LXXX. Oh, Mirth and Innocence! Oh, Milk and Water! His thirst with such pure beverage. No matter, LXXXI. Our Laura's Turk still kept his eyes upon her, Which seems to say, "Madam, I do you honour, "And while I please to stare, you'll please to stay:" Could staring win a woman, this had won her, But Laura could not thus be led astray; She had stood fire too long and well, to boggle Even at this stranger's most outlandish ogle. LXXXII. The morning now was on the point of breaking, To make their preparations for forsaking The ball-room ere the sun begins to rise, Because when once the lamps and candles fail, His blushes make them look a little pale. LXXXIII. I've seen some balls and revels in my time, To see what lady best stood out the season; And though I've seen some thousands in their prime, Lovely and pleasing, and who still may please on, I never saw but one, (the stars withdrawn,) Whose bloom could after dancing dare the dawn. LXXXIV. The name of this Aurora I'll not mention, At the next London or Parisian ball LXXXV. Laura, who knew it would not do at all To meet the daylight after seven hours sitting Among three thousand people at a ball, To make her curtsy thought it right and fitting; The Count was at her elbow with her shawl, And they the room were on the point of quitting, When lo! those cursed gondoliers had got Just in the very place where they should not. LXXXVI. In this they're like our coachmen, and the cause LXXXVII. The Count and Laura found their boat at last, The dancers and their dresses, too, beside; (As to their palace stairs the rowers glide,) Sate Laura by the side of her Adorer, When lo! the Mussulman was there before her. LXXXVIII. Sir," said the Count, with brow exceeding grave, "Your unexpected presence here will make "It necessary for myself to crave "Its import? But perhaps 'tis a mistake; "I hope it is so; and at once to wave "All compliment, I hope so for your sake; “You understand my meaning, or you shall.” "Sir," (quoth the Turk) "'tis no mistake at all. LXXXIX. "That lady is my wife!" Much wonder paints They only call a little on their saints, And then come to themselves, almost or quite; Which saves much hartshorn, salts, and sprinkling faces, And cutting stays, as usual in such cases. XC. She said,-what could she say? Why not a word: The stranger, much appeased by what he heard: XCI. They enter'd, and for coffee call'd-it came, A beverage for Turks and Christians both, Although the way they make it's not the same. Now Laura, much recover'd, or less loth To speak, cries "Beppo! what's your pagan name? "Bless me! your beard is of amazing growth! "And how came you to keep away so long? "Are you not sensible 'twas very wrong? VOL. II. сс XCII. “And are you really, truly, now a Turk? "With any other women did you wive? "Is't true they use their fingers for a fork? "Well, that's the prettiest shawl—as I'm alive! "You'll give it me? They say you eat no pork. "And how so many years did you contrive "To-Bless me! did I ever? No, I never "Saw a man grown so yellow! How's your liver? XCIII. Beppo! that beard of yours becomes you not; "It shall be shaved before you're a day older: "Why do you wear it? Oh! I had forgot "Pray don't you think the weather here is colder? "How do I look? You sha'n't stir from this spot "In that queer dress, for fear that some beholder "Should find you out, and make the story known. "How short your hair is! Lord! how gray it's grown!" XCIV. What answer Beppo made to these demands |