XLV. Dudù said nothing, but sat down beside XLVI. But here the Mother of the Maids drew near, And every couch is occupied; you had best XLVII. Here Lolah interpos'd-" Mamma, you know That any body should disturb you so; I'll take Juanna; we're a slenderer pair Than you would make the half of;-don't say no; She also had compassion and a bed. XLVIII. "Besides, I hate to sleep alone," quoth she. 45 46 47 48 The matron frown'd: " Why so ?"" For fear of ghosts," Replied Katinka; "I am sure I see A phantom upon each of the four posts: And then I have the worst dreams that can be, Of Guebres, Giaours, and Ginns, and Gouls, in hosts." The dame replied, "Between your dreams and you, I fear Juanna's dreams would be but few. XLIX. "You, Lolah, must continue still to lie 49 Alone, for reasons which don't matter; you The same, Katinka, until by and by; Who's quiet inoffensive, silent, shy, And will not toss and chatter the night through. What say you, child ?"-Dudù said nothing, as Her talents were of the more silent class : L. But she rose up, and kiss'd the matron's brow (Curt'sies are neither us'd by Turks nor Greeks,) She took Juanna by the hand, to show Their place of rest, and left to both their piques; The others pouting at the matron's preference 50 Of Dudù, though they held their tongues, from deference. LI. It was a spacious chamber (Oda is The Turkish title), and rang'd round the wall Were couches, toilets-and much more than this I might describe, as I have seen it all, But it suffices-little was amiss : 'Twas on the whole a nobly furnish'd hall, With all things ladies want, save one or two, And even those were nearer than they knew. LII. Dudù, as has been said, was a sweet creature, Which painters cannot catch like faces sinning LIII. But she was a soft landscape of mild earth, Where all was harmony, and calm, and quiet, Luxuriant, budding; cheerful without mirth, Which, if not happiness, is much more nigh it Than are your mighty passions and so forth, Which some call "the sublime:" I wish they'd try it: I've seen your stormy seas and stormy women, And pity lovers rather more than seamen. LIV. But she was pensive more than melancholy, It may be, more than either-not unholy Her thoughts, at least till now, appear to have been. 51 52 53 54 190 Dudù said no But here the M And every có. Here Lolah inte" You don't slee That any body s I'll take Juan Than you would And I of you. But here Katir She also had cor "Besides, I hat "You, Lolah, r Alone, for re The same, Kati And I shall h Who's quiet in And will not What say you, Her talents we LX. In perfect innocence she then unmade If fond of a chance ogle at her glass, LXI. And one by one her articles of dress Were laid aside; but not before she offer'd Her aid to fair Juanna, whose excess Of modesty declin'd ths assistance proffer'd: Which pass'd well off-as she could do no less; Though by this politesse she rather suffer'd, Pricking her fingers with those cursed pins Which surely were invented for our sins, LXII. Making a woman like a porcupine, I did my very boyish best to shine In tricking her out for a masquerade: The pins were plac'd sufficiently, but not Stuck all exactly in the proper spot. LXIII. But these are foolish things to all the wise, My tendency is to philosophise On most things, from a tyrant to a tree; But still the spouseless virgin Knowledge flies. What are we? and whence came we? what shall be LXIV. There was deep silence in the chamber: dim Of the fair occupants: if there be sprites, They should have walk'd there in their sprightliest trim, N LV. And therefore was she kind and gentle as But what was not; a sort of style that's grown LVI. I think it may be of "Corinthian Brass," It sooner for the soul of me, and class My faults even with your own: which meaneth put A kind construction upon them and me: But that you won't-then don't-I am not less free. LVII. 'Tis time we should return to plain narration, And thus my narrative proceeds :-Dudù, With every kindness short of ostentation, Show'd Juan, or Juanna, through and through This labyrinth of females, and each station Describ'd-what's strange-in words extremely few: I have but one simile, and that's a blunder, LVIII. And next she gave her (I say her, because By which the more a harem is increas'd, LIX. And then she gave Juanna a chaste kiss: 55 56 57 58 59 Dudù was fond of kissing-which I'm sure That nobody can ever take amiss, Because 'tis pleasant, so that it be pure, And between females means no more than this- |