And when at length they're out of breath, they sigh, And then—and then—and then—sit down and sup. CLXXX. Alfonso closed his speech, and begg'd her pardon, CLXXXI. A pair of shoes!--what then? not much, if they CLXXXII. He left the room for his relinquish'd sword, Fly, Juan, fly! for heaven's sake-not a word— «The door is open-you may yet slip through The passage you so often have explored<< Here is the garden-key-Fly-fly-Adieu! « Haste—haste!-I hear Alfonso's hurrying feetDay has not broke-there's no one in the street. » CLXXXIII. None can say that this was not good advice, A sort of income-tax laid on by fate: Who threaten'd death-so Juan knock'd him down. CLXXXIV. Dire was the scuffle, and out went the light, And Juan, too, blasphemed an octave higher; His blood was up; though young, he was a Tartar, And not at all disposed to prove a martyr. CLXXXV. Alfonso's sword had dropp'd ere he could draw it, His temper not being under great command, CLXXXVI. Alfonso grappled to detain the foe, And Juan throttled him to get away, And blood ('twas from the nose) began to flow; Juan contrived to give an awkward blow, CLXXXVII. Lights came at length, and men, and maids, who found Alfonso leaning, breathless, by the door; Juan the gate gain'd, turn'd the key about, CLXXXVIII. Here ends this canto.-Need I sing, or say, The nine day's wonder which was brought to light, And how Alfonso sued for a divorce, Were in the English newspapers, of course. CLXXXIX. If you would like to see the whole proceedings, There's more than one edition, and the readings Are various, but they none of them are dull, The best is that in short-hand ta'en by Gurney, Who to Madrid on purpose made a journey. CXC. But Donna Inez, to divert the train Of one of the most circulating scandals That bad for centuries been known in Spain, At least since the retirement of the Vaudals, First vow'd (and never had she vow'd in vain) To Virgin Mary several pounds of candles; She had resolved that he should travel through (At least this is the thing most people do. ) CXCII. "They tell me 'tis decided; you depart : « "Tis wise—'tis well, but not the less a pain ; « I have no further claim on your young heart, «Mine is the victim, and would be again; << To love too much has been the only art I used; I write in haste, and if a stain "Be on this shect, 'tis not what it appears, ་་ My eyeballs burn and throb, but have no tears. CXCIII. « I loved, I love you, for this love have lost " ་་ State, station, heaven, mankind's, my own esteem, And yet can not regret what it hath cost, So dear is still the memory of that dream; Yet, if I name my guilt, 'tis not to boast, None can deem harshlier of me than I deem: « I trace this scrawl because I cannot rest<< I've nothing to reproach, or to request. CXCIV. « Man's love is of man's life a thing apart, « 'Tis woman's whole existence; man may range « The court, camp, church, the vessel, and the mart, « Sword, gown, gain, glory, offer in exchange « Pride, fame, ambition, to fill up his heart, «And few there are whom these can not estrange; «Men have all these resources, we but « To love again, and be again undone. CXCV. one, « You will proceed in pleasure, and in pride, Beloved and loving many; all is o'er << For me on earth, except some years to hide " my My shame and sorrow deep in heart's core; << These I could bear, but cannot cast aside << The passion which still rages as before, « And so farewell-forgive me, love me-No, «That word is idle now-but let it CXCVI. go. » My breast has been all weakness, is so yet; « But still I think I can collect mind; my My blood still rushes where my spirit's set, « As roll the waves before the settled wind; My heart is feminine, nor can forget→ «To all, except oue image, madly blind; « So shakes the needle, and so stands the pole, « As vibrates my fond heart to my fix'd soul. |