LVI. Some faint lamps gleaming from the lofty walls LVII. Two or three seem so little, one seems nothing: More modern buildings and those built of yore, LVIII. A neat, snug study on a winter's night, Are things which make an English evening pass, I pass my evenings in long galleries solely, And that's the reason I'm so melancholy. LIX. Alas! man makes that great which makes him little : I grant you in a church 'tis very well : What speaks of Heaven should by no means be brittle, But strong and lasting, till no tongue can tell Their names who rear'd it; but huge houses fit illAnd huge tombs worse-mankind, since Adam fell: Methinks the story of the tower of Babel Might teach them this much better than I'm able. LX. Babel was Nimrod's hunting seat, and then Reign'd, till one summer's day he took to grazing, And Daniel tamed the lions in their den, The people's awe and admiration raising; 'Twas famous, too, for Thisbe and for Pyramus, And the calumniated Queen Semiramis. LXI. LXII. But to resume,-should there be (what may not Of that same Babel, or because they won't, (Though Claudius Rich, Esquire, some bricks has got And written lately two memoirs upon't) Believe the Jews, those unbelievers, who LXIII. Yet let them think that Horace has exprest And "Et sepulchri immemor struis domos" Shows that we build when we should but entomb us. LXIV. At last they reach'd a quarter most retired, Here wealth has done its utmost to encumber 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 yonder, In that remote recess which you may see→→ Or if you don't the fault is not in me, LXVII. I wish to be perspicuous; and the black, Of any Mussulman, whate'er his worth; 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 A shawl, whose folds in Cashmere 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, If they would but pursue the proper way 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 In such a trifle, scarcely could express "Of all the customs of this polish'd nation. LXXI. "For his own share-he saw but small objection "Would reconcile him to the business quite." "Will it?" said Juan sharply; "Strike me dead, But they as soon shall circumcise my head!- LXXII. "Cut off a thousand heads, before-"-"Now, 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 had 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." LXXIII. Baba eyed Juan, and said Be so good "As dress yourself" and pointed out a suit Gave it a slight kick with his christian foot: LXXIV. "What you may be, I neither know nor care," LXXV. "Then if I do," said Juan, "I'll be--" "Hold!" 66 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. |