LXXXV.

Laura, who knew it would not do at all

To meet the daylight after seven hours sitting Among three thousand people at a ball,

To make her curtsy thought it right and fitting; The Count was at her elbow with her shawl,

And they the room were on the point of quitting, When lo! those cursed gondoliers had got

Just in the very place where they should not.

LXXXVI.

In this they're like our coachmen, and the cause
Is much the same-the crowd, and pulling, hauling,
With blasphemies enough to break their jaws,

They make a never intermitted bawling.

At home, our Bow-street gemmen keep the laws,
And here a sentry stands within your calling;
But, for all that, there is a deal of swearing,
And nauseous words past mentioning or bearing.

LXXXVII.

The Count and Laura found their boat at last,

And homeward floated o'er the silent tide,
Discussing all the dances gone and past;
The dancers and their dresses, too, beside;
Some little scandals eke: but all aghast

(As to their palace stairs the rowers glide,) Sate Laura by the side of her Adorer,

When lo! the Mussulman was there before her.

LXXXVIII.

"Sir," said the Count, with brow exceeding grave,

"Your unexpected presence here will make

"It necessary for myself to crave

"Its import? But perhaps 'tis a mistake; "I hope it is so; and at once to wave

"All compliment, I hope so for your sake; "You understand my meaning, or you shall." "Sir," (quoth the Turk) " 'tis no mistake at all.

VOL. IV.

LXXXIX.

"That lady is my wife!" Much wonder paints
The lady's changing cheek, as well it might;
But where an Englishwoman sometimes faints,
Italian females don't do so outright;

They only call a little on their saints,

And then come to themselves, almost or quite; Which saves much hartshorn, salts, and sprinkling faces, And cutting stays, as usual in such cases.

XC.

She said,-what could she say? Why not a word : But the Count courteously invited in

The stranger, much appeased by what he heard:

"Such things, perhaps, we'd best discuss within,"

Said he; "don't let us make ourselves absurd "In public, by a scene, nor raise a din,

"For then the chief and only satisfaction

"Will be much quizzing on the whole transaction."