LXXXII.

But when the levee rose, and all was bustle
In the dissolving circle, all the nations'
Ambassadors began as 'twere to hustle

Round the young man with their congratulations. Also the softer silks were heard to rustle

Of gentle dames, among whose recreations

It is to speculate on handsome faces,
Especially when such lead to high places.

LXXXIII.

Juan, who found himself, he knew not how,
A general object of attention, made
His answers with a very graceful bow,
As if born for the ministerial trade.
Though modest, on his unembarrass'd brow
Nature had written "gentleman." He said
Little, but to the purpose; and his manner
Flung hovering Graces o'er him like a banner.

LXXXIV.

An order from her Majesty consign'd young lieutenant to the genial care

Our

Of those in office: all the world look'd kind

(As it will look sometimes with the first stare, Which youth would not act ill to keep in mind); As also did Miss Protasoff then there, Named, from her mystic office, "l'Éprouveuse," A term inexplicable to the Muse.

LXXXV.

With her then, as in humble duty bound,
Juan retired, and so will I, until
My Pegasus shall tire of touching ground.
We have just lit on a "Heaven-kissing hill,"
So lofty that I feel my brain turn round,
And all my fancies whirling like a mill;
Which is a signal to my nerves and brain,
To take a quiet ride in some green lane.

NOTES TO CANTO IX.

NOTE 1.

Humanity would rise, and thunder" Nay!"

Stanza i. last line.

Query, Ney?-PRINTER'S DEVIL.

NOTE 2.

And send the sentinel before your gate
A slice or two from your luxurious meals.

Stanza vi. lines 3, 4.

"I at this time got a post, being for fatigue, with four others. We were sent to break biscuit, and make a mess for Lord Wellington's hounds. I was very hungry, and thought it a good job at the time, as we got our own fill while we broke the biscuit,- a thing I had not got for some days. When thus engaged, the Prodigal Son was never once out of my mind; and I sighed, as I fed the dogs, over my humble situation and my ruined hopes."―Journal of a Soldier of the 71st Regt. during the War in Spain.

NOTE 3.

Because he could no more digest his dinner.

Stanza xxxiii. last line.

He was killed in a conspiracy, after his temper had been exasperated, by his extreme costivity, to a degree of insanity.

NOTE 4.

And had just buried the fair-faced Lanskoi.

Stanza xlvii. last line.

He was the "grande passion" of the grande Catherine. See her Lives, under the head of " Lanskoi."

NOTE 5.

Bid Ireland's Londonderry's Marquess show

His parts of speech.

Stanza xlix. lines 3, 4.

This was written long before the suicide of that

person.

NOTE 6.

66

Your "fortune" was in a fair way to swell
"A man," as Giles says.

Stanza Ixiii. lines 5, 7.

"His fortune swells him, it is rank, he's married.”

-Sir Giles Overreach; MASSINGER.-See " A New Way to Pay Old Debts."