CXLIX. "Did not the Italian Musico Cazzani Sing at my heart six months at least in vain? Call me the only virtuous wife in Spain? CL. "Have I not had two bishops at my feet? The Duke of Ichar, and Don Fernan Nunez, And is it thus a faithful wife you treat? I wonder in what quarter now the moon is: I praise your vast forbearance not to beat Me also, since the time so opportune is Oh, valiant man! with sword drawn and cock'd trigger, Now, tell me, don't you cut a pretty figure? CLI. "Was it for this you took your sudden journey, Whom I see standing there, and looking sensible CLII. 1 "If he comes here to take a deposition, Let every thing be noted with precision, I would not you for nothing should be feed But, as my maid's undrest, pray turn your spies out." "Oh!" sobb'd Autonia, "I could tear their eyes out." CLIII. "There is the closet, there the toilet, there CLIV. "And now, Hidalgo! now that you have thrown Pray have the courtesy to make it known I hope he's young and handsome-is he tall? CLV. "At least, perhaps, he has not sixty years, CLVI. Perhaps 'tis of Antonia you are jealous, You saw that she was sleeping by my side When you broke in upon us with your fellows: Look where you please—we've nothing, sir, to hide; Only another time, I trust, you'll tell us; Or for the sake of decency abide A moment at the door, that we may be CLVII. "And now, sir, I have done, and say no more; "Twill one day ask you why you used me so? God grant you feel not then the bitterest grief! Antonia! where's my pocket-handkerchief?" CLVIII. She ceased, and turn'd upon her pillow; pale Waved and o'ershading her wan cheek, appears Its snow through all;-her soft lips lie apart, CLIX. The Senhor Don Alfonso stood confused; Her master, and his myrmidons, of whom Not one, except the attorney, was amused; So there were quarrels, cared not for the cause, CLX. With prying snub-nose, and small eyes, he stood, For reputations he had little care; CLXI. But Don Alfonso stood with downcast looks, CLXII. At first he tried to hammer an excuse, To which the sole reply were tears, and sobs, And indications of hysterics, whose Prologue is always certain throes, and throbs, Gasps, and whatever else the owners choose:Alfonso saw his wife, and thought of Job's; He saw too, in perspective, her relations, And then he tried to muster all his patience. CANTO, I.-F CLXIII. He stood in act to speak, or rather stammer, With, "Pray, sir, leave the room, and say no more, He knew not wherefore, that which he was bid. CLXIV. With him retired his "posse comitatus,” The attorney last, who linger'd near the door, At this most strange and unexplain❜d "hiatus" In awkward look; as he revolved the case CLXV. No sooner was it bolted, than-Oh shame! Nothing so dear as an unfilch'd good naine! With much heartfelt reluctance be it said, CLXVI. He had been hid-I don't pretend to say How, nor can I indeed describe the whereYoung, slender, and pack'd easily, he lay, No doubt, in little compass, round or square; |