LX.

Yet a fine family is a fine thing

(Provided they don't come in after dinner); 1 is beautiful to see a matron bring

Her children up (if nursing them don't thin her); Like cherubs round an altar-piece they cling To the fire-side (a sight to touch a sinner). lady with her daughters or her nieces hine like a guinea and seven-shilling pieces.

LXI.

ld Lambro pass'd unseen a private gate, And stood within his hall at eventide; deantime the lady and her lover sate At wassail in their beauty and their pride: in ivory inlaid table spread with state

Before them, and fair slaves on every side; ems, gold, and silver, form'd the service mostly, Mother of pearl and coral the less costly.

LXII.

The dinner made about a hundred dishes; Lamb and pistachio nuts-in short, all meats, d saffron soups, and sweetbreads; and the fishes - Were of the finest that e'er flounced in nets, ress'd to a Sybarite's most pamper'd wishes; fhe beverage was various sherbets

raisin, orange, and pomegranate juice,

queezed through the rind, which makes it best for use.

LXIII.

These were ranged round, each in its crystal ewer, And fruits and date-bread loaves closed the repast, And Mocha's berry, from Arabia pure,

In small fine China cups came in at last― Gold cups of filigree, made to secure

The hand from burning, underneath them placed; Cloves, cinnamon, and saffron too, were boil'd Up with the coffee, which (I think) they spoil'd.

LXIV.

The hangings of the room were tapestry, made
Of velvet pannels, each of different hue,

And thick with damask flowers of silk inlaid :
And round them ran a yellow border too;
The upper border, richly wrought, display'd,
Embroider'd delicately o'er with blue,
Soft Persian sentences, in lilac letters.
From poets, or the moralists their betters.

LXV.

These oriental writings on the wall,

Quite common in those countries, are a kind Of monitors adapted to recal,

Like skulls at Memphian banquets, to the mind The words which shook Belshazzar in his hall,

And took his kingdom from him.-You will find. Though sages may pour out their wisdom's treasure There is no sterner moralist than pleasure.

LXVI.

A beauty at the season's close grown hectic,
A genius who has drunk himself to death,
A rake turn'd methodistic or eclectic-

(For that's the name they like to pray beneath)But most, an alderman struck apoplectic,

Are things that really take away the breath, And show that late hours, wine, and love, are able To do not much less damage than the table.

LXVII.

Haidee and Juan carpeted their feet

On crimson satin, border'd with pale blue; Their sofa occupied three parts complete

Of the apartment-and appear'd quite new; The velvet cushions-(for a throne more meet)Were scarlet, from whose glowing centre grèw A sun emboss'd in gold, whose rays of tissue, Meridian-like, were seen all light to issue.

LXVIII.

Crystal and marble, plate and porcelain,

Had done their work of splendour, Indian mats And Persian carpets, which the heart bled to stain, Over the floors were spread; gazelles and cats, And dwarfs and blacks, and such like things, that gain Their bread as ministers and favourites-(that's

fo say, by degradation)-mingled there

As plentiful as in a court or fair.

VOL. XI.

12

LXIX.

There was no want of lofty mirrors, and

The tables, most of ebony inlaid
With mother of pearl or ivory, stood at hand,
Or were of tortoise-sheil or rare woods made,
Fretted with gold or silver-by command.

The greater part of these were ready spread
With viands, and sherbets in ice, and wine-
Kept for all comers, at all hours to dine.

LXX.

Of all the dresses I select Haidee's:

She wore two jelicks-one was of pale yellow;
Of azure, pink, and white, was her chemise-
"Neath which her breast heaved like a little billow
With buttons form'd of pearls as large as pease,

All gold and crimson shone her jelick's fellow,
And the striped white gauze baracan that bound her
Like fleecy clouds about the moon, flow'd round her

LXXL

One large gold bracelet clasp'd each lovely arm,
Lockless-so pliable from the pure gold
That the hand stretch'd and shut it without harm,
The limb which it adorn'd its only mould;
So beautiful-its very shape would charm,
And clinging as if loth to lose its hold,
The purest ore inclosed the whitest skin
That e'er by precious metal was held in."

H

P

LXXII.

round, as princess of her father's land,

A like gold bar, above her instep roll'd,3

nnounced her rank; twelve rings were on her hand; Her hair was starr'd with gems; her veil's fine fold elow her breast was fasten'd with a band

Of lavish pearls, whose worth could scarce be told; "er orange silk full Turkish trowsers furl'd bout the prettiest ankle in the world.

LXXIII.

er hair's long auburn waves down to her heel
Flow'd like an Alpine torrent which the sun
yes with his morning light,-and would conceal
Her person 4 if allow'd at large to run;

nd still they seem resentfully to feel

The silken fillet's curb, and sought to shun heir bonds whene'er some Zephyr caught began offer his young pinion as her fan.

LXXIV.

ound her she made an atmosphere of life,
The very air seem'd lighter from her eyes,
ey were so soft and beautiful, and rife
With all we can imagine of the skies,
nd pure as Psyche ere she grew a wife-
Too pure even for the purest human ties;
er overpowering presence made you feel
would not be idolatry to kneel.