LovehadmadeCatherinemakeeachlover'sfortune,Unlikeourownhalf-chasteElizabeth,Whoseavaricealldisbursementsdidimportune,Ifhistory,thegrandliar,eversaithThetruth;andthoughgriefheroldagemightshorten,Becausesheputafavouritetodeath,Hervile,ambiguousmethodofflirtation,Andstinginess,disgracehersexandstation。
Butwhentheleveerose,andallwasbustleInthedissolvingcircle,allthenations'
Ambassadorsbeganas'tweretohustleRoundtheyoungmanwiththeircongratulations。
AlsothesoftersilkswereheardtorustleOfgentledames,amongwhoserecreationsItistospeculateonhandsomefaces,Especiallywhensuchleadtohighplaces。
Juan,whofoundhimself,heknewnothow,Ageneralobjectofattention,madeHisanswerswithaverygracefulbow,Asifbornfortheministerialtrade。
Thoughmodest,onhisunembarrass'dbrowNaturehadwritten'gentleman。'HesaidLittle,buttothepurpose;andhismannerFlunghoveringgraceso'erhimlikeabanner。
Anorderfromhermajestyconsign'dOuryounglieutenanttothegenialcareOfthoseinoffice:alltheworldlook'dkindAsitwilllooksometimeswiththefirststare,Whichyouthwouldnotactilltokeepinmind,AsalsodidMissProtasoffthenthere,Namedfromhermysticoffice'l'Eprouveuse,'
AterminexplicabletotheMuse。
Withherthen,asinhumbledutybound,Juanretired,-andsowillI,untilMyPegasusshalltireoftouchingground。
Wehavejustlitona'heaven-kissinghill,'
SoloftythatIfeelmybrainturnround,Andallmyfancieswhirlinglikeamill;
Whichisasignaltomynervesandbrain,TotakeaquietrideinsomegreenLane。
CANTOTHETENTH。
WHENNewtonsawanapplefall,hefoundInthatslightstartlefromhiscontemplation-
'TissaidforI'llnotanswerabovegroundForanysage'screedorcalculation-
Amodeofprovingthattheearthturn'droundInamostnaturalwhirl,called'gravitation;'
Andthisisthesolemortalwhocouldgrapple,SinceAdam,withafallorwithanapple。
Manfellwithapples,andwithapplesrose,Ifthisbetrue;forwemustdeemthemodeInwhichSirIsaacNewtoncoulddiscloseThroughthethenunpavedstarstheturnpikeroad,Athingtocounterbalancehumanwoes:
Foreversinceimmortalmanhathglow'dWithallkindsofmechanics,andfullsoonSteam-engineswillconducthimtothemoon。
Andwhereforethisexordium?-Why,justnow,Intakingupthispaltrysheetofpaper,Mybosomunderwentagloriousglow,Andmyinternalspiritcutacaper:
Andthoughsomuchinferior,asIknow,Tothosewho,bythedintofglassandvapour,Discoverstarsandsailinthewind'seye,Iwishtodoasmuchbypoesy。
Inthewind'seyeIhavesail'd,andsail;butforThestars,Iownmytelescopeisdim:
ButatleastIhaveshunn'dthecommonshore,Andleavinglandfaroutofsight,wouldskimTheoceanofeternity:theroarOfbreakershasnotdauntedmyslight,trim,Butstillsea-worthyskiff;andshemayfloatWhereshipshavefounder'd,asdothmanyaboat。
Weleftourhero,Juan,inthebloomOffavouritism,butnotyetintheblush;
AndfarbeitfrommyMusestopresumeForIhavemorethanoneMuseatapush
Tofollowhimbeyondthedrawing-room:
ItisenoughthatFortunefoundhimflushOfyouth,andvigour,beauty,andthosethingsWhichforaninstantclipenjoyment'swings。
Butsoontheygrowagainandleavetheirnest。
'Oh!'saiththePsalmist,'thatIhadadove'sPinionstofleeaway,andbeatrest!'
Andwhothatrecollectsyoungyearsandloves,-
Thoughhoarynow,andwithawitheringbreast,Andpalsiedfancy,whichnolongerrovesBeyonditsdimm'deye'ssphere,-butwouldmuchratherSighlikehisson,thancoughlikehisgrandfather?
Butsighssubside,andtearsevenwidows'shrink,LikeArnointhesummer,toashallow,Sonarrowastoshametheirwintrybrink,Whichthreatensinundationsdeepandyellow!
Suchdifferencedothafewmonthsmake。You'dthinkGriefarichfieldwhichneverwouldliefallow;
Nomoreitdoth,itsploughsbutchangetheirboys,Whofurrowsomenewsoiltosowforjoys。
Butcoughswillcomewhensighsdepart-andnowAndthenbeforesighscease;forofttheoneWillbringtheother,erethelake-likebrowIsruffledbyawrinkle,orthesunOflifereach'dteno'clock:andwhileaglow,Hecticandbriefassummer'sdaynighdone,O'erspreadsthecheekwhichseemstoopureforclay,Thousandsblaze,love,hope,die,-howhappythey!
ButJuanwasnotmeanttodiesosoon。
WelefthiminthefocusofsuchgloryAsmaybewonbyfavourofthemoonOrladies'fancies-rathertransitoryPerhaps;butwhowouldscornthemonthofJune,BecauseDecember,withhisbreathsohoary,Mustcome?Muchrathershouldhecourttheray,Tohoardupwarmthagainstawintryday。
Besides,hehadsomequalitieswhichfixMiddle-agedladiesevenmorethanyoung:
Theformerknowwhat'swhat;whilenew-fledgedchicksKnowlittlemoreoflovethanwhatissungInrhymes,ordreamtforfancywillplaytricks
InvisionsofthoseskiesfromwhenceLovesprung。
Somereckonwomenbytheirsunsoryears,Iratherthinkthemoonshoulddatethedears。
Andwhy?becauseshe'schangeableandchaste。
Iknownootherreason,whatsoe'erSuspiciouspeople,whofindfaultinhaste,Maychoosetotaxmewith;whichisnotfair,Norflatteringto'theirtemperortheirtaste,'
AsmyfriendJeffreywriteswithsuchanair:
However,Iforgivehim,andItrustHewillforgivehimself;-ifnot,Imust。
OldenemieswhohavebecomenewfriendsShouldsocontinue-'tisapointofhonour;
AndIknownothingwhichcouldmakeamendsForareturntohatred:IwouldshunherLikegarlic,howsoeversheextendsHerhundredarmsandlegs,andfainoutrunher。
Oldflames,newwives,becomeourbitterestfoes-
Convertedfoesshouldscorntojoinwiththose。
Thisweretheworstdesertion:-renegadoes,EvenshufflingSouthey,thatincarnatelie,Wouldscarcelyjoinagainthe'reformadoes,'
Whomheforsooktofillthelaureate'ssty:
AndhonestmenfromIcelandtoBarbadoes,WhetherinCaledonorItaly,Shouldnotveerroundwitheverybreath,norseizeTopain,themomentwhenyouceasetoplease。
ThelawyerandthecriticbutbeholdThebasersidesofliteratureandlife,Andnoughtremainsunseen,butmuchuntold,Bythosewhoscourthosedoublevalesofstrife。
Whilecommonmengrowignorantlyold,Thelawyer'sbriefislikethesurgeon'sknife,Dissectingthewholeinsideofaquestion,Andwithitalltheprocessofdigestion。
Alegalbroom'samoralchimney-sweeper,Andthat'sthereasonhehimself'ssodirty;
TheendlesssootbestowsatintfardeeperThancanbehidbyalteringhisshirt;heRetainsthesablestainsofthedarkcreeper,Atleastsometwenty-ninedooutofthirty,Inalltheirhabits;-notsoyou,Iown;
AsCaesarworehisrobeyouwearyourgown。
Andallourlittlefeuds,atleastallmine,DearJefferson,oncemymostredoubtedfoeAsfarasrhymeandcriticismcombineTomakesuchpuppetsofusthingsbelow,Areover:Here'sahealthto'AuldLangSyne!'
Idonotknowyou,andmayneverknowYourface-butyouhaveactedonthewholeMostnobly,andIownitfrommysoul。
AndwhenIusethephraseof'AuldLangSyne!'
'Tisnotaddress'dtoyou-themore'sthepityForme,forIwouldrathertakemywineWithyou,thanaughtsaveScottinyourproudcity。
Butsomehow,-itmayseemaschoolboy'swhine,AndyetIseeknottobegrandnorwitty,ButIamhalfaScotbybirth,andbredAwholeone,andmyheartfliestomyhead,-
As'AuldLangSyne'bringsScotland,oneandall,Scotchplaids,Scotchsnoods,thebluehills,andclearstreams,TheDee,theDon,Balgounie'sbrig'sblackwall,Allmyboyfeelings,allmygentlerdreamsOfwhatIthendreamt,clothedintheirownpall,LikeBanquo'soffspring;-floatingpastmeseemsMychildhoodinthischildishnessofmine:
Icarenot-'tisaglimpseof'AuldLangSyne。'
Andthough,asyouremember,inafitOfwrathandrhyme,whenjuvenileandcurly,Irail'datScotstoshowmywrathandwit,Whichmustbeown'dwassensitiveandsurly,Yet'tisinvainsuchsalliestopermit,Theycannotquenchyoungfeelingsfreshandearly:
I'scotch'dnotkill'd'theScotchmaninmyblood,Andlovethelandof'mountainandofflood。'
DonJuan,whowasreal,orideal,-
Forbotharemuchthesame,sincewhatmenthinkExistswhentheoncethinkersarelessrealThanwhattheythought,formindcanneversink,And'gainstthebodymakesastrongappeal;
Andyet'tisverypuzzlingonthebrinkOfwhatiscall'deternity,tostare,Andknownomoreofwhatishere,thanthere;-
DonJuangrewaverypolish'dRussian-
Howwewon'tmention,whyweneednotsay:
FewyouthfulmindscanstandthestrongconcussionOfanyslighttemptationintheirway;
ButhisjustnowwerespreadasisacushionSmooth'dforamonarch'sseatofhonour;gayDamsels,anddances,revels,readymoney,Madeiceseemparadise,andwintersunny。
Thefavouroftheempresswasagreeable;
Andthoughthedutywax'dalittlehard,YoungpeopleathistimeoflifeshouldbeableTocomeoffhandsomelyinthatregard。
Hewasnowgrowinguplikeagreentree,ableForlove,war,orambition,whichrewardTheirluckiervotaries,tilloldage'stediumMakesomepreferthecirculatingmedium。
Aboutthistime,asmighthavebeenanticipated,Seducedbyyouthanddangerousexamples,DonJuangrew,Ifear,alittledissipated;
Whichisasadthing,andnotonlytramplesOnourfreshfeelings,but-asbeingparticipatedWithallkindsofincorrigiblesamplesOffrailhumanity-mustmakeusselfish,Andshutoursoulsupinuslikeashell-fish。
Thiswepassover。WewillalsopassTheusualprogressofintriguesbetweenUnequalmatches,suchasare,alas!
Ayounglieutenant'swithanotoldqueen,ButonewhoisnotsoyouthfulasshewasInalltheroyaltyofsweetseventeen。
Sovereignsmayswaymaterials,butnotmatter,AndDeath,thesovereign'ssovereign,thoughthegreatGracchusofallmortality,wholevelsWithhisAgrarianlawsthehighestateOfhimwhofeasts,andfights,androars,andrevels,Toonesmallgrass-grownpatchwhichmustawaitCorruptionforitscropwiththepoordevilsWhoneverhadafootoflandtillnow,-
Death'sareformer,allmenmustallow。
HelivednotDeath,butJuaninahurryOfwaste,andhaste,andglare,andgloss,andglitter,Inthisgayclimeofbear-skinsblackandfurry-
WhichthoughIhatetosayathingthat'sbitter
Peepoutsometimes,whenthingsareinaflurry,Throughallthe'purpleandfinelinen,'fitterForBabylon'sthanRussia'sroyalharlot-
Andneutralizeheroutwardshowofscarlet。
Andthissamestatewewon'tdescribe:wewouldPerhapsfromhearsay,orfromrecollection;
ButgettingnighgrimDante's'obscurewood,'
Thathorridequinox,thathatefulsectionOfhumanyears,thathalf-wayhouse,thatrudeHut,whencewisetravellersdrivewithcircumspectionLife'ssadpost-horseso'erthedrearyfrontierOfage,andlookingbacktoyouth,giveonetear;-
Iwon'tdescribe,-thatis,ifIcanhelpDescription;andIwon'treflect,-thatis,IfIcanstaveoffthought,which-asawhelpClingstoitsteat-stickstomethroughtheabyssOfthisoddlabyrinth;orasthekelpHoldsbytherock;orasalover'skissDrainsitsfirstdraughtoflips:-but,asIsaid,Iwon'tphilosophise,andwillberead。
Juan,insteadofcourtingcourts,wascourted,-
Athingwhichhappensrarely:thisheowedMuchtohisyouth,andmuchtohisreportedValour;muchalsotothebloodheshow'd,Likearace-horse;muchtoeachdresshesported,Whichsetthebeautyoffinwhichheglow'd,Aspurplecloudsbefringethesun;butmostHeowedtoanoldwomanandhispost。
HewrotetoSpain:-andallhisnearrelations,PerceivingfiewasinahandsomewayOfgettingonhimself,andfindingstationsForcousinsalso,answer'dthesameday。
Severalpreparedthemselvesforemigrations;
Andeatingices,wereo'erheardtosay,Thatwiththeadditionofaslightpelisse,Madrid'sandMoscow'sclimeswereofapiece。
Hismother,DonnaInez,finding,too,Thatinthelieuofdrawingonhisbanker,Wherehisassetswerewaxingratherfew,Hehadbroughthisspendingtoahandsomeanchor,-
Replied,'thatshewasgladtoseehimthroughThosepleasuresafterwhichwildyouthwillhanker;
Asthesolesignofman'sbeinginhissensesIs,learningtoreducehispastexpenses。
'ShealsorecommendedhimtoGod,AndnolesstoGod'sSon,aswellasMother,Warn'dhimagainstGreekworship,whichlooksoddInCatholiceyes;buttoldhim,too,tosmotherOutwarddislike,whichdon'tlookwellabroad;
Inform'dhimthathehadalittlebrotherBorninasecondwedlock;andaboveAll,praisedtheempress'smaternallove。
'ShecouldnottoomuchgiveherapprobationUntoanempress,whopreferr'dyoungmenWhoseage,andwhatwasbetterstill,whosenationAndclimate,stopp'dallscandalnowandthen:-
Athomeitmighthavegivenhersomevexation;
Butwherethermometerssunkdowntoten,Orfive,orone,orzero,shecouldneverBelievethatvirtuethaw'dbeforetheriver。'
Ohforaforty-parsonpowertochantThypraise,Hypocrisy!OhforahymnLoudasthevirtuesthoudostloudlyvaunt,Notpractise!Ohfortrumpsofcherubim!
Ortheear-trumpetofmygoodoldaunt,Who,thoughherspectaclesatlastgrewdim,Drewquietconsolationthroughitshint,Whenshenomorecouldreadthepiousprint。
Shewasnohypocriteatleast,poorsoul,ButwenttoheaveninassincereawayAsanybodyontheelectedroll,WhichportionsoutuponthejudgmentdayHeaven'sfreeholds,inasortofdoomsdayscroll,SuchastheconquerorWilliamdidrepayHisknightswith,lottingothers'propertiesIntosomesixtythousandnewknights'fees。
Ican'tcomplain,whoseancestorsarethere,Erneis,Radulphus-eight-and-fortymanorsIfthatmymemorydothnotgreatlyerr
WeretheirrewardforfollowingBilly'sbanners:
AndthoughIcan'thelpthinking'twasscarcefairTostriptheSaxonsoftheirhydes,liketanners;
Yetastheyfoundedchurcheswiththeproduce,You'lldeem,nodoubt,theyputittoagooduse。
ThegentleJuanflourish'd,thoughattimesHefeltlikeotherplantscalledsensitive,Whichshrinkfromtouch,asmonarchsdofromrhymes,SavesuchasSoutheycanaffordtogive。
Perhapshelong'dinbitterfrostsforclimesInwhichtheNeva'sicewouldceasetoliveBeforeMay-day:perhaps,despitehisduty,Inroyalty'svastarmshesighdforbeauty:
Perhaps-but,sansperhaps,weneednotseekForcausesyoungorold:thecanker-wormWillfeeduponthefairest,freshestcheek,Aswellasfurtherdrainthewither'dform:
Care,likeahousekeeper,bringseveryweekHisbillsin,andhoweverwemaystorm,Theymustbepaid:thoughsixdayssmoothlyrun,Theseventhwillbringbluedevilsoradun。
Idon'tknowhowitwas,buthegrewsick:
Theempresswasalarm'd,andherphysicianThesamewhophysick'dPeterfoundthetickOfhisfiercepulsebetokenaconditionWhichaugur'dofthedead,howeverquickItself,andshow'dafeverishdisposition;
Atwhichthewholecourtwasextremelytroubled,Thesovereignshock'd,andallhismedicinesdoubled。
Lowwerethewhispers,manifoldtherumours:
Somesaidhehadbeenpoison'dbyPotemkin;
Otherstalk'dlearnedlyofcertaintumours,Exhaustion,ordisordersofthesamekin;
Somesaid'twasaconcoctionofthehumours,Whichwiththebloodtooreadilywillclaimkin;
Othersagainwerereadytomaintain,''Twasonlythefatigueoflastcampaign。'
Buthereisoneprescriptionoutofmany:
'Sodaesulphat。3vj。3fs。Mannaeoptim。
Aq。fervent。f。3ifs。3ij。tinct。SennaeHaustus'Andherethesurgeoncameandcupp'dhim
'RxPulvComgr。iij。Ipecacuanhae'
WithmorebesideifJuanhadnotstopp'd'em。
'BolusPotassaeSulphuret。sumendus,Ethaustusterindiecapiendus。'
Thisisthewayphysiciansmendorendus,Secundumartem:butalthoughwesneerInhealth-whenill,wecallthemtoattendus,Withouttheleastpropensitytojeer:
Whilethat'hiatusmaximedeflendus'
Tobefill'dupbyspadeormattock'snear,InsteadofglidinggraciouslydownLethe,WeteasemildBaillie,orsoftAbernethy。
Juandemurr'datthisfirstnoticetoQuit;andthoughdeathhadthreaten'danejection,Hisyouthandconstitutionborehimthrough,Andsentthedoctorsinanewdirection。
Butstillhisstatewasdelicate:thehueOfhealthbutflicker'dwithafaintreflectionAlonghiswastedcheek,andseem'dtogravelThefaculty-whosaidthathemusttravel。
Theclimatewastoocold,theysaid,forhim,Meridian-born,tobloomin。ThisopinionMadethechasteCatherinelookalittlegrim,Whodidnotlikeatfirsttoloseherminion:
Butwhenshesawhisdazzlingeyewaxdim,Anddroopinglikeaneagle'swithcliptpinion,Shethenresolvedtosendhimonamission,Butinastylebecominghiscondition。
Therewasjustthenakindofadiscussion,AsortoftreatyornegotiationBetweentheBritishcabinetandRussian,Maintain'dwithallthedueprevaricationWithwhichgreatstatessuchthingsareapttopushon;
SomethingabouttheBaltic'snavigation,Hides,train-oil,tallow,andtherightsofThetis,WhichBritonsdeemtheir'utipossidetis。'
SoCatherine,whohadahandsomewayOffittingoutherfavourites,conferr'dThissecretchargeonJuan,todisplayAtonceherroyalsplendour,andrewardHisservices。Hekiss'dhandsthenextday,Receivedinstructionshowtoplayhiscard,Wasladenwithallkindsofgiftsandhonours,Whichshow'dwhatgreatdiscernmentwasthedonor's。
Butshewaslucky,andluck'sall。YourqueensAregenerallyprosperousinreigning;
WhichpuzzlesustoknowwhatFortunemeans。
Buttocontinue:thoughheryearswerewaningHerclimactericteasedherlikeherteens;
Andthoughherdignitybrook'dnocomplaining,SomuchdidJuan'ssettingoffdistressher,Shecouldnotfindatfirstafitsuccessor。
Buttime,thecomforter,willcomeatlast;
Andfour-and-twentyhours,andtwicethatnumberOfcandidatesrequestingtobeplaced,MadeCatherinetastenextnightaquietslumber:-
Notthatshemeanttofixagaininhaste,Nordidshefindthequantityencumber,Butalwayschoosingwithdeliberation,Kepttheplaceopenfortheiremulation。
Whilethishighpostofhonour'sinabeyance,Foroneortwodays,reader,werequestYou'llmountwithouryoungherotheconveyanceWhichwaftedhimfromPetersburgh:thebestBarouche,whichhadtheglorytodisplayonceThefairczarina'sautocraticcrest,When,anewlphigene,shewenttoTauris,Wasgiventoherfavourite,andnowborehis。
Abull-dog,andabullfinch,andanermine,AllprivatefavouritesofDonJuan;-forLetdeepersagesthetruecausedetermine
Hehadakindofinclination,orWeakness,forwhatmostpeopledeemmerevermin,Liveanimals:anoldmaidofthreescoreForcatsandbirdsmorepenchantne'erdisplay'd,Althoughhewasnotold,norevenamaid;-
TheanimalsaforesaidoccupiedTheirstation:therewerevalets,secretaries,Inothervehicles;butathissideSatlittleLeila,whosurvivedtheparriesHemade'gainstCossacquesabres,inthewideSlaughterofIsmail。ThoughmywildMusevariesHernote,shedon'tforgettheinfantgirlWhomhepreserved,apureandlivingpearlPoorlittlething!Shewasasfairasdocile,Andwiththatgentle,seriouscharacter,AsrareinlivingbeingsasafossileMan,'midstthymouldymammoths,'grandCuvier!'
IllfittedwasherignorancetojostleWiththiso'erwhelmingworld,whereallmusterr:
Butshewasyetbuttenyearsold,andthereforeWastranquil,thoughsheknewnotwhyorwherefore。
DonJuanlovedher,andshelovedhim,asNorbrother,father,sister,daughterlove。
Icannottellexactlywhatitwas;
HewasnotyetquiteoldenoughtoproveParentalfeelings,andtheotherclass,Call'dbrotherlyaffection,couldnotmoveHisbosom,-forheneverhadasister:
Ah!ifhehad,howmuchhewouldhavemiss'dher!
Andstilllesswasitsensual;forbesidesThathewasnotanancientdebaucheeWholikesourfruit,tostirtheirveins'salttides,Asacidsrouseadormantalkali,Although'twillhappenasourplanetguides
Hisyouthwasnotthechastestthatmightbe,TherewasthepurestPlatonismatbottomOfallhisfeelings-onlyheforgot'em。
Justnowtherewasnoperiloftemptation;
Helovedtheinfantorphanhehadsaved,Aspatriotsnowandthenmayloveanation;
Hispride,too,feltthatshewasnotenslavedOwingtohim;-asalsohersalvationThroughhismeansandthechurch'smightbepaved。
Butonething'sodd,whichheremustbeinserted,ThelittleTurkrefusedtobeconverted。
'TwasstrangeenoughsheshouldretaintheimpressionThroughsuchasceneofchange,anddread,andslaughter;
Butthoughthreebishopstoldherthetransgression,Sheshow'dagreatdisliketoholywater:
Shealsohadnopassionforconfession;
Perhapsshehadnothingtoconfess:-nomatter,Whate'erthecause,thechurchmadelittleofit-
ShestillheldoutthatMahometwasaprophet。
Infact,theonlyChristianshecouldbearWasJuan;whomsheseem'dtohaveselectedInplaceofwhatherhomeandfriendsoncewere。
Henaturallylovedwhatheprotected:
Andthustheyform'darathercuriouspair,Aguardiangreeninyears,awardconnectedInneitherclime,time,blood,withherdefender;
Andyetthiswantoftiesmadetheirsmoretender。
Theyjourney'donthroughPolandandthroughWarsaw,Famousforminesofsaltandyokesofiron:
ThroughCourlandalso,whichthatfamousfarcesawWhichgaveherdukesthegracelessnameof'Biron。'
'TisthesamelandscapewhichthemodernMarssaw,Whomarch'dtoMoscow,ledbyFame,thesiren!
Tolosebyonemonth'sfrostsometwentyyearsOfconquest,andhisguardofgrenadiers。
Letthisnotseemananti-climax:-'Oh!
Myguard!myoldguardexclaim'd!'exclaim'dthatgodofday。
ThinkoftheThunderer'sfallingdownbelowCarotid-artery-cuttingCastlereagh!
Alas,thatgloryshouldbechill'dbysnow!
ButshouldwewishtowarmusonourwayThroughPoland,thereisKosciusko'snameMightscatterfirethroughice,likeHecla'sflame。
FromPolandtheycameonthroughPrussiaProper,AndKonigsbergthecapital,whosevaunt,Besidessomeveinsofiron,lead,orcopper,HaslatelybeenthegreatProfessorKant。
Juan,whocarednotatobacco-stopperAboutphilosophy,pursuedhisjauntToGermany,whosesomewhattardymillionsHaveprinceswhospurmorethantheirpostilions。
AndthencethroughBerlin,Dresden,andthelike,Untilhereach'dthecastellatedRhine:-
YegloriousGothicscenes!howmuchyestrikeAllphantasies,notevenexceptingmine;
Agreywall,agreenruin,rustypike,MakemysoulpasstheequinoctiallineBetweenthepresentandpastworlds,andhoverUpontheirairyconfine,half-seas-over。
ButJuanpostedonthroughManheim,Bonn,WhichDrachenfelsfrownsoverlikeaspectreOfthegoodfeudaltimesforevergone,OnwhichIhavenottimejustnowtolecture。
FromthencehewasdrawnonwardstoCologne,AcitywhichpresentstotheinspectorEleventhousandmaidenheadsofbone,Thegreatestnumberfleshhatheverknown。
FromthencetoHolland'sHagueandHelvoetsluys,Thatwater-landofDutchmenandofditches,Wherejuniperexpressesitsbestjuice,Thepoorman'ssparklingsubstituteforriches。
Senatesandsageshavecondemn'ditsuse-
Buttodenythemobacordial,whichisToooftenalltheclothing,meat,orfuel,Goodgovernmenthasleftthem,seemsbutcruel。
Hereheembark'd,andwithaflowingsailWentboundingfortheislandofthefree,Towardswhichtheimpatientwindblewhalfagale;
Highdash'dthespray,thebowsdipp'dinthesea,Andsea-sickpassengersturn'dsomewhatpale;
ButJuan,season'd,ashewellmightbe,Byformervoyages,stoodtowatchtheskiffsWhichpass'd,orcatchthefirstglimpseofthecliffs。
Atlengththeyrose,likeawhitewallalongThebluesea'sborder;andIDonJuanfelt-
WhatevenyoungstrangersfeelalittlestrongAtthefirstsightofAlbion'schalkybelt-
AkindofpridethatheshouldbeamongThosehaughtyshopkeepers,whosternlydealtTheirgoodsandedictsoutfrompoletopole,Andmadetheverybillowspaythemtoll。
I'venogreatcausetolovethatspotofearth,Whichholdswhatmighthavebeenthenoblestnation;
ButthoughIoweitlittlebutmybirth,Ifeelamix'dregretandvenerationForitsdecayingfameandformerworth。
Sevenyearstheusualtermoftransportation
Ofabsencelayone'soldresentmentslevel,Whenaman'scountry'sgoingtothedevil。
Alas!couldshebutfully,truly,knowHowhergreatnameisnowthroughoutabhorr'd:
HoweageralltheearthisfortheblowWhichshalllaybareherbosomtothesword;
Howallthenationsdeemhertheirworstfoe,Thatworsethanworstoffoes,theonceadoredFalsefriend,whoheldoutfreedomtomankind,Andnowwouldchainthem,totheverymind:-
Wouldshebeproud,orboastherselfthefree,Whoisbutfirstofslaves?ThenationsareInprison,-butthegaoler,whatishe?
Nolessavictimtotheboltandbar。
IsthepoorprivilegetoturnthekeyUponthecaptive,freedom?He'sasfarFromtheenjoymentoftheearthandairWhowatcheso'erthechain,astheywhowear。
DonJuannowsawAlbion'searliestbeauties,Thycliffs,dearDover!harbour,andhotel;
Thycustom-house,withallitsdelicateduties;
Thywaitersrunningmucksateverybell;
Thypackets,allwhosepassengersarebootiesTothosewhouponlandorwaterdwell;
Andlast,notleast,tostrangersuninstructed,Thylong,longbills,whencenothingisdeducted。
Juan,thoughcareless,young,andmagnifique,Andrichinrubles,diamonds,cash,andcredit,Whodidnotlimitmuchhisbillsperweek,Yetstaredatthisalittle,thoughhepaiditHisMaggiorDuomo,asmart,subtleGreek,Beforehimsumm'dtheawfulscrollandreadit;
Butdoubtlessastheair,thoughseldomsunny,Isfree,therespiration'sworththemoney。
Onwiththehorses!OfftoCanterbury!
Tramp,trampo'erpebble,andsplash,splashthroughpuddle;
Hurrah!howswiftlyspeedsthepostsomerry!
NotlikeslowGermany,whereintheymuddleAlongtheroad,asiftheywenttoburyTheirfare;andalsopausebesides,tofuddleWith'schnapps'-saddogs!whom'Hundsfot,'or'Verflucter,'
Affectnomorethanlightningaconductor。
Nowthereisnothinggivesamansuchspirits,Leaveninghisbloodascayennedothacurry,Asgoingatfullspeed-nomatterwhereitsDirectionbe,so'tisbutinahurry,Andmerelyforthesakeofitsownmerits;
Forthelesscausethereisforallthisflurry,ThegreateristhepleasureinarrivingAtthegreatendoftravel-whichisdriving。
TheysawatCanterburythecathedral;
BlackEdward'shelm,andBecket'sbloodystone,Werepointedoutasusualbythebedral,Inthesamequaint,uninterestedtone:-
There'sgloryagainforyou,gentlereader!AllEndsinarustycasqueanddubiousbone,Half-solvedintothesesodasormagnesias;
Whichformthatbitterdraught,thehumanspecies。
TheeffectonJuanwasofcoursesublime:
HebreathedathousandCressys,ashesawThatcasque,whichneverstoop'dexcepttoTime。
EventheboldChurchman'stombexcitedawe,WhodiedinthethengreatattempttoclimbO'erkings,whonowatleastmusttalkoflawBeforetheybutcher。LittleLeilagazed,Andask'dwhysuchastructurehadbeenraised:
Andbeingtolditwas'God'shouse,'shesaidHewaswelllodged,butonlywonder'dhowHesuffer'dInfidelsinhishomestead,ThecruelNazarenes,whohadlaidlowHisholytemplesinthelandswhichbredTheTrueBelievers:-andherinfantbrowWasbentwithgriefthatMahometshouldresignAmosquesonoble,flunglikepearlstoswine。
Oh!oh!throughmeadowsmanagedlikeagarden,Aparadiseofhopsandhighproduction;
ForafteryearsoftravelbyabardinCountriesofgreaterheat,butlessersuction,AgreenfieldisasightwhichmakeshimpardonTheabsenceofthatmoresublimeconstruction,Whichmixesupvines,olives,precipices,Glaciers,volcanos,oranges,andices。
AndwhenIthinkuponapotofbeer-
ButIwon'tweep!-andsodriveon,postilions!
Asthesmartboysspurr'dfastintheircareer,Juanadmiredthesehighwaysoffreemillions;
AcountryinallsensesthemostdearToforeignerornative,savesomesillyones,Who'kickagainstthepricks'justatthisjuncture,Andfortheirpainsgetonlyafreshpuncture。
Whatadelightfulthing'saturnpikeroad!
Sosmooth,solevel,suchamodeofshavingTheearth,asscarcetheeagleinthebroadAircanaccomplish,withhiswidewingswaving。
HadsuchbeencutinPhaeton'stime,thegodHadtoldhissontosatisfyhiscravingWiththeYorkmail;-butonwardasweroll,'Surgitamarialiquid'-thetollAlas,howdeeplypainfulisallpayment!
Takelives,takewives,takeaughtexceptmen'spurses:
AsMachiavelshowsthoseinpurpleraiment,Suchistheshortestwaytogeneralcurses。
TheyhateamurderermuchlessthanaclaimantOnthatsweetorewhicheverybodynurses;-
Killaman'sfamily,andhemaybrookit,Butkeepyourhandsoutofhisbreeches'pocket。
SosaidtheFlorentine:yemonarchs,hearkenToyourinstructor。Juannowwasborne,Justasthedaybegantowaneanddarken,O'erthehighhill,whichlookswithprideorscornTowardthegreatcity-YewhohaveasparkinYourveinsofCockneyspirit,smileormournAccordingasyoutakethingswellorill;-
BoldBritons,wearenowonShooter'sHill!
Thesunwentdown,thesmokeroseup,asfromAhalf-unquench'dvolcano,o'eraspaceWhichwellbeseem'dthe'Devil'sdrawing-room,'
Assomehavequalifiedthatwondrousplace:
ButJuanfelt,thoughnotapproachinghome,Asonewho,thoughhewerenotoftherace,Reveredthesoil,ofthosetruesonsthemother,Whobutcher'dhalftheearth,andbulliedt'other。
Amightymassofbrick,andsmoke,andshipping,Dirtyanddusky,butaswideaseyeCouldreach,withhereandthereasailjustskippingInsight,thenlostamidsttheforestryOfmasts;awildernessofsteeplespeepingOntiptoethroughtheirsea-coalcanopy;
Ahuge,duncupola,likeafoolscapcrownOnafool'shead-andthereisLondonTown!
ButJuansawnotthis:eachwreathofsmokeAppear'dtohimbutasthemagicvapourOfsomealchymicfurnace,fromwhencebrokeThewealthofworldsawealthoftaxandpaper:
Thegloomyclouds,whicho'eritasayokeArebow'd,andputthesunoutlikeataper,Werenothingbutthenaturalatmosphere,Extremelywholesome,thoughbutrarelyclear。
Hepaused-andsowillI;asdothacrewBeforetheygivetheirbroadside。Byandby,Mygentlecountrymen,wewillrenewOuroldacquaintance;andatleastI'lltryTotellyoutruthsyouwillnottakeastrue,Becausetheyareso;-amaleMrs。Fry,WithasoftbesomwillIsweepyourhalls,Andbrushawebortwofromoffthewalls。
OhMrs。Fry!WhygotoNewgate?WhyPreachtopoorrogues?AndwhereforenotbeginWithCarlton,orwithotherhouses?TryYourheadatharden'dandimperialsin。
Tomendthepeople'sanabsurdity,Ajargon,amerephilanthropicdin,Unlessyoumaketheirbettersbetter:-Fy!
Ithoughtyouhadmorereligion,Mrs。Fry。
Teachthemthedecenciesofgoodthreescore;
Curethemoftours,hussarandhighlanddresses;
Tellthemthatyouthoncegonereturnsnomore,Thathiredhuzzasredeemnoland'sdistresses;
TellthemSirWilliamCurtisisabore,Toodullevenforthedullestofexcesses,ThewitlessFalstaffofahoaryHal,Afoolwhosebellshaveceasedtoringatall。
Tellthem,thoughitmaybeperhapstoolate,Onlife'swornconfine,jaded,bloated,sated,Tosetupvainpretenceofbeinggreat,'Tisnotsotobegood;andbeitstated,Theworthiestkingshaveeverlovedleaststate;
Andtellthem-Butyouwon't,andIhavepratedJustnowenough;butbyandbyI'llprattleLikeRoland'shorninRoncesvalles'battle。
CANTOTHEELEVENTH。
WHENBishopBerkeleysaid'therewasnomatter,'
Andprovedit-'twasnomatterwhathesaid:
Theysayhissystem'tisinvaintobatter,Toosubtlefortheairiesthumanhead;
Andyetwhocanbelieveit?IwouldshatterGladlyallmattersdowntostoneorlead,Oradamant,tofindtheworldaspirit,Andwearmyhead,denyingthatIwearit。
Whatasublimediscovery'twastomaketheUniverseuniversalegotism,Thatall'sideal-allourselves:I'llstaketheWorldbeitwhatyouwillthatthat'snoschism。
OhDoubt!-ifthoube'stDoubt,forwhichsometakethee;
ButwhichIdoubtextremely-thousoleprismOftheTruth'srays,spoilnotmydraughtofspirit!
Heaven'sbrandy,thoughourbraincanhardlybearit。
ForeverandanoncomesIndigestion,Notthemost'daintyAriel'andperplexesOursoaringswithanothersortofquestion:
Andthatwhichafterallmyspiritvexes,Is,thatIfindnospotwheremancanresteyeon,Withoutconfusionofthesortsandsexes,Ofbeings,stars,andthisunriddledwonder,Theworld,whichattheworst'sagloriousblunder-
Ifitbechance;orifitbeaccordingTotheoldtext,stillbetter:-lestitshouldTurnoutso,we'llsaynothing'gainstthewording,Asseveralpeoplethinksuchhazardsrude。
They'reright;ourdaysaretoobriefforaffordingSpacetodisputewhatnooneevercouldDecide,andeverybodyonedaywillKnowveryclearly-oratleastliestill。
AndthereforewillIleaveoffmetaphysicalDiscussion,whichisneitherherenorthere:
IfIagreethatwhatis,is;thenthisIcallBeingquiteperspicuousandextremelyfair;
Thetruthis,I'vegrownlatelyratherphthisical:
Idon'tknowwhatthereasonis-theairPerhaps;butasIsufferfromtheshocksOfillness,Igrowmuchmoreorthodox。
ThefirstattackatonceprovedtheDivinityButthatIneverdoubted,northeDevil;
Thenext,theVirgin'smysticalvirginity;
Thethird,theusualOriginofEvil;
Thefourthatonceestablish'dthewholeTrinityOnsouncontrovertiblealevel,ThatIdevoutlywish'dthethreewerefour,Onpurposetobelievesomuchthemore。
ToourTheme-ThemanwhohasstoodontheAcropolis,Andlook'ddownoverAttica;orheWhohassail'dwherepicturesqueConstantinopleis,OrseenTimbuctoo,orhathtakenteaInsmall-eyedChina'scrockery-waremetropolis,OrsatamidstthebricksofNineveh,MaynotthinkmuchofLondon'sfirstappearance-
Butaskhimwhathethinksofitayearhence?
DonJuanhadgotoutonShooter'sHill;
Sunsetthetime,theplacethesamedeclivityWhichlooksalongthatvaleofgoodandillWhereLondonstreetsfermentinfullactivity;
Whileeverythingaroundwascalmandstill,Exceptthecreakofwheels,whichontheirpivotheHeard,-andthatbee-like,bubbling,busyhumOfcities,thatboiloverwiththeirscum:-
Isay,DonJuan,wraptincontemplation,Walk'donbehindhiscarriage,o'erthesummit,Andlostinwonderofsogreatanation,Gavewayto't,sincehecouldnotovercomeit。
'Andhere,'hecried,'isFreedom'schosenstation;
Herepealsthepeople'svoice,norcanentombitRacks,prisons,inquisitions;resurrectionAwaitsit,eachnewmeetingorelection。
'Herearechastewives,purelives;herepeoplepayButwhattheyplease;andifthatthingsbedear,'TisonlythattheylovetothrowawayTheircash,toshowhowmuchtheyhavea-year。
Herelawsareallinviolate;nonelayTrapsforthetraveller;everyhighway'sclear:
Here-'hewasinterruptedbyaknife,With,-'Damnyoureyes!yourmoneyoryourlife!'
ThesefreebornsoundsproceededfromfourpadsInambushlaid,whohadperceivedhimloiterBehindhiscarriage;and,likehandylads,Hadseizedtheluckyhourtoreconnoitre,InwhichtheheedlessgentlemanwhogadsUpontheroad,unlessheproveafighter,MayfindhimselfwithinthatisleofrichesExposedtolosehislifeaswellasbreeches。
Juan,whodidnotunderstandawordOfEnglish,savetheirshibboleth,'Goddamn!'
Andeventhathehadsorarelyheard,Hesometimesthought'twasonlytheir'Salam,'
Or'Godbewithyou!'-and'tisnotabsurdTothinkso:forhalfEnglishasIamTomymisfortune,nevercanIsayIheardthemwish'Godwithyou,'savethatway;-
Juanyetquicklyunderstoodtheirgesture,Andbeingsomewhatcholericandsudden,Drewforthapocketpistolfromhisvesture,Andfireditintooneassailant'spudding-
Whofell,asrollsanoxo'erinhispasture,Androar'dout,ashewrithedhisnativemudin,Untohisnearestfollowerorhenchman,'OhJack!I'mfloor'dbythat'erebloodyFrenchman!'
OnwhichJackandhistrainsetoffatspeed,AndJuan'ssuite,latescatter'datadistance,Cameup,allmarvellingatsuchadeed,Andoffering,asusual,lateassistance。
Juan,whosawthemoon'slateminionbleedAsifhisveinswouldpourouthisexistence,Stoodcallingoutforbandagesandlint,Andwish'dhehadbeenlesshastywithhisflint。
'Perhaps,'thoughthe,'itisthecountry'swontTowelcomeforeignersinthisway:nowIrecollectsomeinnkeeperswhodon'tDiffer,exceptinrobbingwithabow,Inlieuofabarebladeandbrazenfront。
Butwhatistobedone?Ican'tallowThefellowtoliegroaningontheroad:
Sotakehimup;I'llhelpyouwiththeload。'
Buteretheycouldperformthispiousduty,Thedyingmancried,'Hold!I'vegotmygruel!
Ohforaglassofmax!We'vemiss'dourbooty;
LetmediewhereIam!'AndasthefuelOflifeshrunkinhisheart,andthickandsootyThedropsfellfromhisdeath-wound,andhedrewillHisbreath,-hefromhisswellingthroatuntiedAkerchief,crying,'GiveSalthat!'-anddied。
Thecravatstain'dwithbloodydropsfelldownBeforeDonJuan'sfeet:hecouldnottellExactlywhyitwasbeforehimthrown,Norwhatthemeaningoftheman'sfarewell。
PoorTomwasonceakiddyupontown,Athoroughvarmint,andarealswell,Fullflash,allfancy,untilfairlydiddled,Hispocketsfirstandthenhisbodyriddled。
DonJuan,havingdonethebesthecouldInallthecircumstancesofthecase,Assoonas'Crowner'squest'allow'd,pursuedHistravelstothecapitalapace;-
EsteemingitalittlehardheshouldIntwelvehours'time,andverylittlespace,HavebeenobligedtoslayafreebornnativeInself-defence:thismadehimmeditative。
Hefromtheworldhadcutoffagreatman,Whoinhistimehadmadeheroicbustle。
WhoinarowlikeTomcouldleadthevan,Boozeintheken,oratthespellkenhustle?
Whoqueeraflat?WhospiteofBowStreet'sban
Onthehightoby-spicesoflashthemuzzle?
Whoonalark,withblack-eyedSalhisblowing,Soprime,soswell,sonutty,andsoknowing?
ButTom'snomore-andsonomoreofTom。
Heroesmustdie;andbyGod'sblessing'tisNotlongbeforethemostofthemgohome。
Hail!Thamis,Hail!UponthyvergeitisThatJuan'schariot,rollinglikeadrumInthunder,holdsthewayitcan'twellmiss,ThroughKenningtonandalltheother'tons,'
Whichmakesuswishourselvesintownatonce;-
ThroughGroves,socall'dasbeingvoidoftreesLikelucusfromnolight;throughprospectsnamedMountPleasant,ascontainingnoughttoplease,Normuchtoclimb;throughlittleboxesframedOfbricks,toletthedustinatyourease,With'Tobelet'upontheirdoorsproclaim'd;
Through'Rows'mostmodestlycall'd'Paradise,'
WhichEvemightquitwithoutmuchsacrifice;-
Throughcoaches,drays,chokedturnpikes,andawhirlOfwheels,androarofvoices,andconfusion;
Heretavernswooingtoapintof'purl,'
Theremailsfastflyingofflikeadelusion;
Therebarbers'blockswithperiwigsincurlInwindows;herethelamplighter'sinfusionSlowlydistill'dintotheglimmeringglassForinthosedayswehadnotgottogas;-
Throughthis,andmuch,andmore,istheapproachOftravellerstomightyBabylon:
Whethertheycomebyhorse,orchaise,orcoach,Withslightexceptions,allthewaysseemone。
Icouldsaymore,butdonotchoosetoencroachUpontheGuide-book'sprivilege。ThesunHadsetsometime,andnightwasontheridgeOftwilight,asthepartycross'dthebridge,-
That'sratherfine。ThegentlesoundofThamis-
Whovindicatesamoment,too,hisstream,Thoughhardlyheardthroughmultifarious'damme's'-
ThelampsofWestminster'smoreregulargleam,Thebreadthofpavement,andyonshrinewherefameisAspectralresident-whosepallidbeamInshapeofmoonshinehoverso'erthepile-
MakethisasacredpartofAlbion'sisle。
TheDruids'grovesaregone-somuchthebetter:
Stone-Hengeisnot-butwhatthedevilisit?-
ButBedlamstillexistswithitssagefetter,Thatmadmenmaynotbiteyouonavisit;
TheBenchtooseatsorsuitsfullmanyadebtor;
TheMansionHousetoothoughsomepeoplequizit
Tomeappearsastiffyetgranderection;
ButthentheAbbey'sworththewholecollection。
Thelineoflights,too,uptoCharingCross,PallMall,andsoforth,haveacoruscationLikegoldasincomparisontodross,Match'dwiththeContinent'sillumination,WhosecitiesNightbynomeansdeignstogloss。
TheFrenchwerenotyetalamp-lightingnation,Andwhentheygrewso-ontheirnew-foundlantern,Insteadofwicks,theymadeawickedmanturn。
ArowofgentlemenalongthestreetsSuspendedmayilluminatemankind,Asalsobonfiresmadeofcountryseats;
Buttheoldwayisbestforthepurblind:
Theotherlookslikephosphorusonsheets,Asortofignisfatuustothemind,Which,though'tiscertaintoperplexandfrighten,Mustburnmoremildlyereitcanenlighten。
ButLondon'ssowelllit,thatifDiogenesCouldrecommencetohunthishonestman,AndfoundhimnotamidstthevariousprogeniesOfthisenormouscity'sspreadingspan,'TwerenotforwantoflampstoaidhisdodginghisYetundiscover'dtreasure。WhatIcan,I'vedonetofindthesamethroughoutlife'sjourney,Butseetheworldisonlyoneattorney。
OverthestonesstillrattlingupPallMall,Throughcrowdsandcarriages,butwaxingthinnerAsthunder'dknockersbrokethelongseal'dspellOfdoors'gainstduns,andtoanearlydinnerAdmittedasmallpartyasnightfell,-
DonJuan,ouryoungdiplomaticsinner,Pursuedhispath,anddrovepastsomehotels,St。James'sPalaceandSt。James's'Hells。'
Theyreach'dthehotel:forthstream'dfromthefrontdoorAtideofwell-cladwaiters,andaroundThemobstood,andasusualseveralscoreOfthosepedestrianPaphianswhoaboundIndecentLondonwhenthedaylight'so'er;
Commodiousbutimmoral,theyarefoundUseful,likeMalthus,inpromotingmarriage-
ButJuannowissteppingfromhiscarriageIntooneofthesweetestofhotels,Especiallyforforeigners-andmostlyForthosewhomfavourorwhomfortuneswells,Andcannotfindabill'ssmallitemscostly。
TheremanyanenvoyeitherdweltordwellsThedenofmanyadiplomaticlostlie,Untiltosomeconspicuoussquaretheypass,Andblazono'erthedoortheirnamesinbrass。
Juan,whosewasadelicatecommission,Private,thoughpubliclyimportant,boreNotitletopointoutwithdueprecisionTheexactaffaironwhichhewassento'er。
'Twasmerelyknown,thatonasecretmissionAforeignerofrankhadgracedourshore,Young,handsome,andaccomplish'd,whowassaidInwhisperstohaveturn'dhissovereign'shead。
SomerumouralsoofsomestrangeadventuresHadgonebeforehim,andhiswarsandloves;
Andasromanticheadsareprettypainters,And,aboveall,anEnglishwoman'srovesIntotheexcursive,breakingtheindenturesOfsoberreasonwheresoe'eritmoves,Hefoundhimselfextremelyinthefashion,Whichservesourthinkingpeopleforapassion。
Idon'tmeanthattheyarepassionless,butquiteThecontrary;butthen'tisinthehead;
YetastheconsequencesareasbrightAsiftheyactedwiththeheartinstead,WhatafterallcansignifythesiteOfladies'lucubrations?SotheyleadInsafetytotheplaceforwhichyoustart,Whatmattersiftheroadbeheadorheart?
Juanpresentedintheproperplace,Toproperplacemen,everyRusscredential;
AndwasreceivedwithalltheduegrimaceBythosewhogoverninthemoodpotential,Who,seeingahandsomestriplingwithsmoothface,Thoughtwhatinstateaffairsismostessential
Thattheyaseasilymightdotheyoungster,Ashawksmaypounceuponawoodlandsongster。
Theyerr'd,asagedmenwilldo;butbyAndbywe'lltalkofthat;andifwedon't,'TwillbebecauseournotionisnothighOfpoliticiansandtheirdoublefront,Wholivebylies,yetdarenotboldlylie:-
NowwhatIloveinwomenis,theywon'tOrcan'tdootherwisethanlie,butdoitSowell,theverytruthseemsfalsehoodtoit。
And,afterall,whatisalie?'TisbutThetruthinmasquerade;andIdefyHistorians,heroes,lawyers。priests,toputAfactwithoutsomeleavenofalie。
TheveryshadowoftrueTruthwouldshutUpannals,revelations,poesy,Andprophecy-exceptitshouldbedatedSomeyearsbeforetheincidentsrelated。
Praisedbeallliarsandalllies!WhonowCantaxmymildMusewithmisanthropy?
Sheringstheworld's'TeDeum,'andherbrowBlushesforthosewhowillnot:-buttosighIsidle;letuslikemostothersbow,Kisshands,feet,anypartofmajesty,Afterthegoodexampleof'GreenErin,'
Whoseshamrocknowseemsratherworseforwearing。
DonJuanwaspresented,andhisdressAndmienexcitedgeneraladmiration-
Idon'tknowwhichwasmoreadmiredorless:
Onemonstrousdiamonddrewmuchobservation,WhichCatherineinamomentof'ivresse'
Inloveorbrandy'sferventfermentation
Bestow'duponhim,asthepubliclearn'd;
And,tosaytruth,ithadbeenfairlyearn'd。
Besidestheministersandunderlings,WhomustbecourteoustotheaccreditedDiplomatistsofratherwaveringkings,Untiltheirroyalriddle'sfullyread,Theveryclerks,-thosesomewhatdirtyspringsOfoffice,orthehouseofoffice,fedByfoulcorruptionintostreams,-eventheyWerehardlyrudeenoughtoearntheirpay:
AndinsolencenodoubtiswhattheyareEmploy'dfor,sinceitistheirdailylabour,Inthedearofficesofpeaceorwar;
Andshouldyoudoubt,prayaskofyournextneighbour,Whenforapassport,orsomeotherbarTofreedom,heappliedagriefandabore,Ifhefoundnothisspawnoftaxbornriches,ButJuanwasreceivedwithmuch'empressement:'-
ThesephrasesofrefinementImustborrowFromournextneighbours'land,where,likeachessman,ThereisamovesetdownforjoyorsorrowNotonlyinmeretalking,butthepress。ManInislandsis,itseems,downrightandthorough,Morethanoncontinents-asiftheseaSeeBillingsgatemadeeventhetonguemorefree。
AndyettheBritish'Damme''sratherAttic:
Yourcontinentaloathsarebutincontinent,AndturnonthingswhichnoaristocraticSpiritwouldname,andthereforeevenIwon'tanentThissubjectquote;asitwouldbeschismaticInpolitesse,andhaveasoundaffrontingin't:-
But'Damme''squiteethereal,thoughtoodaring-
Platonicblasphemy,thesoulofswearing。
Fordownrightrudeness,yemaystayathome;
FortrueorfalsepolitenessandscarcethatNowyoumaycrossthebluedeepandwhitefoam-
ThefirsttheemblemrarelythoughofwhatYouleavebehind,thenextofmuchyoucomeTomeet。However,'tisnotimetochatOngeneraltopics:poemsmustconfineThemselvestounity,likethisofmine。
Inthegreatworld,-which,beinginterpreted,Meaneththewestorworstendofacity,AndabouttwicetwothousandpeoplebredBynomeanstobeverywiseorwitty,Buttositupwhileotherslieinbed,Andlookdownontheuniversewithpity,-
Juan,asaninveteratepatrician,Waswellreceivedbypersonsofcondition。
Hewasabachelor,whichisamatterOfimportbothtovirginandtobride,Theformer'shymenealhopestoflatter;
Andshouldshenotholdfastbyloveorpride
'Tisalsoofsomemomenttothelatter:
Arib'sathorninawedgallant'sside,Requiresdecorum,andisapttodoubleThehorridsin-andwhat'sstillworse,thetrouble。
ButJuanwasabachelor-ofarts,Andparts,andhearts:hedancedandsung,andhadAnairassentimentalasMozart'sSoftestofmelodies;andcouldbesadOrcheerful,withoutany'flawsorstarts,'
Justatthepropertime;andthoughalad,Hadseentheworld-whichisacurioussight,Andverymuchunlikewhatpeoplewrite。
Fairvirginsblush'duponhim;weddeddamesBloom'dalsoinlesstransitoryhues;
ForbothcommoditiesdwellbytheThames,Thepaintingandthepainted;youth,ceruse,Againsthisheartpreferr'dtheirusualclaims,Suchasnogentlemancanquiterefuse:
Daughtersadmiredhisdress,andpiousmothersInquiredhisincome,andifhehadbrothers。
Themillinerswhofurnish'draperyMisses'
Throughouttheseason,uponspeculationOfpaymenterethehoney-moon'slastkissesHavewanedintoacrescent'scoruscation,Thoughtsuchanopportunityasthisis,Ofarichforeigner'sinitiation,Nottobeoverlook'd-andgavesuchcredit,Thatfuturebridegroomsswore,andsigh'd,andpaidit。
TheBlues,thattendertribewhosigho'ersonnets,AndwiththepagesofthelastReviewLinetheinterioroftheirheadsorbonnets,Advancedinalltheirazure'shighesthue:
Theytalk'dbadFrenchorSpanish,anduponitsLateauthorsask'dhimforahintortwo;
Andwhichwassoftest,RussianorCastilian?
AndwhetherinhistravelshesawIlion?
Juan,whowasalittlesuperficial,AndnotinliteratureagreatDrawcansir,ExaminedbythislearnedandespecialJuryofmatrons,scarceknewwhattoanswer:
Hisdutieswarlike,lovingorofficial,Hissteadyapplicationasadancer,HadkepthimfromthebrinkofHippocrene,Whichnowhefoundwasblueinsteadofgreen。
However,herepliedathazard,withAmodestconfidenceandcalmassurance,Whichlenthislearnedlucubrationspith,Andpass'dforargumentsofgoodendurance。
Thatprodigy,MissAramintaSmithWhoatsixteentranslated'HerculesFurens'
IntoasfuriousEnglish,withherbestlook,Setdownhissayingsinhercommon-placebook。
Juanknewseverallanguages-aswellHemight-andbroughtthemupwithskill,intimeTosavehisfamewitheachaccomplish'dbelle,Whostillregrettedthathedidnotrhyme。
TherewantedbutthisrequisitetoswellHisqualitieswiththemintosublime:
LadyFitz-Frisky,andMissMaeviaMannish,Bothlong'dextremelytobesunginSpanish。
However,hedidprettywell,andwasAdmittedasanaspiranttoallThecoteries,and,asinBanquo'sglass,Atgreatassembliesorinpartiessmall,Hesawtenthousandlivingauthorspass,Thatbeingabouttheiraveragenumeral;
Alsotheeighty'greatestlivingpoets,'
Aseverypaltrymagazinecanshowits。
Intwicefiveyearsthe'greatestlivingpoet,'
Liketothechampioninthefistyring,Iscall'dontosupporthisclaim,orshowit,Although'tisanimaginarything。
EvenI-albeitI'msureIdidnotknowit,Norsoughtoffoolscapsubjectstobeking-
Wasreckon'daconsiderabletime,ThegrandNapoleonoftherealmsofrhyme。
ButJuanwasmyMoscow,andFalieroMyLeipsic,andmyMountSaintJeanseemsCain:
'LaBelleAlliance'ofduncesdownatzero,NowthattheLion'sfall'n,mayriseagain:
ButIwillfallatleastasfellmyhero;
Norreignatall,orasamonarchreign;
Ortosomelonelyisleofgaolersgo,WithturncoatSoutheyformyturnkeyLowe。
第10章