LXXVI. "I offer you a handsome suit of clothes : "A woman's, true; but then there is a cause Why you should wear them." "What, tho' my soul loathes "The effeminate garb?"-thus, after a short pause, Sigh'd Juan, muttering also some slight oaths, "What the devil shall I do with all this gause?" Thus he profanely term'd the finest lace Which e'er set off a marriage-morning face. LXXVII. And then he swore; and, sighing, on he slipp'd Which girt a slight chemise as white as milk; Which as we say or as the Scotch say, whilk, (The rhyme obliges me to this; sometimes Kings are not more imperative than rhymes) LXXVIII. Whilk, which (or what you please), was owing to His toilet, though no doubt a little backward: When some untoward part of raiment stuck hard; And wrestling both his arms into a gown, He paus'd, and took a survey up and down. LXXIX. One difficulty still remain'd, his hair Was hardly long enough, but Baba found So many false long tresses all to spare, That soon his head was most completely crown'd, After the manner then in fashion there; And this addition with such gems was bound As suited the ensemble of his toilet, While Baba made him comb his head and oil it. LXXX. And now being femininely all array'd With some small aid from scissars, paint, and tweezers,, He look'd in almost all respects a maid, And Baba smilingly exclaim'd, "You see, sirs, "A perfect transformation here display'd; "And now, then, you "That is the Lady:" clapping his hands twice Four blacks were at his elbow in a trice. must come along with me, sirs, LXXXI. "You, sir," said Baba, nodding to the one, "What fear you? think you this a lion's den? 'Why, 'tis a palace; where the truly wise Anticipate the Prophet's paradise. LXXXII. "You fool! I tell you no one means you harm." "So that I trust for every body's sake, LXXXIII. "Blockhead! come, and see," quoth Baba;" while Don Juan, turning to his comrade, who Though somewhat grieved, could scarce forbear a smile Upon the metamorphosis in view: "Farewell!" they mutually exclaim'd: "this soil "Seems fertile in adventures strange and new, "One's turn'd half Mussulman, and one a maid, LXXXIV. "Farewell!" said Juan; "should we meet no more, "I wish you a good appetite."—" Farewell!" Replied the other; "though it grieves me sore: "When we next meet, we'll have a tale to tell: "We needs must follow when Fate puts from shore: Keep your good name; though Eve herself once fell." Nay," quoth the maid, "the sultan's self sha'n't carry me, "Unless his highness promises to marry me." LXXXV. And thus they parted, each by separate doors; It seem'd as though they came upon a shrine, LXXXVI. The giant door was broad, and bright, and high, Here stalks the victor, there the vanquish'd lies; LXXXVII. This massy portal stood at the wide close The gate so splendid was in all its features, [7] LXXXVIII. Until you nearly trod on them, and then The wondrous hideousness of those small men, Can trace, although perhaps the pencil may; LXXXIX. Their duty was-for they were strong, and though To give some rebel Pacha a cravat; XC. They spoke by signs-that is, not spoke at all; To heaving back the portal folds: it scared With shrinking serpent optics on him stared; XCI. Before they enter'd, Baba paused to hint ""Twould be as well, and,-(though there's not much in't) "To swing a little less from side to side, "Which has at times an aspect of the oddest; "And also could you look a little modest. XCII. ""Twould be convenient; for these mutes have eyes "Like needles, which may pierce those petticoats; "And if they should discover your disguise, "You know how near us the deep Bosphorus floats; "And you and I may chance, ere morning rise, "To find our way to Marmora without boats, "Stitch'd up in sacks-a mode of navigation "A good deal practised here upon occasion." XCIII. With this encouragement, he led the way In such sort, that the eye along it cast Object on object flash'd so bright and fast; XCIV. Wealth had done wonders-taste not much; such things In the more chasten'd domes of western kings XCV. In this imperial hall, at distance lay A lady; Baba stopp'd, and kneeling sign'd |