XX. And up and down the long canals they go, But not to them do woeful things belong, ΧΧΙ. But to my story.-'Twas some years ago, Her real name I know not, nor can guess, XXIT. She was not old, nor young, nor at the years XXIII. Laura was blooming still, had made the best And Laura's brow a frown had rarely bent; Indeed, she shone all smiles, and seem'd to flatter Mankind with her black eyes for looking at her. XXIV. She was a married woman; 'tis convenient, Because in Christian countries 'tis a rule To view their little slips with eyes more lenient ; Whereas if single ladies play the fool, (Unless within the period intervenient A well-timed wedding makes the scandal cool) I don't know how they ever can get over it, Except they manage never to discover it. XXV. Her husband sail'd upon the Adriatic, And made some voyages, too, in other seas, And when he lay in quarantine for pratique (A forty days' precaution 'gainst disease), His wife would mount, at times, her highest attic, For thence she could discern the ship with ease: He was a merchant trading to Aleppo, His name Giuseppe, call'd more briefly, Beppo. XXVI, He was a man as dusky as a Spaniard, And she, although her manners show'd no rigour, XXVII. But several years elapsed since they had mot; Some people thought the ship was lost, and some That he had somehow blunder'd into debt, And did not like the thought of steering home; And there were several offer'd any bet, Or that he would, or that he would not come; XXVIII. "Tis said that their last parting was pathetic, Which I have known occur in two or three,) XXIX And Laura waited long, and wept a little, And thought of wearing weeds, as well she might; She almost lost all appetite for victual, And could not sleep with ease alone at night; She deem'd the window-frames and shutters brittle Against a daring housebreaker or sprite, And so she thought it prudent to connect her With a vice-husband, chiefly to protect her. XXX. She chose, (and what is there they will not choose, A coxcomb was he by the public voice; And then he was a Count, and then he knew The last not easy, be it known to you, For few Italians speak the right Etruscan. He was a critic upon operas, too, And knew all niceties of sock and buskin; XXXII. His "bravo" was decisive, for that sound For fear of some false note's detected flaw; XXXIII. He patronised the Improvisatori, Nay, could himself extemporise some stanzas, Wrote rhymes, sang songs, could also tell a story, Sold pictures, and was skilful in the dance as Italians can be, though in this their glory Must surely yield the palm to that which France has; In short, he was a perfect cavaliero, And to his very valet seem'd a hero. XXXIV. Then he was faithful too, as well as amorous; His heart was one of those which most enamour us, He was a lover of the good old school, XXXV: No wonder such accomplishments should turn In law he was almost as good as dead, he And really if a man won't let us know XXXVI. Besides, within the Alps, to every woman, And we may call this (not to say the worst) XXXVII. The word was formerly a "Cicisbeo," But that is now grown vulgar and indecent ; The Spaniards call the person a “Cortejo," 12 For the same mode subsists in Spain, though recent ; In short, it reaches from the Po to Teio, And may perhaps at last be o'er the sea sent: But Heaven preserve Old England from such courses! Or what becomes of damage and divorces? XXXVIII. However, I still think, with all due deference XXXIX. 'Tis true, your budding Miss is very charming, |