LXIV.

At last they reach'd a quarter most retired,
Where echo woke as if from a long slumber;
Though full of all things which could be desired,
One wonder'd what to do with such a number
Of articles which nobody required;

Here wealth had done its utmost to encumber
With furniture an exquisite apartment,

Which puzzled Nature much to know what Art meant.

LXV.

It seem'd, however, but to open on

A range or suite of further chambers, which Might lead to heaven knows where; but in this one The moveables were prodigally rich:

Sofas 'twas half a sin to sit upon,

So costly were they; carpets every stitch
Of workmanship so rare, they made you wish
You could glide o'er them like a golden fish. (')

LXVI.

The black, however, without hardly deigning

A glance at that which wrapt 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 yonderIn that remote recess which you may seeOr if don't the fault is not in me,—

you

(1) [MS." That you could but glide o'er them like a fish."]

LXVII.

I wish to be perspicuous; and the black,
I say, unlocking the recess, pull'd forth
A quantity of clothes fit for the back

Of any Mussulman, whate'er his worth;
And of 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.

LXVIII.

The suit he thought most suitable to each
Was, for the elder and the stouter, first
A Candiote cloak, which to the knee might reach,
And trousers not so tight that they would burst,
But such as fit an Asiatic breech;

A shawl, whose folds in Cashmire had been nurst,
Slippers of saffron, dagger rich and handy;
In short, all things which form a Turkish Dandy.

LXIX.

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 seem'd to recommend; And then he added, that he needs must say, " "Twould greatly tend to better their condition, If they would condescend to circumcision.

LXX.

"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 polish'd nation.

LXXI.

"For his own share-he saw but small objection To so respectable an ancient rite;

And, after swallowing down a slight refection,
For which he own'd a present appetite,

He doubted not a few hours of reflection

Would reconcile him to the business quite." "Will it?" said Juan, sharply: "Strike me dead, But they as soon shall circumcise my head!(1)

LXXII.

"Cut off a thousand heads, before

pray,"

Replied the other, " do not interrupt:
You put me out in what I had to say.
Sir! as I said, as soon as I have supt,
I shall perpend if your proposal may

Be such as I can properly accept ;
Provided always your great goodness still
Remits the matter to our own free-will.”

(1) [MS." If they shall not as soon cut off my head."]

"Now,

LXXIII.

Baba eyed Juan, and said, " Be so good

As dress yourself" and pointed out a suit In which a Princess with great pleasure would Array her limbs; but Juan 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'm not a lady."

LXXIV.

"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 Juan, 66 sure I may enquire The cause of this odd travesty?"- "Forbear," Said Baba," to be curious; 'twill transpire, No doubt, in proper place, and time, and season: I have no authority to tell the reason."

LXXV.

"Then if I do," said Juan, "I'll be- "—"Hold!" Rejoin'd 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 Juan," shall it e'er be told That I unsex'd my dress?" But Baba, stroking The things down, said, " Incense me, and I call Those who will leave you of no sex at all.

LXXVI.

"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, Sigh'd Juan, muttering also some slight oaths, "What the devil shall I do with all this gauze?" Thus he profanely term'd the finest lace Which e'er set off a marriage-morning face.

LXXVII.

And then he swore; and, sighing, on he slipp'd
A pair of trousers of flesh-colour'd silk;
Next with a virgin zone he was equipp'd,

Which girt a slight chemise as white as milk; (1) But tugging on his petticoat, he tripp'd,

Which —as we say—or, as the Scotch say, whilk, (The rhyme obliges me to this; sometimes Monarchs are less imperative than rhymes)—(2)

LXXVIII.

Whilk, which (or what you please), was owing to His garment's novelty, and his being awkward: And yet at last he managed to get through

His toilet, though no doubt a little backward:

(1) ["The first part of my dress is a pair of drawers, very full, that reach to my shoes, and conceal the legs more modestly than your English petticoats. They are of a thin rose-coloured damask, brocaded with silver flowers. Over this hangs my smock, of a fine white silk gauze, embroidered with gold. This smock has wide sleeves, hanging half-way down the arm, and is closed at the neck with a diamond button." — LADY M. W. MONTAGU.]

(2) [MS." Kings are not more imperative than rhymes."]