SCENE FROM DON JUAN. Of pleasure and of pain-even while I kiss Thy garment's hem with transport, can it be That doubt should mingle with my filial joy? Deal with me as thou wilt, but spare
this boy,”
High and inscrutable the old man stoop, Calm in his voice and calm within his eye- Not always signs with him of calmest mood : He look'd upon her, but gave no reply; Then turn'd to Juan, in whose cheek the blood Oft came and went, as there resolved to die; In arms, at least, he stood, in act to spring On the first foe whom Lambro's call should bring.
Young man, your sword ? " so Lambro once more Juan replied, “ Not while this arm is free.” [said : The old man's cheek grew pale, but not with dread, And drawing from his belt (1) a pistol, he Replied, " Your blood be then on your own head." Then look'd close to the flint (2), as if to see, 'Twas fresh--for he had lately used the lock (3) And next proceeded quietly tọ cock (4).
Lambro presented (5), and one instant more
(1) Belt, ceinture. (2). The flint, la pierre. (3) The lock , la batterie.
(4) To cock , armer un pistolet, un fusil. La partie de la batterie qui tient la pierre s'appelle en anglais cock , cog; les Français la nomment chien; elle avait souvent la forme de l'un ou l'autre de ces animaux.
(5) To present , viser, coucher en joue.
Had stopp'd this canto and Don Juan's breath, When Haideé threw herself her boy before; Stern as her sire: “ On me,” she cried, “ let death Descend-the fault is mine; this fatal shore He found-but sought not. I have pledged (1) my faith; I love him-I will die with him : I knew Your nature's firmness-know your daughter's too.
A minute past, and she had been all tears, And tenderness, and infancy : but now She stood as one who champions (2) human fears- Pale, statue-like, and stern, she woo'd (3) the blow; And tall beyond her sex, and their compeers , She drew up to her height, as if to show A fairer mark, and with a fix'd eye scann'd (4) Her father's face—but never stopp'd his hand.
BYRON.
CLEOPATRA SAILING DOWN THE CYDNUS TO MEET
MARK ANTONY.
The barge she sat in, like a burnish'd throne Burnt on the water : the poop was beaten gold; Purple the sails, and so perfumed, that The winds were love-sick with them: the oars were silver, Which to the tune of flutes kept stroke, and made
(1) To pledge , engager. (2) To champion, défier, braver. (3) To woo, inviter. (4) To scan,
scander, examiner avec attention.
The water, which they beat, to follow faster, As amourous of their strokes. For her own person, It beggar'd (1) all description : she did lie In her pavilion, (cloth of gold , of tissue,) O’erpicturing that Venus where we see The fancy outwork nature : on each side her Stood pretty dimpled boys, like smiling Cupids, With diverse-colour'd fans, whose wind did seem To glow the delicate cheeks which they did cool, And what they undid, did.
SHAKSPEARE.
There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats ; For I am armed so strong in honesty That they pass by me, as the idle (2) wind, Which I recpect not. I did send to you For certain sums of gold, which you denied me; For I can raise no money by vile means. By heaven, I had rather coin (3) my heart, And drop my blood for drachmas, than to wring (4) From the hard hands of peasants their vile trash (), By any indirection. I did send To you for gold to pay my legions,
(1) To beggar, appauvrir (être au delà de , etc.) (2) Idle, vain , inutile. (3) To coin, monnayer. (4) To wring , extorquer, tordre. (5) Vile trash, vil métal.
Which
you
denied me : was that done like Cassius? Should I have answer'd Caius Cassius so? When Marcus Brutus grows so covetous, To lock such rascal counters from his friends, Be ready, Gods, with all your thunderbolts (1) Dash him to pieces !
SHAKSPEARE.
To travel far as the wide world extends, Seeking for objects that deserved their care, Virtue set forth with two selected friends, Talent refined, and Reputation fair.
As they went on in their intended round, Talent spoke first : “ My gentle comrades, say Where each of you may probably be found, Should accident divide us on the way?
“ If torn (she added) from my lov'd allies, A friendly patronage I hope to find, Where the fine arts from cultivation rise, And the sweet muse hath harmonized mankind.”
Says Virtue, “ Did Sincerity appear (2), Or meek-eyed Charity among the great,
(1) Thunderbolt, la foudre. (2) Did sincerily appear, si la sincérité se trouvail.
CONSCIOUSNESS OF THE EXISTENCE OF GOD.
Could I find courtiers from corruption clear, 'Tis among these I'd (1) seek for my retreat.
“ Could I find patriots for the public weal (2) Assiduous, and without their selfish views; Could I find priests of undissembled zeal, 'Tis among these my residence I'd choose.
“ In glittring domes let Luxury reside, I must be found in some sequester'd cell, Far from the paths of Avarice or Pride, Where home-bred Happiness delights to dwell.”
“ Ye (3) may be traced , my gentle friends, 'lis true; But who (says Reputation) can explore My slipp'ry steps ? Pray keep me in your view : If once I'm lost, you'll never find me more.
CONSCIOUSNESS OF THE EXISTENCE OF GOD.
Lo (4), the poor Indian! whose untutored mind Sees God in clouds, or hears him in the wind; His soul proud Science never taught to stray Far as the solar walk or milky way (5);
(1) I'd pour I would. I'd seek, je chercherais.
(2) The public weal, la chose publique, le bonheur de la nation.
(3) Ye pour you ; les anciens auteurs se servaient de ce mot pour sujet, et de you pour régime. On le trouve presque partout dans la Bible.
(4) Lo, regardez. (5) The milky way, la voie lactée.
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