CLIV. His Majesty saluted his fourth spouse With all the ceremonies of his rank, Who clear'd her sparkling eyes and smooth'd her brows, As suits a matron who has play'd a prank; These must seem doubly mindful of their vows, To save the credit of their breaking bank: To no men are such cordial greetings given CLV. His Highness cast around his great black eyes, At which he seemed no whit surprised nor grieved, CLVI. This compliment, which drew all eyes upon There was a general whisper, toss, and wriggle, CLVII. The Turks do well to shut-at least, sometimes-- Their chastity in these unhappy climes Which in the north prevents precarious crimes, And makes our snow less pure than our morality; The sun, which yearly melts the polar ice, Has quite the contrary effect on vice. CLVIII. Thus far our chronicle; and now we pause, To slacken sail, and anchor with our rhyme. The sixth shall have a touch of the sublime; Meanwhile, as Homer sometimes sleeps, perhaps You'll pardon to my muse a few short naps. END OF CANTO V. DON JUAN. "Dost thou think, because thou art virtuous, there shall be no more Cakes and Ale?"-"Yes, by St. Anne; and Ginger shall be hot i' the mouth too!" CANTO VI.-A SHAKSPEARE. |