{ "id": "lord-byron/canto-xi", "title": "Canto XI", "ordinal": null, "subtitle": null, "poet": "Lord Byron", "poet_slug": "lord-byron", "language": "en", "book": "Don Juan", "book_slug": "don-juan", "book_kind": "volume", "sequence": 13, "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-11.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": 720, "n_stanzas": 90, "n_parts": 90, "longest_line_chars": 63, "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 ] }, { "ordinal": "LXXXVIII", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 87, 88 ] }, { "ordinal": "LXXXIX", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 88, 89 ] }, { "ordinal": "XC", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 89, 90 ] } ], "stanzas": [ [ { "text": "When Bishop Berkeley said “there was no matter,”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And proved it⁠—’twas no matter what he said:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "They say his system ’tis in vain to batter,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Too subtle for the airiest human head;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And yet who can believe it? I would shatter", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Gladly all matters down to stone or lead,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Or adamant, to find the World a spirit,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And wear my head, denying that I wear it.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "What a sublime discovery ’twas to make the", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Universe universal egotism,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "That all’s ideal⁠—all ourselves!⁠—I’ll stake the", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "World (be it what you will) that that’s no schism.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Oh Doubt!⁠—if thou be’st Doubt, for which some take thee,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But which I doubt extremely⁠—thou sole prism", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Of the Truth’s rays, spoil not my draught of spirit!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Heaven’s brandy, though our brain can hardly bear it.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "For ever and anon comes Indigestion", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "(Not the most “dainty Ariel”), and perplexes", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Our soarings with another sort of question:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And that which after all my spirit vexes,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Is, that I find no spot where Man can rest eye on,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Without confusion of the sorts and sexes,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Of Beings, Stars, and this unriddled wonder,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The World, which at the worst’s a glorious blunder⁠—", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "If it be chance⁠—or, if it be according", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To the old text, still better:⁠—lest it should", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Turn out so, we’ll say nothing ’gainst the wording,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As several people think such hazards rude.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "They’re right; our days are too brief for affording", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Space to dispute what no one ever could", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Decide, and everybody one day will", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Know very clearly⁠—or at least lie still.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "And therefore will I leave off metaphysical", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Discussion, which is neither here nor there:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "If I agree that what is, is; then this I call", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Being quite perspicuous and extremely fair;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "The truth is, I’ve grown lately rather phthisical:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I don’t know what the reason is⁠—the air", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Perhaps; but as I suffer from the shocks", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of illness, I grow much more orthodox.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "The first attack at once proved the Divinity", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "(But that I never doubted, nor the Devil);", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "The next, the Virgin’s mystical virginity;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The third, the usual Origin of Evil;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "The fourth at once established the whole Trinity", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "On so uncontrovertible a level,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "That I devoutly wished the three were four⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "On purpose to believe so much the more.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "To our theme.⁠—The man who has stood on the Acropolis,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And looked down over Attica; or he", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Who has sailed where picturesque Constantinople is,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or seen Timbuktu, or hath taken tea", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "In small-eyed China’s crockery-ware metropolis,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or sat amidst the bricks of Nineveh,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "May not think much of London’s first appearance⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But ask him what he thinks of it a year hence!", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Don Juan had got out on Shooter’s Hill;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sunset the time, the place the same declivity", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Which looks along that vale of Good and Ill", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Where London streets ferment in full activity,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "While everything around was calm and still,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Except the creak of wheels, which on their pivot he", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Heard⁠—and that bee-like, bubbling, busy hum", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of cities, that boil over with their scum:⁠—", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "I say, Don Juan, wrapped in contemplation,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Walked on behind his carriage, o’er the summit,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And lost in wonder of so great a nation,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Gave way to ’t, since he could not overcome it.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "“And here,” he cried, “is Freedom’s chosen station;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Here peals the People’s voice, nor can entomb it", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Racks⁠—prisons⁠—inquisitions; Resurrection", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Awaits it, each new meeting or election.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Here are chaste wives, pure lives; here people pay", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But what they please; and if that things be dear,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "’Tis only that they love to throw away", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Their cash, to show how much they have a-year.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Here laws are all inviolate⁠—none lay", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Traps for the traveller⁠—every highway’s clear⁠—", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Here”⁠—he was interrupted by a knife,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With⁠—“Damn your eyes! your money or your life!”⁠—", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "These free-born sounds proceeded from four pads", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In ambush laid, who had perceived him loiter", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Behind his carriage; and, like handy lads,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Had seized the lucky hour to reconnoitre,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "In which the heedless gentleman who gads", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Upon the road, unless he prove a fighter,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "May find himself within that isle of riches", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Exposed to lose his life as well as breeches.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Juan, who did not understand a word", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of English, save their shibboleth, “God damn!”", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And even that he had so rarely heard,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "He sometimes thought ’twas only their “Salām,”", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Or “God be with you!”⁠—and ’tis not absurd", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To think so⁠—for half English as I am", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "(To my misfortune), never can I say", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I heard them wish “God with you,” save that way;⁠—", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Juan yet quickly understood their gesture,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And being somewhat choleric and sudden,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Drew forth a pocket pistol from his vesture,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And fired it into one assailant’s pudding⁠—", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Who fell, as rolls an ox o’er in his pasture,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And roared out, as he writhed his native mud in,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Unto his nearest follower or henchman,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Oh Jack! I’m floored by that ’ere bloody Frenchman!”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "On which Jack and his train set off at speed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And Juan’s suite, late scattered at a distance,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Came up, all marvelling at such a deed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And offering, as usual, late assistance.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Juan, who saw the moon’s late minion bleed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As if his veins would pour out his existence,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Stood calling out for bandages and lint,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And wished he had been less hasty with his flint.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Perhaps,” thought he, “it is the country’s wont", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To welcome foreigners in this way: now", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "I recollect some innkeepers who don’t", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Differ, except in robbing with a bow,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "In lieu of a bare blade and brazen front⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But what is to be done? I can’t allow", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "The fellow to lie groaning on the road:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So take him up⁠—I’ll help you with the load.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "But ere they could perform this pious duty,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The dying man cried, “Hold! I’ve got my gruel!", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Oh! for a glass of max! We’ve missed our booty;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Let me die where I am!” And as the fuel", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Of Life shrunk in his heart, and thick and sooty", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The drops fell from his death-wound, and he drew ill", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "His breath⁠—he from his swelling throat untied", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A kerchief, crying, “Give Sal that!”⁠—and died.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "The cravat stained with bloody drops fell down", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Before Don Juan’s feet: he could not tell", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Exactly why it was before him thrown,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Nor what the meaning of the man’s farewell.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Poor Tom was once a kiddy upon town,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A thorough varmint, and a real swell,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Full flash, all fancy, until fairly diddled,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His pockets first and then his body riddled.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Don Juan, having done the best he could", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In all the circumstances of the case,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "As soon as “Crowner’s quest” allowed, pursued", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His travels to the capital apace;⁠—", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Esteeming it a little hard he should", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In twelve hours’ time, and very little space,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Have been obliged to slay a free-born native", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In self-defence: this made him meditative.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "He from the world had cut off a great man,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Who in his time had made heroic bustle.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Who in a row like Tom could lead the van,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Booze in the ken, or at the spellken hustle?", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Who queer a flat? Who (spite of Bow-street’s ban)", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "On the high toby-spice so flash the muzzle?", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Who on a lark with black-eyed Sal (his blowing),", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So prime⁠—so swell⁠—so nutty⁠—and so knowing?", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "But Tom’s no more⁠—and so no more of Tom.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Heroes must die; and by God’s blessing ’tis", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Not long before the most of them go home.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Hail! Thamis, hail! Upon thy verge it is", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "That Juan’s chariot, rolling like a drum", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In thunder, holds the way it can’t well miss,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Through Kennington and all the other “tons,”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Which make us wish ourselves in town at once;⁠—", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Through Groves, so called as being void of trees,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "(Like lucus from no light); through prospects named", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Mount Pleasant, as containing nought to please,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Nor much to climb; through little boxes framed", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Of bricks, to let the dust in at your ease,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With “To be let,” upon their doors proclaimed;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Through “Rows” most modestly called “Paradise,”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Which Eve might quit without much sacrifice;⁠—", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Through coaches, drays, choked turnpikes, and a whirl", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of wheels, and roar of voices, and confusion;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Here taverns wooing to a pint of “purl,”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "There mails fast flying off like a delusion;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "There barbers’ blocks with periwigs in curl", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In windows; here the lamplighter’s infusion", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Slowly distilled into the glimmering glass", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "(For in those days we had not got to gas⁠—);", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Through this, and much, and more, is the approach", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of travellers to mighty Babylon:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Whether they come by horse, or chaise, or coach,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With slight exceptions, all the ways seem one.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "I could say more, but do not choose to encroach", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Upon the Guide-book’s privilege. The Sun", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Had set some time, and night was on the ridge", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of twilight, as the party crossed the bridge.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "That’s rather fine, the gentle sound of Thamis⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Who vindicates a moment, too, his stream⁠—", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Though hardly heard through multifarious “damme’s:”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The lamps of Westminster’s more regular gleam,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "The breadth of pavement, and yon shrine where Fame is", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A spectral resident⁠—whose pallid beam", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "In shape of moonshine hovers o’er the pile⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Make this a sacred part of Albion’s isle.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "The Druids’ groves are gone⁠—so much the better:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Stonehenge is not⁠—but what the devil is it?⁠—", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "But Bedlam still exists with its sage fetter,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That madmen may not bite you on a visit;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "The Bench too seats or suits full many a debtor;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The Mansion House, too (though some people quiz it),", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "To me appears a stiff yet grand erection;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But then the Abbey’s worth the whole collection.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "The line of lights, too, up to Charing Cross,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Pall Mall, and so forth, have a coruscation", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Like gold as in comparison to dross,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Matched with the Continent’s illumination,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Whose cities Night by no means deigns to gloss.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The French were not yet a lamp-lighting nation,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And when they grew so⁠—on their new-found lantern,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Instead of wicks, they made a wicked man turn.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "A row of Gentlemen along the streets", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Suspended may illuminate mankind,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "As also bonfires made of country seats;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But the old way is best for the purblind:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "The other looks like phosphorus on sheets,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A sort of ignis fatuus to the mind,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Which, though ’tis certain to perplex and frighten,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Must burn more mildly ere it can enlighten.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "But London’s so well lit, that if Diogenes", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Could recommence to hunt his honest man,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And found him not amidst the various progenies", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of this enormous City’s spreading span,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "’Twere not for want of lamps to aid his dodging his", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Yet undiscovered treasure. What I can,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "I’ve done to find the same throughout Life’s journey,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But see the World is only one attorney.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Over the stones still rattling, up Pall Mall,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Through crowds and carriages, but waxing thinner", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "As thundered knockers broke the long sealed spell", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of doors ’gainst duns, and to an early dinner", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Admitted a small party as night fell⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Don Juan, our young diplomatic sinner,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Pursued his path, and drove past some hotels,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "St. James’s Palace, and St. James’s “Hells.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "They reached the hotel: forth streamed from the front door", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A tide of well-clad waiters, and around", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "The mob stood, and as usual several score", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of those pedestrian Paphians who abound", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "In decent London when the daylight’s o’er;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Commodious but immoral, they are found", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Useful, like Malthus, in promoting marriage.⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But Juan now is stepping from his carriage", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Into one of the sweetest of hotels,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Especially for foreigners⁠—and mostly", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "For those whom favour or whom Fortune swells,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And cannot find a bill’s small items costly.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "There many an envoy either dwelt or dwells", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "(The den of many a diplomatic lost lie),", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Until to some conspicuous square they pass,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And blazon o’er the door their names in brass.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Juan, whose was a delicate commission,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Private, though publicly important, bore", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "No title to point out with due precision", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The exact affair on which he was sent o’er.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "’Twas merely known, that on a secret mission", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A foreigner of rank had graced our shore,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Young, handsome, and accomplished, who was said", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "(In whispers) to have turned his Sovereign’s head.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Some rumour also of some strange adventures", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Had gone before him, and his wars and loves;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And as romantic heads are pretty painters,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And, above all, an Englishwoman’s roves", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Into the excursive, breaking the indentures", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of sober reason, wheresoe’er it moves,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "He found himself extremely in the fashion,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Which serves our thinking people for a passion.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "I don’t mean that they are passionless, but quite", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The contrary; but then ’tis in the head;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Yet as the consequences are as bright", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As if they acted with the heart instead,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "What after all can signify the site", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of ladies’ lucubrations? So they lead", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "In safety to the place for which you start,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "What matters if the road be head or heart?", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Juan presented in the proper place,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To proper placemen, every Russ credential;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And was received with all the due grimace", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By those who govern in the mood potential,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Who, seeing a handsome stripling with smooth face,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thought (what in state affairs is most essential),", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "That they as easily might do the youngster,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As hawks may pounce upon a woodland songster.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "They erred, as agèd men will do; but by", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And by we’ll talk of that; and if we don’t,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "’Twill be because our notion is not high", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of politicians and their double front,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Who live by lies, yet dare not boldly lie:⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Now what I love in women is, they won’t", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Or can’t do otherwise than lie⁠—but do it", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So well, the very Truth seems falsehood to it.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "And, after all, what is a lie? ’Tis but", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The truth in masquerade; and I defy", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Historians⁠—heroes⁠—lawyers⁠—priests, to put", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A fact without some leaven of a lie.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "The very shadow of true Truth would shut", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Up annals⁠—revelations⁠—poesy,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And prophecy⁠—except it should be dated", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Some years before the incidents related.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Praised be all liars and all lies! Who now", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Can tax my mild Muse with misanthropy?", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "She rings the World’s “Te Deum,” and her brow", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Blushes for those who will not:⁠—but to sigh", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Is idle; let us like most others bow,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Kiss hands⁠—feet⁠—any part of Majesty,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "After the good example of “Green Erin,”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Whose shamrock now seems rather worse for wearing.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Don Juan was presented, and his dress", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And mien excited general admiration⁠—", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "I don’t know which was more admired or less:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "One monstrous diamond drew much observation,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Which Catherine in a moment of “ivresse”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "(In Love or Brandy’s fervent fermentation),", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Bestowed upon him, as the public learned;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And, to say truth, it had been fairly earned.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Besides the ministers and underlings,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Who must be courteous to the accredited", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Diplomatists of rather wavering Kings,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Until their royal riddle’s fully read,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "The very clerks⁠—those somewhat dirty springs", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of Office, or the House of Office, fed", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "By foul corruption into streams⁠—even they", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Were hardly rude enough to earn their pay:", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "And insolence no doubt is what they are", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Employed for, since it is their daily labour,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "In the dear offices of Peace or War;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And should you doubt, pray ask of your next neighbour,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "When for a passport, or some other bar", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To freedom, he applied (a grief and a bore),", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "If he found not this spawn of tax-born riches,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Like lap-dogs, the least civil sons of b⁠⸺⁠s.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "But Juan was received with much “empressement:”⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "These phrases of refinement I must borrow", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "From our next neighbours’ land, where, like a chessman,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "There is a move set down for joy or sorrow,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Not only in mere talking, but the press. Man", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In Islands is, it seems, downright and thorough,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "More than on Continents⁠—as if the Sea", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "(See Billingsgate) made even the tongue more free.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "And yet the British “Damme” ’s rather Attic,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Your continental oaths are but incontinent,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And turn on things which no aristocratic", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Spirit would name, and therefore even I won’t anent", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "This subject quote; as it would be schismatic", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In politesse, and have a sound affronting in’t;⁠—", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "But “Damme” ’s quite ethereal, though too daring⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Platonic blasphemy⁠—the soul of swearing.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "For downright rudeness, ye may stay at home;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For true or false politeness (and scarce that", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Now) you may cross the blue deep and white foam⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The first the emblem (rarely though) of what", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "You leave behind, the next of much you come", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To meet. However, ’tis no time to chat", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "On general topics: poems must confine", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Themselves to unity, like this of mine.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "In the great world⁠—which, being interpreted,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Meaneth the West or worst end of a city,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And about twice two thousand people bred", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By no means to be very wise or witty,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "But to sit up while others lie in bed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And look down on the Universe with pity⁠—", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Juan, as an inveterate patrician,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Was well received by persons of condition.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "He was a bachelor, which is a matter", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of import both to virgin and to bride,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "The former’s hymeneal hopes to flatter;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And (should she not hold fast by Love or Pride)", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "’Tis also of some moment to the latter:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A rib’s a thorn in a wed gallant’s side,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Requires decorum, and is apt to double", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The horrid sin⁠—and what’s still worse, the trouble.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "But Juan was a bachelor⁠—of arts,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And parts, and hearts: he danced and sung, and had", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "An air as sentimental as Mozart’s", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Softest of melodies; and could be sad", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Or cheerful, without any “flaws or starts,”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Just at the proper time: and though a lad,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Had seen the world⁠—which is a curious sight,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And very much unlike what people write.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Fair virgins blushed upon him; wedded dames", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Bloomed also in less transitory hues;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "For both commodities dwell by the Thames,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The painting and the painted; Youth, Ceruse,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Against his heart preferred their usual claims,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Such as no gentleman can quite refuse:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Daughters admired his dress, and pious mothers", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Inquired his income, and if he had brothers.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "The milliners who furnish “drapery Misses”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Throughout the season, upon speculation", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Of payment ere the Honeymoon’s last kisses", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Have waned into a crescent’s coruscation,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Thought such an opportunity as this is,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of a rich foreigner’s initiation,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Not to be overlooked⁠—and gave such credit,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That future bridegrooms swore, and sighed, and paid it.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "The Blues, that tender tribe, who sigh o’er sonnets,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And with the pages of the last Review", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Line the interior of their heads or bonnets,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Advanced in all their azure’s highest hue:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "They talked bad French or Spanish, and upon its", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Late authors asked him for a hint or two;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And which was softest, Russian or Castilian?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And whether in his travels he saw Ilion?", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Juan, who was a little superficial,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And not in literature a great Drawcansir,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Examined by this learnèd and especial", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Jury of matrons, scarce knew what to answer:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "His duties warlike, loving or official,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His steady application as a dancer,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Had kept him from the brink of Hippocrene,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Which now he found was blue instead of green.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "However, he replied at hazard, with", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A modest confidence and calm assurance,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Which lent his learnèd lucubrations pith,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And passed for arguments of good endurance.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "That prodigy, Miss Araminta Smith", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "(Who at sixteen translated “Hercules Furens”", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Into as furious English), with her best look,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Set down his sayings in her common-place book.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Juan knew several languages⁠—as well", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "He might⁠—and brought them up with skill, in time", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "To save his fame with each accomplished belle,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Who still regretted that he did not rhyme.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "There wanted but this requisite to swell", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His qualities (with them) into sublime:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Lady Fitz-Frisky, and Miss Maevia Mannish,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Both longed extremely to be sung in Spanish.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "However, he did pretty well, and was", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Admitted as an aspirant to all", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "The coteries, and, as in Banquo’s glass,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "At great assemblies or in parties small,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "He saw ten thousand living authors pass,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That being about their average numeral;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Also the eighty “greatest living poets,”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As every paltry magazine can show it’s.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "In twice five years the “greatest living poet,”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Like to the champion in the fisty ring,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Is called on to support his claim, or show it,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Although ’tis an imaginary thing.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Even I⁠—albeit I’m sure I did not know it,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Nor sought of foolscap subjects to be king⁠—", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Was reckoned, a considerable time,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The grand Napoleon of the realms of rhyme.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "But Juan was my Moscow, and Faliero", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "My Leipzig, and my Mont Saint Jean seems Cain:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "La Belle Alliance of dunces down at zero,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Now that the Lion’s fallen, may rise again:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "But I will fall at least as fell my Hero;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Nor reign at all, or as a monarch reign;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Or to some lonely isle of gaolers go,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With turncoat Southey for my turnkey Lowe.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Sir Walter reigned before me; Moore and Campbell", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Before and after; but now grown more holy,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "The Muses upon Zion’s hill must ramble", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With poets almost clergymen, or wholly;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And Pegasus has a psalmodic amble", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Beneath the very Reverend Rowley Powley,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Who shoes the glorious animal with stilts,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A modern Ancient Pistol⁠—“by these hilts!”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Still he excels that artificial hard", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Labourer in the same vineyard, though the vine", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Yields him but vinegar for his reward.⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That neutralised dull Dorus of the Nine;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "That swarthy Sporus, neither man nor bard;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That ox of verse, who ploughs for every line:⁠—", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Cambyses’ roaring Romans beat at least", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The howling Hebrews of Cybele’s priest.⁠—", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Then there’s my gentle Euphues⁠—who, they say,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sets up for being a sort of moral me;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "He’ll find it rather difficult some day", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To turn out both, or either, it may be.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Some persons think that Coleridge hath the sway;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And Wordsworth has supporters, two or three;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And that deep-mouthed Boeotian “Savage Landor”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Has taken for a swan rogue Southey’s gander.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "John Keats, who was killed off by one critique,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Just as he really promised something great,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "If not intelligible, without Greek", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Contrived to talk about the gods of late,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Much as they might have been supposed to speak.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Poor fellow! His was an untoward fate;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "’Tis strange the mind, that very fiery particle,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Should let itself be snuffed out by an article.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "The list grows long of live and dead pretenders", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To that which none will gain⁠—or none will know", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "The conqueror at least; who, ere Time renders", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His last award, will have the long grass grow", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Above his burnt-out brain, and sapless cinders.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "If I might augur, I should rate but low", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Their chances;⁠—they’re too numerous, like the thirty", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Mock tyrants, when Rome’s annals waxed but dirty.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "This is the literary lower empire,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Where the praetorian bands take up the matter;⁠—", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "A “dreadful trade,” like his who “gathers samphire,”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The insolent soldiery to soothe and flatter,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "With the same feelings as you’d coax a vampire.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Now, were I once at home, and in good satire,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "I’d try conclusions with those Janizaries,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And show them what an intellectual war is.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "I think I know a trick or two, would turn", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Their flanks;⁠—but it is hardly worth my while,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "With such small gear to give myself concern:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Indeed I’ve not the necessary bile;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "My natural temper’s really aught but stern,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And even my Muse’s worst reproof’s a smile;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And then she drops a brief and modern curtsy,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And glides away, assured she never hurts ye.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "My Juan, whom I left in deadly peril", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Amongst live poets and blue ladies, passed", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "With some small profit through that field so sterile,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Being tired in time⁠—and, neither least nor last,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Left it before he had been treated very ill;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And henceforth found himself more gaily classed", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Amongst the higher spirits of the day,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The Sun’s true son, no vapour, but a ray.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "His morns he passed in business⁠—which dissected,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Was, like all business, a laborious nothing", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "That leads to lassitude, the most infected", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And Centaur Nessus garb of mortal clothing,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And on our sofas makes us lie dejected,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And talk in tender horrors of our loathing", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "All kinds of toil, save for our country’s good⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Which grows no better, though ’tis time it should.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "His afternoons he passed in visits, luncheons,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Lounging and boxing; and the twilight hour", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "In riding round those vegetable puncheons", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Called “Parks,” where there is neither fruit nor flower", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Enough to gratify a bee’s slight munchings;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But after all it is the only “bower”", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "(In Moore’s phrase) where the fashionable fair", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Can form a slight acquaintance with fresh air.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Then dress, then dinner, then awakes the world!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Then glare the lamps, then whirl the wheels, then roar", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Through street and square fast flashing chariots hurled", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Like harnessed meteors; then along the floor", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Chalk mimics painting; then festoons are twirled;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Then roll the brazen thunders of the door,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Which opens to the thousand happy few", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "An earthly Paradise of Or Molu.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "There stands the noble hostess, nor shall sink", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With the three-thousandth curtsy; there the waltz,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "The only dance which teaches girls to think,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Makes one in love even with its very faults.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Saloon, room, hall, o’erflow beyond their brink,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And long the latest of arrivals halts,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "’Midst royal dukes and dames condemned to climb,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And gain an inch of staircase at a time.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Thrice happy he who, after a survey", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of the good company, can win a corner,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "A door that’s in or boudoir out of the way,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Where he may fix himself like small “Jack Horner,”", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And let the Babel round run as it may,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And look on as a mourner, or a scorner,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Or an approver, or a mere spectator,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Yawning a little as the night grows later.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "But this won’t do, save by and by; and he", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Who, like Don Juan, takes an active share,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Must steer with care through all that glittering sea", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of gems and plumes and pearls and silks, to where", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "He deems it is his proper place to be;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Dissolving in the waltz to some soft air,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Or proudlier prancing with mercurial skill,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Where Science marshals forth her own quadrille.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Or, if he dance not, but hath higher views", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Upon an heiress or his neighbour’s bride,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Let him take care that that which he pursues", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Is not at once too palpably descried:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Full many an eager gentleman oft rues", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His haste; Impatience is a blundering guide", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Amongst a people famous for reflection,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Who like to play the fool with circumspection.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "But, if you can contrive, get next at supper;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or, if forestalled, get opposite and ogle:⁠—", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Oh, ye ambrosial moments! always upper", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In mind, a sort of sentimental bogle,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Which sits for ever upon Memory’s crupper,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The ghost of vanished pleasures once in vogue! Ill", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Can tender souls relate the rise and fall", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of hopes and fears which shake a single ball.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "But these precautionary hints can touch", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Only the common run, who must pursue,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And watch and ward; whose plans a word too much", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or little overturns; and not the few", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Or many (for the number’s sometimes such)", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Whom a good mien, especially if new,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Or fame⁠—or name⁠—for Wit, War, Sense, or Nonsense,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Permits whate’er they please⁠—or did not long since.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Our Hero⁠—as a hero⁠—young and handsome,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Noble, rich, celebrated, and a stranger,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Like other slaves of course must pay his ransom,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Before he can escape from so much danger", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "As will environ a conspicuous man. Some", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Talk about poetry, and “rack and manger,”", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And ugliness, disease, as toil and trouble;⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I wish they knew the life of a young noble.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "They are young, but know not Youth⁠—it is anticipated;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Handsome but wasted, rich without a sou;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Their vigour in a thousand arms is dissipated;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Their cash comes from, their wealth goes to a Jew;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Both senates see their nightly votes participated", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Between the Tyrant’s and the Tribunes’ crew;", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And having voted, dined, drunk, gamed, and whored,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The family vault receives another Lord.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Where is the World?” cries Young, at eighty⁠—“Where", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The World in which a man was born?” Alas!", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Where is the world of eight years past? ’Twas there⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I look for it⁠—’tis gone, a globe of glass!", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Cracked, shivered, vanished, scarcely gazed on, ere", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A silent change dissolves the glittering mass.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Statesmen, Chiefs, Orators, Queens, Patriots, Kings,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And Dandies⁠—all are gone on the Wind’s wings.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Where is Napoleon the Grand? God knows!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Where little Castlereagh? The devil can tell!", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Where Grattan, Curran, Sheridan⁠—all those", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Who bound the Bar or Senate in their spell?", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Where is the unhappy Queen, with all her woes?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And where the Daughter, whom the Isles loved well?", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Where are those martyred saints the Five per Cents?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And where⁠—oh, where the devil are the Rents?", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Where’s Brummell? Dished. Where’s Long Pole Wellesley? Diddled.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Where’s Whitbread? Romilly? Where’s George the Third?", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Where is his will? (That’s not so soon unriddled.)", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And where is “Fum” the Fourth, our “royal bird?”", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Gone down, it seems, to Scotland to be fiddled", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Unto by Sawney’s violin, we have heard:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "“Caw me, caw thee”⁠—for six months hath been hatching", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "This scene of royal itch and loyal scratching.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Where is Lord This? And where my Lady That?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The Honourable Mistresses and Misses?", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Some laid aside like an old Opera hat,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Married, unmarried, and remarried: (this is", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "An evolution oft performed of late).", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Where are the Dublin shouts⁠—and London hisses?", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Where are the Grenvilles? Turned as usual. Where", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "My friends the Whigs? Exactly where they were.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Where are the Lady Carolines and Franceses?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Divorced or doing thereanent. Ye annals", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "So brilliant, where the list of routs and dances is⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thou Morning Post, sole record of the panels", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Broken in carriages, and all the fantasies", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of fashion⁠—say what streams now fill those channels?", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Some die, some fly, some languish on the Continent,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Because the times have hardly left them one tenant.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Some who once set their caps at cautious dukes,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Have taken up at length with younger brothers:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Some heiresses have bit at sharpers’ hooks:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Some maids have been made wives, some merely mothers:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Others have lost their fresh and fairy looks:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In short, the list of alterations bothers.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "There’s little strange in this, but something strange is", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The unusual quickness of these common changes.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Talk not of seventy years as age; in seven", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I have seen more changes, down from monarchs to", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "The humblest individuals under Heaven,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Than might suffice a moderate century through.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "I knew that nought was lasting, but now even", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Change grows too changeable, without being new:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Nought’s permanent among the human race,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Except the Whigs not getting into place.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "I have seen Napoleon, who seemed quite a Jupiter,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Shrink to a Saturn. I have seen a Duke", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "(No matter which) turn politician stupider,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "If that can well be, than his wooden look.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "But it is time that I should hoist my “blue Peter,”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And sail for a new theme:⁠—I have seen⁠—and shook", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "To see it⁠—the King hissed, and then caressed;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But don’t pretend to settle which was best.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "I have seen the Landholders without a rap⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I have seen Joanna Southcote⁠—I have seen", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "The House of Commons turned to a tax-trap⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I have seen that sad affair of the late Queen⁠—", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "I have seen crowns worn instead of a fool’s cap⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I have seen a Congress doing all that’s mean⁠—", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "I have seen some nations, like o’erloaded asses,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Kick off their burdens⁠—meaning the high classes.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "I have seen small poets, and great prosers, and", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Interminable⁠—not eternal⁠—speakers⁠—", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "I have seen the funds at war with house and land⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I have seen the country gentlemen turn squeakers⁠—", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "I have seen the people ridden o’er like sand", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By slaves on horseback⁠—I have seen malt liquors", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Exchanged for “thin potations” by John Bull⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I have seen John half detect himself a fool.⁠—", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "But “carpe diem,” Juan, “carpe, carpe!”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To-morrow sees another race as gay", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And transient, and devoured by the same harpy.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Life’s a poor player,”⁠—then “play out the play,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Ye villains!” and above all keep a sharp eye", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Much less on what you do than what you say:", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Be hypocritical, be cautious, be", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Not what you seem, but always what you see.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "But how shall I relate in other cantos", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of what befell our hero in the land,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Which ’tis the common cry and lie to vaunt as", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A moral country? But I hold my hand⁠—", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "For I disdain to write an Atalantis;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But ’tis as well at once to understand,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "You are not a moral people, and you know it,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Without the aid of too sincere a poet.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "What Juan saw and underwent shall be", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "My topic, with of course the due restriction", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Which is required by proper courtesy;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And recollect the work is only fiction,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "And that I sing of neither mine nor me,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Though every scribe, in some slight turn of diction,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Will hint allusions never meant. Ne’er doubt", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "This⁠—when I speak, I don’t hint, but speak out.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Whether he married with the third or fourth", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Offspring of some sage husband-hunting countess,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Or whether with some virgin of more worth", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "(I mean in Fortune’s matrimonial bounties),", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "He took to regularly peopling Earth,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of which your lawful, awful wedlock fount is⁠—", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Or whether he was taken in for damages,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For being too excursive in his homages⁠—", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Is yet within the unread events of Time.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thus far, go forth, thou Lay, which I will back", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Against the same given quantity of rhyme,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For being as much the subject of attack", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "As ever yet was any work sublime,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By those who love to say that white is black.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "So much the better!⁠—I may stand alone,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But would not change my free thoughts for a throne.", "indent": 0 } ] ] }