CXXXI. * CXXXII. This is the patent age of new inventions Sir Humphrey Davy's lantern, by which coals Are ways CXXXIII. Man's a phenomenon, one knows not what, And wonderful beyond all wondrous measure; 'Tis pity though, in this sublime world, that Pleasure's a sin, and sometimes sin's a pleasure; Few mortals know what end they would be at, But whether glory, power, or love, or treasure; The path is through perplexing ways, and when The goal is gain'd, we die, you know-and then CXXXIV. What then?-I do not know, no more do youAnd so good night.-Return we to our story: "Twas in November, when fine days are few, And the far mountains wax a little hoary, And clap a white cape on their mantles blue; And the sea dashes round the promontory, And the loud breaker boils against the rock, And sober suns must set at five o'clock. CXXXV. 'Twas, as the watchmen say, a cloudy night; No moon, no stars, the wind was low or loud Even as a summer's sky's without a cloud: CXXXVI. 'Twas midnight-Donna Julia was in bed, Sleeping, most probably,-when at her door Arose a clatter might awake the dead, If they had never been awoke before, And that they have been so we all have read, And are to be so, at the least, once more— The door was fasten'd, but with voice and fist, CXXXVII. "For God's sake, Madam-Madam-here's my master, With more than half the city at his backWas ever heard of such a curst disaster! 'Tis not my fault-I kept good watch-Alack! Do, pray undo the bolt a little faster They're on the stair just now, and in a crack Will all be here; perhaps he yet may flySurely the window's not so very high!" CXXXVIII. By this time Don Alfonzo was arrived, With torches, friends, and servants in great number; The major part of them had long been wived, And therefore paused not to disturb the slumber Of any wicked woman, who contrived By stealth her husband's temples to encumber: Examples of this kind are so contagious, Were one not punish'd, all would be outrageous. CXXXIX. I can't tell how, or why, or what suspicion It surely was exceedingly ill-bred, CXL. Poor Donna Julia! starting as from sleep, (Mind-that I do not say-she had not slept) CXLI. But Julia mistress, and Antonia maid, Appear'd like two poor harmless women, who Of goblins, but still more of men afraid, Had thought one man might be deterr'd by two, And therefore side by side were gently laid, Until the hours of absence should run through, And truant husband should return, and say, . My dear, I was the first who came away." CXLII. Now Julia found at length a voice, and cried, "In heaven's name, Don Alfonso, what d'ye mean? Has madness seized you? would that I had died Ere such a monster's victim I had been! What may this midnight violence betide, A sudden fit of drunkenness or spleen? Dare you suspect me, whom the thought would kill? Search, then, the room!"-Alfonso said, "I will." CXLIII. He search'd, they search'd, and rummaged every where, Closet and clothes'-press, chest and window-seat, And found much linen, lace, and several pair Of stockings, slippers, brushes, combs, complete, With other articles of ladies fair, To keep them beautiful, or leave them neat: Arras they prick'd and curtains with their swords, And wounded several shutters, and some boards. CXLIV. Under the bed they search'd, and there they found- Had signs or footmarks, but the earth said nought; CXLV. During this inquisition Julia's tongue Was not asleep-"Yes, search and search," she cried, "Insult on insult heap, and wrong on wrong! It was for this that I became a bride! For this in silence I have suffer'd long A husband like Alfonso at my side; CXLVI. "Yes, Don Alfonso! husband now no more, Is't wise or fitting causeless to explore For facts against a virtuous woman's fame? Ungrateful, perjured, barbarous Don Alfonso, How dare you think your lady would go on so? CXLVII. "Is it for this I have disdain'd to hold The common privileges of my sex? And deaf, that any other it would vex, CXLVIII. "Was it for this that no Cortejo ere I yet have chosen from out the youth of Seville? Is it for this I scarce went any where, Except to bull-fights, mass, play, rout, and revel? Is it for this, whate'er my suitors were, I favour'd none-nay, was almost uncivil? Is it for this that General Count O'Reilly, Who took Algiers, declares I used him vilely? |