The Works of Lord Byron Volume VI Part 129

XLVIII.

Aurora--since we are touching upon taste, Which now-a-days is the thermometer By whose degrees all characters are cla.s.sed-- Was more Shakespearian, if I do not err.

The worlds beyond this World's perplexing waste Had more of her existence, for in her There was a depth of feeling to embrace Thoughts, boundless, deep, but silent too as s.p.a.ce.

XLIX.

Not so her gracious, graceful, graceless Grace, The full-grown Hebe of Fitz-Fulke, whose mind, If she had any, was upon her face, And that was of a fascinating kind.

A little turn for mischief you might trace Also thereon,--but that's not much; we find Few females without some such gentle leaven, For fear we should suppose us quite in Heaven.

L.

I have not heard she was at all poetic, Though once she was seen reading the _Bath Guide_,[788]

And Hayley's _Triumphs_,[789] which she deemed pathetic, Because she said _her temper_ had been tried So much, the bard had really been prophetic Of what she had gone through with--since a bride.

But of all verse, what most ensured her praise Were sonnets to herself, or _bouts rimes_.

LI.

'Twere difficult to say what was the object Of Adeline, in bringing this same lay To bear on what appeared to her the subject Of Juan's nervous feelings on that day.

Perhaps she merely had the simple project To laugh him out of his supposed dismay; Perhaps she might wish to confirm him in it, Though why I cannot say--at least this minute.

LII.

But so far the immediate effect Was to restore him to his self-propriety, A thing quite necessary to the elect, Who wish to take the tone of their society: In which you cannot be too circ.u.mspect, Whether the mode be persiflage or piety, But wear the newest mantle of hypocrisy, On pain of much displeasing the gynocracy.[790]

LIII.

And therefore Juan now began to rally His spirits, and without more explanation To jest upon such themes in many a sally.

Her Grace, too, also seized the same occasion, With various similar remarks to tally, But wished for a still more detailed narration Of this same mystic friar's curious doings, About the present family's deaths and wooings.

LIV.

Of these few could say more than has been said; They pa.s.sed as such things do, for superst.i.tion With some, while others, who had more in dread The theme, half credited the strange tradition; And much was talked on all sides on that head: But Juan, when cross-questioned on the vision, Which some supposed (though he had not avowed it) Had stirred him, answered in a way to cloud it.

LV.

And then, the mid-day having worn to one, The company prepared to separate; Some to their several pastimes, or to none, Some wondering 'twas so early, some so late.

There was a goodly match too, to be run Between some greyhounds on my Lord's estate, And a young race-horse of old pedigree, Matched for the spring, whom several went to see.

LVI.

There was a picture-dealer who had brought A special t.i.tian, warranted original, So precious that it was not to be bought, Though Princes the possessor were besieging all-- The King himself had cheapened it, but thought The civil list he deigns to accept (obliging all His subjects by his gracious acceptation)-- Too scanty, in these times of low taxation.

LVII.

But as Lord Henry was a connoisseur,-- The friend of Artists, if not Arts,--the owner, With motives the most cla.s.sical and pure, So that he would have been the very donor, Rather than seller, had his wants been fewer, So much he deemed his patronage an honour, Had brought the _capo d'opera_, not for sale, But for his judgment--never known to fail.

LVIII.

There was a modern Goth, I mean a Gothic Bricklayer of Babel, called an architect,[ob]

Brought to survey these grey walls which, though so thick, Might have from Time acquired some slight defect; Who, after rummaging the Abbey through thick And thin, produced a plan whereby to erect New buildings of correctest conformation, And throw down old--which he called _restoration_.[791]

LIX.

The cost would be a trifle--an "old song,"

Set to some thousands ('tis the usual burden Of that same tune, when people hum it long)-- The price would speedily repay its worth in An edifice no less sublime than strong, By which Lord Henry's good taste would go forth in Its glory, through all ages shining sunny, For Gothic daring shown in English money.[792]

LX.

There were two lawyers busy on a mortgage Lord Henry wished to raise for a new purchase; Also a lawsuit upon tenures burgage,[793]

And one on t.i.thes, which sure as Discord's torches, Kindling Religion till she throws down _her_ gage, "Untying" squires "to fight against the churches;"[794]

There was a prize ox, a prize pig, and ploughman, For Henry was a sort of Sabine showman.

LXI.

There were two poachers caught in a steel trap, Ready for gaol, their place of convalescence; There was a country girl in a close cap And scarlet cloak (I hate the sight to see, since-- Since--since--in youth, I had the sad mishap-- But luckily I have paid few parish fees since):[795]

That scarlet cloak, alas! unclosed with rigour, Presents the problem of a double figure.

LXII.

A reel within a bottle is a mystery, One can't tell how it e'er got in or out; Therefore the present piece of natural history I leave to those who are fond of solving doubt; And merely state, though not for the Consistory, Lord Henry was a Justice, and that Scout The constable, beneath a warrant's banner, Had bagged this poacher upon Nature's manor.

LXIII.

Now Justices of Peace must judge all pieces Of mischief of all kinds, and keep the game And morals of the country from caprices Of those who have not a licence for the same; And of all things, excepting t.i.thes and leases, Perhaps these are most difficult to tame: Preserving partridges and pretty wenches Are puzzles to the most precautions benches.

LXIV.

The present culprit was extremely pale, Pale as if painted so; her cheek being red By nature, as in higher dames less hale 'Tis white, at least when they just rise from bed.

Perhaps she was ashamed of seeming frail, Poor soul! for she was country born and bred, And knew no better in her immorality Than to wax white--for blushes are for quality.

LXV.

Her black, bright, downcast, yet _espiegle_ eye, Had gathered a large tear into its corner, Which the poor thing at times essayed to dry, For she was not a sentimental mourner Parading all her sensibility, Nor insolent enough to scorn the scorner, But stood in trembling, patient tribulation, To be called up for her examination.

LXVI.

Of course these groups were scattered here and there, Not nigh the gay saloon of ladies gent.[796]

The lawyers in the study; and in air The prize pig, ploughman, poachers: the men sent From town, viz. architect and dealer, were Both busy (as a General in his tent Writing despatches) in their several stations, Exulting in their brilliant lucubrations.

LXVII.

But this poor girl was left in the great hall, While Scout, the parish guardian of the frail, Discussed (he hated beer yclept the "small") A mighty mug of _moral_ double ale.

She waited until Justice could recall Its kind attentions to their proper pale, To name a thing in nomenclature rather[oc]

Perplexing for most virgins--a child's father.

LXVIII.

You see here was enough of occupation For the Lord Henry, linked with dogs and horses.