IV. Nelson was once Britannia's god of war, And still should be so, but the tide is turn'd; At which the naval people are concern'd; V. Brave men were living before Agamemnon (1) A good deal like him too, though quite the same none; Fit for my poem (that is, for my new one); So, as I said, I'll take my friend Don Juan. VI. Most epic poets plunge in " medias res,” Beside his mistress in some soft abode, Palace, or garden, paradise, or cavern, Which serves the happy couple for a tavern. VII. That is the usual method, but not mine My way is to begin with the beginning; The regularity of my design Forbids all wandering as the worst of sinning, And therefore I shall open with a line (Although it cost me half an hour in spinning) Narrating somewhat of Don Juan's father, And also of his mother, if you'd rather. VIII. In Seville was he born, a pleasant city, Who has not seen it will be much to pity, So says the proverb-and I quite agree; Of all the Spanish towns is none more pretty, Cadiz perhaps but that you soon may see:Don Juan's parents lived beside the river, A noble stream, and call'd the Guadalquivir. IX. His father's name was Jóse-Don, of course, Or, being mounted, e'er got down again, Begot-but that's to come- -Well, to renew: X. His mother was a learned lady, famed For every branch of every science known- With virtues equall'd by her wit alone, XI. Her memory was a mine: she knew by heart So that if any actor miss'd his part She could have served him for the prompter's copy; For her Feinagle's were an useless art, And he himself obliged to shut up shop-he Could never make a memory so fine as That which adorn'd the brain of Donna Inez. XII. Her favourite science was the mathematical, Her evening silk, or, in the summer, muslin, XIII. She knew the Latin-that is, "the Lord's prayer," For native Spanish she had no great care, Her thoughts were theorems, her words a problem, |