 Don Jewin by Gordon Lord Byron, canto 5. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Peter Gallagher of petergallagher.com.au. Don Jewin by Gordon Lord Byron, canto 5, part 1. When amatory poets sing their loves in liquid lines, malifluously bland, and pair their rhymes, as Venus yokes her doves, they little think what mischief is in hand. The greater their success, the worse it proves as Ovid's verse may give to understand, even Petrarch's self, if judged with due severity, is the platonic pimp of all posterity. I therefore do denounce all amorous writing, except in such a way as not to attract. Plain, simple, short, and by no means inviting, but with a moral to each error tact, formed rather for instructing than delighting, and with all the passions in their turn attacked. Now, if my Pegasus should not be shoddill, this poem will become a moral model. The European, with the Asian shore, sprinkled with palaces, the ocean stream here and there studded with a seventy-four, Sophia's cupola with golden gleam, the Cyprus groves, Olympus high and whore, the twelve aisles, and the more than I can dream, far less describe, present the very view which charmed the charming Mary Montague. I have a passion for the name of Mary. For once it was a magic sound to me, and still it half calls up the realms of fairy, where I beheld what never was to be. All feelings changed. But this was last to vary, a spell from which, even yet, I'm not quite free. But I grow sad, and let a tale grow cold, which must not be pathetically told. The wind swept down the Uxen, and the wave broke foaming all the blue symplegades, to the grand sight from off the giant's grave to watch the progress of those rolling seas between the Bosphorus, as they lash and lave Europe and Asia, you being quite at ease. There's not a sea the passenger air pukes in, turns up more dangerous breakers than the Uxen. It was a raw day of autumn's bleak beginning when nights are equal, but not so the days. The parkae then cut short the further spinning of seamen's fates, and the loud tempests raised the waters, and repentance for past sinning in all who all the great deep take their ways. They vow to amend their lives, and yet they don't, because if drowned they can't, if spared they won't. A crowd of shivering slaves of every nation and age and sex were in the market ranged, each bevy with the merchant in his station. Poor creatures, their looks were sadly changed. All save the blacks seemed jaded with vexation, from friends and home and freedom far estranged. The Negroes, more philosophy displayed, used to it, no doubt, as eels are to be flayed. Jewen was juvenile, and thus was full as most at his age, hour of hope and health. Yet almost own he looked a little dull, and now and then a tear stole down by stealth. Perhaps his recent loss of blood might pull his spirit down, and then the loss of wealth, a mistress, and such comfortable quarters. To be put up for auction amongst tartars were things to shake a stoic. Nevertheless, upon the whole his carriage was serene. His figure, and the splendour of his dress, of which some gilded remnant still were seen, drew all eyes on him, giving them to guess he was above the vulgar by his mean. And then, though pale, he was so very handsome. And then they calculated on his ransom. Like a backgammon board, the place was dotted with whites and blacks in groups on show for sale, though rather more irregularly spotted. Some bought the jet, while others chose the pale. It chanced among the other people, lottered, kind of thirty, rather stout and hail with resolution in his dark grey eye next due and stood, till some might choose to buy. He had an English look, that is, was square in make, of a complexion white and ruddy, good teeth, with curling rather dark brown hair, and it might be from thought or toil or study, an open brow, a little marked with care. One arm had on a bandage rather bloody, and there he stood with such sang-froid that greater could scarce be shown even by a mere spectator. But seeing at his elbow a mere lad of high spirit evidently though at present weighed down by a doom which had all thrown even men, he soon began to show of kind of blunt compassion for the sad lot of so young a partner in the woe which for himself he seemed to deem no worse than any other scrape. A thing of course. My boy, he said, amidst this motley crew of Georgians, Russians, Nubians and whatnot, all ragamuffins differing but in hue, with whom it is our luck to cast our lot, the only gentlemen seem I and you. So let us be acquainted as we ought. If I could yield you any consolation to it give me pleasure. Pray, what is your nation? When June answered, Spanish, he replied, I thought in fact you could not be a Greek. Those servile dogs are not so proudly eyed. Fortune has played you here a pretty freak, but that's a way with all men till they're tried. But never mind. She'll turn perhaps next week. She has served me all so much the same as you except that I have found it nothing new. Pray, sir, said June, if I may presume, what bought you here? Oh, nothing very rare. Six tartars and a drag-chain. To this doom but what conducted if the questions fair is that which I would learn. I served for some months with the Russian army here and there, and taking lately by Sauros bidding a town was taint myself instead of witten. Have you no friends? I had, but by God's blessing have not been troubled with them lately. Now, I've answered all your questions without pressing, and you in equal courtesy should show. Alas, said June, to a tale distressing and long besides. Oh, ift is really so, you're right on both accounts to hold your tongue. A sad tale saddens doubly whent is long. But, droop not, fortune at your time of life, although a female moderately fickle will hardly leave you, as she's not your wife, for any length of days in such a pickle. Distrived, too, with our fate were such a strife as if the corn-sheaf should oppose the sickle. Men are the sport of circumstances when the circumstances seem the sport of men. Tis not, said June, for my present doom I mourn but for the past. I loved to maid. He paused, and his dark eye grew full of gloom. A single tear upon his eyelash stayed a moment and then dropped. But, to resume, tis not my present lot, as I have said, which I deplore so much, for I have borne hardships which have the hardiest o'erworn on the rough deep. But this last blow, and here he stopped again and turned away his face. I, quoth his friend, I thought it would appear there had been a lady in the case, and these are things which ask a tender tear, such as my two would shed if in your place. I cried upon my first wife's dying day, and also when my second ran away. My third, your third, quothed June, turning round, you scarcely can be thirty. Have you three? No, only two at present, above ground. Surely it is nothing wonderful to see one person thrice in the holy wedlock bound. Well, then your third, said June, what did she? She did not run away too, did she, sir? No faith, what then? I ran away from her. You take things coolly, sir, said June. Why, replied the other, what can a man do? There still are many rainbows in your sky, but mine have vanished. All when life is new, commence with feelings warm and prospects high. But time strips our illusions of their hue, and one by one, in turn, some grand mistake casts off its bright skin yearly like the snake. It is true it gets another bright and fresh, or fresher, brighter, but the year gone through this skin must go the way, too, of all flesh, or sometimes only where a week or two. Love's the first net which spreads its deadly mesh. Ambition, avarice, vengeance, glory, glue the glittering lime twigs of our latter days where still we flutter on for pence or praise. All this is very fine and may be true, said June, but I really don't see how it betters present times with me or you. No, quoth the other, yet you will allow by setting things in their right point of view knowledge at least is gained. For instance, now, we know what slavery is, and our disasters may teach us better to behave when masters. Would we were masters now? If but to try their present lessons on our pagan friends here, said June, swallowing a heart-burning sigh. Heaven helped the scholar whom his fortune sent here. Perhaps we shall be one day by and by, rejoined the other, when our bad luck bends here. In the meantime, young, all-black eunuch seems to eye us. I wish to God that somebody would buy us. But after all, what is our present state? It is bad, and may be better. All men's lot. Most men are slaves, none more so than the great, to their own whims and passions and what not. Society itself, which should create kindness, destroys what little we had got. Heal for none is the true social art of the world's stoics. Men without a heart. No lady ere is ogled by a lover, horse by a black leg, broadcloth by a tailor, fee by a council, felon by a jailer, as is a slave by his intended bidder. It is pleasant. It is pleasant. It is pleasant. It is pleasant. It is pleasant. It is intended bidder. It is pleasant purchasing our fellow creatures, and all are to be sold if you consider their passions and are dexterous. Some by features are bought up. Others by a warlike leader, some by a place as tens their years or natures, the most by ready cash. But all have prices from crowns to kicks, according to their vices. The eunuch, having eyed them all with care, turned to the merchant and began to bid, first but for one and after for the pair. They haggled, wrangled, swore, too, so they did, as though they were in a mere Christian fair, cheapening an ox, an ass, a lamb, or kid, so that their bargain sounded like a battle for this superior yoke of human cattle. At last they settled into simple grumbling and pulling out reluctant purses and turning each piece of silver ore and tumbling some down and weighing others in their hand and, by mistake, sequins with parrots jumbling until the sum was accurately scanned and then the merchant giving change and signing receipts in full began to think of dining. I wonder if his appetite was good or if it were if also his digestion. He thinks at meals some odd thoughts might intrude and conscience ask a curious sort of question about the right divine how far we should sell flesh and blood. When dinner has oppressed one I think it is perhaps the gloomiest hour which turns up out of the sad twenty-four. Voltaire says, no. He tells you that Condide found life most tolerable after meals. He's wrong. Unless man were a pig, indeed, repletion rather adds to what he feels unless he's drunk and then, no doubt, he's freed from his own brain's oppression while it reels of food I think with Philip's son or rather Ammon's ill-pleased with one world and one father I think with Alexander that the act of eating with another act or two makes us feel our mortality in fact redoubled when a roast and a ragout and fish and soup by some side dishes backed can give us either pain or pleasure who would peak himself on intellects whose use depends so much upon the gastric juice. The other evening Twas on Friday last. This is a fact and no poetic fable just as my great coat was about me cast my hat and gloves still lying on the table I heard a shot. Twas eight o'clock scarce past and running out as fast as I was able I found the military commandant stretched in the street and scarce able to pant poor fellow for some reason surely bad they had slain him with five slugs and left him there to perish on the pavement so I had him bought into the house and born up the stair and stripped and looked to but why should I add more circumstances vain was every care the man was gone in some Italian quarrel killed by five bullets from an old gun barrel I gazed upon him for I knew him well and though I have seen many corpses never saw one whom such an accident befell so calm though pierced through stomach heart and liver he seemed to sleep for you could scarcely tell as he bled inwardly the furious river of gore divulged the cause that he was dead so as I gazed on him I thought or said can this be death? then what is life or death? speak but he spoke not wake but still he slept but yesterday and who had mightier breath a thousand warriors by his words were kept in awe he said as the centurion said go and he goeth come and forth he stepped the trump and bugle till he spake were dumb and now nought left him but the muffled drum and they who waited and worshipped they were their rough faces thronged about the bed to gaze once more on the commanding clay which for the last though not the first time bled in such an end that he who many a day had faced Napoleon's foes until they fled the foremost and the charger in the sally should now be butchered in a civic alley the scars of his old wounds were near his new those honourable scars which bought him fame and horrid was the contrast to the view but let me quit the theme such things claim perhaps even more attention than is due from me I gazed as oft I have gazed the same to try if I could wrench ought out of death which should confirm or shake or make a faith but it was all a mystery here we are and there we go but where five bits of lead or three or two or one send very far and is this blood then formed but to be shed can every element our elements mar and air earth water fire live and we dead we whose minds comprehend all things no more but let us to the story as before the purchaser of June and acquaintance bore off his bargains to a gilded boat embarked himself and them and off they went thence as fast as oars could pull and water float they looked like persons being led to sentence wondering what next till the kayak was bought up in a little creek below a wall or topped with cypresses dark green and tall here their conductor tapping at the wicket of a small iron door to his opened and he led them onward first through a low thicket flanked by large groves which tired on either hand they almost lost their way and had to pick it for night was closing air they came to land the unit made a sign to those on board who rode off leaving them without a word as they were plotting on their winding way through orange bars and jasmine and so forth of which I might have a good deal to say there being no such profusion in the north of oriental plants et cetera but that of late your scribblers think it worth their while to rear whole hotbeds in their works because one poet travel amongst the turks as they were threading on their way there came into Don Dewan's head a thought which he whispered to his companion it was the same which might have then occurred to you or me he thinks said he it would be no great shame if we should strike a stroke to set us free let's knock that old black fellow on the head and march away to a easier done than said yes said the other and when done what then how get out how the devil got we in and when we once were fairly out and when from Saint Bartholomew we've saved our skin tomorrow'd see us in some other den and worse off than we hitherto have been besides I'm hungry and just now would take like he saw for my birthright a beef steak we must be near some place of man's abode for the old negro's confidence in creeping with his two captives by so queer a road shows that he thinks his friends have not been sleeping a single cry would bring them all abroad it is therefore better looking before leaping there you see this turn has brought us through by Joe for Noble Palace lighted to end of part two Don Dewan by Gordon Lord Byron Canto 5 part 3 this LibriVox recording is in the public domain recording by Peter Gallagher of petergallagher.com.au it was indeed a wide extensive building which opened on their view and all the front there seemed to be brisprint to deal of gilding and various hues as is the Turkish want a gaudy taste for they are little skilled in the arts of which these lands were once the font each villa on the Bosphorus looks a screen new painted or a pretty opera scene and nearer has they came a genial saver of certain stews and roast meats and pilars things which in hungry mortals eyes find favor made Dewan in his harsh intentions pours and put himself upon his good behavior his friend too adding a new saving clause said in heaven's name let's get some supper now and then I'm with you if you're for a row some talk of an appeal unto some passion some to men's feelings others to their reason the last of these was never much the fashion for reason thinks all reasoning out of season some speakers wine and others lay the lash on but more or less continue still to tease on with arguments according to their fault but no one ever dreams of being short but I digress of all appeals although I grant the power of pathos and of gold of beauty flattery threats a shilling no methods more sure at moments to take hold of the best feelings of mankind which grow more tender as we every day behold than that all softening overpowering knell the toxin of the soul the dinner bell turkey contains no bells and yet mendine and June and his friend albeit they heard no Christian knoll to table saw no line of lackeys usher to the feast prepared yet smelled roast meat beheld a huge fire shine and cooks in motion with their clean arms bared and gazed around them to the left and right with the prophetic eye of appetite and giving up all notions of resistance they followed close behind their sable guide who little thought his own cracked existence was on the point of being set aside he motion to them to stop at some small distance and knocking at the gate it was opened wide and a magnificent hall displayed the Asian pop of Ottoman parade I won't describe description is my fault but every fool describes in these bright days his wondrous journey to some foreign court and spawns his corto and demands your praise death to his publisher to him to sport while nature tortured 20,000 ways resigns herself with exemplary patients to guide books rhymes tours sketches illustrations along this hall and up and down some squatted upon their hams were occupied at chess others in mono syllable talk chattered and some seemed much in love with their own dress and divers smoked superb pipes decorated with amber mouths of greater price or less and several strutted others slept and some prepared for supper with a glass of rum as the black eunuch entered with his brace of purchased infidels some raised their eyes a moment without slackening from their pace but those who sat near stirred in any wise one or two stared the captives in the face just as one views a horse to guess his price some nodded to the negro from their station but no one troubled him with conversation he leads them through the hall and without stopping on through a further range of goodly rooms splendid but silent save in one where dropping a marble fountain echoes through the glooms of night which robe the chamber or where popping some female head most curiously presumes to thrust its black eyes through the door or lattice as wondering what the devil noise that is some faint lamps gleaming from the lofty walls gave light enough to hint their father way but not enough to show the imperial halls in all the flashing of their full array perhaps there's nothing I'll not say appalls but saddens more by night as well as day than an enormous room without a soul to break the lifeless splendor of the whole two or three seem so little one seems nothing in deserts forests crowds or by the shore their solitude we know has her full growth in the spots which were her realms forever more but in a mighty hall or gallery both in more modern buildings and those built of yore a kind of death comes or us all alone seeing what's meant for many with but one a neat snug study on a winter's night to a book a friend single lady or a glass of claret sandwich and an appetite are things which make an English evening pass those cities by no means so grand a site as is theater lit up by gas I pass my evenings in long galleries solely and that's the reason I'm so melancholy alas man makes that great which makes him little I grant you in a church to very well what speaks of heaven should by no means be brittle but strong and lasting till no tongue can tell their names who reared it but huge houses fit ill and huge tombs worse mankind since Adam fell me thinks the story of the tower of Babel might teach them this much better than I'm able Babel was Nimrod's hunting box and then a town of gardens walls and wealth amazing where Nabocodonosaur king of men reigned till one summer's day he took to grazing and Daniel tamed the lions in their den the people's oar and admiration raising twas famous to for thysby and for Pyramus and the Columniated Queen Semiramus that injured queen by chroniclers so course has been accused I doubt not by conspiracy of an improper friendship for her horse love like religion sometimes runs to heresy this monstrous tale had probably its source for such exaggerations here and there I see in writing Corsa by mistake for courier I wish the case could come before a jury here but to resume should they be what may not be in these days some infidels who don't because they can't find out the very spot of that same Babel or because they won't though Claudius Richard Squire some bricks has got and written lately to memoirs a point believe the Jews those unbelievers who must be believed though they believe not you yet let them think that Horace has expressed shortly and sweetly the Masonic folly of those forgetting the great place of rest who give themselves to architecture holy we know where things and men must end at best a moral like all morals melancholy and it's a pulchri ima more stress Domas shows that we build when we should but in to must at last they reached a quarter most retired where echo woke as if from a long slumber though full of all things which could be desired one wondered what to do with such a number of articles which nobody required here wealth had done its utmost to encumber with furniture and exquisite apartment which puzzled nature much to know what art meant it seemed however but to open on a range or suite of further chambers which might lead to heaven knows where but in this one the movables were prodigly rich so first was half a sin to sit upon so costly were they carpets every stitch of workmanship so rare they made you wish you could glide or them like a golden fish the black however without hardly daining a glance at that which wrapped the slaves in wonder trampled what they scarce trod for fear of staining as if the milky way their feet was under with all its stars and with a stretch attaining a certain press or cupboard niched in yonder in that remote recess which you may see or if you don't the fault is not in me I wish to be perspicuous and the black guy say unlocking the recess pulled forth a quantity of clothes fit for the back of any muscleman what is worth and a variety there was no lack and yet though I have said there was no dearth he chose himself to point out what he thought most proper for the Christians he had bought the suit he thought most suitable to each was for the elder and the stouter first a candidote cloak which to the knee might reach and trousers not so tight that they would burst but such as fit an Asiatic breach a shawl whose folds in cashmere had been nursed slippers of saffron dagger rich and handy in short all things which form a Turkish dandy while he was dressing Baba their black friend hinted the vast advantages which they might probably obtain both in the end if they would but pursue the proper way which fortune plainly seemed to recommend and then he added that he needs must say toward greatly tend to better their condition if they would condescend to circumcision for his own part he really should rejoice to see them true believers but no less would leave his proposition to their choice the other thanking him for this excess of goodness in thus leaving them a voice in such a trifle scarcely could express sufficiently he said his approbation of all the customs of this polished nation for his own share he saw but small objection to so respectable an ancient right and after swallowing down a slight reflection for which he owned a present appetite he doubted not a few hours of reflection would reconcile him to the business quite will it said to unsharply strike me dead but they assume she'll circumcise my head cut off a thousand heads before now pray replied the other do not interrupt you put me out on what I had to say sir as I said as soon as I have sucked I shall propend if your proposal may be such as I can probably accept provided always your great goodness still remits the matter to our own free will Baba I join and said be so good as the rest yourself and pointed out a suit in which a princess with great pleasure would array her limbs but during standing mute as not being in a masquerading mood gave it a slight kick with his Christian foot and when the old negro told him to get ready replied old gentleman I am not a lady what you may be I neither know nor care said Baba but pray do as I desire I have no more time nor many words to spare at least said you and sure I may inquire the cause of this odd travesty for bear said Baba to be curious to transpire no doubt in proper place and time and season I have no authority to tell the reason then if I do said you and I'll be hold rejoin the Negro pray be not provoking this spirit's well but it may wax too bold and you will find us not too fond of joking what sir said June shall it air be told that I unsexed my dress but Baba stroking the things down said incense me and I call those who will leave you off no sex at all I offer you a handsome suit of clothes a woman's true but then there is a cause why you should wear them what though my soul loathes the effeminate garb thus after a short pause sides during muttering also some slight hoes what the devil shall I do with all this gores thus he profanely termed the finest lace which air set off for marriage morning face end of part 3 Don Jewen by Gordon Lord Byron Canto 5 part 4 this LibriVox recording is in the public domain recording by Peter Gallagher of petergallagher.com.au and then he swore and sighing on he slipped a pair of trousers of flesh coloured silk next with a virgin's own he was equipped to which go to slight chemise as white as milk but tugging on his petticoat he tripped which as we say or as the scotch say hulk the rhyme obliges me to this sometimes monarchs are less imperious than rhymes hulk which or what you please was owing to his garments novelty and his being awkward and yet at last he managed to get through his toilet though no doubt a little backward the Negro Baba helped a little too when some untoward part of Raymond stuck hard and wrestling both his arms into a gown he paused and took a survey up and down one difficulty still remained his hair was hardly long enough but Baba found so many false long tresses all to spare that soon his head was most completely crowned after the manner then in fashion there and this edition with such gems was bound as suited the ensemble of his toilet while Baba made him comb his hair and oil it and now being femininely all arrayed with some small aid from scissors paint and tweezers he looked in almost all respects are made and Baba smilingly exclaimed you see says a perfect transformation here displayed and now then you must come along with me says that is the lady clapping his hands twice for blacks were at his elbow in a trice you sir said Baba nodding to the one will please to accompany those gentlemen to supper but you worthy Christian none will follow me no trifling sir for when I say a thing it must at once be done what fear you think you this alliance den white is a palace where the truly wise anticipate the profit paradise you fall I tell you no one means you harm so much the better due and said for them else they shall feel the weight of this my arm which is not quite so light as you may deem I yield thus far but soon will break the charm if any take me for that which I seem so that I trust for everybody's sake that this disguise may lead to no mistake blockhead come on and see course Baba while Don June turning to his comrade who though somewhat grieved could scarce for bear a smile upon the metamorphosis in view farewell said June should we meet no more I wish you a good appetite farewell replied the other though it grieves me sore when we next meet we'll have a tale to tell we needs must follow when fate puts from shore keep your good name though Eve herself once fell nay quoth the maid the sultan's self shan't carry me unless his highness promises to marry me and thus they parted each by separate doors Baba led June onward room by room through glittering galleries and all marble floors till a gigantic portal through the gloom haughty and huge along the distance lars and wafted fire arose a rich perfume it seemed as though they came upon a shrine for all was vast still fragrant and divine the giant door was broad and bright and high of gilded bronze and carved in curious guys warriors thereon were battling furiously here stalks the victor there the vanquished lies their captives led in triumph droop the eye and in perspective many a squadron flies it seems the work of times before the line of Rome transplanted fell with constant time this massy portal stood at the wide close of a huge hall and on its either side to little dwarfs the least you could suppose was sat like ugly imps as if a lied in mockery to the enormous gate which rose all them in almost pyramidic pride the gate so splendid was in all its features you never thought about those little creatures until you nearly trod on them and then you started back in horror to survey the wondrous hideousness of those small men whose colour was not black nor white nor gray but an extraneous mixture which no pen can trace although perhaps the pencil may they were misshapen pygmies deaf and dumb monsters who cost no less a monstrous sum their duty was for they were strong and though they look so little did strong things at times to open this door which they could really do the hinges being as smooth as Rogers rhymes and now and then with tough strings of the bow as is the custom of those eastern climbs to give some rebel pasha a crovat for mutes are generally used for that they spoke by signs that is not spoke at all and looking like to incubi they glared as Baba with his fingers made them fall to heaving back the portal falls it's scared due on a moment as this pair so small with shrinking serpent optics on him stared it was as if their little looks could poison or fascinate to may they fix their eyes on before they entered Baba paused to hint to join some slight lessons as his guide if you could just contrive he said to stint that somewhat manly majesty of stride to be as well and though there's not much in to swing a little less from side to side which has at times an aspect of the oddest and also you could look a little modest to be convenient for these mutes have eyes like needles which may pierce those petticoats and if they should discover your disguise you know how near us the deep boss for us floats and you and I may chance a morning rise to find our way to Marmara without bolts stitched up in sacks a mold of navigation a good deal practiced here upon occasion with this encouragement he led the way into a room still no blow than the last a rich confusion formed a disarray in such sort that the eye along it cast could hardly carry anything away object on object flashed so bright and fast a dazzling mass of gems and gold and glitter magnificently mingled in a litter wealth had done wonders taste not much such things occur in orient palaces and even in the more chastened domes of western kings of which I have also seen some six or seven where I can't say or gold or diamond flings great luster there is much to be forgiven groups of bad statues tables chairs and pictures on which I cannot pause to make my strictures in this imperial hall at distance lay under a canopy and they are reclined quite in a confidential queen leeway a lady end of part four Don Dewan by Gordon Lord Byron Canto five part five this LibriVox recording is in the public domain recording by Peter Gallagher of petergallagher.com.au Barbara stooped a kneeling sign to Dewan who though not much used to pray knelt down by instinct wondering in his mind what all this meant while Barbara bowed and bended his head until the ceremony ended the lady rising up with such an air as Venus rose with from the wave on them bent like an antelope a paffeine pair of eyes which put out each surrounding gem and raising up an arm as moonlight fair she signed to Barbara who first kissed the hem of her deep purple robe and speaking low pointed to Dewan who remained below her presence was as lofty as her state her beauty of that overpowering kind whose force description only would abate I'd rather leave it much to your own mind than lessen it by what I could relate to forms and features it would strike you blind could I do justice to the full detail so luckily for both my phrases fail this much however I may add her years were ripe they might make six and twenty springs but there are forms which time to touch for bears and turns aside his side to vulgar things such as was Mary's Queen of Scots true tears and love destroy and sapping sorrow rings charms from the charmer yet some never grow ugly for instance Nina she spoke some words to her attendance who composed a choir of girls ten or a dozen and all were clad alike like Dewan too who wore their uniform by Barbara chosen they formed a very nymph like looking crew which might have called Diana's chorus cousin as far as outward show may correspond I won't be bail for anything beyond they bowed obeisance and drew retiring but not by the same door through which came in Barbara and Dewan which last stood admiring at some small distance all he saw within this strange saloon much fitted for inspiring Marvel and praise for both or none things win and I must say I never could see the very great happiness of the nil admirary not to admire is all the art I know plain truth dear Murray needs few flowers of speech to make men happy or to keep them so so take it in the very words of Creech thus Horace wrote we all know long ago and thus Pope quotes the precept to reteach from his translation but had none admired would Pope have sung or Horace been inspired Barbara when all the damsels were withdrawn motion to Dewan to approach and then a second time desired him to kneel down and kiss the lady's foot which Maxim when he heard repeated during with a frown drew himself up to his full height again and said it grieved him but he could not stoop to any shoe unless it shot the Pope Barbara indignant at this ill timed pride made fierce remonstrances and then a threat he muttered but the last was given aside about a bowstring quite in vain not yet would do and bend though to her to Mahomet's bride there's nothing in the world like etiquette in kingly chambers or imperial halls as also at the race or country balls he stood like Atlas with a world of words about his ears and nevertheless would not bend the blood of all his lines Castilian lords boiled in his veins and rather than descend to stain his pedigree a thousand swords a thousand times of him had made an end at length perceiving that the foot would not stand Barbara proposed that he should kiss the hand here was an honourable compromise a halfway house of diplomatic rest where they might meet in much more peaceful guys and Dewan now his willingness expressed to use all fit and proper courtesies adding that this was commonest and best for through the south the custom still commands the gentlemen to kiss the ladies hands and he advanced though with but a bad grace though on more thoroughbred or fairer fingers no lips air lift their transitory trace on such as these the lip two fondly lingers and for one kiss would feign imprint a brace as you will see if she who you love shall bring hers in contact and sometimes even a fair strangers and almost twelve months constancy in dangers the lady I'd him or and or and bad Barbara tire which he obeyed in style as if well used to the retreating trade and taking hints and good part all while he whispered to and not to be afraid and looking on him with a sort of smile took leave with such a face of satisfaction as good men where who have done a virtuous action when he was gone it was a sudden change I know not what might be the ladies thought but or her bright brow flashed a tumult strange and into her clear cheek the blood was bought blood red as sunset summer clouds which range the verge of heaven and in her large eyes wrought a mixture of sensations might be scanned of half voluptuousness and half command her form had all the softness of her sex her features all the sweetness of the devil when he put on the cherub to perplex eve and pave God knows how the road to evil the son himself was scarce more free from specs than she from ought at which the I could cavill yet somehow there was something somewhere wanting as if she rather ordered than was granting something imperial or imperious through a chain or all she did that is a chain was thrown as tour about the neck of you and rapture self will seem almost a pain with ought which looks like despotism in view our souls at least a free and is in vain we would against the make the flesh obey the spirit in the end will have its way her very smile was haughty though so sweet her very nod was not an inclination there was a self will even in her small feet as though they were quite conscious of her station they trod as upon next and to complete her state it is the custom of her nation upon yard decked her girdle as the sign she was a sultans bride thank heaven not mine to hear and to obey had been from birth the law of all around her to fulfill all fantasies which yielded joy or mirth had been her slaves chief pleasure as her will her blood was high her beauty scarce of earth judge then if her caprice as stood still had she but been a Christian I've a notion we should have found out the perpetual motion what air she saw and coveted was bought what air she did not see if she supposed it might be seen with diligence was sought and when to as found straight way the bargain closed there was no end unto the things she bought nor to the trouble which her fancies caused yet even her tyranny had such a grace the women pardoned all except her face end of part five Don June by Gordon Lord Byron Canto five part six this LibriVox recording is in the public domain recording by Peter Gallagher of petergallagher.com.au June the latest of her whims had caught her eye and passing on his way to sale she ordered him directly to be bought and Baba who had never been known to fail in any kind of mischief to be wrought at all such auctions knew how to prevail she had no prudence but he had and this explains the garb which June took a miss his youth and features favored the disguise and should you ask how she a sultans bride could risk or compass such strange fantasies this I must leave sultanas to decide emperors are only husbands in wives eyes and kings and consorts often mystified as we may ascertain with you precision some by experience others by tradition but to the main point where we have been tending she now conceived all difficulties past and deemed herself extremely condescending when being made her property at last without more preface in her blue eyes blending passion and power a glance on him she cast and mealy saying Christian can't style love conceived that phrase was quite enough to move and so it was in proper time and place but June who had still his mind or flowing with high days isle and soft Ionian face felt the warm blood which in his face was glowing rush back into his heart which filled a pace and left his cheeks as pale as snow drops blowing these words went through his soul like Arab spears so that he spoke not but burst into tears she was a good deal shocked not shocked at tears for women shed and use them at their liking but there is something when a man's eyes still more disagreeable and striking a woman's teardrop melts a man's half sears like molten lead as if you thrust a pike in his heart to force it out for to be shorter to them to as a relief to us a torture and she would have consoled but knew not how having no equals nothing which had air infected her with sympathy till now and never having dreamt what was to bear or to the serious sorrow in kind although there might arise some pouting petty care to cross her brow she wondered how so near her eyes another's eye could shed a tear but nature teaches more than power can spoil and when a strong although strange sensation moves female hearts are such a genial soil for kinder feelings what so air their nation they naturally pour the wine and oil Samaritans in every situation and thus Gullbuyers though she knew not why felt an odd glistening moisture in her eye but tears must stop like all things else and soon June who for an instant had been moved to such a sorrow by the intrusive tone of one who dared to ask if he had loved called back the stoic to his eyes which shown bright with a very weakness he reproved and although sensitive to beauty he felt most indignant still at not being free Gullbuyers for the first time in her days was much embarrassed never having met in all her life with ought save prayers and praise and as she also risked her life to get him whom she meant to tutor in love's ways into a comfortable tethered to lose the hour would make her quite a martyr and they had wasted now almost a quarter I also would suggest the fitting time to gentlemen in any such like case that is to say in a meridian climb with us there is more law given to the chase but here a small delay forms a great crime so recollect that the extremist grace is just two minutes for your declaration a moment more would hurt your reputation Juans was good and might have been still better but he had got high day into his head however strange he could not yet forget her which made him seem exceedingly ill bread Gullbuyers who looked on him as her debtor for having had him to her palace led began to blush up to the eyes and then grow deadly pale and then blush back again at length in an imperial way she laid her hand on his and bending on him eyes which needed not an empire to persuade looked into his for love when none replies end of part six Don Jewen by Gordon Lord Byron Canto 5 part 7 this LibriVox recording is in the public domain recording by Peter Gallagher of petergallagher.com.au her brow grew black but she would not a braid that being the last thing a proud woman tries she rose and pausing one chaste moment threw herself upon his breast and there she grew this was an awkward test as Jewen found but he was steeled by sorrow wrath and pride with gentle force her white arms he unwound and seated her all drooping by his side then rising hortily he glanced around and looking coldly in her face he cried the prison eagle will not pair nor I so the sultana's sensual fantasy though asked if I can love be this the proof how much I have loved that I love not the in this vile garb the distaff web and woof were fit her for me love is for the free I am not dazzled by this splendid roof what here thy power and great it seems to be heads bow knees bend eyes watch around a throne and hands obey our hearts are still our own this was a truth to us extremely trite not so to her who never had heard such things she deemed her least command must yield delight earth being only made for queens and kings if hearts lay on the left side of the right she hardly knew to such perfection brings legitimacy it's born voter is when aware of their dude royal rights or men besides as has been said she was so fair as even in a much humbler lot had made a kingdom or confusion anywhere and also as maybe presumed she laid some stress on charms which seldom are if air by their possessors thrown into the shade she thought hers gave a double right divine and half of that opinions also mine remember or if you cannot imagine you who have kept your chastity when young while some more desperate dowager has been waging love with you and being in the dog day stung by your refusal recollect her raging or recollect all that was said or sung on such a subject then suppose the face of a downright beauty in this case suppose but you already have suppose the spouse of Potiphar the lady booby Fedra and all which story has disclosed a good example pity that so few by poets and private tutors are exposed to educate you youth of Europe you buy but when you have suppose to the few we know you can't suppose good buyers as angry brow a Tigris robbed of young a lioness or any interesting beast to prayer similes at hand for the distress of ladies who cannot have their way but though my turn will not be served with less these don't express one half what I should say for what is stealing young ones few or many to cutting short their hopes of having any the love of offspring's nature's general law from Tigris's and Cubs to ducks and ducklings there's nothing wets the beak or arms the claw like an invasion of their babes and sucklings and all who have seen a human nursery saw how mothers love their children's squalls and chucklings and this extreme effect to tire no longer your patience shows the cause must still be stronger if I said fire flashed from good buyers as eyes to a nothing for her eyes flashed always fire or said her cheeks assumed the deepest dyes I should but bring disgrace upon the dire so supernatural was her passions rise for near till now she knew a checked desire even ye who know what a checked woman is enough God knows would fall much short of this her rage was but a minutes and to as well the moments more had slain her but the while it lasted was like a short glimpse of hell not small sublime than energetic by although horrible to see yet grand to tell like ocean war against rocky aisle and the deep passions flashing through her form made her a beautiful embodied storm of Olga tempest to her typhoon to match a common fury with her rage and yet she did not want to reach the moon like moderate hotspur on the immortal page her anger pitched into a lower tune perhaps the fault of her soft sex and age her wish was but to kill kill kill like liars and then her thirst of blood was quenched in tears a storm it raged and like the storm it passed passed without words in fact she could not speak and then her sex is shame broken at last a sentiment till then in her but weak but now it flowed in natural and fast as water through an unexpected leak for she felt humbled and humiliation is sometimes good for people in her station it teaches them that they are flesh and blood it also gently hints to them that others although clay yet not quite of mud that earns and pipkins are but fragile brothers and works of the same pottery bad or good they're not all born of the same size and mothers it teaches heaven knows only what it teaches but sometimes it may mend and often reaches her first thought was to cut off due and head her second to cut only his acquaintance her third to ask him where he had been bred her fourth to rally him into repentance her fifth to call her maids and go to bed her sixth to stab herself her seventh to sentence the lash to barber but her grand recourse was to sit down again and cry of course she thought to stab herself but then she had the dagger close at hand which made it awkward for eastern stays a little made to pad so that a poignard pierces if to struck hard she thought of killing due and but poor lad though he deserved it well for being so backward the cutting off his head was not the art most likely to attain her aim his heart due and was moved he had made up his mind to be impaled or courted as a dish for dogs or to be slain with pangs refined or thrown to the lions or made baits for fish and thus heroically stood resigned rather than sin except to his own wish but all his great preparatives for dying dissolved like snow before a woman crying as through his palms Bob Acre's valor oozed so due and virtue ed I know not how and first he wondered why he had refused and then if matters could be made up now and next his savage virtue he accused just as a friar may accuse his vow or a dame repents her of her oath which mostly ends in some small breach of both so he began to stammer some excuses but words are not enough in such a matter although you've borrowed all that air the muses have sung or even a dandiest dandiest chatter or all the figures castle ray abusers just as a languid smile began to flatter his peace was making but before he ventured further old barber rather briskly entered End of Part 7 Don Jewen by Gordon Lord Byron Canto 5 Part 8 This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Peter Gallagher of petergallagher.com.au Bride of the sun and sister of the moon was thus he spake and empress of the earth whose frown would put the spheres all out of tune whose smile makes all the planets dance with mirth your slave brings tidings he hopes not too soon which your sublime attention may be worth the sun himself has sent me like a ray to hint that he is coming up this way is it exclaimed gull buyers as you say I wish to heaven he would not shine till morning but bid my women form the milky way hence my old comet give the stars due warning and Christian mingle with them as you may and as you'd have me pardon your past scawning here they were interrupted by a humming sound and then by a cry the sultans coming first came her damsels a decorous file and then his highnesses eunuchs black and white the train might reach a quarter of a mile his majesty was always so polite as to announce his visits a long while before he came especially at night for being the last wife of the emperor she was of course the favorite of the four his highness was a man of solemn port shalled to the nose and bearded to the eyes snatched from a prison to preside at court his lately bow-strung brother caused his rise he was as good a sovereign of the sort as any mentioned in the histories of cantamere or knollies were few shine save Solomon the glory of their line he went to mosque in state and said his prayers with more than oriental scrupulosity he left to his vizier all state affairs and showed but little royal curiosity I know not if he had domestic cares no process proved cannubial animosity four wives and twice five hundred maids unseen were ruled as calmly as a Christian queen if now and then there happened a slight slip little was heard of criminal or crime the story scarcely passed a single lip the sack and see had settled all in time from which the secret nobody could rip the public knew no more than does this rhyme no scandals made the daily press a curse morals were better and the fish no worse he saw with his own eyes the moon was round was also certain that the earth was square because he had journeyed fifty miles and found no sign that it was circular anywhere his empire also was without a bound to his true a little troubled here and there by rebel pashers and encroaching gears but then they never came to the seven towers except in shape of invoice who were sent to lodge there when a war broke out according to the true law of nations which near meant those scoundrels who have never had a sword in their dirty diplomatic hands to vent their spleen in making strife and safely wording their lies he clipped dispatchers without risk or the singeing of a single whisker he had 50 daughters and four dozen sons of whom all such as came of age were stowed the former in a palace where like nuns they lived till some bash or was sent abroad when she whose turn it was was wed at once sometimes at six years old though this seems odd is true the reason is that the bash or must make a present to his siren law his sons were kept in prison till they grew of years to fill a bow string or the throne one or the other but which of the two could yet be known unto the fates alone meantime the education they went through was princely as the proofs have always shown so that the heir apparent still was found no less deserving to be hanged than crowned his majesty saluted his fourth spouse with all the ceremonies of his rank who cleared her sparkling eyes and smoothed her brows as suits a matron who has played a prank these must seem doubly mindful of their vows to save the credit of their breaking bank to know men are such cordial greetings given as those whose wives have made them fit for heaven his highness cast around his great black eyes and looking as he always looked perceived dune amongst the damsels in disguise at which he seemed no fit surprised nor grieved but just remarked with air sedate and wise while still a fluttering sigh gull buyers heaved I see you've bought another girl it is pity that a mere Christian should be half so pretty this compliment which drew all eyes upon the new board virgin made her blush and shake her comrades also thought themselves undone all Mohammed that his majesty should take such notice of a gear while scarce to one of them his lips imperial ever spake there was a general whisper toss and wriggle but etiquette forbade them all to giggle the Turks do well to shut at least sometimes the women up because in sad reality their chastity in these unhappy climbs is not a thing of that a stringent quality which in the north prevents precocious crimes and makes our snow less pure than our morality the sun which yearly melts the polar ice has quite the contrary effect on vice thus in the east they are extremely strict and wedlock and padlock mean the same excepting only when the formers picked it near can be replaced in proper frame spoiled as a pipe of clarity is when pricked but then their own polygamies to blame why don't they need to virtuous souls for life into that moral center man and wife thus far our chronicle and now we pause though not for want of matter but his time according to the ancient epic laws to slack and sailed and anchor with our rhyme let this fifth canto meet with dual applause the sixth shall have a touch of the sublime meanwhile as Homer sometimes sleeps perhaps you'll pardon to my muse a few short naps end of Don Dewan canto five by Gordon Lord Byron