II. Had he but been placed at a public school, At least, had he been nurtured in the north; Spain may prove an exception to the rule, But then exceptions always prove its worth— A lad of sixteen causing a divorce Puzzled his tutors very much, of course. III. I can't say that it puzzles me at all, If all things be consider'd: first, there was His lady-mother, mathematical, A -never mind; his tutor, an old ass ; A pretty woman-(that's quite natural, Or else the thing had hardly come to pass); A husband rather old, not much in unity With his young wife-a time, and opportunity. IV. Well-well, the world must turn upon its axis, V. I said, that Juan had been sent to Cadiz- (Or was, before Peru learn'd to rebel) And such sweet girls-I mean, such graceful ladies, Their very walk would make your bosom swell; I can't describe it, though so much it strike, Nor liken it-I never saw the like: VI. An Arab horse, a stately stag, a barb New broke, a camelopard, a gazelle, No-none of these will do ;—and then their garb! A canto-then their feet and ancles-well, VII. Chaste Muse!—well, if you must, you must)—the veil Thrown back a moment with the glancing hand, To say my prayers-but never was there plann'd A dress through which the eyes give such a volley, Excepting the Venetian Fazzioli. VIII. But to our tale: the Donna Inez sent Her son to Cadiz only to embark; To stay there had not answer'd her intent, But why?—we leave the reader in the dark'Twas for a voyage that the young man was meant, As if a Spanish ship were Noah's ark, To wean him from the wickedness of earth, IX. Don Juan bade his valet pack his things A lecture and some money for four springs She hoped he would improve-perhaps believed: A letter, too, she gave (he never read it) Of good advice-and two or three of credit. X. In the mean time, to pass her hours away, Spurr'd her to teach another generation. XI. Juan embark'd-the ship got under way, As I, who've cross'd it oft, know well enough; And, standing upon deck, the dashing spray Flies in one's face, and makes it weather-tough: And there he stood to take, and take again, His first-perhaps his last-farewell of Spain. |