hunter's at the five-bar gate,


s: Or double post and rail, where the existence


s: Of Britain's youth depends upon their weight,


s: The lightest being the safest: at a distance


s: Blood, until heated--and even then his own


s: At times would curdle o'er some heavy groan.


s: The General Lascy, who had been hard press'd,


s: As were some hundred youngsters all abreast,


s: Who came as if just dropp'd down from the moon,


s: His thanks, and hopes to take the city soon,


s: Not reckoning him to be a 'base Bezonian'


s: (As Pistol calls it), but a young Livonian.


s: For seeing one with ribands, black and blue,


s: Stars, medals, and a bloody sword in hand,


s: Addressing him in tones which seem'd to thank,


s: Short speeches pass between two men who speak


s: No common language; and besides, in time


s: Of war and taking towns, when many a shriek


s: Rings o'er the dialogue, and many a crime


s: Upon the ear, and sounds of horror chime


s: In like church-bells, with sigh, howl, groan, yell, prayer,


s: There cannot be much conversation there.


s: Two long octaves, pass'd in a little minute;


s: Contrived to get itself comprised within it.


s: As soon as thunder, 'midst the general noise


s: 'God made the country and man made the town,'


s: All walls men know, and many never known;


s: And pondering on the present and the past,


s: To deem the woods shall be our home at last


s: Of all men, saving Sylla the man-slayer,


s: Who passes for in life and death most lucky,


s: Of the great names which in our faces stare,


s: The General Boon, back-woodsman of Kentucky,


s: For killing nothing but a bear or buck, he


s: Enjoy'd the lonely, vigorous, harmless days


s: Of his old age in wilds of deepest maze.


s: Crime came not near him--she is not the child


s: Of solitude; Health shrank not from him--for


s: Where if men seek her not, and death be more


s: Their choice than life, forgive them, as beguiled


s: By habit to what their own hearts abhor--


s: In cities caged. The present case in point I


s: Cite is, that Boon lived hunting up to ninety;


s: And what 's still stranger, left behind a name


s: For which men vainly decimate the throng,


s: Without which glory 's but a tavern song--


s: Which hate nor envy e'er could tinge with wrong;


s: 'T is true he shrank from men even of his nation,


s: When they built up unto his darling trees,--


s: He moved some hundred miles off, for a station


s: Where there were fewer houses and more ease;


s: Is, that you neither can be pleased nor please;


s: He show'd himself as kind as mortal can.


s: A sylvan tribe of children of the chase,


s: Whose young, unwaken'd world was ever new,


s: Nor sword nor sorrow yet had left a trace


s: On her unwrinkled brow, nor could you view


s: The free-born forest found and kept them free,


s: And tall, and strong, and swift of foot were they,


s: Beyond the dwarfing city's pale abortions,


s: Because their thoughts had never been the prey


s: Of care or gain: the green woods were their portions;


s: No sinking spirits told them they grew grey,


s: No fashion made them apes of her distortions;


s: Simple they were, not savage; and their rifles,


s: Though very true, were not yet used for trifles.


s: Motion was in their days, rest in their slumbers,


s: And cheerfulness the handmaid of their toil;


s: Nor yet too many nor too few their numbers;


s: Corruption could not make their hearts her soil;


s: The lust which stings, the splendour which encumbers,


s: With the free foresters divide no spoil;


s: Now back to thy great joys, Civilisation!


s: And the sweet consequence of large society,


s: War, pestilence, the despot's desolation,


s: The kingly scourge, the lust of notoriety,


s: The millions slain by soldiers for their ration,


s: The scenes like Catherine's boudoir at threescore,


s: With Ismail's storm to soften it the more.


s: The town was enter'd: first one column made


s: The reeking bayonet and the flashing blade


s: Clash'd 'gainst the scimitar, and babe and mother


s: With distant shrieks were heard Heaven to upbraid:


s: Still closer sulphury clouds began to smother


s: The breath of morn and man, where foot by foot


s: The madden'd Turks their city still dispute.


s: (With some assistance from the frost and snow)


s: It happen'd was himself beat back just now;


s: His jest alike in face of friend or foe,


s: Though life, and death, and victory were at stake;


s: But here it seem'd his jokes had ceased to take:


s: Follow'd in haste by various grenadiers,


s: Whose blood the puddle greatly did enrich,


s: He climb'd to where the parapet appears;


s: But there his project reach'd its utmost pitch


s: ('Mongst other deaths the General Ribaupierre's


s: Threw them all down into the ditch again.


s: And had it not been for some stray troops landing


s: They knew not where, being carried by the stream


s: To some spot, where they lost their understanding,


s: Until they reach'd, as daybreak was expanding,


s: That which a portal to their eyes did seem,--


s: The great and gay Koutousow might have lain


s: Where three parts of his column yet remain.


s: And scrambling round the rampart, these same troops,


s: Just as Koutousow's most 'forlorn' of 'hopes'


s: Took like chameleons some slight tinge of fear,


s: Open'd the gate call'd 'Kilia,' to the groups


s: Of baffled heroes, who stood shyly near,


s: The Kozacks, or, if so you please, Cossacques


s: (I don't much pique myself upon orthography,


s: Statistics, tactics, politics, and geography)--


s: Having been used to serve on horses' backs,


s: Of fortresses, but fighting where it pleases


s: Their chiefs to order,--were all cut to pieces.


s: Their column, though the Turkish batteries thunder'd


s: Upon them, ne'ertheless had reach'd the rampart,


s: And naturally thought they could have plunder'd


s: The city, without being farther hamper'd;


s: But as it happens to brave men, they blunder'd--


s: The Turks at first pretended to have scamper'd,


s: Only to draw them 'twixt two bastion corners,


s: From whence they sallied on those Christian scorners.


s: Cossacques were all cut off as day was breaking,


s: And found their lives were let at a short lease--


s: But perish'd without shivering or shaking,


s: Leaving as ladders their heap'd carcasses,


s: March'd with the brave battalion of Polouzki:--


s: This valiant man kill'd all the Turks he met,


s: But could not eat them, being in his turn


s: Slain by some Mussulmans, who would not yet,


s: Without resistance, see their city burn.


s: The walls were won, but 't was an even bet


s: Which of the armies would have cause to mourn:


s: 'T was blow for blow, disputing inch by inch,


s: For one would not retreat, nor t' other flinch.


s: And here we may remark with the historian,


s: You should but give few cartridges to such


s: Troops as are meant to march with greatest glory on:


s: When matters must be carried by the touch


s: Of the bright bayonet, and they all should hurry on,


s: They sometimes, with a hankering for existence,


s: Keep merely firing at a foolish distance.


s: (Without the General, who had fallen some time


s: Was made at length with those who dared to climb


s: The death-disgorging rampart once again;


s: And though the Turk's resistance was sublime,


s: They took the bastion, which the Seraskier


s: Among the foremost, offer'd him good quarter,


s: A word which little suits with Seraskiers,


s: Or at least suited not this valiant Tartar.


s: He died, deserving well his country's tears,


s: Was from a pistol-shot that laid him dead;


s: On which the rest, without more intermission,


s: Began to lay about with steel and lead--


s: Was spared;--three thousand Moslems perish'd here,


s: And sixteen bayonets pierced the Seraskier.


s: And death is drunk with gore: there 's not a street


s: Where fights not to the last some desperate heart


s: For those for whom it soon shall cease to beat.


s: Of carnage, like the Nile's sun-sodden slime,


s: Engender'd monstrous shapes of every crime.


s: Seized fast, as if 't were by the serpent's head


s: Whose fangs Eve taught her human seed to feel:


s: In vain he kick'd, and swore, and writhed, and bled,


s: And howl'd for help as wolves do for a meal--


s: The teeth still kept their gratifying hold,


s: As do the subtle snakes described of old.


s: Of a foe o'er him, snatch'd at it, and bit


s: (That which some ancient Muse or modern wit


s: Named after thee, Achilles), and quite through 't


s: He made the teeth meet, nor relinquish'd it


s: Even with his life--for (but they lie) 't is said


s: To the live leg still clung the sever'd head.


s: For the Turk's teeth stuck faster than a skewer,


s: And left him 'midst the invalid and maim'd:


s: His patient, and perhaps was to be blamed


s: More than the head of the inveterate foe,


s: Which was cut off, and scarce even then let go.


s: But then the fact 's a fact--and 't is the part


s: Whene'er he can; for there is little art


s: In leaving verse more free from the restriction


s: Of truth than prose, unless to suit the mart


s: For what is sometimes called poetic diction,


s: Which Satan angles with for souls, like flies.


s: The city 's taken, but not render'd!--No!


s: There 's not a Moslem that hath yielded sword:


s: The blood may gush out, as the Danube's flow


s: Rolls by the city wall; but deed nor word


s: Acknowledge aught of dread of death or foe:


s: The bayonet pierces and the sabre cleaves,


s: And human lives are lavish'd everywhere,


s: As the year closing whirls the scarlet leaves


s: When the stripp'd forest bows to the bleak air,


s: And groans; and thus the peopled city grieves,


s: Shorn of its best and loveliest, and left bare;


s: But still it falls in vast and awful splinters,


s: As oaks blown down with all their thousand winters.


s: With good, and bad, and worse, alike prolific


s: Too much of one sort would be soporific;--


s: Without, or with, offence to friends or foes,


s: And one good action in the midst of crimes


s: Is 'quite refreshing,' in the affected phrase


s: With all their pretty milk-and-water ways,


s: And may serve therefore to bedew these rhymes,


s: A little scorch'd at present with the blaze


s: Thousands of slaughter'd men, a yet warm group


s: Of murder'd women, who had found their way


s: To this vain refuge, made the good heart droop


s: And shudder;--while, as beautiful as May,


s: A female child of ten years tried to stoop


s: Amidst the bodies lull'd in bloody rest.


s: Two villainous Cossacques pursued the child


s: With flashing eyes and weapons: match'd with them,


s: The rudest brute that roams Siberia's wild


s: Has feelings pure and polish'd as a gem,--


s: The bear is civilised, the wolf is mild;


s: And whom for this at last must we condemn?


s: Their natures? or their sovereigns, who employ


s: All arts to teach their subjects to destroy?


s: Their sabres glitter'd o'er her little head,


s: Whence her fair hair rose twining with affright,


s: Her hidden face was plunged amidst the dead:


s: When Juan caught a glimpse of this sad sight,


s: Because it might not solace 'ears polite;'


s: But what he did, was to lay on their backs,


s: The readiest way of reasoning with Cossacques.


s: One's hip he slash'd, and split the other's shoulder,


s: And drove them with their brutal yells to seek


s: If there might be chirurgeons who could solder


s: The wounds they richly merited, and shriek


s: Their baffled rage and pain; while waxing colder


s: As he turn'd o'er each pale and gory cheek,


s: The heap a moment more had made her tomb.


s: And she was chill as they, and on her face


s: A slender streak of blood announced how near


s: Her fate had been to that of all her race;


s: For the same blow which laid her mother here


s: Had scarr'd her brow, and left its crimson trace,


s: As the last link with all she had held dear;


s: But else unhurt, she open'd her large eyes,


s: Just at this instant, while their eyes were fix'd


s: In Juan's look, pain, pleasure, hope, fear, mix'd


s: With joy to save, and dread of some mischance


s: Unto his protege; while hers, transfix'd


s: With infant terrors, glared as from a trance,


s: A pure, transparent, pale, yet radiant face,


s: Up came John Johnson (I will not say 'Jack,'


s: For that were vulgar, cold, and commonplace


s: On cities, as hath been the present case):


s: Up Johnson came, with hundreds at his back,


s: Exclaiming;--'Juan! Juan! On, boy! brace


s: Your arm, and I 'll bet Moscow to a dollar


s: That you and I will win St. George's collar.


s: 'The Seraskier is knock'd upon the head,


s: But the stone bastion still remains, wherein


s: The old Pacha sits among some hundreds dead,


s: Smoking his pipe quite calmly 'midst the din


s: Of our artillery and his own: 't is said


s: Our kill'd, already piled up to the chin,


s: Lie round the battery; but still it batters,


s: And grape in volleys, like a vineyard, scatters.


s: 'Then up with me!'--But Juan answer'd, 'Look


s: Upon this child--I saved her--must not leave


s: Her life to chance; but point me out some nook


s: Of safety, where she less may shrink and grieve,


s: And I am with you.'--Whereon Johnson took


s: A glance around--and shrugg'd--and twitch'd his sleeve


s: And black silk neckcloth--and replied, 'You 're right;


s: Poor thing! what 's to be done? I 'm puzzled quite.'


s: Done, I 'll not quit her till she seems secure


s: Of present life a good deal more than we.'


s: Quoth Johnson: 'Neither will I quite ensure;


s: But at the least you may die gloriously.'


s: This child, who is parentless, and therefore mine.'


s: Johnson said: 'Juan, we 've no time to lose;


s: The child 's a pretty child--a very pretty--


s: I never saw such eyes--but hark! now choose


s: Between your fame and feelings, pride and pity;--


s: Hark! how the roar increases!--no excuse


s: Will serve when there is plunder in a city;--


s: I should be loth to march without you, but,


s: By God! we 'll be too late for the first cut.'


s: Johnson, who really loved him in his way,


s: Pick'd out amongst his followers with some skill


s: Such as he thought the least given up to prey;


s: That they should all be shot on the next day;


s: But if she were deliver'd safe and sound,


s: They should at least have fifty rubles round,


s: In fair proportion with their comrades;--then


s: Juan consented to march on through thunder,


s: Which thinn'd at every step their ranks of men:


s: And yet the rest rush'd eagerly--no wonder,


s: For they were heated by the hope of gain,


s: A thing which happens everywhere each day--


s: At least nine tenths of what we call so;--God


s: But to our subject: a brave Tartar khan--


s: Or 'sultan,' as the author (to whose nod


s: In prose I bend my humble verse) doth call


s: This chieftain--somehow would not yield at all:


s: But flank'd by five brave sons (such is polygamy,


s: That she spawns warriors by the score, where none


s: Are prosecuted for that false crime bigamy),


s: While courage clung but to a single twig.--Am I


s: Describing Priam's, Peleus', or Jove's son?


s: Neither--but a good, plain, old, temperate man,


s: Who fought with his five children in the van.


s: To take him was the point. The truly brave,


s: When they behold the brave oppress'd with odds,


s: Are touch'd with a desire to shield and save;--


s: Are they--now furious as the sweeping wave,


s: Now moved with pity: even as sometimes nods


s: Compassion breathes along the savage mind.


s: By mowing Christians down on every side,


s: As obstinate as Swedish Charles at Bender.


s: His five brave boys no less the foe defied;


s: Whereon the Russian pathos grew less tender,


s: As being a virtue, like terrestrial patience,


s: Apt to wear out on trifling provocations.


s: In begging him, for God's sake, just to show


s: So much less fight as might form an apology


s: For them in saving such a desperate foe--


s: When they dispute with sceptics; and with curses


s: Struck at his friends, as babies beat their nurses.


s: Nay, he had wounded, though but slightly, both


s: The first with sighs, the second with an oath,


s: And all around were grown exceeding wroth


s: And pour'd upon him and his sons like rain,


s: That drinks and still is dry. At last they perish'd--


s: His third was sabred; and the fourth, most cherish'd


s: Of all the five, on bayonets met his lot;


s: The fifth, who, by a Christian mother nourish'd,


s: Had been neglected, ill-used, and what not,


s: Because deform'd, yet died all game and bottom,


s: To save a sire who blush'd that he begot him.


s: The eldest was a true and tameless Tartar,


s: As ever Mahomet pick'd out for a martyr,


s: Who only saw the black-eyed girls in green,


s: Who make the beds of those who won't take quarter


s: On earth, in Paradise; and when once seen,


s: Those houris, like all other pretty creatures,


s: Do just whate'er they please, by dint of features.


s: And what they pleased to do with the young khan


s: In heaven I know not, nor pretend to guess;


s: But doubtless they prefer a fine young man


s: To tough old heroes, and can do no less;


s: And that 's the cause no doubt why, if we scan


s: For one rough, weather-beaten, veteran body,


s: You 'll find ten thousand handsome coxcombs bloody.


s: Your houris also have a natural pleasure


s: Before the bridal hours have danced their measure


s: And the sad, second moon grows dim again,


s: Or dull repentance hath had dreary leisure


s: To wish him back a bachelor now and then.


s: And thus your houri (it may be) disputes


s: Of these brief blossoms the immediate fruits.


s: Thus the young khan, with houris in his sight,


s: Thought not upon the charms of four young brides,


s: But bravely rush'd on his first heavenly night.


s: In short, howe'er our better faith derides,


s: These black-eyed virgins make the Moslems fight,


s: As though there were one heaven and none besides,--


s: Whereas, if all be true we hear of heaven


s: And hell, there must at least be six or seven.


s: So fully flash'd the phantom on his eyes,


s: That when the very lance was in his heart,


s: With all its veil of mystery drawn apart,


s: On his soul, like a ceaseless sunrise, dart:--


s: With prophets, houris, angels, saints, descried


s: In one voluptuous blaze,--and then he died,


s: But with a heavenly rapture on his face.


s: The good old khan, who long had ceased to see


s: Who grew like cedars round him gloriously--


s: The earth, which he became like a fell'd tree,


s: Paused for a moment, from the fight, and cast


s: A glance on that slain son, his first and last.


s: The soldiers, who beheld him drop his point,


s: Stopp'd as if once more willing to concede


s: Quarter, in case he bade them not 'aroynt!'


s: Their pause nor signs: his heart was out of joint,


s: And shook (till now unshaken) like a reed,


s: As he look'd down upon his children gone,


s: And felt--though done with life--he was alone


s: But 't was a transient tremor;--with a spring


s: Upon the Russian steel his breast he flung,


s: As carelessly as hurls the moth her wing


s: Against the light wherein she dies: he clung


s: Closer, that all the deadlier they might wring,


s: Unto the bayonets which had pierced his young;


s: And throwing back a dim look on his sons,


s: In one wide wound pour'd forth his soul at once.


s: 'T is strange enough--the rough, tough soldiers, who


s: Spared neither sex nor age in their career


s: Of carnage, when this old man was pierced through,


s: And lay before them with his children near,


s: Touch'd by the heroism of him they slew,


s: Were melted for a moment: though no tear


s: Flow'd from their bloodshot eyes, all red with strife,


s: They honour'd such determined scorn of life.


s: But the stone bastion still kept up its fire,


s: Where the chief pacha calmly held his post:


s: Some twenty times he made the Russ retire,


s: And baffled the assaults of all their host;


s: If yet the city's rest were won or lost;


s: In the mean time, cross-legg'd, with great sang-froid,


s: Among the scorching ruins he sat smoking


s: Saw nothing like the scene around:--yet looking


s: With martial stoicism, nought seem'd to annoy


s: His stern philosophy; but gently stroking


s: His beard, he puff'd his pipe's ambrosial gales,


s: As if he had three lives, as well as tails.


s: The town was taken--whether he might yield


s: Himself or bastion, little matter'd now:


s: His stubborn valour was no future shield.


s: Ismail 's no more! The crescent's silver bow


s: Sunk, and the crimson cross glared o'er the field,


s: But red with no redeeming gore: the glow


s: Of burning streets, like moonlight on the water,


s: Was imaged back in blood, the sea of slaughter.


s: All that the mind would shrink from of excesses;


s: All that we read, hear, dream, of man's distresses;


s: All that the devil would do if run stark mad;


s: All that defies the worst which pen expresses;


s: As hell--mere mortals who their power abuse--


s: Was here (as heretofore and since) let loose.


s: If here and there some transient trait of pity


s: Was shown, and some more noble heart broke through


s: Its bloody bond, and saved perhaps some pretty


s: Child, or an aged, helpless man or two--


s: Where thousand loves, and ties, and duties grew?


s: Just ponder what a pious pastime war is.


s: Are purchased by all agonies and crimes:


s: Or if these do not move you, don't forget


s: Such doom may be your own in aftertimes.


s: Are hints as good as sermons, or as rhymes.


s: Read your own hearts and Ireland's present story,


s: Then feed her famine fat with Wellesley's glory.


s: But still there is unto a patriot nation,


s: Which loves so well its country and its king,


s: Bear it, ye Muses, on your brightest wing!


s: Strip your green fields, and to your harvests cling,


s: Gaunt famine never shall approach the throne--


s: Though Ireland starve, great George weighs twenty stone.


s: There was an end of Ismail--hapless town!


s: Far flash'd her burning towers o'er Danube's stream,


s: The horrid war-whoop and the shriller scream


s: Rose still; but fainter were the thunders grown:


s: Of forty thousand who had mann'd the wall,


s: Some hundreds breathed--the rest were silent all!


s: In one thing ne'ertheless 't is fit to praise


s: The topic 's tender, so shall be my phrase--


s: Perhaps the season's chill, and their long station


s: In winter's depth, or want of rest and victual,


s: Had made them chaste;--they ravish'd very little.


s: Much did they slay, more plunder, and no less


s: Might here and there occur some violation


s: In the other line;--but not to such excess


s: As when the French, that dissipated nation,


s: Take towns by storm: no causes can I guess,


s: But all the ladies, save some twenty score,


s: Some odd mistakes, too, happen'd in the dark,


s: Which show'd a want of lanterns, or of taste--


s: Indeed the smoke was such they scarce could mark


s: Their friends from foes,--besides such things from haste


s: Occur, though rarely, when there is a spark


s: But six old damsels, each of seventy years,


s: Were all deflower'd by different grenadiers.


s: But on the whole their continence was great;


s: So that some disappointment there ensued


s: To those who had felt the inconvenient state


s: Of 'single blessedness,' and thought it good


s: (Since it was not their fault, but only fate,


s: To bear these crosses) for each waning prude


s: Without the expense and the suspense of bedding.


s: (Widows of forty were these birds long caged)


s: 'Wherefore the ravishing did not begin!'


s: But while the thirst for gore and plunder raged,


s: There was small leisure for superfluous sin;


s: But whether they escaped or no, lies hid


s: While mosques and streets, beneath his eyes, like thatch


s: Blazed, and the cannon's roar was scarce allay'd,


s: With bloody hands he wrote his first despatch;


s: And here exactly follows what he said:--


s: Eternal! such names mingled!) 'Ismail 's ours.'


s: Methinks these are the most tremendous words,


s: Which hands or pens have ever traced of swords.


s: Heaven help me! I 'm but little of a parson:


s: What Daniel read was short-hand of the Lord's,


s: Severe, sublime; the prophet wrote no farce on


s: The fate of nations;--but this Russ so witty


s: Could rhyme, like Nero, o'er a burning city.


s: Which few will sing, I trust, but none forget it--


s: For I will teach, if possible, the stones


s: To rise against earth's tyrants. Never let it


s: Be said that we still truckle unto thrones;--


s: But ye--our children's children! think how we


s: Show'd what things were before the world was free!


s: That hour is not for us, but 't is for you:


s: And as, in the great joy of your millennium,


s: You hardly will believe such things were true


s: As now occur, I thought that I would pen you 'em;


s: Yet if perchance remember'd, still disdain you 'em


s: More than you scorn the savages of yore,


s: Who painted their bare limbs, but not with gore.


s: And when you hear historians talk of thrones,


s: And those that sate upon them, let it be


s: As we now gaze upon the mammoth's bones,


s: 'And wonder what old world such things could see,


s: Reader! I have kept my word,--at least so far


s: As the first Canto promised. You have now


s: Had sketches of love, tempest, travel, war--


s: And epic, if plain truth should prove no bar;


s: For I have drawn much less with a long bow


s: But Phoebus lends me now and then a string,


s: With which I still can harp, and carp, and fiddle.


s: What farther hath befallen or may befall


s: But now I choose to break off in the middle,


s: Worn out with battering Ismail's stubborn wall,


s: While Juan is sent off with the despatch,


s: For which all Petersburgh is on the watch.


s: This special honour was conferr'd, because


s: He had behaved with courage and humanity--


s: Which last men like, when they have time to pause


s: From their ferocities produced by vanity.


s: His little captive gain'd him some applause


s: Of carnage,--and I think he was more glad in her


s: Safety, than his new order of St. Vladimir.


s: The Moslem orphan went with her protector,


s: For she was homeless, houseless, helpless; all


s: Her friends, like the sad family of Hector,


s: Had perish'd in the field or by the wall:


s: Her very place of birth was but a spectre


s: Of what it had been; there the Muezzin's cal


s: To prayer was heard no more!--and Juan wept,


s: And made a vow to shield her, which he kept.


s: O, Wellington! (or 'Villainton'--for Fame


s: France could not even conquer your great name,


s: But punn'd it down to this facetious phrase--


s: Beating or beaten she will laugh the same),


s: You have obtain'd great pensions and much praise:


s: Glory like yours should any dare gainsay,


s: I don't think that you used Kinnaird quite well


s: In Marinet's affair--in fact, 't was shabby,


s: And like some other things won't do to tell


s: Upon your tomb in Westminster's old abbey.


s: Upon the rest 't is not worth while to dwell,


s: Such tales being for the tea-hours of some tabby;


s: But though your years as man tend fast to zero,


s: In fact your grace is still but a young hero.


s: Though Britain owes (and pays you too) so much,


s: Yet Europe doubtless owes you greatly more:


s: The Spanish, and the French, as well as Dutch,


s: Have seen, and felt, how strongly you restore;


s: And Waterloo has made the world your debtor


s: (I wish your bards would sing it rather better).


s: You are 'the best of cut-throats:'--do not start;


s: The phrase is Shakspeare's, and not misapplied:


s: War 's a brain-spattering, windpipe-slitting art,


s: Unless her cause by right be sanctified.


s: The world, not the world's masters, will decide,


s: Save you and yours, have gain'd by Waterloo?


s: I am no flatterer--you 've supp'd full of flattery:


s: They say you like it too--'t is no great wonder.


s: He whose whole life has been assault and battery,


s: At last may get a little tired of thunder;


s: And swallowing eulogy much more than satire, he


s: May like being praised for every lucky blunder,


s: Call'd 'Saviour of the Nations'--not yet saved,


s: And 'Europe's Liberator'--still enslaved.


s: I 've done. Now go and dine from off the plate


s: A slice or two from your luxurious meals:


s: He fought, but has not fed so well of late.


s: Some hunger, too, they say the people feels:--


s: There is no doubt that you deserve your ration,


s: But pray give back a little to the nation.


s: I don't mean to reflect--a man so great as


s: You, my lord duke! is far above reflection:


s: The high Roman fashion, too, of Cincinnatus,


s: With modern history has but small connection:


s: Though as an Irishman you love potatoes,


s: You need not take them under your direction;


s: Is rather dear!--I 'm sure I mean no harm.


s: Great men have always scorn'd great recompenses:


s: George Washington had thanks and nought beside,


s: Except the all-cloudless glory which few men's is


s: To free his country: Pitt too had his pride,


s: And as a high-soul'd minister of state is


s: Renown'd for ruining Great Britain gratis.


s: You might have freed fallen Europe from the unity


s: Of tyrants, and been blest from shore to shore:


s: And now--what is your fame? Shall the Muse tune it ye?


s: Now--that the rabble's first vain shouts are o'er?


s: Go! hear it in your famish'd country's cries!


s: Behold the world! and curse your victories!


s: As these new cantos touch on warlike feats,


s: To you the unflattering Muse deigns to inscribe


s: Truths, that you will not read in the Gazettes,


s: But which 't is time to teach the hireling tribe


s: Who fatten on their country's gore, and debts,


s: You did great things; but not being great in mind,


s: Have left undone the greatest--and mankind.


s: Death laughs--Go ponder o'er the skeleton


s: With which men image out the unknown thing


s: That hides the past world, like to a set sun


s: Which still elsewhere may rouse a brighter spring--


s: Death laughs at all you weep for:--look upon


s: This hourly dread of all! whose threaten'd sting


s: Turns life to terror, even though in its sheath:


s: Mark how its lipless mouth grins without breath!


s: Mark how it laughs and scorns at all you are!


s: And yet was what you are: from ear to ear


s: It laughs not--there is now no fleshy bar


s: So call'd; the Antic long hath ceased to hear,


s: But still he smiles; and whether near or far,


s: He strips from man that mantle (far more dear


s: Than even the tailor's), his incarnate skin,


s: White, black, or copper--the dead bones will grin.


s: And thus Death laughs,--it is sad merriment,


s: But still it is so; and with such example


s: With his superior, in a smile to trample


s: Like bubbles on an ocean much less ample


s: Suns as rays--worlds like atoms--years like hours?


s: 'To be, or not to be? that is the question,'


s: Says Shakspeare, who just now is much in fashion.


s: Nor ever had for abstract fame much passion;


s: But would much rather have a sound digestion


s: Than Buonaparte's cancer: could I dash on


s: Through fifty victories to shame or fame--


s: Without a stomach what were a good name?


s: Which makes all Styx through one small liver flow.


s: A peasant's sweat is worth his lord's estate:


s: Let this one toil for bread--that rack for rent,


s: He who sleeps best may be the most content.


s: I should be glad to know that which is being?


s: 'T is true we speculate both far and wide,


s: And deem, because we see, we are all-seeing:


s: For my part, I 'll enlist on neither side,


s: Until I see both sides for once agreeing.


s: For me, I sometimes think that life is death,


s: Rather than life a mere affair of breath.


s: 'Que scais-je?' was the motto of Montaigne,


s: That all is dubious which man may attain,


s: Was one of their most favourite positions.


s: There 's no such thing as certainty, that 's plain


s: So little do we know what we 're about in


s: This world, I doubt if doubt itself be doubting.


s: It is a pleasant voyage perhaps to float,


s: But what if carrying sail capsize the boat?


s: Your wise men don't know much of navigation;


s: And swimming long in the abyss of thought


s: Is apt to tire: a calm and shallow station


s: Well nigh the shore, where one stoops down and gathers


s: Some pretty shell, is best for moderate bathers.


s: 'But heaven,' as Cassio says, 'is above all--


s: No more of this, then,--let us pray!' We have


s: Souls to save, since Eve's slip and Adam's fall,


s: Which tumbled all mankind into the grave,


s: Besides fish, beasts, and birds. 'The sparrow's fall


s: Is special providence,' though how it gave


s: Offence, we know not; probably it perch'd


s: Upon the tree which Eve so fondly search'd.


s: O, thou too, mortal man! what is philanthropy?


s: O, world! which was and is, what is cosmogony?


s: Some people have accused me of misanthropy;


s: And yet I know no more than the mahogany


s: That forms this desk, of what they mean; lykanthropy


s: I comprehend, for without transformation


s: Men become wolves on any slight occasion.


s: Like Moses, or Melancthon, who have ne'er


s: And (though I could not now and then forbear


s: Why do they call me misanthrope? Because


s: They hate me, not I them.--and here we 'll pause.


s: 'T is time we should proceed with our good poem,--


s: Just now,--but by and by the Truth will show 'em


s: And till she doth, I fain must be content


s: Our hero (and, I trust, kind reader, yours)


s: Who still have shown themselves more brave than witty.


s: Much flattery--even Voltaire's, and that 's a pity.


s: Not a barbarian, but much worse than that.


s: And I will war, at least in words (and--should


s: My chance so happen--deeds), with all who war


s: With Thought;--and of Thought's foes by far most rude,


s: Tyrants and sycophants have been and are.


s: Have such a prescience, it should be no bar


s: To this my plain, sworn, downright detestation


s: Without me, there are demagogues enough,


s: And infidels, to pull down every steeple,


s: And set up in their stead some proper stuff.


s: Whether they may sow scepticism to reap hell,


s: As much from mobs as kings--from you as me.


s: My words, at least, are more sincere and hearty


s: Than if I sought to sail before the wind.


s: He who has nought to gain can have small art: he


s: Who neither wishes to be bound nor bind,


s: Nor give my voice to slavery's jackal cry.


s: That 's an appropriate simile, that jackal;--


s: I 've heard them in the Ephesian ruins howl


s: By night, as do that mercenary pack all,


s: Power's base purveyors, who for pickings prowl,


s: And scent the prey their masters would attack all.


s: (As being the brave lions' keen providers)


s: Than human insects, catering for spiders.


s: Raise but an arm! 't will brush their web away,


s: And without that, their poison and their claws


s: Are useless. Mind, good people! what I say


s: (Or rather peoples)--go on without pause!


s: Increases, till you shall make common cause:


s: None, save the Spanish fly and Attic bee,


s: As yet are strongly stinging to be free.


s: Don Juan, who had shone in the late slaughter,


s: Was left upon his way with the despatch,


s: Where blood was talk'd of as we would of water;


s: And carcasses that lay as thick as thatch


s: O'er silenced cities, merely served to flatter


s: Fair Catherine's pastime--who look'd on the match


s: Between these nations as a main of cocks,


s: Wherein she liked her own to stand like rocks.


s: (A cursed sort of carriage without springs,


s: Which on rough roads leaves scarcely a whole bone),


s: Pondering on glory, chivalry, and kings,


s: And orders, and on all that he had done--


s: And wishing that post-horses had the wings


s: Of Pegasus, or at the least post-chaises


s: Had feathers, when a traveller on deep ways is.


s: At every jolt--and they were many--still


s: He turn'd his eyes upon his little charge,


s: As if he wish'd that she should fare less ill


s: Than he, in these sad highways left at large


s: To ruts, and flints, and lovely Nature's skill,


s: On her canals, where God takes sea and land,


s: Fishery and farm, both into his own hand.


s: At least he pays no rent, and has best right


s: 'Gentlemen farmer'--a race worn out quite,


s: Since lately there have been no rents at all,


s: And 'gentlemen' are in a piteous plight,


s: And 'farmers' can't raise Ceres from her fall:


s: She fell with Buonaparte--What strange thoughts


s: Arise, when we see emperors fall with oats!


s: But Juan turn'd his eyes on the sweet child


s: Whom he had saved from slaughter--what a trophy


s: With gore, like Nadir Shah, that costive sophy,


s: To soothe his woes withal, was slain, the sinner!


s: Because he could no more digest his dinner;--


s: That one life saved, especially if young


s: Far sweeter than the greenest laurels sprung


s: From the manure of human clay, though deck'd


s: Though hymn'd by every harp, unless within


s: Your heart joins chorus, Fame is but a din.


s: O! ye great authors luminous, voluminous!


s: Ye twice ten hundred thousand daily scribes!


s: Whose pamphlets, volumes, newspapers, illumine us!


s: Whether you 're paid by government in bribes,


s: To prove the public debt is not consuming us--


s: Or, roughly treading on the 'courtier's kibes'


s: With clownish heel, your popular circulation


s: Feeds you by printing half the realm's starvation;--


s: O, ye great authors!--'Apropos des bottes,'-


s: As sometimes have been greater sages' lots;


s: All wrath in barracks, palaces, or cots:


s: Certes it would have been but thrown away,


s: And that 's one comfort for my lost advice,


s: Although no doubt it was beyond all price.


s: But let it go:--it will one day be found


s: When this world shall be former, underground,


s: Thrown topsy-turvy, twisted, crisp'd, and curl'd,


s: Baked, fried, or burnt, turn'd inside-out, or drown'd,


s: Like all the worlds before, which have been hurl'd


s: First out of, and then back again to chaos,


s: So Cuvier says;--and then shall come again


s: From our old crash, some mystic, ancient strain


s: Of things destroy'd and left in airy doubt:


s: Some hundred feet in height, not to say miles,


s: And mammoths, and your winged crocodiles.


s: Think if then George the Fourth should be dug up!


s: How the new worldlings of the then new East


s: Will wonder where such animals could sup!


s: (For they themselves will be but of the least:


s: Even worlds miscarry, when too oft they pup,


s: In size, from overworking the material--


s: Men are but maggots of some huge Earth's burial.)


s: How will--to these young people, just thrust out


s: From some fresh Paradise, and set to plough,


s: And dig, and sweat, and turn themselves about,


s: And plant, and reap, and spin, and grind, and sow,


s: Till all the arts at length are brought about,


s: I say, will these great relics, when they see 'em,


s: 'The time is out of joint,'--and so am I;


s: I quite forget this poem 's merely quizzical,


s: I ne'er decide what I shall say, and this I cal


s: They write, and for what end; but, note or text,


s: I never know the word which will come next.


s: Now pondering:--it is time we should narrate.


s: I left Don Juan with his horses baiting--


s: Now we 'll get o'er the ground at a great rate.


s: His journey, we 've so many tours of late:


s: Suppose him then at Petersburgh; suppose


s: A scarlet coat, black facings, a long plume,


s: Waving, like sails new shiver'd in a storm,


s: And brilliant breeches, bright as a Cairn Gorme,


s: White stocking drawn uncurdled as new milk


s: O'er limbs whose symmetry set off the silk;


s: Suppose him sword by side, and hat in hand,


s: Made up by youth, fame, and an army tailor--


s: That great enchanter, at whose rod's command


s: Beauty springs forth, and Nature's self turns paler,


s: Seeing how Art can make her work more grand


s: (When she don't pin men's limbs in like a gaoler),--


s: Behold him placed as if upon a pillar! He


s: Seems Love turn'd a lieutenant of artillery:--


s: His wings subdued to epaulettes; his quiver


s: Shrunk to a scabbard, with his arrows at


s: His side as a small sword, but sharp as ever;


s: But still so like, that Psyche were more clever


s: Than some wives (who make blunders no less stupid),


s: The courtiers stared, the ladies whisper'd, and


s: The empress smiled: the reigning favourite frown'd--


s: I quite forget which of them was in hand


s: Just then; as they are rather numerous found,


s: Who took by turns that difficult command


s: Since first her majesty was singly crown'd:


s: But they were mostly nervous six-foot fellows,


s: Juan was none of these, but slight and slim,


s: Blushing and beardless; and yet ne'ertheless


s: There was a something in his turn of limb,


s: And still more in his eye, which seem'd to express,


s: That though he look'd one of the seraphim,


s: There lurk'd a man beneath the spirit's dress.


s: Besides, the empress sometimes liked a boy,


s: And had just buried the fair-faced Lanskoi.


s: No wonder then that Yermoloff, or Momonoff,


s: Or on, might dread her majesty had not room enough


s: Within her bosom (which was not too tough)


s: For a new flame; a thought to cast of gloom enough


s: Along the aspect, whether smooth or rough,


s: Of him who, in the language of his station,


s: Then held that 'high official situation.'


s: O, gentle ladies! should you seek to know


s: Bid Ireland's Londonderry's Marquess show


s: His parts of speech; and in the strange displays


s: Of that odd string of words, all in a row,


s: Perhaps you may pick out some queer no meaning,


s: Of that weak wordy harvest the sole gleaning.


s: That Sphinx, whose words would ever be a doubt,


s: Did not his deeds unriddle them each day--


s: That monstrous hieroglyphic--that long spout


s: But luckily of no great length or weight.


s: What were the actual and official duties


s: Of the strange thing some women set a value on,


s: Which hovers oft about some married beauties,


s: Called 'Cavalier servente?'--a Pygmalion


s: Whose statues warm (I fear, alas! too true 't is)


s: Beneath his art. The dame, press'd to disclose them,


s: Said--'Lady, I beseech you to suppose them.'


s: And mildest, matron-like interpretation,


s: 'T was a high place, the highest in the nation


s: In fact, if not in rank; and the suspicion


s: No doubt gave pain, where each new pair of shoulders,


s: If rather broad, made stocks rise and their holders.


s: The usual hirsute seasons which destroy,


s: With beards and whiskers, and the like, the fond


s: And founded Doctors' Commons:--I have conn'd


s: The history of divorces, which, though chequer'd,


s: Calls Ilion's the first damages on record.


s: And Catherine, who loved all things (save her lord,


s: Who was gone to his place), and pass'd for much


s: Admiring those (by dainty dames abhorr'd)


s: O thou 'teterrima causa' of all 'belli'-


s: Thou gate of life and death--thou nondescript!


s: Whence is our exit and our entrance,--well I


s: May pause in pondering how all souls are dipt


s: In thy perennial fountain:--how man fell I


s: Know not, since knowledge saw her branches stript


s: Of her first fruit; but how he falls and rises


s: Since, thou hast settled beyond all surmises.


s: Some call thee 'the worst cause of war,' but I


s: Maintain thou art the best: for after all


s: From thee we come, to thee we go, and why


s: Thou dost replenish worlds both great and small:


s: With, or without thee, all things at a stand


s: Are, or would be, thou sea of life's dry land!


s: Of that great cause of war, or peace, or what


s: You please (it causes all the things which be,


s: So you may take your choice of this or that)--


s: The handsome herald, on whose plumage sat


s: Victory; and pausing as she saw him kneel


s: With his despatch, forgot to break the seal.


s: Then recollecting the whole empress, nor


s: forgetting quite the woman (which composed


s: At least three parts of this great whole), she tore


s: The court, that watch'd each look her visage wore,


s: Fair weather for the day. Though rather spacious,


s: Her face was noble, her eyes fine, mouth gracious.


s: Great joy was hers, or rather joys: the first


s: Was a ta'en city, thirty thousand slain.


s: Glory and triumph o'er her aspect burst,


s: These quench'd a moment her ambition's thirst--


s: In vain!--As fall the dews on quenchless sands,


s: Blood only serves to wash Ambition's hands!


s: She smiled at mad Suwarrow's rhymes, who threw


s: The whole gazette of thousands whom he slew.


s: The shudder which runs naturally through


s: Our veins, when things call'd sovereigns think it best


s: To kill, and generals turn it into jest.


s: The two first feelings ran their course complete,


s: And lighted first her eye, and then her mouth:


s: The whole court look'd immediately most sweet,


s: Like flowers well water'd after a long drouth.


s: Glanced mildly, all the world was on the watch.


s: Though somewhat large, exuberant, and truculent,


s: When wroth--while pleased, she was as fine a figure


s: As those who like things rosy, ripe, and succulent,


s: Would wish to look on, while they are in vigour.


s: She could repay each amatory look you lent


s: With interest, and in turn was wont with rigour


s: To exact of Cupid's bills the full amount


s: At sight, nor would permit you to discount.


s: With her the latter, though at times convenient,


s: That she was handsome, and though fierce look'd lenient,


s: And always used her favourites too well.


s: If once beyond her boudoir's precincts in ye went,


s: Your 'fortune' was in a fair way 'to swell


s: A man' (as Giles says); for though she would widow all


s: Nations, she liked man as an individual.


s: What a strange thing is man? and what a stranger


s: And what a whirlpool full of depth and danger


s: Or widow, maid or mother, she can change her


s: Mind like the wind: whatever she has said


s: Or done, is light to what she 'll say or do;--


s: The oldest thing on record, and yet new!


s: To thee both oh! and ah! belong of right


s: In love and war) how odd are the connections


s: Of human thoughts, which jostle in their flight!


s: Just now yours were cut out in different sections:


s: First Ismail's capture caught your fancy quite;


s: Next of new knights, the fresh and glorious batch;


s: And thirdly he who brought you the despatch!


s: And some such visions cross'd her majesty,


s: While her young herald knelt before her still.


s: 'T is very true the hill seem'd rather high,


s: Smooth'd even the Simplon's steep, and by God's blessing


s: With youth and health all kisses are 'heaven-kissing.'


s: Her majesty look'd down, the youth look'd up--


s: And so they fell in love;--she with his face,


s: His grace, his God-knows-what: for Cupid's cup


s: With the first draught intoxicates apace,


s: A quintessential laudanum or 'black drop,'


s: Which makes one drunk at once, without the base


s: In love drinks all life's fountains (save tears) dry.


s: Fell into that no less imperious passion,


s: Self-love--which, when some sort of thing above


s: Ourselves, a singer, dancer, much in fashion,


s: Or duchess, princess, empress, 'deigns to prove'


s: ('T is Pope's phrase) a great longing, though a rash one,


s: Makes us believe ourselves as good as any.


s: We don't much care with whom we may engage,


s: In the next ocean, which may flow just then,


s: To make a twilight in, just as Sol's heat is


s: Quench'd in the lap of the salt sea, or Thetis.


s: And Catherine (we must say thus much for Catherine),


s: Though bold and bloody, was the kind of thing


s: Whose temporary passion was quite flattering,


s: Because each lover look'd a sort of king,


s: Which, being the damn'dest part of matrimony,


s: Seem'd taking out the sting to leave the honey.


s: (The last, if they have soul, are quite as good,


s: Napoleon's, Mary's (queen of Scotland), should


s: Too wise to look through optics black or blue)--


s: Her sweet smile, and her then majestic figure,


s: Her plumpness, her imperial condescension,


s: Her preference of a boy to men much bigger


s: (Fellows whom Messalina's self would pension),


s: Her prime of life, just now in juicy vigour,


s: With other extras, which we need not mention,--


s: A maddening spirit which would strive to blend


s: On which the passion's self seems to depend:


s: Make love the main spring of the universe.


s: Of God, the love of sentiment, the loving


s: Of faithful pairs (I needs must rhyme with dove,


s: That good old steam-boat which keeps verses moving


s: 'Gainst reason--Reason ne'er was hand-and-glove


s: With rhyme, but always leant less to improving


s: The sound than sense)--beside all these pretences


s: To love, there are those things which words name senses;


s: Those movements, those improvements in our bodies


s: Which make all bodies anxious to get out


s: Of their own sand-pits, to mix with a goddess,


s: For such all women are at first no doubt.


s: How beautiful that moment! and how odd is


s: That fever which precedes the languid rout


s: The whole thing is of clothing souls in clay!


s: The noblest kind of love is love Platonical,


s: Is that which may be christen'd love canonical,


s: Because the clergy take the thing in hand;


s: The third sort to be noted in our chronicle


s: Is when chaste matrons to their other ties


s: Add what may be call'd marriage in disguise.


s: Tell for itself: the sovereign was smitten,


s: Juan much flatter'd by her love, or lust;--


s: I cannot stop to alter words once written,


s: And the two are so mix'd with human dust,


s: That he who names one, both perchance may hit on:


s: But in such matters Russia's mighty empress


s: Behaved no better than a common sempstress.


s: The whole court melted into one wide whisper,


s: And all lips were applied unto all ears!


s: The elder ladies' wrinkles curl'd much crisper


s: As they beheld; the younger cast some leers


s: Smiled as she talk'd the matter o'er; but tears


s: Enquired, Who was this very new young man,


s: Who promised to be great in some few hours?


s: Which is full soon--though life is but a span.


s: Of several ribands, and some thousand peasants.


s: Catherine was generous,--all such ladies are:


s: Love, that great opener of the heart and all


s: The ways that lead there, be they near or far,


s: Above, below, by turnpikes great or small,--


s: Love (though she had a cursed taste for war,


s: And was not the best wife, unless we call


s: Such Clytemnestra, though perhaps 't is better


s: That one should die, than two drag on the fetter)--


s: Love had made Catherine make each lover's fortune,


s: Whose avarice all disbursements did importune,


s: The truth; and though grief her old age might shorten,


s: Her vile, ambiguous method of flirtation,


s: And stinginess, disgrace her sex and station.


s: But when the levee rose, and all was bustle


s: In the dissolving circle, all the nations'


s: Round the young man with their congratulations.


s: Also the softer silks were heard to rustle


s: Of gentle dames, among whose recreations


s: Especially when such lead to high places.


s: Juan, who found himself, he knew not how,


s: Though modest, on his unembarrass'd brow


s: Little, but to the purpose; and his manner


s: Flung hovering graces o'er him like a banner.


s: Of those in office: all the world look'd kind


s: (As it will look sometimes with the first stare,


s: Which youth would not act ill to keep in mind),


s: Named from her mystic office 'l'Eprouveuse,'


s: My Pegasus shall tire of touching ground.


s: We have just lit on a 'heaven-kissing hill,'


s: So lofty that I feel my brain turn round,


s: And all my fancies whirling like a mill;


s: Which is a signal to my nerves and brain,


s: To take a quiet ride in some green Lane.


s: In that slight startle from his contemplation--


s: 'T is said (for I 'll not answer above ground


s: A mode of proving that the earth turn'd round


s: In a most natural whirl, called 'gravitation;'


s: And this is the sole mortal who could grapple,


s: Since Adam, with a fall or with an apple.


s: Man fell with apples, and with apples rose,


s: If this be true; for we must deem the mode


s: In which Sir Isaac Newton could disclose


s: Through the then unpaved stars the turnpike road,


s: With all kinds of mechanics, and full soon


s: Steam-engines will conduct him to the moon.


s: And wherefore this exordium?--Why, just now,


s: In taking up this paltry sheet of paper,


s: To those who, by the dint of glass and vapour,


s: Discover stars and sail in the wind's eye,


s: In the wind's eye I have sail'd, and sail; but for


s: But at least I have shunn'd the common shore,


s: And leaving land far out of sight, would skim


s: Of breakers has not daunted my slight, trim,


s: But still sea-worthy skiff; and she may float


s: Where ships have founder'd, as doth many a boat.


s: Of favouritism, but not yet in the blush;


s: (For I have more than one Muse at a push)


s: It is enough that Fortune found him flush


s: Of youth, and vigour, beauty, and those things


s: Which for an instant clip enjoyment's wings.


s: But soon they grow again and leave their nest.


s: 'Oh!' saith the Psalmist, 'that I had a dove's


s: And who that recollects young years and loves,--


s: Though hoary now, and with a withering breast,


s: And palsied fancy, which no longer roves


s: Beyond its dimm'd eye's sphere,--but would much rather


s: Sigh like his son, than cough like his grandfather?


s: But sighs subside, and tears (even widows') shrink,


s: So narrow as to shame their wintry brink,


s: Which threatens inundations deep and yellow!


s: Such difference doth a few months make. You 'd think


s: Grief a rich field which never would lie fallow;


s: No more it doth, its ploughs but change their boys,


s: Who furrow some new soil to sow for joys.


s: But coughs will come when sighs depart--and now


s: And then before sighs cease; for oft the one


s: Will bring the other, ere the lake-like brow


s: Of life reach'd ten o'clock: and while a glow,


s: Hectic and brief as summer's day nigh done,


s: O'erspreads the cheek which seems too pure for clay,


s: Thousands blaze, love, hope, die,--how happy they!


s: Perhaps; but who would scorn the month of June,


s: Because December, with his breath so hoary,


s: Must come? Much rather should he court the ray,


s: To hoard up warmth against a wintry day.


s: Besides, he had some qualities which fix


s: Middle-aged ladies even more than young:


s: The former know what 's what; while new-fledged chicks


s: Know little more of love than what is sung


s: In rhymes, or dreamt (for fancy will play tricks)


s: In visions of those skies from whence Love sprung.


s: Some reckon women by their suns or years,


s: I rather think the moon should date the dears.


s: And why? because she 's changeable and chaste.


s: Suspicious people, who find fault in haste,


s: May choose to tax me with; which is not fair,


s: Nor flattering to 'their temper or their taste,'


s: As my friend Jeffrey writes with such an air:


s: He will forgive himself;--if not, I must.