{ "id": "lord-byron/canto-ix", "title": "Canto IX", "ordinal": null, "subtitle": null, "poet": "Lord Byron", "poet_slug": "lord-byron", "language": "en", "book": "Don Juan", "book_slug": "don-juan", "book_kind": "volume", "sequence": 11, "container": null, "epigraph": null, "first_published": { "year": 1824, "venue": "Don Juan (1824)", "note": "First located printing is this volume; an earlier periodical printing has not been established.", "uncertain": false, "sources": [ "https://github.com/standardebooks/lord-byron_don-juan", "https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/18762" ] }, "source": { "kind": "standard-ebooks", "repo": "standardebooks/lord-byron_don-juan", "file": "canto-9.xhtml", "upstream": [ "https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/18762", "https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/000667686" ], "rights": "public domain (SE dedication; underlying text pre-1931)" }, "verification": { "level": "structural-only", "last_checked": "2026-08-20" }, "stats": { "n_lines": 680, "n_stanzas": 85, 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75 ] }, { "ordinal": "LXXVI", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 75, 76 ] }, { "ordinal": "LXXVII", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 76, 77 ] }, { "ordinal": "LXXVIII", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 77, 78 ] }, { "ordinal": "LXXIX", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 78, 79 ] }, { "ordinal": "LXXX", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 79, 80 ] }, { "ordinal": "LXXXI", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 80, 81 ] }, { "ordinal": "LXXXII", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 81, 82 ] }, { "ordinal": "LXXXIII", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 82, 83 ] }, { "ordinal": "LXXXIV", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 83, 84 ] }, { "ordinal": "LXXXV", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 84, 85 ] } ], "stanzas": [ [ { "text": "Oh, Wellington! (or “Villainton”⁠—for Fame", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sounds the heroic syllables both ways;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "France could not even conquer your great name,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But punned it down to this facetious phrase⁠—", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Beating or beaten she will laugh the same,)", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "You have obtained great pensions and much praise:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Glory like yours should any dare gainsay,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Humanity would rise, and thunder “Nay!”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "I don’t think that you used Kinnaird quite well", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In Marinèt’s affair⁠—in fact, ’twas shabby,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And like some other things won’t do to tell", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Upon your tomb in Westminster’s old Abbey.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Upon the rest ’tis not worth while to dwell,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Such tales being for the tea-hours of some tabby;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "But though your years as man tend fast to zero,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In fact your Grace is still but a young Hero.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Though Britain owes (and pays you too) so much,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Yet Europe doubtless owes you greatly more:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "You have repaired Legitimacy’s crutch,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A prop not quite so certain as before:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "The Spanish, and the French, as well as Dutch,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Have seen, and felt, how strongly you restore;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And Waterloo has made the world your debtor", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "(I wish your bards would sing it rather better).", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "You are “the best of cut-throats:”⁠—do not start;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The phrase is Shakespeare’s, and not misapplied:⁠—", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "War’s a brain-spattering, windpipe-slitting art,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Unless her cause by right be sanctified.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "If you have acted once a generous part,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The World, not the World’s masters, will decide,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And I shall be delighted to learn who,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Save you and yours, have gained by Waterloo?", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "I am no flatterer⁠—you’ve supped full of flattery:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "They say you like it too⁠—’tis no great wonder.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "He whose whole life has been assault and battery,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "At last may get a little tired of thunder;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And swallowing eulogy much more than satire, he", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "May like being praised for every lucky blunder,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Called “Saviour of the Nations”⁠—not yet saved⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And “Europe’s Liberator”⁠—still enslaved.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "I’ve done. Now go and dine from off the plate", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Presented by the Prince of the Brazils,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And send the sentinel before your gate", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A slice or two from your luxurious meals:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "He fought, but has not fed so well of late.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Some hunger, too, they say the people feels:⁠—", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "There is no doubt that you deserve your ration,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But pray give back a little to the nation.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "I don’t mean to reflect⁠—a man so great as", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "You, my lord Duke! is far above reflection:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "The high Roman fashion, too, of Cincinnatus,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With modern history has but small connection:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Though as an Irishman you love potatoes,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "You need not take them under your direction;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And half a million for your Sabine farm", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Is rather dear!⁠—I’m sure I mean no harm.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Great men have always scorned great recompenses:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Epaminondas saved his Thebes, and died,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Not leaving even his funeral expenses:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "George Washington had thanks, and nought beside,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Except the all-cloudless glory (which few men’s is)", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To free his country: Pitt too had his pride,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And as a high-souled Minister of state is", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Renowned for ruining Great Britain gratis.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Never had mortal man such opportunity,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Except Napoleon, or abused it more:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "You might have freed fallen Europe from the unity", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of Tyrants, and been blest from shore to shore:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And now⁠—what is your fame? Shall the Muse tune it ye?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Now⁠—that the rabble’s first vain shouts are o’er?", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Go! hear it in your famished country’s cries!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Behold the World! and curse your victories!", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "As these new cantos touch on warlike feats,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To you the unflattering Muse deigns to inscribe", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Truths, that you will not read in the Gazettes,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But which ’tis time to teach the hireling tribe", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Who fatten on their country’s gore, and debts,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Must be recited⁠—and without a bribe.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "You did great things, but not being great in mind,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Have left undone the greatest⁠—and mankind.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Death laughs⁠—Go ponder o’er the skeleton", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With which men image out the unknown thing", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "That hides the past world, like to a set sun", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Which still elsewhere may rouse a brighter spring⁠—", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Death laughs at all you weep for!⁠—look upon", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "This hourly dread of all! whose threatened sting", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Turns Life to terror, even though in its sheath:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Mark! how its lipless mouth grins without breath!", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Mark! how it laughs and scorns at all you are!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And yet was what you are; from ear to ear", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "It laughs not⁠—there is now no fleshy bar", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So called; the Antic long hath ceased to hear,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "But still he smiles; and whether near or far,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "He strips from man that mantle (far more dear", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Than even the tailor’s), his incarnate skin,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "White, black, or copper⁠—the dead bones will grin.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "And thus Death laughs⁠—it is sad merriment,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But still it is so; and with such example", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Why should not Life be equally content", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With his Superior, in a smile to trample", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Upon the nothings which are daily spent", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Like bubbles on an Ocean much less ample", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Than the Eternal Deluge, which devours", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Suns as rays⁠—worlds like atoms⁠—years like hours?", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“To be, or not to be? that is the question,”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Says Shakespeare, who just now is much in fashion.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "I am neither Alexander nor Hephaestion,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Nor ever had for abstract fame much passion;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "But would much rather have a sound digestion", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Than Bonaparte’s cancer:⁠—could I dash on", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Through fifty victories to shame or fame⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Without a stomach what were a good name?", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“O dura ilia messorum!”⁠—“Oh", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Ye rigid guts of reapers!” I translate", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "For the great benefit of those who know", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "What indigestion is⁠—that inward fate", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Which makes all Styx through one small liver flow.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A peasant’s sweat is worth his lord’s estate:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Let this one toil for bread⁠—that rack for rent,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "He who sleeps best may be the most content.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“To be, or not to be?”⁠—Ere I decide,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I should be glad to know that which is being.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "’Tis true we speculate both far and wide,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And deem, because we see, we are all-seeing:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "For my part, I’ll enlist on neither side,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Until I see both sides for once agreeing.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "For me, I sometimes think that Life is Death,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Rather than Life a mere affair of breath.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Que scais-je” was the motto of Montaigne,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As also of the first academicians:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "That all is dubious which man may attain,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Was one of their most favourite positions.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "There’s no such thing as certainty, that’s plain", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As any of Mortality’s conditions;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "So little do we know what we’re about in", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "This world, I doubt if doubt itself be doubting.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "It is a pleasant voyage perhaps to float,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Like Pyrrho, on a sea of speculation;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "But what if carrying sail capsize the boat?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Your wise men don’t know much of navigation;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And swimming long in the abyss of thought", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Is apt to tire: a calm and shallow station", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Well nigh the shore, where one stoops down and gathers", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Some pretty shell, is best for moderate bathers.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“But Heaven,” as Cassio says, “is above all⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "No more of this, then, let us pray!” We have", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Souls to save, since Eve’s slip and Adam’s fall,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Which tumbled all mankind into the grave,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Besides fish, beasts, and birds. “The sparrow’s fall", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Is special providence,” though how it gave", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Offence, we know not; probably it perched", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Upon the tree which Eve so fondly searched.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Oh! ye immortal Gods! what is Theogony?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Oh! thou, too, mortal man! what is Philanthropy?", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Oh! World, which was and is, what is Cosmogony?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Some people have accused me of Misanthropy;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And yet I know no more than the mahogany", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That forms this desk, of what they mean;⁠—Lycanthropy", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "I comprehend, for without transformation", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Men become wolves on any slight occasion.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "But I, the mildest, meekest of mankind,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Like Moses, or Melancthon, who have ne’er", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Done anything exceedingly unkind⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And (though I could not now and then forbear", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Following the bent of body or of mind)", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Have always had a tendency to spare⁠—", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Why do they call me Misanthrope? Because", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "They hate me, not I them:⁠—and here we’ll pause.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "’Tis time we should proceed with our good poem⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For I maintain that it is really good,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Not only in the body but the proem,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "However little both are understood", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Just now⁠—but by and by the Truth will show ’em", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Herself in her sublimest attitude:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And till she doth, I fain must be content", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To share her beauty and her banishment.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Our hero (and, I trust, kind reader! yours)", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Was left upon his way to the chief city", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Of the immortal Peter’s polished boors,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Who still have shown themselves more brave than witty.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "I know its mighty Empire now allures", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Much flattery⁠—even Voltaire’s, and that’s a pity.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "For me, I deem an absolute autocrat", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Not a barbarian, but much worse than that.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "And I will war, at least in words (and⁠—should", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "My chance so happen⁠—deeds), with all who war", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "With Thought;⁠—and of Thought’s foes by far most rude,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Tyrants and sycophants have been and are.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "I know not who may conquer: if I could", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Have such a prescience, it should be no bar", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "To this my plain, sworn, downright detestation", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of every despotism in every nation.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "It is not that I adulate the people:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Without me, there are demagogues enough,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And infidels, to pull down every steeple,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And set up in their stead some proper stuff.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Whether they may sow scepticism to reap Hell,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As is the Christian dogma rather rough,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "I do not know;⁠—I wish men to be free", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As much from mobs as kings⁠—from you as me.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "The consequence is, being of no party,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I shall offend all parties:⁠—never mind!", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "My words, at least, are more sincere and hearty", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Than if I sought to sail before the wind.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "He who has nought to gain can have small art: he", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Who neither wishes to be bound nor bind,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "May still expatiate freely, as will I,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Nor give my voice to slavery’s jackal cry.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "That’s an appropriate simile, that jackal;⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I’ve heard them in the Ephesian ruins howl", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "By night, as do that mercenary pack all,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Power’s base purveyors, who for pickings prowl,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And scent the prey their masters would attack all.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "However, the poor jackals are less foul", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "(As being the brave lions’ keen providers)", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Than human insects, catering for spiders.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Raise but an arm! ’twill brush their web away,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And without that, their poison and their claws", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Are useless. Mind, good people! what I say⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "(Or rather Peoples)⁠—go on without pause!", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "The web of these Tarantulas each day", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Increases, till you shall make common cause:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "None, save the Spanish Fly and Attic Bee,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As yet are strongly stinging to be free.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Don Juan, who had shone in the late slaughter,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Was left upon his way with the despatch,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Where blood was talked of as we would of water;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And carcasses that lay as thick as thatch", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "O’er silenced cities, merely served to flatter", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Fair Catherine’s pastime⁠—who looked on the match", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Between these nations as a main of cocks,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Wherein she liked her own to stand like rocks.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "And there in a kibitka he rolled on,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "(A cursèd sort of carriage without springs,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Which on rough roads leaves scarcely a whole bone,)", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Pondering on Glory, Chivalry, and Kings,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And Orders, and on all that he had done⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And wishing that post-horses had the wings", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Of Pegasus, or at the least post-chaises", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Had feathers, when a traveller on deep ways is.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "At every jolt⁠—and they were many⁠—still", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "He turned his eyes upon his little charge,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "As if he wished that she should fare less ill", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Than he, in these sad highways left at large", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "To ruts, and flints, and lovely Nature’s skill,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Who is no paviour, nor admits a barge", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "On her canals, where God takes sea and land,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Fishery and farm, both into his own hand.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "At least he pays no rent, and has best right", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To be the first of what we used to call", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "“Gentlemen farmers”⁠—a race worn out quite,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Since lately there have been no rents at all,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And “gentlemen” are in a piteous plight,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And “farmers” can’t raise Ceres from her fall:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "She fell with Bonaparte,⁠—What strange thoughts", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Arise, when we see Emperors fall with oats!", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "But Juan turned his eyes on the sweet child", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Whom he had saved from slaughter⁠—what a trophy", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Oh! ye who build up monuments, defiled", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With gore, like Nadir Shah, that costive Sophy,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Who, after leaving Hindostan a wild,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And scarce to the Mogul a cup of coffee", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "To soothe his woes withal, was slain, the sinner!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Because he could no more digest his dinner;⁠—", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Oh ye! or we! or he! or she! reflect,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That one life saved, especially if young", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Or pretty, is a thing to recollect", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Far sweeter than the greenest laurels sprung", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "From the manure of human clay, though decked", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With all the praises ever said or sung:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Though hymned by every harp, unless within", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Your heart joins chorus, Fame is but a din.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Oh! ye great authors luminous, voluminous!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Ye twice ten hundred thousand daily scribes!", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Whose pamphlets, volumes, newspapers, illumine us!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Whether you’re paid by government in bribes,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "To prove the public debt is not consuming us⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or, roughly treading on the “courtier’s kibes”", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "With clownish heel your popular circulation", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Feeds you by printing half the realm’s starvation;⁠—", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Oh, ye great authors!⁠—À propos des bottes,⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I have forgotten what I meant to say,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "As sometimes have been greater sages’ lots;⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "’Twas something calculated to allay", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "All wrath in barracks, palaces, or cots:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Certes it would have been but thrown away,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And that’s one comfort for my lost advice,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Although no doubt it was beyond all price.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "But let it go:⁠—it will one day be found", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With other relics of “a former World,”", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "When this World shall be former, underground,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thrown topsy-turvy, twisted, crisped, and curled,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Baked, fried, or burnt, turned inside-out, or drowned,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Like all the worlds before, which have been hurled", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "First out of, and then back again to chaos⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The superstratum which will overlay us.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "So Cuvier says:⁠—and then shall come again", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Unto the new creation, rising out", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "From our old crash, some mystic, ancient strain", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of things destroyed and left in airy doubt;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Like to the notions we now entertain", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of Titans, giants, fellows of about", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Some hundred feet in height, not to say miles,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And mammoths, and your wingèd crocodiles.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Think if then George the Fourth should be dug up!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "How the new worldlings of the then new East", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Will wonder where such animals could sup!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "(For they themselves will be but of the least:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Even worlds miscarry, when too oft they pup,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And every new creation hath decreased", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "In size, from overworking the material⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Men are but maggots of some huge Earth’s burial.)", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "How will⁠—to these young people, just thrust out", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From some fresh Paradise, and set to plough,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And dig, and sweat, and turn themselves about,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And plant, and reap, and spin, and grind, and sow,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Till all the arts at length are brought about,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Especially of War and taxing⁠—how,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "I say, will these great relics, when they see ’em,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Look like the monsters of a new Museum!", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "But I am apt to grow too metaphysical:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“The time is out of joint,”⁠—and so am I;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "I quite forget this poem’s merely quizzical,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And deviate into matters rather dry.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "I ne’er decide what I shall say, and this I call", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Much too poetical: men should know why", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "They write, and for what end; but, note or text,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I never know the word which will come next.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "So on I ramble, now and then narrating,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Now pondering:⁠—it is time we should narrate.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "I left Don Juan with his horses baiting⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Now we’ll get o’er the ground at a great rate:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "I shall not be particular in stating", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His journey, we’ve so many tours of late:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Suppose him then at Petersburgh; suppose", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That pleasant capital of painted snows;", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Suppose him in a handsome uniform⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A scarlet coat, black facings, a long plume,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Waving, like sails new shivered in a storm,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Over a cocked hat in a crowded room,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And brilliant breeches, bright as a Cairn Gorme,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of yellow casimire we may presume,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "White stockings drawn uncurdled as new milk", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "O’er limbs whose symmetry set off the silk;", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Suppose him sword by side, and hat in hand,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Made up by Youth, Fame, and an army tailor⁠—", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "That great enchanter, at whose rod’s command", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Beauty springs forth, and Nature’s self turns paler,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Seeing how Art can make her work more grand", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "(When she don’t pin men’s limbs in like a gaoler)⁠—", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Behold him placed as if upon a pillar! He", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Seems Love turned a Lieutenant of Artillery!", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "His bandage slipped down into a cravat⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His wings subdued to epaulettes⁠—his quiver", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Shrunk to a scabbard, with his arrows at", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His side as a small sword, but sharp as ever⁠—", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "His bow converted into a cocked hat⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But still so like, that Psyche were more clever", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Than some wives (who make blunders no less stupid),", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "If she had not mistaken him for Cupid.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "The courtiers stared, the ladies whispered, and", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The Empress smiled: the reigning favourite frowned⁠—", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "I quite forget which of them was in hand", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Just then, as they are rather numerous found,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Who took, by turns, that difficult command", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Since first her Majesty was singly crowned:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "But they were mostly nervous six-foot fellows,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "All fit to make a Patagonian jealous.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Juan was none of these, but slight and slim,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Blushing and beardless; and, yet, ne’ertheless,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "There was a something in his turn of limb,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And still more in his eye, which seemed to express,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "That, though he looked one of the Seraphim,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "There lurked a man beneath the Spirit’s dress.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Besides, the Empress sometimes liked a boy,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And had just buried the fair-faced Lanskoi.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "No wonder then that Yermoloff, or Momonoff,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or Scherbatoff, or any other off", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Or on, might dread her Majesty had not room enough", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Within her bosom (which was not too tough),", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "For a new flame; a thought to cast of gloom enough", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Along the aspect, whether smooth or rough,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Of him who, in the language of his station,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Then held that “high official situation.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "O gentle ladies! should you seek to know", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The import of this diplomatic phrase,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Bid Ireland’s Londonderry’s Marquess show", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His parts of speech, and in the strange displays", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Of that odd string of words, all in a row,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Which none divine, and every one obeys,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Perhaps you may pick out some queer no meaning⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of that weak wordy harvest the sole gleaning.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "I think I can explain myself without", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That sad inexplicable beast of prey⁠—", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "That Sphinx, whose words would ever be a doubt,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Did not his deeds unriddle them each day⁠—", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "That monstrous hieroglyphic⁠—that long spout", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of blood and water⁠—leaden Castlereagh!", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And here I must an anecdote relate,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But luckily of no great length or weight.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "An English lady asked of an Italian,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "What were the actual and official duties", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Of the strange thing some women set a value on,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Which hovers oft about some married beauties,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Called “Cavalier Servente?”⁠—a Pygmalion", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Whose statues warm (I fear, alas! too true ’tis)", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Beneath his art:⁠—the dame, pressed to disclose them,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Said⁠—“Lady, I beseech you to suppose them.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "And thus I supplicate your supposition,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And mildest, matron-like interpretation,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Of the imperial favourite’s condition.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "’Twas a high place, the highest in the nation", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "In fact, if not in rank; and the suspicion", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of any one’s attaining to his station,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "No doubt gave pain, where each new pair of shoulders,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "If rather broad, made stocks rise⁠—and their holders.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Juan, I said, was a most beauteous boy,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And had retained his boyish look beyond", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "The usual hirsute seasons which destroy,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With beards and whiskers, and the like, the fond", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Parisian aspect, which upset old Troy", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And founded Doctors’ Commons:⁠—I have conned", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "The history of divorces, which, though chequered,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Calls Ilion’s the first damages on record.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "And Catherine, who loved all things (save her Lord,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Who was gone to his place), and passed for much,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Admiring those (by dainty dames abhorred)", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Gigantic gentlemen, yet had a touch", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Of sentiment: and he she most adored", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Was the lamented Lanskoi, who was such", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "A lover as had cost her many a tear,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And yet but made a middling grenadier.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Oh thou “teterrima causa” of all “belli”⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thou gate of Life and Death⁠—thou nondescript!", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Whence is our exit and our entrance⁠—well I", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "May pause in pondering how all souls are dipped", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "In thy perennial fountain:⁠—how man fell I", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Know not, since Knowledge saw her branches stripped", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Of her first fruit; but how he falls and rises", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Since⁠—thou hast settled beyond all surmises.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Some call thee “the worst cause of War,” but I", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Maintain thou art the best:⁠—for after all,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "From thee we come, to thee we go, and why", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To get at thee not batter down a wall,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Or waste a World? since no one can deny", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thou dost replenish worlds both great and small:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "With⁠—or without thee⁠—all things at a stand", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Are, or would be, thou sea of Life’s dry land!", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Catherine, who was the grand Epitome", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of that great cause of War, or Peace, or what", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "You please (it causes all the things which be,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So you may take your choice of this or that)⁠—", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Catherine, I say, was very glad to see", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The handsome herald, on whose plumage sat", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Victory; and, pausing as she saw him kneel", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With his despatch, forgot to break the seal.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Then recollecting the whole Empress, nor", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Forgetting quite the Woman (which composed", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "At least three parts of this great whole), she tore", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The letter open with an air which posed", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "The Court, that watched each look her visage wore,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Until a royal smile at length disclosed", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Fair weather for the day. Though rather spacious,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Her face was noble, her eyes fine, mouth gracious.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Great joy was hers, or rather joys: the first", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Was a ta’en city, thirty thousand slain:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Glory and triumph o’er her aspect burst,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As an East Indian sunrise on the main:⁠—", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "These quenched a moment her Ambition’s thirst⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So Arab deserts drink in Summer’s rain:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "In vain!⁠—As fall the dews on quenchless sands,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Blood only serves to wash Ambition’s hands!", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Her next amusement was more fanciful;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "She smiled at mad Suwarrow’s rhymes, who threw", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Into a Russian couplet rather dull", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The whole gazette of thousands whom he slew:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Her third was feminine enough to annul", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The shudder which runs naturally through", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Our veins, when things called Sovereigns think it best", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To kill, and Generals turn it into jest.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "The two first feelings ran their course complete,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And lighted first her eye, and then her mouth:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "The whole court looked immediately most sweet,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Like flowers well watered after a long drouth:⁠—", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "But when on the Lieutenant at her feet", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Her Majesty, who liked to gaze on youth", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Almost as much as on a new despatch,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Glanced mildly⁠—all the world was on the watch.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Though somewhat large, exuberant, and truculent,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "When wroth⁠—while pleased, she was as fine a figure", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "As those who like things rosy, ripe, and succulent,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Would wish to look on, while they are in vigour.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "She could repay each amatory look you lent", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With interest, and, in turn, was wont with rigour", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "To exact of Cupid’s bills the full amount", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "At sight, nor would permit you to discount.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "With her the latter, though at times convenient,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Was not so necessary; for they tell", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "That she was handsome, and though fierce looked lenient,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And always used her favourites too well.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "If once beyond her boudoir’s precincts in ye went,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Your “fortune” was in a fair way “to swell", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "A man” (as Giles says); for though she would widow all", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Nations, she liked Man as an individual.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "What a strange thing is Man! and what a stranger", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Is Woman! What a whirlwind is her head,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And what a whirlpool full of depth and danger", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Is all the rest about her! Whether wed,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Or widow⁠—maid⁠—or mother, she can change her", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Mind like the wind: whatever she has said", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Or done, is light to what she’ll say or do;⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The oldest thing on record, and yet new!", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Oh Catherine! (for of all interjections,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To thee both oh! and ah! belong, of right,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "In Love and War) how odd are the connections", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of human thoughts, which jostle in their flight!", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Just now yours were cut out in different sections:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "First Ismail’s capture caught your fancy quite;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Next of new knights, the fresh and glorious batch:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And thirdly he who brought you the despatch!", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Shakespeare talks of “the herald Mercury", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "New lighted on a heaven-kissing hill:”", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And some such visions crossed her Majesty,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "While her young herald knelt before her still.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "’Tis very true the hill seemed rather high,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For a Lieutenant to climb up; but skill", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Smoothed even the Simplon’s steep, and by God’s blessing,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With Youth and Health all kisses are “Heaven-kissing.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Her Majesty looked down, the youth looked up⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And so they fell in love;⁠—she with his face,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "His grace, his God-knows-what: for Cupid’s cup", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With the first draught intoxicates apace,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "A quintessential laudanum or “Black Drop,”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Which makes one drunk at once, without the base", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Expedient of full bumpers; for the eye", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In love drinks all Life’s fountains (save tears) dry.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "He, on the other hand, if not in love,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Fell into that no less imperious passion,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Self-love⁠—which, when some sort of thing above", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Ourselves, a singer, dancer, much in fashion,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Or Duchess⁠—Princess⁠—Empress, “deigns to prove”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "(’Tis Pope’s phrase) a great longing, though a rash one,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "For one especial person out of many,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Make us believe ourselves as good as any.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Besides, he was of that delighted age", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Which makes all female ages equal⁠—when", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "We don’t much care with whom we may engage,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As bold as Daniel in the lions’ den,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "So that we can our native sun assuage", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In the next ocean, which may flow just then⁠—", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "To make a twilight in, just as Sol’s heat is", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Quenched in the lap of the salt sea, or Thetis.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "And Catherine (we must say thus much for Catherine),", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Though bold and bloody, was the kind of thing", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Whose temporary passion was quite flattering,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Because each lover looked a sort of King,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Made up upon an amatory pattern,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A royal husband in all save the ring⁠—", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Which, (being the damnedest part of matrimony,)", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Seemed taking out the sting to leave the honey:", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "And when you add to this, her Womanhood", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In its meridian, her blue eyes or gray⁠—", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "(The last, if they have soul, are quite as good,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or better, as the best examples say:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Napoleon’s, Mary’s (Queen of Scotland), should", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Lend to that colour a transcendent ray;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And Pallas also sanctions the same hue,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Too wise to look through optics black or blue)⁠—", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Her sweet smile, and her then majestic figure,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Her plumpness, her imperial condescension,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Her preference of a boy to men much bigger", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "(Fellows whom Messalina’s self would pension),", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Her prime of life, just now in juicy vigour,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With other extras, which we need not mention⁠—", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "All these, or any one of these, explain", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Enough to make a stripling very vain.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "And that’s enough, for Love is vanity,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Selfish in its beginning as its end,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Except where ’tis a mere insanity,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A maddening spirit which would strive to blend", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Itself with Beauty’s frail inanity,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "On which the Passion’s self seems to depend;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And hence some heathenish philosophers", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Make Love the main-spring of the Universe.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Besides Platonic love, besides the love", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of God, the love of sentiment, the", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "loving Of faithful pairs⁠—(I needs must rhyme with dove,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That good old steam-boat which keeps verses moving", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "’Gainst reason⁠—Reason ne’er was hand-and-glove", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With rhyme, but always leant less to improving", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "The sound than sense)⁠—besides all these pretences", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To Love, there are those things which words name senses;", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Those movements, those improvements in our bodies", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Which make all bodies anxious to get out", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Of their own sand-pits, to mix with a goddess,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For such all women are at first no doubt.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "How beautiful that moment! and how odd is", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That fever which precedes the languid rout", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Of our sensations! What a curious way", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The whole thing is of clothing souls in clay!", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "The noblest kind of love is love Platonical,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To end or to begin with; the next grand", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Is that which may be christened love canonical,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Because the clergy take the thing in hand;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "The third sort to be noted in our chronicle", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As flourishing in every Christian land,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Is when chaste matrons to their other ties", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Add what may be called marriage in disguise.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Well, we won’t analyse⁠—our story must", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Tell for itself: the Sovereign was smitten,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Juan much flattered by her love, or lust;⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I cannot stop to alter words once written,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And the two are so mixed with human dust,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That he who names one, both perchance may hit on:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "But in such matters Russia’s mighty Empress", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Behaved no better than a common sempstress.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "The whole court melted into one wide whisper,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And all lips were applied unto all ears!", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "The elder ladies’ wrinkles curled much crisper", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As they beheld; the younger cast some leers", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "On one another, and each lovely lisper", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Smiled as she talked the matter o’er; but tears", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Of rivalship rose in each clouded eye", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of all the standing army who stood by.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "All the ambassadors of all the powers", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Inquired, Who was this very new young man,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Who promised to be great in some few hours?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Which is full soon (though Life is but a span).", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Already they beheld the silver showers", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of rubles rain, as fast as specie can,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Upon his cabinet, besides the presents", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of several ribbons, and some thousand peasants.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Catherine was generous⁠—all such ladies are:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Love⁠—that great opener of the heart and all", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "The ways that lead there, be they near or far,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Above, below, by turnpikes great or small⁠—", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Love⁠—(though she had a cursèd taste for War,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And was not the best wife unless we call", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Such Clytemnestra, though perhaps ’tis better", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That one should die⁠—than two drag on the fetter)⁠—", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Love had made Catherine make each lover’s fortune,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Unlike our own half-chaste Elizabeth,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Whose avarice all disbursements did importune,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "If History, the grand liar, ever saith", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "The truth; and though grief her old age might shorten,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Because she put a favourite to death,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Her vile, ambiguous method of flirtation,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And stinginess, disgrace her sex and station.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "But when the levée rose, and all was bustle", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In the dissolving circle, all the nations’", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Ambassadors began as ’twere to hustle", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Round the young man with their congratulations.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Also the softer silks were heard to rustle", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of gentle dames, among whose recreations", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "It is to speculate on handsome faces,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Especially when such lead to high places.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Juan, who found himself, he knew not how,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A general object of attention, made", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "His answers with a very graceful bow,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As if born for the ministerial trade.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Though modest, on his unembarrassed brow", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Nature had written “Gentleman!” He said", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Little, but to the purpose; and his manner", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Flung hovering graces o’er him like a banner.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "An order from her Majesty consigned", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Our young Lieutenant to the genial care", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Of those in office: all the world looked kind,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "(As it will look sometimes with the first stare,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Which Youth would not act ill to keep in mind,)", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As also did Miss Protasoff then there,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Named from her mystic office “l’Éprouveuse,”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A term inexplicable to the Muse.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "With her then, as in humble duty bound,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Juan retired⁠—and so will I, until", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "My Pegasus shall tire of touching ground.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "We have just lit on a “heaven-kissing hill,”", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "So lofty that I feel my brain turn round,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And all my fancies whirling like a mill;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Which is a signal to my nerves and brain,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To take a quiet ride in some green lane.", "indent": 0 } ] ] }