Page 165, line 1. The name of this luckless being is introduced here, not in memory of his fashionable trifling, but of his genius. He originated a style; he impressed new thoughts by a new language. No matter how frivolous the purpose, the man who can do this, does more, and is more, than the million. Page 171, line 4. The peaked Estrelles. The country guarded on the north by the range of the Estrelles and Les Maures, spreading from the foot of the range to the Mediterranean, is memorable for its almost tropical luxuriance. A Moorish cloak. Page 174, line 1. Bernouse. Page 174, line 2. The sacred well at Mecca, in which Mahometans dip their arms, and portions of their clothing, in the idea of their being made impenetrable by the sword. Page 178, line 1. Cuscussu, mild as milk. The universal potage of the Arabs, yet differing as widely in its composition as soup maigre from turtle. All depends on the locale in cuscussu, as in so many other things. CANTO VII. THE GREAT UNKNOWN. I. day," as says the nursery rhyme; "ONCE on a day," as says There came to Rome, a strange, wild-looking man ; Handsome, yet stern; not old, yet past his prime. The oddest rumours round the salons ran. His visage wore the hue of Hindostan ; All thought, they knew, him; and yet, none knew where ; But, all agreed that, came he from Japan, However some might shake their heads, or stare, His "Gran' palazzo" stood in Rome's most princely square. The Cavalieri asked-his depth of purse; The Signorine asked-his birth, profession; Some thought he had a great estate at nurse; Some thought him an "escroc," or something worse! But then-the Stranger gave such charming dinners; At play, too, he could handsomely disburse; A thing, especially, which pleased the winners. "We must not be too hard-the best of us are sinners." III. Still, dark reports would, now and then, transpire, Of matters, done at night in his hotel; His chimney-tops were seen to shoot blue fire; Some found, in passing by, a sulphurous smell; 'Twas said, he laughed at priest, and book, and bell; Nay scoffed, whene'er St. Peter's chimes were ringing. At midnight, more than once, was heard a yell; At least, the sound was anything but singing; With roar of furnaces, and chains of iron swinging. IV. At all events, "whate'er might be his errors; All owned, he drove a splendid set of bays, Pure Arab blood, with skins as bright as mirrors; Besides, for highdays, and for holidays, A carriage, carved and gilt beyond all praise; With four tall footmen, and two "grands chasseurs ; Producing on the Corso, quite a blaze: The very virtuous called them "rabble lures ;" وو The young and pretty wished, to join them in their tours. V. At length, reports came thick; and certain measures, (Old Inquisition touches,) were in petto, To mulct the Stranger of his midnight pleasures; "The Swindler must be dungeon'd in the Ghetto." Such was the verdict of Count Marmozetto, Field-marshal to St. Peter and St. Paul. Not so pronounced the Cardinal of Loretto, (As fat a prelate, as e'er filled a stall,) Not so, the Bishops, Deans, Archdeacons, Priests, and all. |