Through the serene and placid glassy deep, LXXXVIII. Now when she once had ta'en an interest LXXXIX. But when it was, she had that lurking demon Whene'er their triumph pales, or star is tamed:- XC. Had Buonaparte won at Waterloo, It had been firmness; now 't is pertinacity: Must the event decide between the two? I leave it to your people of sagacity To draw the line between the false and true, My business is with Lady Adeline, Who in her way too was a heroine. (1) [See antè, Vol. VIII. p. 164.] XCI. She knew not her own heart; then how should I? I think not she was then in love with Juan: If so, she would have had the strength to fly The wild sensation, unto her a new one : She merely felt a common sympathy (I will not say it was a false or true one) In him, because she thought he was in danger, — Her husband's friend, her own, young, and a stranger, XCII. She was, or thought she was, his friend- and this Without the farce of friendship, or romance Platonism, which leads so oft amiss Ladies who have studied friendship but in France, Or Germany, where people purely kiss. To thus much Adeline would not advance; But of such friendship as man's may to man be XCIII No doubt the secret influence of the sex And tune the concord to a finer mood. XCIV. Love bears within its breast the very germ Is shown through nature's whole analogies;(1) XCV. Alas! by all experience, seldom yet (I merely quote what I have heard from many) Had lovers not some reason to regret The passion which made Solomon a zany. I've also seen some wives (not to forget The marriage state, the best or worst of any) Who were the very paragons of wives, XCVI. I've also seen some female friends ('tis odd, (1) ["These violent delights have violent ends, And in their triumph die.". - Romeo and Juliet.] XCVII. Whether Don Juan and chaste Adeline XCVIII. Whether they rode, or walk'd, or studied Spanish Whether their talk was of the kind call'd "small," Or serious, are the topics I must banish To the next Canto; where perhaps I shall Say something to the purpose, and display Considerable talent in my way. XCIX. Above all, I beg all men to forbear Than I have yet done, in this epic satire. C. But great things spring from little :-Would you That in our youth, as dangerous a passion [think, As e'er brought man and woman to the brink Of ruin, rose from such a slight occasion, As few would ever dream could form the link Of such a sentimental situation? You'll never guess, I'll bet you millions, milliards — It all sprung from a harmless game at billiards. CI. 'Tis strange, but true; for truth is always strange; Stranger than fiction: if it could be told, How much would novels gain by the exchange; CII. What "antres vast and deserts idle" (1) then Of those who hold the kingdoms in control! (1) [Othello, Act I. Sc. iii.] |