XCIV.

Wealth had done wonders-taste not much; such things
Occur in orient palaces, and even

In the more chastened domes of western kings
(Of which I have also seen some six or seven)
Where I can't say or gold or diamond flings

Much lustre, there is much to be forgiven;
Groups of bad statues, tables, chairs, and pictures,
On which I cannot pause to make my strictures.

XCV.

In this imperial hall, at distance lay
Under a canopy, and there reclined
Quite in a confidential queenly way,

A lady; Baba stopped, and kneeling signed
To Juan, who though not much used to pray,

Knelt down by instinct, wondering in his mind What all this meant: while Baba bowed and bended His head, until the ceremony ended.

XCVI.

The lady rising up with such an air

As Venus rose with from the wave, on them Bent like an antelope a Paphian pair

Of eyes, which put out each surrounding gem; And raising up an arm as moonlight fair,

She signed to Baba, who first kissed the hem Of her deep-purple robe, and speaking low, Pointed to Juan, who remained below.

XCVII.

Her presence was as lofty as her state;
Her beauty of that overpowering kind,
Whose force description only would abate:
I'd rather leave it much to your own mind,
Than lessen it by what I could relate

Of forms and features; it would strike you blind Could I do justice to the full detail;

So, luckily for both, my phrases fail.

XCVIII.

This much however I may add, her years

Were ripe, they might make six and twenty springs, But there are forms which Time to touch forbears, And turns aside his scythe to vulgar things, Such as was Mary's Queen of Scots; true-tears And love destroy; and sapping sorrow wrings Charms from the charmer, yet some never grow Ugly; for instance-Ninon de l'Enclos,

XCIX.

She spake some words to her attendants, who
Composed a choir of girls, ten or a dozen,

And were all clad alike; like Juan, too,

Who wore their uniform, by Baba chosen : They formed a very nymph-like looking crew,

Which might have called Diana's chorus "cousin," As far as outward show may correspond;

I won't be bail for any thing beyond.

C.

They bowed obeisance and withdrew, retiring,
But not by the same door through which came in
Baba and Juan, which last stood admiring,

At some small distance, all he saw within

This strange saloon, much fitted for inspiring Marvel and praise; for both or none things win; And I must say, I ne'er could see the

very

Great happiness of the "Nil Admirari."

CI.

"Not to admire is all the art I know

"(Plain truth, dear Murray, needs few flowers of

speech)

"To make men happy, or to keep them so;

"(So take it in the very words of Creech).'

Thus Horace wrote we all know long ago;

And thus Pope quotes the precept to re-teach From his translation; but had none admired,

Would Pope have sung, or Horace been inspired?

CII.

Baba, when all the damsels were withdrawn,
Motioned to Juan to approach, and then

A second time desired him to kneel down,
And kiss the lady's foot; which maxim when
He heard repeated, Juan with a frown

Drew himself up to his full height again,

And said, "It grieved him, but he could not stoop

"To any shoe, unless it shod the Pope.

CIII.

Baba, indignant at this ill-timed pride,

Made fierce remonstrances, and then a threat

He muttered (but the last was given aside)

About a bow-string-quite in vain ; not yet

Would Juan stoop, though 'twere to Mahomet's bride: There's nothing in the world like etiquette

In kingly chambers or imperial halls,

As also at the race and county balls.