XX.

In birth, in rank, in fortune likewise equal,
O'er Juan he could no distinction claim;
In years he had the advantage of time's sequel;
And, as he thought, in country much the same—
Because bold Britons have a tongue and free quill,
At which all modern nations vainly aim;
And the Lord Henry was a great debater,
So that few members kept the house up later.

XXI.

These were advantages: and then he thought-
It was his foible, but by no means sinister-
That few or none more than himself had caught

Court mysteries, having been himself a minister: He liked to teach that which he had been taught, And greatly shone whenever there had been a stir; And reconciled all qualities which grace man, Always a patriot, and sometimes a placeman.

XXII.

He liked the gentle Spaniard for his gravity;
He almost honour'd him for his docility,
Because, though young, he acquiesced with suavity,
Or contradicted but with proud humility.

He knew the world, and would not see depravity

In faults which sometimes show the soil's fertility,

If that the weeds o'erlive not the first cropor then they are very difficult to stop.

XXIII.

And then he talk'd with him about Madrid,
Constantinople, and such distant places;
Where people always did as they were bid,

Or did what they should not with foreign graces. Of coursers also spake they: Henry rid

Well, like most Englishmen, and loved the races; And Juan, like a true-born Andalusian, Could back a horse, as despots ride a Russian.

XXIV.

And thus acquaintance grew, at noble routs,
And diplomatic dinners, or at other
For Juan stood well both with Ins and Outs,

As in freemasonry a higher brother.
Upon his talent Henry had no doubts;

-

His manner show'd him sprung from a high mother; And all men like to show their hospitality

To him whose breeding matches with his quality.

XXV.

At Blank-Blank Square;-for we will break no squares By naming streets: since men are so censorious, And apt to sow an author's wheat with tares,

Reaping allusions private and inglorious, Where none were dreamt of, unto love's affairs,

Which were, or are, or are to be notorious, That therefore do I previously declare,

Lord Henry's mansion was in Blank-Blank Square.

XXVI.

Also there bin (2) another pious reason

For making squares and streets anonymous; Which is, that there is scarce a single season Which doth not shake some very splendid house With some slight heart-quake of domestic treason— A topic scandal doth delight to rouse :

Such I might stumble over unawares,
Unless I knew the very chastest squares.

XXVII.

'Tis true, I might have chosen Piccadilly,
A place where peccadillos are unknown;
But I have motives, whether wise or silly,
For letting that pure sanctuary alone.
Therefore I name not square, street, place, until I
Find one where nothing naughty can be shown,
A vestal shrine of innocence of heart:

Such are.

-but I have lost the London Chart.

XXVIII.

At Henry's mansion then, in Blank-Blank Square, Was Juan a recherché, welcome guest,

As many

other noble scions were;

And some who had but talent for their crest; Or wealth, which is a passport every where; Or even mere fashion, which indeed's the best Recommendation; and to be well drest Will very often supersede the rest.

(1)

"With every thing that pretty bin,
My lady sweet, arise."- SHAKSPEARE,

XXIX.

And since "there's safety in a multitude
Of counsellors," as Solomon has said,

Or some one for him, in some sage, grave mood;
Indeed we see the daily proof display'd
In senates, at the bar, in wordy feud,

Where'er collective wisdom can parade,
Which is the only cause that we can guess
Of Britain's present wealth and happiness ;-

XXX.

But as "there's safety" grafted in the number
"Of counsellors" for men, -thus for the sex
A large acquaintance lets not Virtue slumber;
Or should it shake, the choice will more perplex-
Variety itself will more encumber.

'Midst many rocks we guard more against wrecks ; And thus with women: howsoe'er it shocks some's Self-love, there's safety in a crowd of coxcombs.

XXXI.

But Adeline had not the least occasion

For such a shield, which leaves but little merit To virtue proper, or good education.

Her chief resource was in her own high spirit, Which judged mankind at their due estimation; And for coquetry, she disdain'd to wear it: Secure of admiration, its impression Was faint, as of an every-day possession.

XXXII.

To all she was polite without parade;
To some she show'd attention of that kind
Which flatters, but is flattery convey'd

In such a sort as cannot leave behind
A trace unworthy either wife or maid ;-
A gentle, genial courtesy of mind,
To those who were, or pass'd for meritorious,
Just to console sad glory for being glorious;

XXXIII.

Which is in all respects, save now and then,
A dull and desolate appendage. Gaze
Upon the shades of those distinguish'd men,
Who were or are the puppet-shows of praise,
The praise of persecution. Gaze again

On the most favour'd; and amidst the blaze
Of sunset halos o'er the laurel-brow'd,
What can ye recognise?—a gilded cloud.

XXXIV.

There also was of course in Adeline

That calm patrician polish in the address,
Which ne'er can pass the equinoctial line
Of any thing which nature would express;
Just as a mandarin finds nothing fine,-

At least his manner suffers not to guess That any thing he views can greatly please. Perhaps we have borrow'd this from the Chinese