{ "id": "lord-byron/canto-vii", "title": "Canto VII", "ordinal": null, "subtitle": null, "poet": "Lord Byron", "poet_slug": "lord-byron", "language": "en", "book": "Don Juan", "book_slug": "don-juan", "book_kind": "volume", "sequence": 9, "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-7.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": 696, "n_stanzas": 87, "n_parts": 87, "longest_line_chars": 60, "max_indent": 1 }, "site_ready": true, "parts": [ { "ordinal": "I", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 0, 1 ] }, { "ordinal": "II", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 1, 2 ] }, { "ordinal": "III", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 2, 3 ] }, { "ordinal": "IV", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 3, 4 ] }, { "ordinal": "V", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 4, 5 ] }, { "ordinal": "VI", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 5, 6 ] }, { "ordinal": "VII", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 6, 7 ] }, { "ordinal": "VIII", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 7, 8 ] }, { "ordinal": "IX", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 8, 9 ] }, { "ordinal": "X", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 9, 10 ] }, { "ordinal": "XI", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 10, 11 ] }, { "ordinal": "XII", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 11, 12 ] }, { "ordinal": "XIII", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 12, 13 ] }, { "ordinal": "XIV", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 13, 14 ] }, { "ordinal": "XV", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 14, 15 ] }, { "ordinal": "XVI", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 15, 16 ] }, { "ordinal": "XVII", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 16, 17 ] }, { "ordinal": "XVIII", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 17, 18 ] }, { "ordinal": "XIX", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 18, 19 ] }, { "ordinal": "XX", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 19, 20 ] }, { "ordinal": "XXI", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 20, 21 ] }, { "ordinal": "XXII", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 21, 22 ] }, { "ordinal": "XXIII", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 22, 23 ] }, { "ordinal": "XXIV", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 23, 24 ] }, { "ordinal": "XXV", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 24, 25 ] }, { "ordinal": "XXVI", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 25, 26 ] }, { "ordinal": "XXVII", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 26, 27 ] }, { "ordinal": "XXVIII", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 27, 28 ] }, { "ordinal": "XXIX", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 28, 29 ] }, { "ordinal": "XXX", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 29, 30 ] }, { "ordinal": "XXXI", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 30, 31 ] }, { "ordinal": "XXXII", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 31, 32 ] }, { "ordinal": "XXXIII", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 32, 33 ] }, { "ordinal": "XXXIV", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 33, 34 ] }, { "ordinal": "XXXV", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 34, 35 ] }, { "ordinal": "XXXVI", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 35, 36 ] }, { "ordinal": "XXXVII", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 36, 37 ] }, { "ordinal": "XXXVIII", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 37, 38 ] }, { "ordinal": "XXXIX", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 38, 39 ] }, { "ordinal": "XL", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 39, 40 ] }, { "ordinal": "XLI", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 40, 41 ] }, { "ordinal": "XLII", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 41, 42 ] }, { "ordinal": "XLIII", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 42, 43 ] }, { "ordinal": "XLIV", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 43, 44 ] }, { "ordinal": "XLV", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 44, 45 ] }, { "ordinal": "XLVI", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 45, 46 ] }, { "ordinal": "XLVII", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 46, 47 ] }, { "ordinal": "XLVIII", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 47, 48 ] }, { "ordinal": "XLIX", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 48, 49 ] }, { "ordinal": "L", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 49, 50 ] }, { "ordinal": "LI", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 50, 51 ] }, { "ordinal": "LII", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 51, 52 ] }, { "ordinal": "LIII", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 52, 53 ] }, { "ordinal": "LIV", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 53, 54 ] }, { "ordinal": "LV", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 54, 55 ] }, { "ordinal": "LVI", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 55, 56 ] }, { "ordinal": "LVII", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 56, 57 ] }, { "ordinal": "LVIII", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 57, 58 ] }, { "ordinal": "LIX", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 58, 59 ] }, { "ordinal": "LX", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 59, 60 ] }, { "ordinal": "LXI", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 60, 61 ] }, { "ordinal": "LXII", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 61, 62 ] }, { "ordinal": "LXIII", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 62, 63 ] }, { "ordinal": "LXIV", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 63, 64 ] }, { "ordinal": "LXV", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 64, 65 ] }, { "ordinal": "LXVI", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 65, 66 ] }, { "ordinal": "LXVII", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 66, 67 ] }, { "ordinal": "LXVIII", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 67, 68 ] }, { "ordinal": "LXIX", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 68, 69 ] }, { "ordinal": "LXX", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 69, 70 ] }, { "ordinal": "LXXI", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 70, 71 ] }, { "ordinal": "LXXII", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 71, 72 ] }, { "ordinal": "LXXIII", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 72, 73 ] }, { "ordinal": "LXXIV", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 73, 74 ] }, { "ordinal": "LXXV", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 74, 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 ] }, { "ordinal": "LXXXVI", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 85, 86 ] }, { "ordinal": "LXXXVII", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 86, 87 ] } ], "stanzas": [ [ { "text": "O Love! O Glory! what are ye who fly", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Around us ever, rarely to alight?", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "There’s not a meteor in the polar sky", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of such transcendent and more fleeting flight.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Chill, and chained to cold earth, we lift on high", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Our eyes in search of either lovely light;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "A thousand and a thousand colours they", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Assume, then leave us on our freezing way.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "And such as they are, such my present tale is,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A nondescript and ever-varying rhyme,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "A versified Aurora Borealis,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Which flashes o’er a waste and icy clime.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "When we know what all are, we must bewail us,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But ne’ertheless I hope it is no crime", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "To laugh at all things⁠—for I wish to know", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "What, after all, are all things⁠—but a show?", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "They accuse me⁠—Me⁠—the present writer of", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The present poem⁠—of⁠—I know not what⁠—", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "A tendency to under-rate and scoff", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "At human power and virtue, and all that;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And this they say in language rather rough.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Good God! I wonder what they would be at!", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "I say no more than hath been said in Danté’s", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Verse, and by Solomon and by Cervantes;", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "By Swift, by Machiavel, by Rochefoucault,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By Fénélon, by Luther, and by Plato;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "By Tillotson, and Wesley, and Rousseau,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Who knew this life was not worth a potato.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "’Tis not their fault, nor mine, if this be so⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For my part, I pretend not to be Cato,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Nor even Diogenes.⁠—We live and die,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But which is best, you know no more than I.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Socrates said, our only knowledge was", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“To know that nothing could be known;” a pleasant", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Science enough, which levels to an ass", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Each man of wisdom, future, past, or present.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Newton (that proverb of the mind), alas!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Declared, with all his grand discoveries recent,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "That he himself felt only “like a youth", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Picking up shells by the great ocean⁠—Truth.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Ecclesiastes said, “that all is vanity”⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Most modern preachers say the same, or show it", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "By their examples of true Christianity:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In short, all know, or very soon may know it;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And in this scene of all-confessed inanity,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By Saint, by Sage, by Preacher, and by Poet,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Must I restrain me, through the fear of strife,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From holding up the nothingness of Life?", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Dogs, or men!⁠—for I flatter you in saying", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That ye are dogs⁠—your betters far⁠—ye may", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Read, or read not, what I am now essaying", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To show ye what ye are in every way.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "As little as the moon stops for the baying", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of wolves, will the bright Muse withdraw one ray", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "From out her skies⁠—then howl your idle wrath!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "While she still silvers o’er your gloomy path.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Fierce loves and faithless wars”⁠—I am not sure", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "If this be the right reading⁠—’tis no matter;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "The fact’s about the same, I am secure;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I sing them both, and am about to batter", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "A town which did a famous siege endure,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And was beleaguered both by land and water", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "By Souvaroff, or Anglicè Suwarrow,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Who loved blood as an alderman loves marrow.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "The fortress is called Ismail, and is placed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Upon the Danube’s left branch and left bank,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "With buildings in the Oriental taste,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But still a fortress of the foremost rank,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Or was at least, unless ’tis since defaced,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Which with your conquerors is a common prank:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "It stands some eighty versts from the high sea,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And measures round of toises thousands three.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Within the extent of this fortification", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A borough is comprised along the height", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Upon the left, which from its loftier station", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Commands the city, and upon its site", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "A Greek had raised around this elevation", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A quantity of palisades upright,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "So placed as to impede the fire of those", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Who held the place, and to assist the foe’s.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "This circumstance may serve to give a notion", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of the high talents of this new Vauban:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "But the town ditch below was deep as Ocean,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The rampart higher than you’d wish to hang:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "But then there was a great want of precaution", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "(Prithee, excuse this engineering slang),", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Nor work advanced, nor covered way was there,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To hint, at least, “Here is no thoroughfare.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "But a stone bastion, with a narrow gorge,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And walls as thick as most skulls born as yet;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Two batteries, cap-à-pie, as our St. George,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Casemated one, and t’ other “a barbette,”", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Of Danube’s bank took formidable charge;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "While two-and-twenty cannon duly set", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Rose over the town’s right side, in bristling tier,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Forty feet high, upon a cavalier.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "But from the river the town’s open quite,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Because the Turks could never be persuaded", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "A Russian vessel e’er would heave in sight;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And such their creed was till they were invaded,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "When it grew rather late to set things right:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But as the Danube could not well be waded,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "They looked upon the Muscovite flotilla,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And only shouted, “Allah!” and “Bis Millah!”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "The Russians now were ready to attack;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But oh, ye goddesses of War and Glory!", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "How shall I spell the name of each Cossacque", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Who were immortal, could one tell their story?", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Alas! what to their memory can lack?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Achilles’ self was not more grim and gory", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Than thousands of this new and polished nation,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Whose names want nothing but⁠—pronunciation.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Still I’ll record a few, if but to increase", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Our euphony: there was Strongenoff, and Strokonoff,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Meknop, Serge Lwow, Arséniew of modern Greece,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And Tschitsshakoff, and Roguenoff, and Chokenoff,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And others of twelve consonants apiece;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And more might be found out, if I could poke enough", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Into gazettes; but Fame (capricious strumpet),", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "It seems, has got an ear as well as trumpet,", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "And cannot tune those discords of narration,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Which may be names at Moscow, into rhyme;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Yet there were several worth commemoration,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As e’er was virgin of a nuptial chime;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Soft words, too, fitted for the peroration", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of Londonderry drawling against time,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Ending in “ischskin,” “ousckin,” “iffskchy,” “ouski,”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of whom we can insert but Rousamouski,", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Scherematoff and Chrematoff, Koklophti,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Koclobski, Kourakin, and Mouskin Pouskin,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "All proper men of weapons, as e’er scoffed high", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Against a foe, or ran a sabre through skin:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Little cared they for Muhammad or Mufti,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Unless to make their kettle-drums a new skin", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Out of their hides, if parchment had grown dear,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And no more handy substitute been near.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Then there were foreigners of much renown,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of various nations, and all volunteers;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Not fighting for their country or its crown,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But wishing to be one day brigadiers;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Also to have the sacking of a town;⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A pleasant thing to young men at their years.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "’Mongst them were several Englishmen of pith,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sixteen called Thomson, and nineteen named Smith.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Jack Thomson and Bill Thomson;⁠—all the rest", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Had been called “Jemmy,” after the great bard;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "I don’t know whether they had arms or crest,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But such a godfather’s as good a card.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Three of the Smiths were Peters; but the best", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Amongst them all, hard blows to inflict or ward,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Was he, since so renowned “in country quarters", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "At Halifax;” but now he served the Tartars.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "The rest were Jacks and Gills and Wills and Bills,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But when I’ve added that the elder Jack Smith", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Was born in Cumberland among the hills,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And that his father was an honest blacksmith,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "I’ve said all I know of a name that fills", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Three lines of the despatch in taking “Schmacksmith,”", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "A village of Moldavia’s waste, wherein", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "He fell, immortal in a bulletin.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "I wonder (although Mars no doubt’s a god I", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Praise) if a man’s name in a bulletin", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "May make up for a bullet in his body?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I hope this little question is no sin,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Because, though I am but a simple noddy,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I think one Shakespeare puts the same thought in", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "The mouth of some one in his plays so doting,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Which many people pass for wits by quoting.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Then there were Frenchmen, gallant, young, and gay;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But I’m too great a patriot to record", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Their Gallic names upon a glorious day;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I’d rather tell ten lies than say a word", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Of truth;⁠—such truths are treason; they betray", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Their country; and as traitors are abhorred,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Who name the French in English, save to show", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "How Peace should make John Bull the Frenchman’s foe.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "The Russians, having built two batteries on", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "An isle near Ismail, had two ends in view;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "The first was to bombard it, and knock down", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The public buildings and the private too,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "No matter what poor souls might be undone:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The city’s shape suggested this, ’tis true,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Formed like an amphitheatre⁠—each dwelling", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Presented a fine mark to throw a shell in.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "The second object was to profit by", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The moment of the general consternation,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "To attack the Turk’s flotilla, which lay nigh", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Extremely tranquil, anchored at its station:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "But a third motive was as probably", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To frighten them into capitulation;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "A fantasy which sometimes seizes warriors,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Unless they are game as bull-dogs and fox-terriers.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "A habit rather blameable, which is", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That of despising those we combat with,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Common in many cases, was in this", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The cause of killing Tchitchitzkoff and Smith⁠—", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "One of the valorous “Smiths” whom we shall miss", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Out of those nineteen who late rhymed to “pith;”", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "But ’tis a name so spread o’er “Sir” and “Madam,”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That one would think the first who bore it “Adam.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "The Russian batteries were incomplete,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Because they were constructed in a hurry;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Thus the same cause which makes a verse want feet,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And throws a cloud o’er Longman and John Murray,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "When the sale of new books is not so fleet", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As they who print them think is necessary,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "May likewise put off for a time what story", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sometimes calls “Murder,” and at others “Glory.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Whether it was their engineer’s stupidity,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Their haste or waste, I neither know nor care,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Or some contractor’s personal cupidity,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Saving his soul by cheating in the ware", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Of homicide, but there was no solidity", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In the new batteries erected there;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "They either missed, or they were never missed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And added greatly to the missing list.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "A sad miscalculation about distance", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Made all their naval matters incorrect;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Three fireships lost their amiable existence", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Before they reached a spot to take effect;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "The match was lit too soon, and no assistance", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Could remedy this lubberly defect;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "They blew up in the middle of the river,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "While, though ’twas dawn, the Turks slept fast as ever.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "At seven they rose, however, and surveyed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The Russ flotilla getting under way;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "’Twas nine, when still advancing undismayed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Within a cable’s length their vessels lay", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Off Ismail, and commenced a cannonade,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Which was returned with interest, I may say,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And by a fire of musketry and grape,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And shells and shot of every size and shape.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "For six hours bore they without intermission", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The Turkish fire, and, aided by their own", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Land batteries, worked their guns with great precision;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "At length they found mere cannonade alone", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "By no means would produce the town’s submission,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And made a signal to retreat at one.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "One bark blew up, a second near the works", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Running aground, was taken by the Turks.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "The Muslim, too, had lost both ships and men;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But when they saw the enemy retire,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Their Delhis manned some boats, and sailed again,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And galled the Russians with a heavy fire,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And tried to make a landing on the main;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But here the effect fell short of their desire:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Count Damas drove them back into the water", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Pell-mell, and with a whole gazette of slaughter.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“If” (says the historian here) “I could report", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "All that the Russians did upon this day,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "I think that several volumes would fall short,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And I should still have many things to say;”", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And so he says no more⁠—but pays his court", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To some distinguished strangers in that fray;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "The Prince de Ligne, and Langeron, and Damas,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Names great as any that the roll of Fame has.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "This being the case, may show us what Fame is:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For out of these three “preux Chevaliers,” how", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Many of common readers give a guess", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That such existed? (and they may live now", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "For aught we know.) Renown’s all hit or miss;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "There’s fortune even in Fame, we must allow.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "’Tis true, the Memoirs of the Prince de Ligne", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Have half withdrawn from him Oblivion’s screen.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "But here are men who fought in gallant actions", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As gallantly as ever heroes fought,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "But buried in the heap of such transactions", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Their names are rarely found, nor often sought.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Thus even good fame may suffer sad contractions,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And is extinguished sooner than she ought:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Of all our modern battles, I will bet", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "You can’t repeat nine names from each Gazette.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "In short, this last attack, though rich in glory,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Showed that somewhere, somehow, there was a fault,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And Admiral Ribas (known in Russian story)", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Most strongly recommended an assault;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "In which he was opposed by young and hoary,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Which made a long debate; but I must halt,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "For if I wrote down every warrior’s speech,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I doubt few readers e’er would mount the breach.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "There was a man, if that he was a man,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Not that his manhood could be called in question,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "For had he not been Hercules, his span", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Had been as short in youth as indigestion", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Made his last illness, when, all worn and wan,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "He died beneath a tree, as much unblest on", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "The soil of the green province he had wasted,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As e’er was locust on the land it blasted.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "This was Potemkin⁠—a great thing in days", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "When homicide and harlotry made great;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "If stars and titles could entail long praise,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His glory might half equal his estate.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "This fellow, being six foot high, could raise", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A kind of fantasy proportionate", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "In the then Sovereign of the Russian people,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Who measured men as you would do a steeple.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "While things were in abeyance, Ribas sent", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A courier to the Prince, and he succeeded", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "In ordering matters after his own bent;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I cannot tell the way in which he pleaded,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "But shortly he had cause to be content.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In the mean time, the batteries proceeded,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And fourscore cannon on the Danube’s border", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Were briskly fired and answered in due order.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "But on the thirteenth, when already part", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of the troops were embarked, the siege to raise,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "A courier on the spur inspired new heart", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Into all panters for newspaper praise,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "As well as dilettanti in War’s art,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By his despatches (couched in pithy phrase)", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Announcing the appointment of that lover of", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Battles to the command, Field-Marshal Souvaroff.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "The letter of the Prince to the same Marshal", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Was worthy of a Spartan, had the cause", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Been one to which a good heart could be partial⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Defence of freedom, country, or of laws;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "But as it was mere lust of Power to o’er-arch all", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With its proud brow, it merits slight applause,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Save for its style, which said, all in a trice,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“You will take Ismail at whatever price.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Let there be Light! said God, and there was Light!”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Let there be Blood!” says man, and there’s a sea!", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "The fiat of this spoiled child of the Night", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "(For Day ne’er saw his merits) could decree", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "More evil in an hour, than thirty bright", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Summers could renovate, though they should be", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Lovely as those which ripened Eden’s fruit;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For War cuts up not only branch, but root.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Our friends, the Turks, who with loud “Allahs” now", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Began to signalise the Russ retreat,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Were damnably mistaken; few are slow", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In thinking that their enemy is beat,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "(Or beaten, if you insist on grammar, though", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I never think about it in a heat,)", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "But here I say the Turks were much mistaken,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Who hating hogs, yet wished to save their bacon.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "For, on the sixteenth, at full gallop, drew", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In sight two horsemen, who were deemed Cossacques", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "For some time, till they came in nearer view:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "They had but little baggage at their backs,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "For there were but three shirts between the two;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But on they rode upon two Ukraine hacks,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Till, in approaching, were at length descried", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In this plain pair, Suwarrow and his guide.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Great joy to London now!” says some great fool,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "When London had a grand illumination,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Which to that bottle-conjuror, John Bull,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Is of all dreams the first hallucination;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "So that the streets of coloured lamps are full,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That sage (said John) surrenders at discretion", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "His purse, his soul, his sense, and even his nonsense,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To gratify, like a huge moth, this one sense.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "’Tis strange that he should further “Damn his eyes,”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For they are damned; that once all-famous oath", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Is to the Devil now no further prize,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Since John has lately lost the use of both.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Debt he calls Wealth, and taxes Paradise;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And Famine, with her gaunt and bony growth,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Which stare him in the face, he won’t examine,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or swears that Ceres hath begotten Famine.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "But to the tale;⁠—great joy unto the camp!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To Russian, Tartar, English, French, Cossacque,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "O’er whom Suwarrow shone like a gas lamp,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Presaging a most luminous attack;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Or like a wisp along the marsh so damp,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Which leads beholders on a boggy walk,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "He flitted to and fro a dancing light,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Which all who saw it followed, wrong or right.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "But, certes, matters took a different face;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "There was enthusiasm and much applause,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "The fleet and camp saluted with great grace,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And all presaged good fortune to their cause.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Within a cannot-shot length of the place", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "They drew, constructed ladders, repaired flaws", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "In former works, made new, prepared fascines,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And all kinds of benevolent machines.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "’Tis thus the spirit of a single mind", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Makes that of multitudes take one direction,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "As roll the waters to the breathing wind,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or roams the herd beneath the bull’s protection;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Or as a little dog will lead the blind,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or a bell-wether form the flock’s connection", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "By tinkling sounds, when they go forth to victual;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Such is the sway of your great men o’er little.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "The whole camp rung with joy; you would have thought", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That they were going to a marriage feast", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "(This metaphor, I think, holds good as aught,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Since there is discord after both at least):", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "There was not now a luggage boy but sought", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Danger and spoil with ardour much increased;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And why? because a little⁠—odd⁠—old man,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Stripped to his shirt, was come to lead the van.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "But so it was; and every preparation", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Was made with all alacrity: the first", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Detachment of three columns took its station,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And waited but the signal’s voice to burst", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Upon the foe: the second’s ordination", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Was also in three columns, with a thirst", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "For Glory gaping o’er a sea of Slaughter:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The third, in columns two, attacked by water.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "New batteries were erected, and was held", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A general council, in which Unanimity,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "That stranger to most councils, here prevailed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As sometimes happens in a great extremity;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And every difficulty being dispelled,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Glory began to dawn with due sublimity,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "While Souvaroff, determined to obtain it,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Was teaching his recruits to use the bayonet.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "It is an actual fact, that he, commander", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In chief, in proper person deigned to drill", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "The awkward squad, and could afford to squander", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His time, a corporal’s duty to fulfil;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Just as you’d break a sucking salamander", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To swallow flame, and never take it ill:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "He showed them how to mount a ladder (which", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Was not like Jacob’s) or to cross a ditch.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Also he dressed up, for the nonce, fascines", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Like men with turbans, scimitars, and dirks,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And made them charge with bayonet these machines,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By way of lesson against actual Turks;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And when well practised in these mimic scenes,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "He judged them proper to assail the works⁠—", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "(At which your wise men sneered in phrases witty),", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "He made no answer⁠—but he took the city.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Most things were in this posture on the eve", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of the assault, and all the camp was in", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "A stern repose; which you would scarce conceive;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Yet men resolved to dash through thick and thin", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Are very silent when they once believe", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That all is settled:⁠—there was little din,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "For some were thinking of their home and friends,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And others of themselves and latter ends.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Suwarrow chiefly was on the alert,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Surveying, drilling, ordering, jesting, pondering;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "For the man was, we safely may assert,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A thing to wonder at beyond most wondering;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Hero, buffoon, half-demon, and half-dirt,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Praying, instructing, desolating, plundering⁠—Now", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Mars, now Momus⁠—and when bent to storm", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A fortress, Harlequin in uniform.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "The day before the assault, while upon drill⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For this great conqueror played the corporal⁠—", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Some Cossacques, hovering like hawks round a hill,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Had met a party towards the Twilight’s fall,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "One of whom spoke their tongue⁠—or well or ill,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "’Twas much that he was understood at all;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "But whether from his voice, or speech, or manner,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "They found that he had fought beneath their banner.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Whereon immediately at his request", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "They brought him and his comrades to head-quarters;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Their dress was Muslim, but you might have guessed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That these were merely masquerading Tartars,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And that beneath each Turkish-fashioned vest", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Lurked Christianity⁠—which sometimes barters", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Her inward grace for outward show, and makes", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "It difficult to shun some strange mistakes.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Suwarrow, who was standing in his shirt", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Before a company of Calmucks, drilling,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Exclaiming, fooling, swearing at the inert,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And lecturing on the noble art of killing⁠—", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "For deeming human clay but common dirt", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "This great philosopher was thus instilling", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "His maxims, which to martial comprehension", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Proved death in battle equal to a pension;⁠—", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Suwarrow, when he saw this company", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of Cossacques and their prey, turned round and cast", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Upon them his slow brow and piercing eye:⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Whence come ye?”⁠—“From Constantinople last,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Captives just now escaped,” was the reply.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“What are ye?”⁠—“What you see us.” Briefly passed", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "This dialogue; for he who answered knew", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To whom he spoke, and made his words but few.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Your names?”⁠—“Mine’s Johnson, and my comrade’s Juan;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The other two are women, and the third", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Is neither man nor woman.” The Chief threw on", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The party a slight glance, then said, “I have heard", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Your name before, the second is a new one:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To bring the other three here was absurd:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "But let that pass:⁠—I think I have heard your name", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In the Nikolaiew regiment?”⁠—“The same.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“You served at Widdin?”⁠—“Yes.”⁠—“You led the attack?”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“I did.”⁠—“What next?”⁠—“I really hardly know”⁠—", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "“You were the first i’ the breach?”⁠—“I was not slack", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "At least to follow those who might be so”⁠—", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "“What followed?”⁠—“A shot laid me on my back,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And I became a prisoner to the foe”⁠—", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "“You shall have vengeance, for the town surrounded", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Is twice as strong as that where you were wounded.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Where will you serve?”⁠—“Where’er you please.”⁠—“I know", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "You like to be the hope of the forlorn,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And doubtless would be foremost on the foe", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "After the hardships you’ve already borne.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And this young fellow⁠—say what can he do?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "He with the beardless chin and garments torn?”⁠—", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "“Why, General, if he hath no greater fault", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In War than Love, he had better lead the assault”⁠—", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“He shall if that he dare.” Here Juan bowed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Low as the compliment deserved. Suwarrow", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Continued: “Your old regiment’s allowed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By special providence, to lead to-morrow,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Or, it may be, to-night, the assault: I have vowed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To several Saints, that shortly plough or harrow", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Shall pass o’er what was Ismail, and its tusk", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Be unimpeded by the proudest mosque.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“So now, my lads, for Glory!”⁠—Here he turned", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And drilled away in the most classic Russian,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Until each high heroic bosom burned", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For cash and conquest, as if from a cushion", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "A preacher had held forth (who nobly spurned", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "All earthly goods save tithes) and bade them push on", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "To slay the Pagans who resisted, battering", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The armies of the Christian Empress Catherine.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Johnson, who knew by this long colloquy", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Himself a favourite, ventured to address", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Suwarrow, though engaged with accents high", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In his resumed amusement. “I confess", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "My debt in being thus allowed to die", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Among the foremost; but if you’d express", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Explicitly our several posts, my friend", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And self would know what duty to attend.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Right! I was busy, and forgot. Why, you", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Will join your former regiment, which should be", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Now under arms. Ho! Katskoff, take him to”⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "(Here he called up a Polish orderly)", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "“His post, I mean the regiment Nikolaiew:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The stranger stripling may remain with me;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "He’s a fine boy. The women may be sent", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To the other baggage, or to the sick tent.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "But here a sort of scene began to ensue:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The ladies⁠—who by no means had been bred", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "To be disposed of in a way so new,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Although their Harem education led,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Doubtless, to that of doctrines the most true,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Passive obedience⁠—now raised up the head", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "With flashing eyes and starting tears, and flung", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Their arms, as hens their wings about their young,", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "O’er the promoted couple of brave men", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Who were thus honoured by the greatest Chief", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "That ever peopled Hell with heroes slain,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or plunged a province or a realm in grief.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Oh, foolish mortals! Always taught in vain!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Oh, glorious Laurel! since for one sole leaf", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Of thine imaginary deathless tree,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of blood and tears must flow the unebbing sea.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Suwarrow, who had small regard for tears,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And not much sympathy for blood, surveyed", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "The women with their hair about their ears", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And natural agonies, with a slight shade", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Of feeling: for however Habit sears", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Men’s hearts against whole millions, when their trade", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Is butchery, sometimes a single sorrow", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Will touch even heroes⁠—and such was Suwarrow.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "He said⁠—and in the kindest Calmuck tone⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Why, Johnson, what the devil do you mean", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "By bringing women here? They shall be shown", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "All the attention possible, and seen", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "In safety to the waggons, where alone", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In fact they can be safe. You should have been", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Aware this kind of baggage never thrives;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Save wed a year, I hate recruits with wives”⁠—", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“May it please your Excellency,” thus replied", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Our British friend, “these are the wives of others,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And not our own. I am too qualified", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By service with my military brothers", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "To break the rules by bringing one’s own bride", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Into a camp: I know that nought so bothers", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "The hearts of the heroic on a charge,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As leaving a small family at large.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“But these are but two Turkish ladies, who", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With their attendant aided our escape,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And afterwards accompanied us through", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A thousand perils in this dubious shape.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "To me this kind of life is not so new;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To them, poor things, it is an awkward scrape:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "I therefore, if you wish me to fight freely,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Request that they may both be used genteelly.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Meantime these two poor girls, with swimming eyes,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Looked on as if in doubt if they could trust", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Their own protectors; nor was their surprise", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Less than their grief (and truly not less just)", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "To see an old man, rather wild than wise", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In aspect, plainly clad, besmeared with dust,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Stripped to his waistcoat, and that not too clean,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "More feared than all the Sultans ever seen.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "For everything seemed resting on his nod,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As they could read in all eyes. Now to them,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Who were accustomed, as a sort of god,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To see the Sultan, rich in many a gem,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Like an imperial peacock stalk abroad", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "(That royal bird, whose tail’s a diadem,)", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "With all the pomp of Power, it was a doubt", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "How Power could condescend to do without.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "John Johnson, seeing their extreme dismay,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Though little versed in feelings oriental,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Suggested some slight comfort in his way:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Don Juan, who was much more sentimental,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Swore they should see him by the dawn of day,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or that the Russian army should repent all:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And, strange to say, they found some consolation", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In this⁠—for females like exaggeration.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "And then with tears, and sighs, and some slight kisses,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "They parted for the present⁠—these to await,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "According to the artillery’s hits or misses,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "What sages call Chance, Providence, or Fate⁠—", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "(Uncertainty is one of many blisses,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A mortgage on Humanity’s estate;)⁠—", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "While their belovèd friends began to arm,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To burn a town which never did them harm.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Suwarrow⁠—who but saw things in the gross.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Being much too gross to see them in detail,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Who calculated life as so much dross,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And as the wind a widowed nation’s wail,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And cared as little for his army’s loss", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "(So that their efforts should at length prevail)", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "As wife and friends did for the boils of Job⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "What was ’t to him to hear two women sob?", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Nothing.⁠—The work of Glory still went on", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In preparations for a cannonade", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "As terrible as that of Ilion,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "If Homer had found mortars ready made;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "But now, instead of slaying Priam’s son,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "We only can but talk of escalade,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Bombs, drums, guns, bastions, batteries, bayonets, bullets⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Hard words, which stick in the soft Muses’ gullets.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Oh, thou eternal Homer! who couldst charm", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "All ears, though long; all ages, though so short,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "By merely wielding with poetic arm", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Arms to which men will never more resort,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Unless gunpowder should be found to harm", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Much less than is the hope of every court,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Which now is leagued young Freedom to annoy;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But they will not find Liberty a Troy:⁠—", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Oh, thou eternal Homer! I have now", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To paint a siege, wherein more men were slain,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "With deadlier engines and a speedier blow,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Than in thy Greek gazette of that campaign;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And yet, like all men else, I must allow,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To vie with thee would be about as vain", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "As for a brook to cope with Ocean’s flood⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But still we moderns equal you in blood:", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "If not in poetry, at least in fact;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And fact is Truth, the grand desideratum!", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Of which, howe’er the Muse describes each act,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "There should be ne’ertheless a slight substratum.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "But now the town is going to be attacked;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Great deeds are doing⁠—how shall I relate ’em?", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Souls of immortal Generals! Phoebus watches", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To colour up his rays from your despatches.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Oh, ye great bulletins of Bonaparte!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Oh, ye less grand long lists of killed and wounded!", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Shade of Leonidas, who fought so hearty,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "When my poor Greece was once, as now, surrounded!", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Oh, Caesar’s Commentaries! now impart, ye", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Shadows of Glory! (lest I be confounded),", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "A portion of your fading twilight hues⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So beautiful, so fleeting⁠—to the Muse.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "When I call “fading” martial immortality,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I mean, that every age and every year,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And almost every day, in sad reality,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Some sucking hero is compelled to rear,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Who, when we come to sum up the totality", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of deeds to human happiness most dear,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Turns out to be a butcher in great business,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Afflicting young folks with a sort of dizziness.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Medals, rank, ribbons, lace, embroidery, scarlet,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Are things immortal to immortal man,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "As purple to the Babylonian harlot:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "An uniform to boys is like a fan", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "To women; there is scarce a crimson varlet", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But deems himself the first in Glory’s van.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "But Glory’s glory; and if you would find", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "What that is⁠—ask the pig who sees the wind!", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "At least he feels it, and some say he sees,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Because he runs before it like a pig;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Or, if that simple sentence should displease,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Say, that he scuds before it like a brig,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "A schooner, or⁠—but it is time to ease", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "This Canto, ere my Muse perceives fatigue.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "The next shall ring a peal to shake all people,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Like a bob-major from a village steeple.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Hark! through the silence of the cold, dull night,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The hum of armies gathering rank on rank!", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Lo! dusky masses steal in dubious sight", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Along the leaguered wall and bristling bank", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Of the armed river, while with straggling light", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The stars peep through the vapours dim and dank,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Which curl in various wreaths:⁠—how soon the smoke", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of Hell shall pall them in a deeper cloak!", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Here pause we for the present⁠—as even then", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That awful pause, dividing Life from Death,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Struck for an instant on the hearts of men⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thousands of whom were drawing their last breath!", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "A moment⁠—and all will be Life again!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The march! the charge! the shouts of either faith,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Hurrah! and Allah! and one moment more⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The death-cry drowning in the Battle’s roar.", "indent": 0 } ] ] }