FartherIshallnotfollowtheresearch:
Butoh!yemodernheroeswithyourcartridges,Whenwillyournameslendlustree'entopartridges?
Thosetrufflestooarenobadaccessaries,Follow'dby'petitspuitsd'amour'-adishOfwhichperhapsthecookeryrathervaries,Soeveryonemaydressittohiswish,Accordingtothebestofdictionaries,Whichencyclopedizebothfleshandfish;
Butevensans'confitures,'itnolesstrueis,There'sprettypickinginthose'petitspuits。'
ThemindislostinmightycontemplationOfintellectexpandedontwocourses;
Andindigestion'sgrandmultiplicationRequiresarithmeticbeyondmyforces。
Whowouldsuppose,fromAdam'ssimpleration,Thatcookerycouldhavecall'dforthsuchresources,AsformascienceandanomenclatureFromoutthecommonestdemandsofnature?
Theglassesjingled,andthepalatestingled;
Thedinersofcelebritydinedwell;
TheladieswithmoremoderationmingledInthefeast,peckinglessthanIcantell;
Alsotheyoungermentoo:foraspringaldCan't,likeripeage,ingormandizeexcel,ButthinkslessofgoodeatingthanthewhisperWhenseatednexthimofsomeprettylisper。
Alas!Imustleaveundescribedthegibier,Thesalmi,theconsomme,thepuree,AllwhichIusetomakemyrhymesrunglibberThancouldroastbeefinourroughJohnBullway:
Imustnotintroduceevenaspareribhere,'Bubbleandsqueak'wouldspoilmyliquidlay:
ButIhavedined,andmustforego,Alas!
Thechastedescriptionevenofa'becasse;'
Andfruits,andice,andallthatartrefinesFromnaturefortheserviceofthegout-
Tasteorthegout,-pronounceitasinclinesYourstomach!Ereyoudine,theFrenchwilldo;
Butafter,therearesometimescertainsignsWhichproveplainEnglishtruerofthetwo。
Hasteverhadthegout?Ihavenothadit-
ButImayhave,andyoutoo,reader,dreadit。
Thesimpleolives,bestalliesofwine,MustIpassoverinmybilloffare?
Imust,althoughafavourite'plat'ofmineInSpain,andLucca,Athens,everywhere:
Onthemandbread'twasoftmylucktodine,Thegrassmytable-cloth,inopen-air,OnSuniumorHymettus,likeDiogenes,Ofwhomhalfmyphilosophytheprogenyis。
Amidstthistumultoffish,flesh,and'fowl,Andvegetables,allinmasquerade,Theguestswereplacedaccordingtotheirroll,Butvariousasthevariousmeatsdisplay'd:
DonJuansatnext'anl'Espagnole'-
Nodamsel,butadish,ashathbeensaid;
Butsofarlikealady,that'twasdrestSuperbly,andcontain'daworldofzest。
Bysomeoddchancetoo,hewasplacedbetweenAuroraandtheLadyAdeline-
Asituationdifficult,Iween,Formantherein,witheyesandheart,todine。
AlsotheconferencewhichwehaveseenWasnotsuchastoencouragehimtoshine;
ForAdeline,addressingfewwordstohim,Withtwotranscendenteyesseem'dtolookthroughhim。
Isometimesalmostthinkthateyeshaveears:
Thismuchissure,that,outofearshot,thingsAresomehowechoedtotheprettydears,OfwhichIcan'ttellwhencetheirknowledgesprings。
Likethatsamemysticmusicofthespheres,Whichnoonebears,soloudlythoughitrings,'TiswonderfulhowoftthesexhaveheardLongdialogues-whichpass'dwithoutaword!
AurorasatwiththatindifferenceWhichpiquesapreuxchevalier-asitought:
Ofalloffencesthat'stheworstoffence,Whichseemstohintyouarenotworthathought。
NowJuan,thoughnocoxcombinpretence,Wasnotexactlypleasedtobesocaught;
Likeagoodshipentangledamongice,Andaftersomuchexcellentadvice。
Tohisgaynothings,nothingwasreplied,Orsomethingwhichwasnothing,asurbanityRequired。Aurorascarcelylook'daside,Norevensmiledenoughforanyvanity。
Thedevilwasinthegirl!Coulditbepride?
Ormodesty,orabsence,orinanity?
Heavenknows?ButAdeline'smaliciouseyesSparkledwithhersuccessfulprophecies,Andlook'dasmuchasiftosay,'Isaidit;'
AkindoftriumphI'llnotrecommend,Becauseitsometimes,asIhaveseenorreadit,Bothinthecaseofloverandoffriend,Willpiqueagentleman,forhisowncredit,Tobringwhatwasajesttoaseriousend:
Forallmenprophesywhatisorwas,Andhatethosewhowon'tletthemcometopass。
Juanwasdrawnthusintosomeattentions,Slightbutselect,andjustenoughtoexpress,Tofemalesofperspicuouscomprehensions,Thathewouldrathermakethemmorethanless。
Auroraatthelastsohistorymentions,Thoughprobablymuchlessafactthanguess
Sofarrelax'dherthoughtsfromtheirsweetprison,Asonceortwicetosmile,ifnottolisten。
Fromansweringshebegantoquestion;thisWithherwasrare:andAdeline,whoasyetThoughtherpredictionswentnotmuchamiss,Begantodreadshe'dthawtoacoquette-
Soverydifficult,theysay,itisTokeepextremesfrommeeting,whenoncesetInmotion;butsheheretoomuchrefined-
Aurora'sspiritwasnotofthatkind。
ButJuanhadasortofwinningway,Aproudhumility,ifsuchtherebe,Whichshow'dsuchdeferencetowhatfemalessay,Asifeachcharmingwordwereadecree。
Histact,too,temper'dhimfromgravetogay,Andtaughthimwhentobereservedorfree:
Hehadtheartofdrawingpeopleout,Withouttheirseeingwhathewasabout。
Aurora,whoinherindifferenceConfoundedhimincommonwiththecrowdOfflatterers,thoughshedeem'dhehadmoresenseThanwhisperingfoplings,orthanwitlingsloud-
Commencedfromsuchslightthingswillgreatcommence
TofeelthatflatterywhichattractstheproudRatherbydeferencethancompliment,Andwinsevenbyadelicatedissent。
Andthenhehadgoodlooks;-thatpointwascarriedNem。con。amongstthewomen,whichIgrieveTosayleadsofttocrim。con。withthemarried-
Acasewhichtothejurieswemayleave,Sincewithdigressionswetoolonghavetarried。
Nowthoughweknowofoldthatlooksdeceive,Andalwayshavedone,somehowthesegoodlooksMakemoreimpressionthanthebestofbooks。
Aurora,wholook'dmoreonbooksthanfaces,Wasveryyoung,althoughsoverysage,AdmiringmoreMinervathantheGraces,Especiallyuponaprintedpage。
ButVirtue'sself,withallhertightestlaces,Hasnotthenaturalstaysofstrictoldage;
AndSocrates,thatmodelofallduty,Own'dtoapenchant,thoughdiscreet,forbeauty。
AndgirlsofsixteenarethusfarSocratic,Butinnocentlyso,asSocrates;
Andreally,ifthesagesublimeandAtticAtseventyyearshadphantasieslikethese,WhichPlatoinhisdialoguesdramaticHasshown,IknownotwhytheyshoulddispleaseInvirgins-alwaysinamodestway,Observe;forthatwithme'sa'sinequa。'
Alsoobserve,that,likethegreatLordCokeSeeLittleton,whene'erIhaveexpress'dOpinionstwo,whichatfirstsightmaylookTwinopposites,thesecondisthebest。
PerhapsIhaveathird,too,inanook,Ornoneatall-whichseemsasorryjest:
Butifawritershouldbequiteconsistent,Howcouldhepossiblyshowthingsexistent?
Ifpeoplecontradictthemselves,canHelpcontradictingthem,andeverybody,Evenmyveraciousself?-Butthat'salie:
Ineverdidso,neverwill-howshouldI?
Hewhodoubtsallthingsnothingcandeny:
Truth'sfountainsmaybeclear-herstreamsaremuddy,Andcutthroughsuchcanalsofcontradiction,Thatshemustoftennavigateo'erfiction。
Apologue,fable,poesy,andparable,Arefalse,butmayherender'dalsotrue,Bythosewhosowtheminalandthat'sarable。
'Tiswonderfulwhatfablewillnotdo!
'Tissaiditmakesrealitymorebearable:
Butwhat'sreality?Whohasitsclue?
Philosophy?No:shetoomuchrejects。
Religion?Yes;butwhichofallhersects?
Somemillionsmustbewrong,that'sprettydear;
Perhapsitmayturnoutthatallwereright。
Godhelpus!SincewehaveneedonourcareerTokeepourholybeaconsalwaysbright,'Tistimethatsomenewprophetshouldappear,Oroldindulgemanwithasecondsight。
Opinionswearoutinsomethousandyears,Withoutasmallrefreshmentfromthespheres。
Buthereagain,whywillIthusentangleMyselfwithmetaphysics?NonecanhateSomuchasIdoanykindofwrangle;
Andyet,suchismyfolly,ormyfate,IalwaysknockmyheadagainstsomeangleAboutthepresent,past,orfuturestate。
YetIwishwelltoTrojanandtoTyrian,ForIwasbredamoderatePresbyterian。
ButthoughIamatemperatetheologian,Andalsomeekasametaphysician,ImpartialbetweenTyrianandTrojan,AsEldononalunaticcommission-
InpoliticsmydutyistoshowJohnBullsomethingofthelowerworld'scondition。
ItmakesmybloodboillikethespringsofHecla,Toseemenletthesescoundrelsovereignsbreaklaw。
Butpolitics,andpolicy,andpiety,AretopicswhichIsometimesintroduce,Notonlyforthesakeoftheirvariety,Butassubservienttoamoraluse;
Becausemybusinessistodresssociety,Andstuffwithsagethatveryverdantgoose。
Andnow,thatwemayfurnishwithsomematterallTastes,wearegoingtotrythesupernatural。
AndnowIwillgiveupallargument;
AndpositivelyhenceforthnotemptationShall'foolmetothetopupofmybent:'-
Yes,I'llbeginathoroughreformation。
Indeed,IneverknewwhatpeoplemeantBydeemingthatmyMuse'sconversationWasdangerous;-IthinksheisasharmlessAssomewholabourmoreandyetmaycharmless。
Grimreader!didyoueverseeaghost?
No;butyouhaveheard-Iunderstand-bedumb!
Anddon'tregretthetimeyoumayhavelost,Foryouhavegotthatpleasurestilltocome:
AnddonotthinkImeantosneeratmostOfthesethings,orbyridiculebenumbThatsourceofthesublimeandthemysterious:-
Forcertainreasonsmybeliefisserious。
Serious?Youlaugh;-youmay:thatwillInot;
Mysmilesmustbesincereornotatall。
IsayIdobelieveahauntedspotExists-andwhere?ThatshallInotrecall,BecauseI'dratheritshouldbeforgot,'ShadowsthesoulofRichard'mayappal。
Inshort,uponthatsubjectI'vesomequalmsveryLikethoseofthephilosopherofMalmsbury。
ThenightIsingbynight-sometimesanowl,Andnowandthenanightingaleisdim,AndtheloudshriekofsageMinerva'sfowlRattlesaroundmeherdiscordanthymn:
Oldportraitsfromoldwallsuponmescowl-
Iwishtoheaventheywouldnotlooksogrim;
Thedyingembersdwindleinthegrate-
IthinktoothatIhavesateuptoolate:
Andtherefore,though'tisbynomeansmywayTorhymeatnoon-whenIhaveotherthingsTothinkof,ifIeverthink-IsayIfeelsomechillymidnightshudderings,Andprudentlypostpone,untilmid-day,Treatingatopicwhich,alas!butbringsShadows;-butyoumustbeinmyconditionBeforeyoulearntocallthissuperstition。
Betweentwoworldslifehoverslikeastar,'Twixtnightandmorn,uponthehorizon'sverge。
Howlittledoweknowthatwhichweare!
Howlesswhatwemaybe!TheeternalsurgeOftimeandtiderollson,andbearsafarOurbubbles;astheoldburst,newemerge,Lash'dfromthefoamofages;whilethegravesOfempiresheavebutlikesomepassingwaves。
CANTOTHESIXTEENTH。
THEantiquePersianstaughtthreeusefulthings,Todrawthebow,toride,andspeakthetruth。
ThiswasthemodeofCyrus,bestofkings-
Amodeadoptedsincebymodernyouth。
Bowshavethey,generallywithtwostrings;
Horsestheyridewithoutremorseorruth;
Atspeakingtruthperhapstheyarelessclever,Butdrawthelongbowbetternowthanever。
Thecauseofthiseffect,orthisdefect,-
'Forthiseffectdefectivecomesbycause,'-
IswhatIhavenotleisuretoinspect;
ButthisImustsayinmyownapplause,OfalltheMusesthatIrecollect,Whate'ermaybeherfolliesorherflawsInsomethings,mine'sbeyondallcontradictionThemostsincerethateverdealtinfiction。
Andasshetreatsallthings,andne'erretreatsFromanything,thisepicwillcontainAwildernessofthemostrareconceits,Whichyoumightelsewherehopetofindinvain。
'Tistruetherebesomebitterswiththesweets,Yetmix'dsoslightly,thatyoucan'tcomplain,Butwondertheysofeware,sincemytaleis'Derebuscunctisetquibusdamaliis。'
Butofalltruthswhichshehastold,themostTrueisthatwhichsheisabouttotell。
Isaiditwasastoryofaghost-
Whatthen?Ionlyknowitsobefell。
Haveyouexploredthelimitsofthecoast,Whereallthedwellersoftheearthmustdwell?
'TistimetostrikesuchpunydoubtersdumbasThescepticswhowouldnotbelieveColumbus。
Somepeoplewouldimposenowwithauthority,Turpin'sorMonmouthGeoffry'sChronicle;
MenwhosehistoricalsuperiorityIsalwaysgreatestatamiracle。
ButSaintAugustinehasthegreatpriority,Whobidsallmenbelievetheimpossible,Because'tisso。Whonibble,scribble,quibble,heQuietsatoncewith'quiaimpossibile。'
Andtherefore,mortals,cavilnotatall;
Believe:-if'tisimprobableyoumust,Andifitisimpossible,youshall:
'Tisalwaysbesttotakethingsupontrust。
Idonotspeakprofanely,torecallThoseholiermysterieswhichthewiseandjustReceiveasgospel,andwhichgrowmorerooted,Asalltruthsmust,themoretheyaredisputed:
ImerelymeantosaywhatJohnsonsaid,Thatinthecourseofsomesixthousandyears,AllnationshavebelievedthatfromthedeadAvisitantatintervalsappears;
Andwhatisstrangestuponthisstrangehead,Is,thatwhateverbarthereasonrears'Gainstsuchbelief,there'ssomethingstrongerstillInitsbehalf,letthosedenywhowill。
Thedinnerandthesoireetooweredone,Thesuppertoodiscuss'd,thedamesadmired,Thebanqueteershaddropp'doffonebyone-
Thesongwassilent,andthedanceexpired:
Thelastthinpetticoatswerevanish'd,goneLikefleecyCloudsintotheskyretired,Andnothingbrightergleam'dthroughthesaloonThandyingtapers-andthepeepingmoon。
TheevaporationofajoyousdayIslikethelastglassofchampagne,withoutThefoamwhichmadeitsvirginbumpergay;
Orlikeasystemcoupledwithadoubt;
OrlikeasodabottlewhenitssprayHassparkledandlethalfitsspiritout;
Orlikeabillowleftbystormsbehind,Withouttheanimationofthewind;
Orlikeanopiate,whichbringstroubledrest,Ornone;orlike-likenothingthatIknowExceptitself;-suchisthehumanbreast;
Athing,ofwhichsimilitudescanshowNoreallikeness,-liketheoldTyrianvestDyedpurple,noneatpresentcantellhow,Iffromashell-fishorfromcochineal。
Soperisheverytyrant'srobepiece-meal!
Butnexttodressingforaroutorball,Undressingisawoe;ourrobedechambreMaysitlikethatofNessus,andrecallThoughtsquiteasyellow,butlessclearthanamber。
Titusexclaim'd,'I'velostaday!'OfallThenightsanddaysmostpeoplecanrememberIhavehadofboth,somenottobedisdain'd,Iwishthey'dstatehowmanytheyhavegain'd。
AndJuan,onretiringforthenight,Feltrestless,andperplex'd,andcompromised:
HethoughtAuroraRaby'seyesmorebrightThanAdelinesuchisadviceadvised;
Ifhehadknownexactlyhisownplight,Heprobablywouldhavephilosophised:
Agreatresourcetoall,andne'erdeniedTillwanted;thereforeJuanonlysigh'd。
Hesigh'd;-thenextresourceisthefullmoon,Whereallsighsaredeposited;andnowIthappen'dluckily,thechasteorbshoneAsclearassuchaclimatewillallow;
AndJuan'smindwasinthepropertoneTohailherwiththeapostrophe-'Othou!'
OfamatoryegotismtheTuism,Whichfurthertoexplainwouldbeatruism。
Butlover,poet,orastronomer,Shepherd,orswain,whoevermaybehold,Feelsomeabstractionwhentheygazeonher:
GreatthoughtswecatchfromthencebesidesacoldSometimes,unlessmyfeelingsrathererr;
Deepsecretstoherrollinglightaretold;
Theocean'stidesandmortals'brainsshesways,Andalsohearts,iftherebetruthinlays。
Juanfeltsomewhatpensive,anddisposedForcontemplationratherthanhispillow:
TheGothicchamber,wherehewasenclosed,Letintheripplingsoundofthelake'sbillow,Withallthemysterybymidnightcaused;
Belowhiswindowwavedofcourseawillow;
AndhestoodgazingoutonthecascadeThatflash'dandafterdarken'dintheshade。
Uponhistableorhistoilet,-whichOftheseisnotexactlyascertain'dIstatethis,forIamcautioustoapitchOfnicety,whereafactistobegain'd,-
Alampburn'dhigh,whileheleantfromaniche,WheremanyaGothicornamentremain'd,Inchisell'dstoneandpaintedglass,andallThattimehasleftourfathersoftheirhall。
Then,asthenightwasclearthoughcold,hethrewHischamberdoorwideopen-andwentforthIntoagallery,ofasombrehue,Long,furnish'dwitholdpicturesofgreatworth,Ofknightsanddamesheroicandchastetoo,Asdoubtlessshouldbepeopleofhighbirth。
ButbydimlightstheportraitsofthedeadHavesomethingghastly,desolate,anddread。
TheformsofthegrimknightandpicturedsaintLooklivinginthemoon;andasyouturnBackwardandforwardtotheechoesfaintOfyourownfootsteps-voicesfromtheurnAppeartowake,andshadowswildandquaintStartfromtheframeswhichfencetheiraspectsstern,AsiftoaskhowyoucandaretokeepAvigilthere,whereallbutdeathshouldsleep。
Andthepalesmileofbeautiesinthegrave,Thecharmsofotherdays,instarlightgleams,Glimmeronhigh;theirburiedlocksstillwaveAlongthecanvas;theireyesglancelikedreamsOnours,orsparswithinsomeduskycave,Butdeathisimagedintheirshadowybeams。
Apictureisthepast;evenereitsframeBegilt,whosatehathceasedtobethesame。
AsJuanmusedonmutability,Oronhismistress-termssynonymous-
NosoundexcepttheechoofhissighOrstepransadlythroughthatantiquehouse;
Whensuddenlyheheard,orthoughtso,nigh,Asupernaturalagent-oramouse,WhoselittlenibblingrustlewillembarrassMostpeopleasitplaysalongthearras。
Itwasnomouse,butlo!amonk,array'dIncowlandbeadsandduskygarb,appear'd,Nowinthemoonlight,andnowlapsedinshade,Withstepsthattrodasheavy,yetunheard;
Hisgarmentsonlyaslightmurmurmade;
Hemovedasshadowyasthesistersweird,Butslowly;andashepass'dJuanby,Glanced,withoutpausing,onhimabrighteye。
Juanwaspetrified;hehadheardahintOfsuchaspiritinthesehallsofold,Butthought,likemostmen,therewasnothingin'tBeyondtherumourwhichsuchspotsunfold,Coin'dfromsurvivingsuperstition'smint,Whichpassesghostsincurrencylikegold,Butrarelyseen,likegoldcomparedwithpaper。
Anddidheseethis?orwasitavapour?
Once,twice,thricepass'd,repass'd-thethingofair,Orearthbeneath,orheaven,ort'otherplace;
AndJuangazeduponitwithastare,Yetcouldnotspeakormove;but,onitsbaseAsstandsastatue,stood:hefelthishairTwinelikeaknotofsnakesaroundhisface;
Hetax'dhistongueforwords,whichwerenotgranted,Toaskthereverendpersonwhathewanted。
Thethirdtime,afterastilllongerpause,Theshadowpass'daway-butwhere?thehallWaslong,andthusfartherewasnogreatcauseTothinkhisvanishingunnatural:
Doorsthereweremany,throughwhich,bythelawsOfphysics,bodieswhethershortortallMightcomeorgo;butJuancouldnotstateThroughwhichthespectreseem'dtoevaporate。
Hestood-howlongheknewnot,butitseem'dAnage-expectant,powerless,withhiseyesStrain'donthespotwherefirstthefiguregleam'd;
Thenbydegreesrecall'dhisenergies,Andwouldhavepass'dthewholeoffasadream,Butcouldnotwake;hewas,hedidsurmise,Wakingalready,andreturn'datlengthBacktohischamber,shornofhalfhisstrength。
Alltherewasasheleftit:stillhistaperBurnt,andnotblue,asmodesttapersuse,Receivingspriteswithsympatheticvapour;
Herubb'dhiseyes,andtheydidnotrefuseTheiroffice;hetookupanoldnewspaper;
Thepaperwasrighteasytoperuse;
Hereadanarticlethekingattacking,Andalongeulogyof'patentblacking。'
Thissavour'dofthisworld;buthishandshook-
Heshuthisdoor,andafterhavingreadAparagraph,IthinkaboutHorneTooke,Undrest,andratherslowlywenttobed。
There,couch'dallsnuglyonhispillow'snook,Withwhathehadseenhisphantasyhefed;
Andthoughitwasnoopiate,slumbercreptUponhimbydegrees,andsoheslept。
Hewokebetimes;and,asmaybesupposed,Ponder'duponhisvisitantorvision,Andwhetheritoughtnottobedisclosed,Atriskofbeingquizz'dforsuperstition。
Themorehethought,themorehismindwasposed:
Inthemeantime,hisvalet,whoseprecisionWasgreat,becausehismasterbrook'dnoless,Knock'dtoinformhimitwastimetodress。
Hedress'd;andlikeyoungpeoplehewaswontTotakesometroublewithhistoilet,butThismorningratherspentlesstimeupon't;
Asidehisverymirrorsoonwasput;
Hiscurlsfellnegligentlyo'erhisfront,Hisclotheswerenotcurb'dtotheirusualcut,Hisveryneckcloth'sGordianknotwastiedAlmostanhair'sbreadthtoomuchononeside。
Andwhenhewalk'ddownintothesaloon,Hesatehimpensiveo'eradishoftea,Whichheperhapshadnotdiscover'dsoon,Haditnothappen'dscaldinghottobe,Whichmadehimhaverecourseuntohisspoon;
Somuchdistraithewas,thatallcouldseeThatsomethingwasthematter-AdelineThefirst-butwhatshecouldnotwelldivine。
Shelook'd,andsawhimpale,andturn'daspaleHerself;thenhastilylook'ddown,andmutter'dSomething,butwhat'snotstatedinmytale。
LordHenrysaidhismuffinwasillbutter'd;
TheDuchessofFitz-Fulkeplay'dwithherveil,Andlook'datJuanhard,butnothingutter'd。
AuroraRabywithherlargedarkeyesSurvey'dhimwithakindofcalmsurprise。
Butseeinghimallcoldandsilentstill,Andeverybodywonderingmoreorless,FairAdelineenquired,'Ifhewereill?'
Hestarted,andsaid,'Yes-no-rather-yes。'
Thefamilyphysicianhadgreatskill,Andbeingpresent,nowbegantoexpressHisreadinesstofeelhispulseandtellThecause,butJuansaid,'Hewasquitewell。'
'Quitewell;yes,-no。'-Theseanswersweremysterious,Andyethislooksappear'dtosanctionboth,Howevertheymightsavourofdelirious;
SomethinglikeillnessofasuddengrowthWeigh'donhisspirit,thoughbynomeansserious:
Butfortherest,ashehimselfseem'dlothTostatethecase,itmightbeta'enforgrantedItwasnotthephysicianthathewanted。
LordHenry,whohadnowdiscuss'dhischocolate,Alsothemuffinwhereofhecomplain'd,Said,Juanhadnotgothisusuallookelate,Atwhichhemarvell'd,sinceithadnotrain'd;
Thenask'dherGracewhatnewswereofthedukeoflate?
HerGracereplied,hisGracewasratherpain'dWithsomeslight,light,hereditarytwingesOfgout,whichrustsaristocratichinges。
ThenHenryturn'dtoJuan,andaddress'dAfewwordsofcondolenceonhisstate:
'Youlook,'quothhe,'asifyouhadhadyourrestBrokeinuponbytheBlackFriaroflate。'
'Whatfriar?'saidJuan;andhedidhisbestToputthequestionwithanairsedate,Orcareless;buttheeffortwasnotvalidTohinderhimfromgrowingstillmorepallid。
'Oh!haveyouneverheardoftheBlackFriar?
Thespiritofthesewalls?'-'IntruthnotI。'
'WhyFame-butFameyouknow'ssometimesaliar-
Tellsanoddstory,ofwhichbyandby:
Whetherwithtimethespectrehasgrownshyer,OrthatoursireshadamoregiftedeyeForsuchsights,thoughthetaleishalfbelieved,Thefriaroflatehasnotbeenoftperceived。
Whowatch'dthechangesofDonJuan'sbrow,AndfromitscontextthoughtshecoulddivineConnexionsstrongerthenhechosetoavowWiththissamelegend-'ifyoubutdesignTojest,you'llchoosesomeotherthemejustnow,Becausethepresenttalehasoftbeentold,Andisnotmuchimprovedbygrowingold。'
'Jest!'quothMilor;'why,Adeline,youknowThatweourselves-'twasinthehoney-moon-
But,come,I'llsetyourstorytoatune。'
GracefulasDian,whenshedrawsherbow,Sheseizedherharp,whosestringswerekindledsoonAstouch'd,andplaintivelybegantoplayTheairof''TwasaFriarofOrdersGray。'
'Butaddthewords,'criedHenry,'whichyoumade;
ForAdelineishalfapoetess,'
Turningroundtotherest,hesmilingsaid。
OfcoursetheotherscouldnotbutexpressIncourtesytheirwishtoseedisplay'dByonethreetalents,fortherewerenoless-
Thevoice,thewords,theharper'sskill,atonceCouldhardlybeunitedbyadunce。
Aftersomefascinatinghesitation,-
Thecharmingofthesecharmers,whoseembound,Ican'ttellwhy,tothisdissimulation,-
FairAdeline,witheyesfix'donthegroundAtfirst,thenkindlingintoanimation,Addedhersweetvoicetothelyricsound,Andsangwithmuchsimplicity,-ameritNotthelessprecious,thatweseldomhearit。
Beware!beware!oftheBlackFriar,WhosittethbyNormanstone,Forhemuttershisprayerinthemidnightair,Andhismassofthedaysthataregone。
WhentheLordoftheHill,Amundeville,MadeNormanChurchhisprey,Andexpell'dthefriars,onefriarstillWouldnotbedrivenaway。
Thoughhecameinhismight,withKingHenry'sright,Toturnchurchlandstolay,Withswordinhand,andtorchtolightTheirwalls,iftheysaidnay;
Amonkremain'd,unchased,unchain'd,Andhedidnotseemform'dofclay,Forhe'sseenintheporch,andhe'sseeninthechurch,Thoughheisnotseenbyday。
Andwhetherforgood,orwhetherforill,Itisnotminetosay;
ButstillwiththehouseofAmundevilleHeabidethnightandday。
Bythemarriage-bedoftheirlords,'tissaid,Heflitsonthebridaleve;
And'tisheldasfaith,totheirbedofdeathHecomes-butnottogrieve。
Whenanheirisborn,he'sheardtomourn,AndwhenaughtistobefallThatancientline,inthe“wemoonshineHewalksfromhalltohall。
Hisformyoumaytrace,butnothisface,'Tisshadow'dbyhiscowl;
Buthiseyesmaybeseenfromthefoldsbetween,Andtheyseemofapartedsoul。
Butbeware!beware!oftheBlackFriar,Hestillretainshissway,Forheisyetthechurch'sheirWhoevermaybethelay。
Amundevilleislordbyday,Butthemonkislordbynight;
NorwinenorwassailcouldraiseavassalToquestionthatfriar'sright。
Saynoughttohimashewalksthehall,Andhe'llsaynoughttoyou;
Hesweepsalonginhisduskypall,Aso'erthegrassthedew。
Thengrammercy!fortheBlackFriar;
Heavensainhim,fairorfoul!
Andwhatsoe'ermaybehisprayer,Letoursbeforhissoul。
Thelady'svoiceceased,andthethrillingwiresDiedfromthetouchthatkindledthemtosound;
Andthepausefollow'd,whichwhensongexpiresPervadesamomentthosewholistenround;
Andthenofcoursethecirclemuchadmires,Norlessapplauds,asinpolitenessbound,Thetones,thefeeling,andtheexecution,Totheperformer'sdiffidentconfusion。
FairAdeline,thoughinacarelessway,AsifsheratedsuchaccomplishmentAsthemerepastimeofanidleday,Pursuedaninstantforherowncontent,Wouldnowandthenas'twerewithoutdisplay,Yetwithdisplayinfact,attimesrelentTosuchperformanceswithhaughtysmile,Toshowshecould,ifitwereworthherwhile。
Nowthisbutwewillwhisperitaside
Was-pardonthepedanticillustration-
TramplingonPlato'spridewithgreaterpride,AsdidtheCyniconsomelikeoccasion;
Deemingthesagewouldbemuchmortified,Orthrownintoaphilosophicpassion,Foraspoil'dcarpet-butthe'AtticBee'
Wasmuchconsoledbyhisownrepartee。
ThusAdelinewouldthrowintotheshadeBydoingeasily,whene'ershechose,Whatdilettantidowithvastparade
Theirsortofhalfprofession;foritgrowsTosomethinglikethiswhentoooftdisplay'd;
AndthatitissoeverybodyknowsWhohaveheardMissThatorThis,orLadyT'other,Showoff-topleasetheircompanyormother。
Oh!thelongeveningsofduetsandtrios!
Theadmirationsandthespeculations;
The'MammaMia's!'andthe'AmorMio's!'
The'Tantipalpiti's'onsuchoccasions:
The'Lasciami's,'andquavering'Addio's!'
Amongstourownmostmusicalofnations;
With'Tumichamas's'fromPortingale,Tosootheourears,lestItalyshouldfail。
InBabylon'sbravuras-asthehomeHeart-balladsofGreenErinorGrayHighlands,ThatbringLochaberbacktoeyesthatroamO'erfarAtlanticcontinentsorislands,Thecalenturesofmusicwhicho'ercomeAllmountaineerswithdreamsthattheyarenighlands,Nomoretobebeheldbutinsuchvisions-
WasAdelinewellversed,ascompositions。
Shealsohadatwilighttingeof'Blue,'
Couldwriterhymes,andcomposemorethanshewrote,MadeepigramsoccasionallytooUponherfriends,aseverybodyought。
Butstillfromthatsublimerazurehue,Somuchthepresentdye,shewasremote;
WasweakenoughtodeemPopeagreatpoet,Andwhatwasworse,wasnotashamedtoshowit。
Aurora-sincewearetouchingupontaste,Whichnow-a-daysisthethermometerBywhosedegreesallcharactersareclass'd-
WasmoreShakspearian,ifIdonoterr。
Theworldsbeyondthisworld'sperplexingwasteHadmoreofherexistence,forinherTherewasadepthoffeelingtoembraceThoughts,boundless,deep,butsilenttooasSpace。
Notsohergracious,graceful,gracelessGrace,Thefull-grownHebeofFitz-Fulke,whosemind,Ifshehadany,wasuponherface,Andthatwasofafascinatingkind。
AlittleturnformischiefyoumighttraceAlsothereon,-butthat'snotmuch;wefindFewfemaleswithoutsomesuchgentleleaven,Forfearweshouldsupposeusquiteinheaven。
Ihavenotheardshewasatallpoetic,Thoughonceshewasseenreadingthe'BathGuide,'
And'Hayley'sTriumphs,'whichshedeem'dpathetic,BecauseshesaidhertemperhadbeentriedSomuch,thebardhadreallybeenpropheticOfwhatshehadgonethroughwith-sinceabride。
Butofallverse,whatmostensuredherpraiseWeresonnetstoherself,or'boutsrimes。'
'TweredifficulttosaywhatwastheobjectOfAdeline,inbringingthissamelayTobearonwhatappear'dtoherthesubjectOfJuan'snervousfeelingsonthatday。
PerhapsshemerelyhadthesimpleprojectTolaughhimoutofhissupposeddismay;
Perhapsshemightwishtoconfirmhiminit,ThoughwhyIcannotsay-atleastthisminute。
ButsofartheimmediateeffectWastorestorehimtohisself-propriety,Athingquitenecessarytotheelect,Whowishtotakethetoneoftheirsociety:
Inwhichyoucannotbetoocircumspect,Whetherthemodebepersiflageorpiety,Butwearthenewestmantleofhypocrisy,Onpainofmuchdispleasingthegynocracy。
AndthereforeJuannowbegantorallyHisspirits,andwithoutmoreexplanationTojestuponsuchthemesinmanyasally。
HerGrace,too,alsoseizedthesameoccasion,Withvarioussimilarremarkstotally,Butwish'dforastillmoredetail'dnarrationOfthissamemysticfriar'scuriousdoings,Aboutthepresentfamily'sdeathsandwooings。
Ofthesefewcouldsaymorethanhasbeensaid;
Theypass'dassuchthingsdo,forsuperstitionWithsome,whileothers,whohadmoreindreadThetheme,halfcreditedthestrangetradition;
Andmuchwastalk'donallsidesonthathead:
ButJuan,whencross-question'donthevision,Whichsomesupposedthoughhehadnotavow'dit
Hadstirr'dhim,answer'dinawaytocloudit。
Andthen,themid-dayhavingworntoone,Thecompanypreparedtoseparate;
Sometotheirseveralpastimes,ortonone,Somewondering'twassoearly,somesolate。
Therewasagoodlymatchtoo,toberunBetweensomegreyhoundsonmylord'sestate,Andayoungrace-horseofoldpedigreeMatch'dforthespring,whomseveralwenttosee。
Therewasapicture-dealerwhohadbroughtAspecialTitian,warrantedoriginal,Sopreciousthatitwasnottobebought,Thoughprincesthepossessorwerebesiegingall。
Thekinghimselfhadcheapen'dit,butthoughtThecivillisthedeignstoacceptobligingallHissubjectsbyhisgraciousacceptation
Tooscanty,inthesetimesoflowtaxation。
ButasLordHenrywasaconnoisseur,-
Thefriendofartists,ifnotarts,-theowner,Withmotivesthemostclassicalandpure,Sothathewouldhavebeentheverydonor,Ratherthanseller,hadhiswantsbeenfewer,Somuchhedeem'dhispatronageanhonour,Hadbroughtthecapod'opera,notforsale,Butforhisjudgment-neverknowntofail。
TherewasamodernGoth,ImeanaGothicBricklayerofBabel,call'danarchitect,Broughttosurveythesegreywalls,whichthoughsothick,Mighthavefromtimeacquiredsomeslightdefect;
WhoafterrummagingtheAbbeythroughthickAndthin,producedaplanwherebytoerectNewbuildingsofcorrectestconformation,Andthrowdownold-whichhecall'drestoration。
Thecostwouldbeatrifle-an'oldsong,'
Settosomethousands'tistheusualburdenOfthatsametune,whenpeoplehumitlong-
ThepricewouldspeedilyrepayitsworthinAnedificenolesssublimethanstrong,BywhichLordHenry'sgoodtastewouldgoforthinItsglory,throughallagesshiningsunny,ForGothicdaringshowninEnglishmoney。
ThereweretwolawyersbusyonamortgageLordHenrywish'dtoraiseforanewpurchase;
Alsoalawsuitupontenuresburgage,Andoneontithes,whichsureareDiscord'storches,KindlingReligiontillshethrowsdownhergage,'Untying'squires'tofightagainstthechurches;'
Therewasaprizeox,aprizepig,andploughman,ForHenrywasasortofSabineshowman。
Thereweretwopoacherscaughtinasteeltrap,Readyforgaol,theirplaceofconvalescence;
TherewasacountrygirlinaclosecapAndscarletcloakIhatethesighttosee,since-
Since-since-inyouth,Ihadthesadmishap-
ButluckilyIhavepaidfewparishfeessince:
Thatscarletcloak,alas!unclosedwithrigour,Presentstheproblemofadoublefigure。
Areelwithinabottleisamystery,Onecan'ttellhowite'ergotinorout;
ThereforethepresentpieceofnaturalhistoryIleavetothosewhoarefondofsolvingdoubt;
Andmerelystate,thoughnotfortheconsistory,LordHenrywasajustice,andthatScoutTheconstable,beneathawarrant'sbanner,Hadbagg'dthispoacheruponNature'smanor。
NowjusticesofpeacemustjudgeallpiecesOfmischiefofallkinds,andkeepthegameAndmoralsofthecountryfromcapricesOfthosewhohavenotalicenseforthesame;
Andofallthings,exceptingtithesandleases,Perhapsthesearemostdifficulttotame:
PreservingpartridgesandprettywenchesArepuzzlestothemostprecautiousbenches。
Thepresentculpritwasextremelypale,Paleasifpaintedso;hercheekbeingredBynature,asinhigherdameslesshale'Tiswhite,atleastwhentheyjustrisefrombed。
Perhapsshewasashamedofseemingfrail,Poorsoul!forshewascountrybornandbred,AndknewnobetterinherimmoralityThantowaxwhite-forblushesareforquality。
Herblack,bright,downcast,yetespiegleeye,Hadgather'dalargetearintoitscorner,Whichthepoorthingattimesessay'dtodry,ForshewasnotasentimentalmournerParadingallhersensibility,Norinsolentenoughtoscornthescorner,Butstoodintrembling,patienttribulation,Tobecall'dupforherexamination。
Ofcoursethesegroupswerescatter'dhereandthere,Notnighthegaysaloonofladiesgent。
Thelawyersinthestudy;andinairTheprizepig,ploughman,poachers;themensentFromtown,viz。,architectanddealer,wereBothbusyasageneralinhistentWritingdespatchesintheirseveralstations,Exultingintheirbrilliantlucubrations。
Butthispoorgirlwasleftinthegreathall,WhileScout,theparishguardianofthefrail,Discuss'dhehatedbeerycleptthe'small'
Amightymugofmoraldoubleale。
ShewaiteduntiljusticecouldrecallItskindattentionstotheirproperpale,TonameathinginnomenclatureratherPerplexingformostvirgins-achild'sfather。
YouseeherewasenoughofoccupationFortheLordHenry,link'dwithdogsandhorses。
Therewasmuchbustletoo,andpreparationBelowstairsonthescoreofsecondcourses;
Because,assuitstheirrankandsituation,ThosewhoincountieshavegreatlandresourcesHave'Publicdays,'whenallmenmaycarouse,Thoughnotexactlywhat'scall'd'openhouse。'
Butonceaweekorfortnight,uninvitedThuswetranslateageneralinvitation,Allcountrygentlemen,esquiredorknighted,Maydropinwithoutcards,andtaketheirstationAtthefullboard,andsitalikedelightedWithfashionablewinesandconversation;
And,astheisthmusofthegrandconnection,Talko'erthemselvesthepastandnextelection。
LordHenrywasagreatelectioneerer,Burrowingforboroughslikearatorrabbit;
Butcountycontestscosthimratherdearer,BecausetheneighbouringScotchEarlofGiftgabbitHadEnglishinfluenceintheself-samespherehere;
Hisson,theHonourableDickDicedrabbit,Wasmemberforthe'otherinterest'meaningThesameself-interest,withadifferentleaning。
Courteousandcautiousthereforeinhiscounty,Hewasallthingstoallmen,anddispensedTosomecivility,toothersbounty,Andpromisestoall-whichlastcommencedTogathertoasomewhatlargeamount,heNotcalculatinghowmuchtheycondensed;
Butwhatwithkeepingsome,andbreakingothers,Hiswordhadthesamevalueasanother's。
Afriendtofreedomandfreeholders-yetNolessafriendtogovernment-heheld,Thatheexactlythejustmediumhit'Twixtplaceandpatriotism-albeitcompell'd,Suchwashissovereign'spleasurethoughunfit,Headdedmodestly,whenrebelsrail'd,Toholdsomesinecureshewish'dabolish'd,Butthatwiththemalllawwouldbedemolish'd。
Hewas'freetoconfess'whencecomesthisphrase?
Is'tEnglish?No-'tisonlyparliamentary
Thatinnovation'sspiritnow-a-daysHadmademoreprogressthanforthelastcentury。
Hewouldnottreadafactiouspathtopraise,Thoughforthepublicwealdisposedtoventurehigh;
Asforhisplace,hecouldbutsaythisofit,Thatthefatiguewasgreaterthantheprofit。
Heaven,andhisfriends,knewthataprivatelifeHadeverbeenhissoleandwholeambition;
Butcouldhequithiskingintimesofstrife,Whichthreaten'dthewholecountrywithperdition?
Whendemagogueswouldwithabutcher'sknifeCutthroughandthroughoh!damnableincision!
TheGordianortheGeordi-anknot,whosestringsHavetiedtogethercommons,lords,andkings。
Sooner'comelaceintothecivillistAndchampionhimtotheutmost'-hewouldkeepit,Tilldulydisappointedordismiss'd:
Profithecarenotfor,letothersreapit;
Butshouldthedaycomewhenplaceceasedtoexist,Thecountrywouldhavefarmorecausetoweepit:
Forhowcoulditgoon?Explainwhocan!
HegloriedinthenameofEnglishman。
Hewasasindependent-ay,muchmore-
Thanthosewhowerenotpaidforindependence,Ascommonsoldiers,oracommon-shore,HaveintheirseveralartsorpartsascendanceO'ertheirregularsinlustorgore,Whodonotgiveprofessionalattendance。
ThusonthemoballstatesmenareaseagerToprovetheirpride,asfootmentoabeggar。
AllthissavethelaststanzaHenrysaid,Andthought。Isaynomore-I'vesaidtoomuch;
Forallofushaveeitherheardorread-
Off-oruponthehustings-someslightsuchHintsfromtheindependentheartorheadOftheofficialcandidate。I'lltouchNomoreonthis-thedinner-bellhathrung,Andgraceissaid;thegraceIshouldhavesung-
ButI'mtoolate,andthereforemustmakeplay。
'Twasagreatbanquet,suchasAlbionoldWaswonttoboast-asifaglutton'strayWeresomethingveryglorioustobehold。
But'twasapublicfeastandpublicday,-
Quitefull,rightdull,guestshot,anddishescold,Greatplenty,muchformality,smallcheer,Andeverybodyoutoftheirownsphere。
Thesquiresfamiliarlyformal,andMylordsandladiesproudlycondescending;
TheveryservantspuzzlinghowtohandTheirplates-withoutitmightbetoomuchbendingFromtheirhighplacesbythesideboard'sstand-
Yet,liketheirmasters,fearfulofoffending。
ForanydeviationfromthegracesMightcostbothmanandmastertoo-theirplaces。
Thereweresomehuntersbold,andcourserskeen,Whosehoundsne'ererr'd,norgreyhoundsdeign'dtolurch;
Somedeadlyshotstoo,Septembrizers,seenEarliesttorise,andlasttoquitthesearchOfthepoorpartridgethroughhisstubblescreen。
Thereweresomemassymembersofthechurch,Takersoftithes,andmakersofgoodmatches,Andseveralwhosungfewerpsalmsthancatches。
Thereweresomecountrywagstoo-and,alas!
Someexilesfromthetown,whohadbeendrivenTogaze,insteadofpavement,upongrass,Andriseatnineinlieuoflongeleven。
Andlo!uponthatdayitcametopass,Isatenextthato'erwhelmingsonofheaven,Theverypowerfulparson,PeterPith,TheloudestwitIe'erwasdeafen'dwith。
IknewhiminhislivelierLondondays,Abrilliantdinerout,thoughbutacurate;
Andnotajokehecutbutearn'ditspraise,Untilpreferment,comingatasurerateOProvidence!howwondrousarethyways!
Whowouldsupposethygiftssometimesobdurate?,Gavehim,tolaythedevilwholookso'erLincoln,Afatfenvicarage,andnoughttothinkon。
Hisjokesweresermons,andhissermonsjokes;
Butbothwerethrownawayamongstthefens;
Forwithathnogreatfriendinaguishfolks。
Nolongerreadyearsandshort-handpensImbibedthegaybon-mot,orhappyhoax:
Thepoorpriestwasreducedtocommonsense,Ortocoarseeffortsveryloudandlong,Tohammerahorselaughfromthethickthrong。
Thereisadifference,saysthesong,'betweenAbeggarandaqueen,'orwasoflateThelatterworseusedofthetwowe'veseen-
Butwe'llsaynothingofaffairsofstate;
Adifference''twixtabishopandadean,'
Adifferencebetweencrockerywareandplate,AsbetweenEnglishbeefandSpartanbroth-
Andyetgreatheroeshavebeenbredbyboth。
Butofallnature'sdiscrepancies,noneUponthewholeisgreaterthanthedifferenceBeheldbetweenthecountryandthetown,OfwhichthelattermeritseverypreferenceFromthosewhohavefewresourcesoftheirown,Andonlythink,oract,orfeel,withreferenceTosomesmallplanofinterestorambition-
Bothwhicharelimitedtonocondition。
But'enavant!'Thelightloveslanguisho'erLongbanquetsandtoomanyguests,althoughAslightrepastmakespeoplelovemuchmore,BacchusandCeresbeing,asweknowEvenfromourgrammarupwards,friendsofyoreWithvivifyingVenus,whodothoweTothesetheinventionofchampagneandtruffles:
Temperancedelightsher,butlongfastingruffles。
Dullypasto'erthedinneroftheday;
AndJuantookhisplace,heknewnotwhere,Confused,intheconfusion,anddistrait,Andsittingasifnail'duponhischair:
Thoughknivesandforksclank'droundasinafray,Heseem'dunconsciousofallpassingthere,Tillsomeone,withagroan,exprestawishUnheededtwicetohaveafinoffish。
Onwhich,atthethirdaskingofthebans,Hestarted;andperceivingsmilesaroundBroadeningtogrins,hecolour'dmorethanonce,Andhastily-asnothingcanconfoundAwisemanmorethanlaughterfromadunce-
Inflictedonthedishadeadlywound,Andwithsuchhurry,thaterehecouldcurbitHehadpaidhisneighbour'sprayerwithhalfaturbot。
Thiswasnobadmistake,asitoccurr'd,Thesupplicatorbeinganamateur;
Butothers,whowereleftwithscarceathird,Wereangry-astheywellmight,tobesure。
Theywonder'dhowayoungmansoabsurdLordHenryathistableshouldendure;
Andthis,andhisnotknowinghowmuchoatsHadfallenlastmarket,costhishostthreevotes。
Theylittleknew,ormighthavesympathised,Thathethenightbeforehadseenaghost,AprologuewhichbutslightlyharmonisedWiththesubstantialcompanyengross'dBymatter,andsomuchmaterialised,ThatonescarceknewatwhattomarvelmostOftwothings-howthequestionratheroddis
Suchbodiescouldhavesouls,orsoulssuchbodies。
ButwhatconfusedhimmorethansmileorstareFromallthe'squiresand'squiressesaround,Whowonder'dattheabstractionofhisair,Especiallyashehadbeenrenown'dForsomevivacityamongthefair,Eveninthecountrycircle'snarrowboundForlittlethingsuponmylord'sestateWeregoodsmalltalkforothersstilllessgreat-
Was,thathecaughtAurora'seyeonhis,Andsomethinglikeasmileuponhercheek。
Nowthishereallyrathertookamiss:
Inthosewhorarelysmile,theirsmilesbespeakAstrongexternalmotive;andinthisSmileofAurora'stherewasnoughttopiqueOrhope,orlove,withanyofthewilesWhichsomepretendtotraceinladies'smiles。
'Twasamerequietsmileofcontemplation,Indicativeofsomesurpriseandpity;
AndJuangrewcarnationwithvexation,Whichwasnotverywise,andstilllesswitty,Sincehehadgain'datleastherobservation,Amostimportantoutworkofthecity-
AsJuanshouldhaveknown,hadnothissensesBylastnight'sghostbeendrivenfromtheirdefences。
Butwhatwasbad,shedidnotblushinturn,Norseemembarrass'd-quitethecontrary;
Heraspectwasasusual,still-notstern-
Andshewithdrew,butcastnotdown,hereye,Yetgrewalittlepale-withwhat?concern?
Iknownot;buthercolourne'erwashigh-
Thoughsometimesfaintlyflush'd-andalwaysclear,Asdeepseasinasunnyatmosphere。
ButAdelinewasoccupiedbyfameThisday;andwatching,witching,condescendingTotheconsumersoffish,fowl,andgame,Anddignitywithcourtesysoblending,AsallmustblendwhosepartitistoaimEspeciallyasthesixthyearisending
Attheirlord's,son's,orsimilarconnection'sSafeconductthroughtherocksofre-elections。
Thoughthiswasmostexpedientonthewhole,Andusual-Juan,whenhecastaglanceOnAdelinewhileplayinghergrandrole,Whichshewentthroughasthoughitwereadance,BetrayingonlynowandthenhersoulByalookscarceperceptiblyaskanceOfwearinessorscorn,begantofeelSomedoubthowmuchofAdelinewasreal;
SowellsheactedallandeverypartByturns-withthatvivaciousversatility,Whichmanypeopletakeforwantofheart。
Theyerr-'tismerelywhatiscall'dmobility,Athingoftemperamentandnotofart,Thoughseemingso,fromitssupposedfacility;
Andfalse-thoughtrue;forsurelythey'resincerestWhoarestronglyactedonbywhatisnearest。
Thismakesyouractors,artists,andromancers,Heroessometimes,thoughseldom-sagesnever;
Butspeakers,bards,diplomatists,anddancers,Littlethat'sgreat,butmuchofwhatisclever;
Mostorators,butveryfewfinanciers,ThoughallExchequerchancellorsendeavour,Oflateyears,todispensewithCocker'srigours,Andgrowquitefigurativewiththeirfigures。
ThepoetsofarithmeticaretheyWho,thoughtheyprovenottwoandtwotobeFive,astheymightdoinamodestway,Haveplainlymadeitoutthatfourarethree,Judgingbywhattheytake,andwhattheypay。
TheSinkingFund'sunfathomablesea,Thatmostunliquidatingliquid,leavesThedebtunsunk,yetsinksallitreceives。
WhileAdelinedispensedherairsandgraces,ThefairFitz-Fulkeseem'dverymuchatease;
Thoughtoowellbredtoquizmentotheirfaces,HerlaughingblueeyeswithaglancecouldseizeTheridiculesofpeopleinallplaces-
Thathoneyofyourfashionablebees-
Andstoreitupformischievousenjoyment;
Andthisatpresentwasherkindemployment。
However,thedayclosed,asdaysmustclose;
Theeveningalsowaned-andcoffeecame。
Eachcarriagewasannounced,andladiesrose,Andcurtsyingoff,ascurtsiescountrydame,Retired:withmostunfashionablebowsTheirdocileesquiresalsodidthesame,Delightedwiththeirdinnerandtheirhost,ButwiththeLadyAdelinethemost。
Somepraisedherbeauty;othershergreatgrace;
Thewarmthofherpoliteness,whosesincerityWasobviousineachfeatureofherface,Whosetraitswereradiantwiththeraysofverity。
Yes;shewastrulyworthyherhighplace!
Noonecouldenvyherdeservedprosperity。
Andthenherdress-whatbeautifulsimplicityDraperiedherformwithcuriousfelicity!
MeanwhileSweetAdelinedeservedtheirpraises,ByanimpartialindemnificationForallherpastexertionandsoftphrases,Inamostedifyingconversation,Whichturn'dupontheirlateguests'miensandfaces,Andfamilies,eventothelastrelation;
Theirhideouswives,theirhorridselvesanddresses,Andtruculentdistortionoftheirtresses。
True,shesaidlittle-'twastherestthatbrokeForthintouniversalepigram;
Butthen'twastothepurposewhatshespoke:
LikeAddison's'faintpraise,'sowonttodamn,Herownbutservedtosetoffeveryjoke,Asmusicchimesinwithamelodrame。
Howsweetthetasktoshieldanabsentfriend!
Iaskbutthisofmine,to-notdefend。
TherewerebuttwoexceptionstothiskeenSkirmishofwitso'erthedeparted;oneAurora,withherpureandplacidmien;
AndJuan,too,ingeneralbehindnoneIngayremarkonwhathehadheardorseen,Satesilentnow,hisusualspiritsgone:
Invainheheardtheothersrailorrally,Hewouldnotjointheminasinglesally。
'TistruehesawAuroralookasthoughSheapprovedhissilence;sheperhapsmistookItsmotiveforthatcharityweoweButseldompaytheabsent,norwouldlookFarther-itmightormightnotbeso。
ButJuan,sittingsilentinhisnook,Observinglittleinhisreverie,Yetsawthismuch,whichhewasgladtosee。
Theghostatleasthaddonehimthismuchgood,Inmakinghimassilentasaghost,IfinthecircumstanceswhichensuedHegain'desteemwhereitwasworththemost。
AndcertainlyAurorahadrenew'dInhimsomefeelingshehadlatelylost,Orharden'd;feelingswhich,perhapsideal,Aresodivine,thatImustdeemthemreal:-
Theloveofhigherthingsandbetterdays;
Theunboundedhope,andheavenlyignoranceOfwhatiscall'dtheworld,andtheworld'sways;
ThemomentswhenwegatherfromaglanceMorejoythanfromallfutureprideorpraise,Whichkindlemanhood,butcanne'erentranceTheheartinanexistenceofitsown,Ofwhichanother'sbosomisthezone。
WhowouldnotsighAiaiTanKuuerheianThathathamemory,orthathadaheart?
Alas!herstarmustfadelikethatofDian:
Rayfadesonray,asyearsonyearsdepart。
AnacreononlyhadthesoultotieanUnwitheringmyrtleroundtheunblunteddartOfEros:butthoughthouhastplay'dusmanytricks,Stillwerespectthee,'AlmaVenusGenetrix!'
Andfullofsentiments,sublimeasbillowsHeavingbetweenthisworldandworldsbeyond,DonJuan,whenthemidnighthourofpillowsArrived,retiredtohis;buttodespondRatherthanrest。Insteadofpoppies,willowsWavedo'erhiscouch;hemeditated,fondOfthosesweetbitterthoughtswhichbanishsleep,Andmaketheworldlingsneer,theyounglingweep。
Thenightwasasbefore:hewasundrest,Savinghisnight-gown,whichisanundress;
Completely'sansculotte,'andwithoutvest;
Inshort,hehardlycouldbeclothedwithless:
Butapprehensiveofhisspectralguest,HesatewithfeelingsawkwardtoexpressBythosewhohavenothadsuchvisitations,Expectantoftheghost'sfreshoperations。
Andnotinvainhelisten'd;-Hush!what'sthat?
Isee-Isee-Ah,no!-'tisnot-yet'tis-
Yepowers!itisthe-the-the-Pooh!thecat!
Thedevilmaytakethatstealthypaceofhis!
Solikeaspiritualpit-a-pat,OrtiptoeofanamatoryMiss,Glidingthefirsttimetoarendezvous,Anddreadingthechasteechoesofhershoe。
Again-whatis't?Thewind?No,no-thistimeItisthesablefriarasbefore,Withawfulfootstepsregularasrhyme,Orasrhymesmaybeinthesedaysmuchmore。
Againthroughshadowsofthenightsublime,Whendeepsleepfellonmen,andtheworldworeThestarrydarknessroundherlikeagirdleSpangledwithgems-themonkmadehisbloodcurdle。
Anoiseliketowetfingersdrawnonglass,Whichsetstheteethonedge;andaslightclatter,Likeshowerswhichonthemidnightgustswillpass,Soundinglikeverysupernaturalwater,CameoverJuan'sear,whichthrobb'd,alas!
Forimmaterialism'saseriousmatter;
SothateventhosewhosefaithisthemostgreatInsoulsimmortal,shunthemtete-a-tete。
Werehiseyesopen?-Yes!andhismouthtoo。
Surprisehasthiseffect-tomakeonedumb,YetleavethegatewhicheloquenceslipsthroughAswideasifalongspeechweretocome。
Nighandmorenightheawfulechoesdrew,Tremendoustoamortaltympanum:
Hiseyeswereopen,andaswasbeforeStatedhismouth。Whatopen'dnext?-thedoor。
Itopen'dwithamostinfernalcreak,Likethatofhell。'LasciateognisperanzaVoicheentrate!'Thehingeseem'dtospeak,DreadfulasDante'srhima,orthisstanza;
Or-butallwordsuponsuchthemesareweak:
Asingleshade'ssufficienttoentranceHero-forwhatissubstancetoaspirit?
Orhowis'tmattertremblestocomenearit?
Thedoorflewwide,-notswiftly,but,asflyThesea-gulls,withasteady,soberflight,-
Andthenswungback;norclose-butstoodawry,Halflettinginlongshadowsonthelight,WhichstillinJuan'scandlesticksburn'dhigh,Forhehadtwo,bothtolerablybright,Andinthedoor-way,darkeningdarkness,stoodThesablefriarinhissolemnhood。
DonJuanshook,asersthehadbeenshakenThenightbefore;butbeingsickofshaking,Hefirstinclinedtothinkhehadbeenmistaken;
Andthentobeashamedofsuchmistaking;
HisowninternalghostbegantoawakenWithinhim,andtoquellhiscorporalquaking-
HintingthatsoulandbodyonthewholeWereoddsagainstadisembodiedsoul。
Andthenhisdreadgrewwrath,andhiswrathfierce,Andhearose,advanced-theshaderetreated;
ButJuan,eagernowthetruthtopierce,Follow'd,hisveinsnolongercold,butheated,Resolvedtothrustthemysterycarteandtierce,Atwhatsoeverriskofbeingdefeated:
Theghoststopp'd,menaced,thenretired,untilHereach'dtheancientwall,thenstoodstonestill。
Juanputforthonearm-Eternalpowers!
Ittouchednosoul,norbody,butthewall,Onwhichthemoonbeamsfellinsilveryshowers,Chequer'dwithallthetraceryofthehall;
Heshudder'd,asnodoubtthebravestcowersWhenhecan'ttellwhat'tisthatdothappal。
Howodd,asinglehobgoblin'snon-entityShouldcausemorefearthanawholehost'sidentity。
Butstilltheshaderemain'd:theblueeyesglared,Andrathervariablyforstonydeath:
Yetonethingrathergoodthegravehadspared,Theghosthadaremarkablysweetbreath。
Astragglingcurlshow'dhehadbeenfair-hair'd;
Aredlip,withtworowsofpearlsbeneath,Gleam'dforth,asthroughthecasement'sivyshroudThemoonpeep'd,justescapedfromagreycloud。
AndJuan,puzzled,butstillcurious,thrustHisotherarmforth-Wonderuponwonder!
Itpress'duponahardbutglowingbust,Whichbeatasiftherewasawarmheartunder。
Hefound,aspeopleonmosttrialsmust,Thathehadmadeatfirstasillyblunder,AndthatinhisconfusionhehadcaughtOnlythewall,insteadofwhathesought。
Theghost,ifghostitwere,seem'dasweetsoulAseverlurk'dbeneathaholyhood:
Adimpledchin,aneckofivory,stoleForthintosomethingmuchlikefleshandblood;
Backfellthesablefrockanddrearycowl,Andtheyreveal'd-alas!thate'ertheyshould!
Infull,voluptuous,butnoto'ergrownbulk,ThephantomofherfrolicGrace-Fitz-Fulke!
CANTOTHESEVENTEENTH。
THEworldisfulloforphans:firstly,thoseWhoaresointhestrictsenseofthephrase;
ButmanyalonelytreetheloftiergrowsThanotherscrowdedintheForest'smaze-
ThenextaresuchasarenotdoomedtoloseTheirtenderparentsintheirbuddingdays,But,merely,theirparentaltenderness,Whichleavesthemorphansoftheheartnoless。
Thenextare'onlyChildren,'astheyarestyled,WhogrowupChildrenonly,sinceth'oldsawPronouncesthatan'only's'aspoiltchild-
Butnottogotoofar,Iholditlaw,Thatwheretheireducation,harshormild,Transgressesthegreatboundsofloveorawe,Thesufferers-be'tinheartorintellect-
Whate'erthecause,areorphansineffect。
Buttoreturnuntothestricterrule-
Asfaraswordsmakerules-ourcommonnotionOforphanpaintsatonceaparishschool,Ahalf-starvedbabe,awreckuponLife'socean,AhumanwhattheItaliansnickname'Mule'!
AthemeforPityorsomeworseemotion;
Yet,ifexamined,itmightbeadmittedThewealthiestorphansaretobemorepitied。
ToosoontheyareParentstothemselves:forwhatAreTutors,Guardians,andsoforth,comparedWithNature'sgenialGenitors?sothatAchildofChancery,thatStar-ChamberwardI'lltakethelikenessIcanfirstcomeat,Islike-aducklingbyDamePartlettrear'd,Andfrights-especiallyif'tisadaughter,Th'oldHen-byrunningheadlongtothewater。
Thereisacommon-placebookargument,Whichgliblyglidesfromeverytongue;
Whenanydareanewlighttopresent,'Ifyouareright,theneverybody'swrong'!
SupposetheconverseofthisprecedentSooftenurged,soloudlyandsolong;
'Ifyouarewrong,theneverybody'sright'!
Wasevereverybodyyetsoquite?
ThereforeIwouldsolicitfreediscussionUponallpoints-nomatterwhat,orwhose-
BecauseasAgesuponAgespushon,ThelastisapttheformertoaccuseOfpillowingitsheadonapin-cushion,Heedlessofpricksbecauseitwasobtuse:
WhatwasaparadoxbecomesatruthorAsomethinglikeit-witnessLuther!
TheSacramentshavebeenreducedtotwo,AndWitchesuntonone,thoughsomewhatlateSinceburningagedwomensaveafew-
Mischiefinfamilies,assomeknoworknew,Shouldstillbesinged,butlightly,letmestate
HasbeendeclaredanactofinurbanityMalgreSirMatthewHales'sgreathumanity。
GreatGalileowasdebarr'dtheSun,Becausehefix'dit;and,tostophistalking,HowEarthcouldroundthesolarorbitrun,Foundhisownlegsembargo'dfrommerewalking:
Themanwaswell-nighdead,eremenbegunTothinkhisskullhadnotsomeneedofcaulking;
Butnow,itseems,he'sright-hisnotionjust:
NodoubtaconsolationtohisdustPythagoras,Locke,Socrates-butpagesMightbefill'dup,asvainlyasbefore,Withthesadusageofallsortsofsages,Who,inhislife-time,each,wasdeem'daBore!
Theloftiestmindsoutruntheirtardyages:
Thistheymustbearwithand,perhaps,muchmore;
Thewiseman'ssurewhenhenomorecanshareit,heWillhaveafirmPostObitonposterity。
IfsuchdoomwaitseachIntellectualGiant,Welittlepeopleinourlesserway,InLife'ssmallrubsshouldsurelybemorepliant,AndsoforonewillI-aswellImay-
WouldthatIwerelessbilious-but,oh,fieon't!
JustasImakemymindupeveryday,Tobea'totus,teres,'Stoic,Sage,ThewindshiftsandIflyintoarage。
TemperateIam-yetneverhadatemper;
ModestIam-yetwithsomeslightassurance;
Changeabletoo-yetsomehow'Idemsemper;'
Patient-butnotenamour'dofendurance;
Cheerful-but,sometimes,ratherapttowhimper;
Mild-butattimesasortof'Herculesfurens;'
SothatIalmostthinkthatthesameskinForonewithout-hastwoorthreewithin。
OurHerowas,inCantotheSixteenth,Leftinatendermoonlightsituation,SuchasenablesMantoshowhisstrengthMoralorphysical:onthisoccasionWhetherhisvirtuetriumph'd-or,atlength,Hisvice-forhewasofakindlingnation-
IsmorethanIshallventuretodescribe;-
UnlesssomeBeautywithakissshouldbribe。
Ileavethethingaproblem,likeallthings:-
Themorningcame-andbreakfast,teaandtoast,Ofwhichmostmenpartake,butnoonesings。
Thecompanywhosebirth,wealth,worth,hascostMytremblingLyrealreadyseveralstrings,Assembledwithourhostess,andminehost;
Theguestsdropp'din-thelastbutone,HerGrace,Thelatest,Juan,withhisvirginface。
Whichbestitistoencounter-Ghost,ornone,'Tweredifficulttosay;butJuanlook'dAsifhehadcombatedwithmorethanone,Beingwanandworn,witheyesthathardlybrook'dThelightthatthroughtheGothicwindowshone:
HerGrace,too,hadasortofairrebuked-
Seem'dpaleandshiver'd,asifshehadkeptAvigil,ordreamtrathermorethanslept。
THEEND