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by Nick Franklin hjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjk lzxcvbnmrtyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbn mqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmq wertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwe Don Juan: CANTO 1

Listen to it at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Uk3bc5-vk4

In Search of a Hero

I I want a hero: an uncommon want1, When every year and month sends forth2 a new one, Till, after cloying3 the gazettes4 with cant5, The age discovers he is not the true one; Of such as these I should not care to vaunt6, I’ll therefore take our ancient7 friend Don Juan – We all have seen him, in the pantomime8, Sent to the devil somewhat ere9 his time.

1 want (n.) – desire, need 2 to send forth (send-sent-sent) – produce, generate 3 cloying – nauseating, saccharine 4 gazette – periodical, newspaper 5 cant – hypocrisy 6 to vaunt – praise, express admiration for 7 ancient – old 8 pantomime – (in this case) musical comedy. There were numerous stage versions, for straight actors, for harlequin troupes, and even for puppets. In late 1817 six versions had been running in London: at the King’s, at Covent Garden, Don Giovanni, or a Spectre on Horseback! at the Surrey, and Don Juan; or The Libertine Destroyed at the Lyceum. In early 1818 they were joined by Giovanni in London at the Olympic and Harlequin’s Vision at Drury Lane. The line thus implies every theatre-goer’s familiarity with the subject. 9 ere – before II Vernon, the butcher10 Cumberland, Wolfe, Hawke11, Prince Ferdinand12, Granby13, Burgoyne14, Keppel15, Howe16, Evil and good, have had their tithe17 of talk, And fill’d their sign posts18 then, like Wellesley19 now; Each in their turn like Banquo’s monarchs stalk20, Followers of fame, “nine farrow21”22 of that sow23: , too, had Buonaparté and Dumourier24 Recorded in the Moniteur and Courier.25

10 butcher – mass murderer, sb. accused of committing a massacre 11 Byron lists, in order to reject as protagonists, British heroes of the Seven Years’ War, the ’45 rebellion, and the Napoleonic Wars. Edward Vernon was an admiral who in 1745 blockaded the French in their ports while William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, defeated the Scots at Culloden, earning the titles Butcher and Stinking Billy. James Wolfe also fought at Culloden, but is best known for his attack on Quebec in 1759, driving the French from Canada. Admiral Edward Hawke was victorious over the French at Quiberon Bay, also in 1759. 12 Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick, defeated the French at Minden, also in 1759. 13 The Marquess of Granby was commissioned at the time of Culloden, but became most popular for his 1760 victory over the Austrians at Warburg. 14 John Burgoyne, conversely, was defeated by the Americans at Saratoga in 1777. 15 Admiral Viscount Keppel fought at Quiberon Bay, and captured Havana in 1762. 16 The Earl of Howe defeated the French at Ushant in 1794, and quelled the mutiny at Spithead in 1797. He was known to the Fleet as Black Dick. 17 tithe – (in this case) portion 18 filled their signposts – be honoured by having streets and buildings names after them and their exploits (e.g. Wellington Place and Waterloo Bridge). 19 Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington, bombarded Copenhagen, helped Spain win the Peninsular War, and defeated at Waterloo in 1815. Byron disliked him. 20 to stalk – move in a menacing way 21 farrow – (in this case) piglet, baby pig 22 the comparison of the rejected admirals and generals to the kings Banquo shows Macbeth in IV i, or that of Fame to the sow whom the witches refer to as having eaten her nine farrow in the same scene, followed by grease that’s sweaten from the murderer’s gibbet, is uncomplimentary. One definition of an epic poem says that it should celebrate a national hero. Byron finds no recent ones worth celebrating, perhaps because those available furthered the cause of English hegemony in Britain (the ’45) of British hegemony worldwide (the Seven Years’ War) or of monarchical absolutism throughout Europe (the Napoleonic Wars). As a Scot he would object to the first, as a post-Vienna radical to the third, and as one born for opposition to all three. He now lists some French heroes as possible alternatives. 23 sow – female pig, mother pig 24 French generals, the former becoming First Consul, then Emperor, and conquering most of Europe. Afforded a minor place here, he was of course the determining factor in the whole history of the period, and little can be understood if he is left out of account. Dumourier should really be spelled Dumouriez. 25 French revolutionary newspapers; although the Courier was also an English Tory newspaper. Southey wrote to it. III Barnave, Brissot, Condorcet, Mirabeau, Petion, Clootz, Danton, Marat, La Fayette, Were French, and famous people, as we know: And there were others, scarce26 forgotten yet, Joubert, Hoche, Marceau, Lannes, Desaix, Moreau27, With many of the military set28, Exceedingly remarkable at times, But not at all adapted to my rhymes.

IV Nelson29 was once Britannia’s god of war, And still should be so, but the tide is turn’d30; There’s no more to be said of Trafalgar, ’Tis31 with our hero quietly inurn’d32;33 Because the army’s grown more popular, At which the naval people are concern’d; Besides, the prince34 is all for the land-service, Forgetting Duncan, Nelson, Howe, and Jervis.35

26 scarce – hardly 27 The French protagonists Byron lists first are almost all defeated idealists. was a moderate French revolutionist, guillotined in 1793; Jacques Pierre Brissot de Warville was the leader of the moderate , and was also guillotined in 1793. The was a brilliant mathematician and writer, murdered by the in 1794; the Comte de Mirabeau, another great revolutionary writer and politician, died naturally in 1791. Petion de Villeneuve was first President of the ; another moderate, he died mysteriously in 1794. Anacharsis Clootz was a passionately anti-Christian revolutionist; Robespierre guillotined him in 1794, and Byron said at one stage that he intended Don Juan “to finish as – in the ”. was the greatest man the French revolution produced; Robespierre guillotined him in 1794, too. Jean Paul Marat was murdered in his bath by in 1793: though an idealist of sorts, he is the least agreeable of Byron’s rejected French heroes. The Marquis de la Fayette fought in the American as well as the French Revolution; alone of all those Byron lists, he survived to be fêted after the war, and died in 1834. The second batch of Frenchmen are mostly revolutionary generals. Joseph Joubert was a writer who survived the revolution. and Francois Marceau were early republican generals; Jean Lannes, Louis Desaix (correct spelling) and Jean Moreau were three of Napoleon’s successful army colleagues; Moreau incurred his jealousy and died fighting for the Russians. Thomas Medwin reports Byron as saying: “You see I am true to Nature in making the advances come from the females. I shall next draw a town and country life at home, which will give me room for life, manners, scenery, &c. I will make him neither a dandy in town, nor a fox-hunter in the country. He shall get into all sorts of scrapes, and at length end his career in France. Poor Juan shall be guillotined in the French Revolution! What do you think of my plot? It shall have twenty-four books too, the legitimate number. Episodes it has, and will have, out of number; and my spirits good or bad, will serve for the machinery. If that be not an epic, if it be not strictly according to Aristotle, I don’t know what an epic poem means” (Conversations of , ed. Lovell, p.165.) Such an ending would have involved a partial contradiction of the lines here. Byron’s cheerful assumption that epic poets need only follow the rules of epic construction to write epics makes it look as if he is humming Medwin; but the tone accords well with his flippancy elsewhere. 28 set – coterie, elite and exclusive group 29 Horatio Nelson, admiral, victor in 1805 of the Battle of Trafalgar. Normally regarded as a cut above the others by whom he is here surrounded. Byron blames the press for his reputation’s decline; but he was a friend of the Neapolitan tyranny, and his life had been written by Southey. 30 the tide is/has turned – the situation has changed 31 ’tis – it is 32 to inurn – entomb, bury, inter 33 Hamlet, I, iv, 49 : Wherefore the sepulchre, wherein we saw thee quietly inurned … 34 the Prince – the Prince Regent (who preferred soldiering to sailoring, though his skill was great at neither). Byron sarcastically compares the Prince Regent to Prince Hamlet V Brave men were living before Agamemnon36 And since37, exceeding valorous and sage38, A good deal like39 him too, though quite40 the same none; But then / they shone / not on / the poet’s page, And so have been forgotten: – I condemn none, But can’t find any in the present age Fit for my poem (that is, for my new one); So, as I said, I’ll take my friend Don Juan.

35 famous British admirals. Duncan beat the Dutch at Camperdown in 1797; Howe fought in the Seven Years’ War; Jervis was Nelson’s commander at Cape St Vincent (also 1797) and cleaned up some of the abuses which had led to the mutinies at Spithead and the Nore. 36 Hor. Od. IV 9, 25-6. A dry borrowing, implying that other perspectives about heroism must be entertained besides those either received or propagated by the media. Byron also intends an anti-Homeric reference – see below, IV sts.101-2. The quotation sums up everything that he has been saying about heroes in the previous stanzas. The age had produced no hero that he could celebrate without numerous reservations, fatal to epic: perhaps the simple age of epics was past: perhaps Byron is advertising the fact that his “New One” is written in a style that he knows in advance will make traditional epic pretensions insupportable. 37 and since – (in this case) and after Agamemnon 38 sage – wise 39 a good deal like – very similar to 40 quite – (in this case) exactly Ab Ovo

VI Most epic poets plunge41 “in medias res” (Horace makes this the heroic turnpike road42)43, And then your hero tells, whene’er you please, What went before – by way of episode, While seated after dinner at his ease44, Beside his mistress in some soft abode45, Palace, or garden, paradise, or cavern, Which serves the happy couple for a tavern.

VII That is the usual method, but not mine – My way is to begin with the beginning; The regularity of my design Forbids46 all wandering47 as the worst of sinning48,49 And therefore I shall open with a line (Although it cost me half an hour in spinning50) Narrating somewhat of Don Juan’s father, And also of his mother, if you’d rather51.52

41 to plunge – dive, (in this case) start, begin 42 turnpike road – road that you have to pay for to use 43 in the Ars Poetica (148-9) Horace praises the epic habit (as in the Odyssey and Aeneid) of starting a story in the middle: “semper ad eventum festinat et in medias res / non secus ac notas auditorem rapit ...” (“he always hurries to the main issue, and ushers the hearer into the midst of the story, as if it were already known ...”) As with the lists of rejected heroes in sts.2-3, the refusal to follow Horace’s recommendation – or Homer’s or Virgil’s examples (Byron could claim to be following the Iliad, which has a chronologically simple narrative) perhaps shows his sense that the time of ‘real’ epics is over. 44 at his ease – in a relaxed way, whenever he likes 45 abode – home 46 to forbid (-bid/-bade/-bidden) – prohibit 47 wandering – digression 48 sinning – error 49 Byron spends much of the poem digressing – the line makes it clear that it was his intention to do so from the outset 50 in spinning – to compose 51 if you’d rather – if you prefer, if you like 52 the story of Juan’s parents and childhood was perhaps to be a revealing prelude to the tale of the standard satanic seducer. Byron’s poem may have changed the traditional figure into something less culpable and more attractive, independent of his conscious will VIII In Seville53 was he born, a pleasant city, Famous for oranges and women – he Who has not seen it will be much to pity54, So says the proverb55 – and I quite agree; Of all the Spanish towns is none more pretty, Cadiz56 perhaps – but that you soon may see; Don Juan’s parents lived beside the river, A noble stream57, and call’d the Guadalquivir.

IX His father’s name was Jose – Don, of course, – A true Hidalgo, free from every stain58 Of Moor or Hebrew blood, he traced his source59 Through the most Gothic60 gentlemen of Spain; A better cavalier ne’er61 mounted horse, Or, being mounted, e’er62 got down again, Than Jóse, who begot63 our hero, who Begot64 – but that’s to come – Well, to renew65:

53 Byron had visited Seville from July 25 to 29 1809 54 will be much to pity – will be considered very unfortunate 55 Quien no ha visto Sevilla / No ha visto maravilla 56 visited by Byron, from July 29 to August 2 1809 57 stream – (in this case) river 58 stain – (in this case) dishonour 59 source – origins 60 Gothic – (in this case) Visigothic 61 ne’er – never 62 e’er – ever 63 to beget (beget-begot-begot) – engender 64 compare, for example, Matthew Chapter I 65 to renew – restart after a digression Portrait of Doña Inez

X His mother was a learnéd lady66, famed For every branch67 of every science known In every Christian language ever named, With virtues equall’d by her wit68 alone, She made the cleverest people quite ashamed, And even the good with inward69 envy groan70, Finding themselves so very much exceeded In their own way by all the things that she did.

XI Her memory was a mine: she knew by heart71 All Calderon and greater part of Lopé, So that if any actor miss’d his part She could have served him for the prompter’s copy72; For her Feinagle’s73 were an useless art, And he himself obliged to shut up shop74 – he Could never make a memory so fine as That which adorn’d the brain of Donna Inez.75

66 despite Byron’s disclaimers, no-one believes that Inez is not based on “the bitch my wife”. However, Don Juan is not just thinly-disguised autobiography. As Juan’s mother and educator, Inez bears responsibility for his initial ignorance about the facts of life, and thus for the escapade which sets him off on his travels. That the hero’s fall should be occasioned by his own mother, and that she should be one considered morally perfect, is all part of the irony. That she is also a version of the poet’s wife, and an embodiment of the English tendency to cant, merely adds to the complexity of the effect. Here is Annabella’s reaction to Don Juan I and II: “I have read those parts of Don Juan which contain personal allusions, and the impression was not so disagreeable as I expected. In the first place, I am very much relieved to find that there is not anything which I can be expected to notice, and I am thankful that none for whom I am interested can be pained or injured. As for myself, I do not think that my sins are in the pharasaical or pedantic line, and I am very sure that he does not think they are, but avails himself of the prejudices which some may entertain against me, to give a plausible colouring to his accusations. I must however confess that the quizzing in one or two passages was so good as to make me smile at myself – therefore others are heartily welcome to laugh. What may have been omitted à mon sujet I know not – certainly more annoying things might have been said – though the malice of intention is sufficiently evident. I do not feel inclined to continue the perusal. It is always a task to me now to read his works, in which, through all the levity, I discern enough to awaken very painful feelings”. 67 branch – (in this case) subdivision, sphere, department 68 wit – intelligence 69 inward – inner, internal (i.e. that is not openly expressed) 70 to groan – complain, feel displeasure 71 by heart – verbatim, word-for-word 72 prompter’s copy – the copy of a play used by a prompter (= sb. who reminds actors what to say in a theatrical performance 73 Gregor von Feinagle (1765?-1819) a contemporary expert in the art of memory. 74 to shut up shop (shut-shut-shut) – go out of business 75 Donna Inez is understood to be an unflattering portrait of XII Her favourite science was the mathematical76, Her noblest virtue was her magnanimity, Her wit77 (she sometimes tried at wit) was Attic78 all, Her serious sayings darken’d to sublimity79; In short, in all things she was fairly80 what I call A prodigy – her morning dress was dimity81, Her evening silk, or, in the summer, muslin82, And other stuffs83, with which I won’t stay puzzling84.

XIII She knew the Latin – that is, “the Lord’s prayer”, And Greek – the alphabet – I’m nearly85 sure; She read some French romances here and there, Although her mode of speaking was not pure; For native Spanish she had no great care, At least her conversation was obscure; Her thoughts were theorems, her words a problem, As if she deem’d86 that mystery would ennoble ’em87.

XIV She liked the English and the Hebrew tongue, And said there was analogy between ’em; She proved it somehow out of sacred song, But I must leave the proofs to those who’ve seen ’em; But this I heard her say, and can’t be wrong And all may think which way their judgments lean ’em88, “ ’Tis89 strange – the Hebrew noun which means ‘I am’, The English always used to govern90 d__n.91”

76 Lady Byron was very good at mathematics, and their daughter, Augusta Ada, was to be an outstanding mathematician. When the engagement was in progress Byron referred to his fiancée as the “Princess of Parallelograms” 77 wit – a. intelligence; b. sophisticated humour 78 Attic – pure classical Greek (the word implies elevation) 79 darkened to sublimity – were intensely sublime 80 fairly – it would be reasonable to say 81 Dimity – cotton with raised decorations 82 muslin – lightweight cotton cloth (= textile) in a plain weave 83 stuffs – materials 84 with which won’t stay puzzling – about which I won’t waste my time wondering what they are 85 nearly – almost, practically 86 deemed – considered 87 ’em – them (actually a contraction of Middle English hem) 88 which way their judgements lean ’em – how this affects their opinions 89 ’tis – (archaic) it is 90 used to govern – combine with 91 d__n – damn. Hebrew Noun which means “I am”: Yahweh. See God’s words to Moses at Exodus III, 13-14. The joke refers to I’m damned, Well I’ll be damned, Goddam, Goddammit, and so on. XV Some women use their tongues – she look’d a lecture92, Each eye a sermon, and her brow93 a homily, An all-in-all sufficient self-director, Like the lamented late Sir Samuel Romilly94, The Law’s expounder95, and the State’s corrector, Whose suicide was almost an anomaly – One sad example more, that “All is vanity” 96 (The jury brought their verdict in “Insanity”).

XVI In short, she was a walking calculation97, Miss Edgeworth’s novels98 stepping from their covers99, Or Mrs. Trimmer’s books100 on education, Or “Coelebs’ Wife”101 set out in quest of102 lovers, Morality’s prim103 personification, In which not Envy’s self a flaw104 discovers; To others’ share let “female errors fall,”105 For she had not even one – the worst of all.

92 to look a lecture – be able to reprimand with a glare 93 brow – forehead 94 Sir Samuel Romilly (1757-1818) was a politician and lawyer whom Byron disliked because he had, in error, reneged on a commitment to represent Byron in the separation proceedings between himself and Lady Byron, representing Lady Byron instead. A liberal reformer and anti- campaigner, Romilly committed suicide in 1818 on the death of his wife, and only the inquest verdict allowed him Christian burial; a fact here mocked. For Byron’s rhetorically gleeful prose reaction, see letter to Murray, June 7 1819: “I have at least seen Romilly shivered – who was one of the assassins [of Agamemnon / Byron]. – – When that felon, or Lunatic – (take your choice – he must be one and might be both) was doing his worst to uproot my whole family tree, branch, and blossoms; when after taking my retainer he went over to them – when he was bringing desolation on my hearth – and destruction on my household Gods – did he think that in three years a natural event – a severe domestic – but an expected and common domestic Calamity would lay his Carcase in a Cross road or stamp his name in a Verdict of Lunacy? Did he (who in his drivelling sexagenary dotage had not the courage to survive his Nurse – for what else was a wife to him at this time of life?–) reflect or consider what my feelings must have been ...”. 95 expounder – advocate 96 “All is Vanity”: Ecclesiastes, I, 2. 97 (a) refers to mathematics (b) implies instinctive, non-stop hypocrisy. 98 Maria Edgeworth (1767-1849) was a popular educationalist and novelist of the day, authoress of Castle Rackrent. 99 stepping from their covers – becoming a reality 100 Sarah Trimmer (1741-1810) wrote conservative educational pamphlets. 101 Hannah More’s was called Coelebs in Search of a Wife (1809). All three writers aimed at moral improvement, and would have earned Inez’s approval, a fact which should give us pause. 102 to set out in quest of – leave to try to find 103 prim – prudish, puritanical 104 flaw – defect 105 from the description of Belinda in Pope’s The Rape of the Lock, II 15-18: XVII Oh! she was perfect past all parallel – Of any modern female saint’s comparison; So far above106 the cunning107 powers of hell,108 Her guardian angel had given up his garrison109;110 Even her minutest111 motions112 went113 as well As those of the best time-piece114 made by Harrison115: In virtues nothing earthly could surpass her, Save thine116 “incomparable oil”, Macassar117!

XVIII Perfect she was, but as perfection is Insipid in this naughty118 world of ours, Where our first parents never learn’d to kiss Till they were exiled from their earlier bowers119,120 Where all was peace, and innocence, and bliss121 (I wonder how they got through the twelve hours), Don Jóse122, like a lineal son of Eve,123 Went plucking124 various fruit without her leave125.

106 far above – beyond, out of reach of 107 cunning – astute 108 carries on the satire from 111-12 above. Inez / Annabella has no intuitive understanding of things either brute English, or diabolical 109 garrison – group of soldiers defending a fortress or town 110 though Byron seems not to have known Blake, compare Blake’s The Angel 111 minutest – smallest 112 motion – movement 113 to go (go-went-gone) – (in this case) be performed 114 time-piece – clock 115 John Harrison (1693-1776) was a famous chronologist, who invented a device, long sought after, which could determine a ship’s longitude 116 thine (archaic) – (in this case/before a vowel) thy, your (singular) 117 Macassar – (historical) type of hair oil that made one’s hair look flat and shiny 118 naughty – (in this case/archaic) evil 119 bower – arbour, pleasant place in a garden 120 Byron has got it wrong here – it was in part as a consequence of learning to kiss lustfully that Adam and Eve were exiled – see Paradise Lost X 994-1066. Byron’s Eden is always as much Miltonic as Biblical. 121 bliss – paradise 122 The name Don Jose is often found in Le Sage’s Gil Blas; Everybody read Gil Blas. All the Spanish names in Canto 1 – Don Alfonso, Donna Julia, Don Juan, Antonia, and so on – are to be found in the novel 123 the references to Genesis here are only partly comic. José, like Alfonso after him and Adam and Byron before him, is doomed to ruin his own Eden. Byron distributes the blame in complex ways which shames the misogynist Genesis, however. José is the guilty party first, Inez merely suspected of intrigue, and provoking by her faultlessness; Julia is indubitably guilty. 124 to pluck – pick 125 leave (n.) – permission XIX He was a mortal of the careless kind126, With no great love for learning, or the learn’d, Who chose to go where’er he had a mind, And never dream’d his lady was concern’d; The world, as usual, wickedly inclined127 To see a kingdom or a house o’erturn’d128,129 Whisper’d he had a mistress, some said two – But for domestic quarrels130 one will do131.

XX Now Donna Inez had, with all her merit, A great opinion of her own good qualities; Neglect, indeed, requires a saint to bear132 it, And such, indeed, she was in her moralities; But then she had a devil of a spirit, And sometimes mix’d up fancies133 with realities, And let few opportunities escape Of getting her liege lord134 into a scrape135.

XXI This was an easy matter with a man Oft136 in the wrong, and never on his guard137; And even the wisest, do the best they can, Have moments, hours, and days, so unprepared, That you might “brain138 them with their lady’s fan”;139 And sometimes ladies hit exceeding hard, And fans turn into falchions140 in fair141 hands, And why and wherefore142 no one understands.143

126 kind – sort, type 127 wickedly inclined – prone to evil, maliciously inclined 128 overturned – ruined, destroyed 129 an autobiographical reference to the public rumours which surrounded Byron’s separation from Annabella 130 quarrel – argument, strife, conflict 131 one will do – one is sufficient, one is enough 132 to bear (bear-bore-borne) – tolerate, stand 133 fancies – things imagined 134 liege lord – (in this case) husband 135 to get sb. into a scrape (get-got-got) – cause problems for sb., get sb. into trouble 136 oft – often, frequently 137 a Byronic self-description 138 to brain sb. – hit sb. over the head 139 see Henry IV I ii iii 25-6. Hotspur is expressing contempt for the manhood of one who will not support his plot 140 falchions – (archaic) swords 141 fair – (in this case) ladies’ 142 why and wherefore – (emphatic) why, for what reason 143 The joke at 165-8 echoes Pope, Rape of the Lock, V 39 et. seq Marital Strife

XXII ’Tis pity144 learnéd145 virgins ever wed With persons of no sort of education, Or gentlemen, who, though well born and bred, Grow tired of scientific conversation: I don’t choose to say much upon this head, I’m a plain man, and in a single station146, But – Oh! ye lords of ladies intellectual,147 Inform us truly, have they not hen-peck’d148 you all?

XXIII Don Jóse and his lady quarrell’d149 – why, Not any of the many could divine150, Though several thousand people chose to try, ’Twas151 surely no concern of theirs nor mine; I loathe152 that low vice – curiosity; But if there’s anything in which I shine,153 ’Tis31 in arranging154 all my friends’ affairs, Not having of my own domestic cares155.

XXIV And so I interfered156, and with the best Intentions, but their treatment was not kind; I think the foolish people were possess’d, For neither of them could I ever find, Although their porter afterwards confess’d – But that’s no matter157, and the worst’s behind158, For little Juan o’er me threw, down stairs, A pail159 of housemaid’s water160 unawares161.

144 ’tis pity – it is unfortunate 145 learnèd – intellectual 146 in a single station – single, unmarried 147 Byron affected disdain for intellectual women. However, it did not prevent him from having affairs with several, and of course marrying one 148 to hen-peck – (of a wife) subjugate (her husband) 149 to quarrel – argue 150 to divine – guess 151 ’twas – it was 152 to loathe – hate, detest 153 Byron suddenly and unexpectedly speaks as the poem’s supposed Spanish narrator 154 to arrange – organize, put in order 155 cares – worries, preoccupations 156 to interfere – intervene 157 to be no matter – not be important 158 behind – in the past 159 pail – (literally) bucket 160 a pail of housemaid’s water – a potty (= baby’s WC) 161 unawares – unexpectedly, when my guard was down XXV A little curly-headed162, good-for-nothing163, And mischief-making164 monkey from his birth; His parents ne’er agreed except in doting Upon165 the most unquiet166 imp167 on earth; Instead of quarrelling149, had they been but168 both in Their senses169, they’d have sent young master170 forth171 To school, or had him soundly172 whipp’d173 at home, To teach him manners for the time to come174.175

XXVI Don Jóse and the Donna Inez led For some time an unhappy sort of life, Wishing each other, not divorced, but dead; They lived respectably as man and wife, Their conduct was exceedingly well-bred176, And gave no outward177 signs of inward strife178, Until at length the smother’d179 fire broke out180, And put the business181 past all kind of doubt182.

162 curly-haired – with hair that curves/is wavy 163 good-for-nothing – worthless person 164 mischief-making – mischievous, naughty 165 to dote upon – adore, idolize 166 unquiet – restless 167 imp – little devil. The implication is that Juan was already damned 168 had they been but – if only they had been 169 to be in one’s senses – act rationally 170 young master – señorito 171 forth – (in this case) away 172 soundly – (intensifier) energetically 173 whipped – beaten, physically disciplined 174 the time to come – the future 175 recalls the following, from a letter to Squire Allworthy from the mean and uncharitable Parson Thwackum in Tom Jones, Book XVIII Chapter 4: “Had not my Hand been withheld from due Correction, I had scourged much of this diabolical Spirit out of a Boy, of whom from his Infancy I discovered the Devil had taken such entire Possession; but Reflections of this Kind now come too late.” 176 well-bred – respectable 177 outward – (in this case) public 178 inward strife – domestic conflict 179 smothered – (in this case) smouldering, latent 180 to break out (break-broke-broken) – erupt 181 business – (in this case) situation 182 to put sth. past all kind of doubt (put-put-put) – put sth. beyond doubt, bring sth. out into the open XXVII For Inez call’d some druggists183 and physicians184, And tried to prove her loving lord was mad;185 But as he had some lucid intermissions, She next decided he was only bad; Yet when they ask’d her for her depositions186, No sort of explanation could be had, Save187 that her duty188 both to man and God Required this conduct – which seem’d very odd189.

XXVIII She kept a journal190, where his faults were noted, And open’d certain trunks191 of books and letters,192 All which might, if occasion served, be quoted193; And then she had all Seville for abettors194, Besides her good old grandmother (who doted195); The hearers196 of her case became repeaters197, Then advocates, inquisitors, and judges, Some for amusement, others for old grudges198.

183 druggist – apothecary, pharmacist 184 physician – (false friend) (medical) doctor 185 during the 1816 separation, Byron claimed, Lady Byron tried to have him declared insane (= mad, crazy). 186 depositions – legal evidence 187 save – (in this case) except 188 duty – responsibility 189 odd – strange 190 journal – diary 191 trunk – big suitcase, chest, coffer 192 see letter to Augusta September 14 1816: “You know I suppose that Lady Byron secretly opened my letter trunks before she left Town ...” 193 to quote – cite (in court) 194 abettor – accomplice 195 doted – (wordplay) a. be senile; b. adore, idolize 196 hearer – sb. who hears sth. 197 repeater – sb. who repeats sth., gossip 198 grudge – rancour, vendetta XXIX And then this best and weakest woman bore199 With such serenity her husband’s woes200, Just as the Spartan ladies did of yore201,202 Who saw their spouses kill’d, and nobly chose Never to say a word about them more – Calmly she heard each calumny that rose203, And saw his agonies with such sublimity, That all the world exclaim’d, “What magnanimity!”204

XXX No doubt this patience, when the world is damning205 us, Is philosophic in our former206 friends; ’Tis31 also pleasant to be deem’d207 magnanimous, The more so in obtaining our own ends208; And what the lawyers call a “malus animus”209 Conduct like this by no means210 comprehends; Revenge in person’s certainly no virtue, But then ’tis31 not my fault, if others hurt you.

XXXI And if your quarrels130 should rip up old stories211, And help them with a lie or two additional, I’m not to blame, as you well know – no more is Any one else – they were become traditional; Besides, their resurrection aids our glories By contrast, which is what we just were wishing all212: And science profits by this resurrection213 – Dead scandals form good subjects for dissection214.

199 to bear (bear-bore-borne) – suffer, put up with 200 woes – suffering 201 of yore – in the olden days, a long time ago 202 Plutarch speaks in his Life of Lycurgus about the constraints placed on mourning for Spartan women. Byron’s gloss, that their Stoic decision not to mourn was inspired either by calculation or glee, is not in Plutarch. 203 to rise (rise-rose-risen) – (in this case) emerge 204 see Letter to John Murray: “I hate the word ‘Magnanimity’ because I have sometimes seen it applied to the grossest of impostors, by the greatest of fools” 205 to damn – condemn 206 former – ex- 207 deemed – considered 208 one’s own ends – one’s own objectives 209 Malus animus – a heart inclined to ill. A quotation from the Roman comic dramatist Terence (The Girl from Andros) rather than from any book of law 210 by no means – in no way 211 rip up old stories – resurrect old rumours 212 is what we just were wishing all – is all we ever wanted 213 refers to ‘Resurrection-men’ (= body-snatchers) such as Burke and Hare, who provided surgeons with illicit cadavers for experimentation. See tutorial notes on Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde 214 dissection – (in this case) gossip, analysis Stanzas32–6 form a series of covert comments on Byron’s own separation proceedings, in which, plagued215 by relations, lawyers, bailiffs216, and well-meaning friends, his life was reduced to a misery: see the prose fragment Donna Josepha (CMP 77-78). The trauma was lasting217, and the theme of wrecked home218 and lost family was one to which he returned at intervals in his work from now on.

XXXII Their friends had tried at reconciliation, Then their relations219, who made matters worse220. (’Twere221 hard to tell222 upon a like223 occasion To whom it may be best to have recourse224 – I can’t say much for friend or yet225 relation): The lawyers did their utmost for226 divorce,227 But scarce a fee228 was paid on either side Before, unluckily229, Don Jóse died.

XXXIII He died: and most unluckily, because, According to all hints230 I could collect From counsel231 learnéd232 in those kinds233 of laws (Although their talk’s obscure and circumspect), His death contrived to234 spoil235 a charming236 cause;237 A thousand pities238 also with respect To public feeling, which on this occasion Was manifested in a great sensation.

215 to plague – torment 216 bailiff – official who repossesses property 217 lasting – long-term, permanent 218 wrecked home – broken home, marital separation 219 relations – relatives, members of one’s extended family 220 to make matters worse (make-made-made) – make the situation more unpleasant and difficult 221 ’twere – it were, it was 222 hard to tell – difficult to know 223 a like – such an 224 to have recourse to – turn to for help 225 or yet – nor for 226 did their utmost for – did everything they could to cause 227 divorce was virtually unheard-of in 18th-century Spain. Byron is playing tricks with his English story against a Spanish background 228 scarce a fee – hardly any money was paid to the lawyers 229 unluckily – unfortunately 230 hint – insinuation 231 counsel – lawyer 232 learnéd – erudite, expert 233 kind (n.) – type, sort 234 to contrive to – manage to 235 to spoil – ruin 236 charming – (ironic) delightful, fascinating 237 continues the satire on schadenfreude and human parasites started at 150-1 above. 238 pity – feeling of sadness, sorrow, frustration XXXIV But, ah! he died; and buried239 with him lay240 The public feeling and the lawyers’ fees241: His house was sold, his servants sent away, A Jew took one of his two mistresses, A priest the other – at least so they say: I ask’d the doctors after his disease – He died of the slow fever call’d the tertian242, And left his widow243 to her own aversion244.

XXXV Yet Jóse was an honourable man,245 That I must say who knew him very well; Therefore his frailties246 I’ll no further scan247 Indeed248 there were not many more to tell; And if his passions now and then249 outran Discretion250, and were not so peaceable As Numa’s (who was also named Pompilius251), He had been ill brought up252, and was born bilious253.

239 to bury – inter, put underground 240 lay – (in this case) was (underground) 241 lawyers’ fees – money paid to lawyers for their services 242 tertian – a fever which recurred every other day 243 widow – woman whose husband has died 244 aversion – hatred, odium 245 echoes Mark Antony to the crowd at Julius Caesar III ii 82, 83, 87, 94, 99, 124, 127, 151, 153, 212 and 214; but without Antony’s increasing sarcasm 246 frailty – weakness, defect 247 to scan – scrutinize 248 indeed – (emphatic) in fact 249 now and then – occasionally 250 to outrun discretion (-run/-ran/-run) – be indiscreet 251 mythical second King of Rome, whose reign was very peaceful and culturally productive 252 to be ill brought up –be badly reared 253 bilious – irritable, bad-tempered XXXVI Whate’er might be his worthlessness or worth, Poor fellow! he had many things to wound254 him. Let’s own255 – since256 it can do no good on earth257 – It was a trying moment258 that which found him Standing alone beside his desolate hearth259, Where all his household gods lay shiver’d260 round him:261 No choice was left his feelings or his pride, Save death or Doctors’ Commons262 – so he died.

XXXVII Dying intestate263, Juan was sole heir To a chancery suit264, and messuages265, and lands, Which, with a long minority266 and care, Promised to turn out well267 in proper268 hands: Inez became sole guardian, which was fair269, And answer’d but270 to nature’s just demands; An only son left with an only mother Is brought up271 much more wisely272 than another.

254 to wound – hurt, harm 255 to own – (in this case) admit 256 since – (in this case) given that, as 257 on earth – while alive 258 a trying moment – difficult/stressful time. There is probably a pun on ‘trying’ (= judicious). Byron does not dramatize any specific moment, and as the divorce proceedings are only ambiguously under way at José’s death, it is hard to see when it occurs. Byron is again writing autobiographically. 259 hearth – fireplace 260 shivered – fragmented, shattered, broken 261 an important phrase for Byron, who echoes it in a letter to Moore (BLJ VI 69) describing his own misery during the separation: “I could have forgiven the dagger or the bowl, anything, but the deliberate desolation piled upon me, when I stood alone upon my hearth, with my household gods shivered around me.” The sacredness of home is a central theme in epic. Odysseus must return there, Aeneas has to establish a new one; but Juan has to leave his, as Byron had to, and wanders for the entire poem. 262 Doctor’s Commons – the (English) divorce courts 263 a misrelated participle. 264 chancery suit – legal case in the court of equity (relating to the valuation of property) 265 messuages – (legal English) building property with adjacent land 266 minority – childhood 267 to turn out well – have a good result in the end 268 proper – appropriate, right, correct 269 fair – just, right 270 but – (in the case) only 271 to bring up (bring-brought-brought) – rear, raise, prepare sb. for adult life 272 more wisely – more sagaciously, in a more enlightened way The Masculine Education of Don Juan

XXXVIII Sagest273 of women, even of widows, she Resolved274 that Juan should be quite a paragon, And worthy of the noblest pedigree (His sire275 was of Castile, his dam276 from Aragon): Then for accomplishments of chivalry277, In case our lord the king should go to war again, He learn’d the arts of riding, fencing278, gunnery279, And how to scale280 a fortress281 – or a nunnery282.

XXXIX But that which Donna Inez most desired, And saw into herself283 each day before all The learnéd284 tutors whom for him she hired, Was, that his breeding285 should be strictly moral;286 Much into all his studies she inquired, And so they were submitted first to her, all, Arts, sciences, no branch287 was made a mystery To Juan’s eyes, excepting natural history.

XL The languages, especially the dead, The sciences, and most of all the abstruse288, The arts, at least all such as could be said To be the most remote from common use, In all these he was much and deeply read; But not a page of any thing that’s loose289, Or hints290 continuation of the species, Was ever suffer’d, lest291 he should grow vicious292.

273 sagest – wisest, most sagacious 274 Byron always regarded women’s resolution ironically. 275 sire – father 276 dam – mother 277 accomplishments of chivalry – knightly talents 278 fencing – sword fighting (as a sport) 279 gunnery – using a cannon 280 to scale – climb 281 fortress – fort, castle 282 nunnery – convent. Evidence that Byron may still be envisaging a traditionally depraved career for his protagonist 283 to see into herself (see-saw-seen) – see to it, organize 284 learnéd – erudite 285 breeding – education 286 from this moment the malign influence of Inez’s blinkered ethic makes itself felt on the entire structure of the tale, the moral focus of which (see previous note) starts to alter. 287 branch – subdivision 288 abstruse – difficult to understand, obscure 289 loose – unrestricted, free; promiscuous 290 to hint – insinuate 291 lest – in case, to avoid the risk that, with the intention of preventing that 292 vicious – (in this case) immoral Stanzas 41-3: Byron’s mock-indignant list of almost every major Greek and Latin poet (apart from the dramatists, he pointedly excludes Horace, the one who influenced him most, plus Pindar and Propertius) is one of his ways of asserting Don Juan’s centrality in the European tradition, and of answering those critics who accused him of impiety and immorality.

XLI His classic studies made a little puzzle, Because of filthy loves of gods and goddesses,293 Who in the earlier ages raised a bustle294, But never put on pantaloons or bodices; His reverend tutors had at times a tussle295, And for their AEneids, Iliads, and Odysseys,296 Were forced to make an odd297 sort of apology, For Donna Inez dreaded the Mythology.

XLII Ovid’s a rake, as half his verses show him, Anacreon’s298 morals are a still worse sample, Catullus299 scarcely has a decent poem, I don’t think Sappho’s Ode a good example, Although Longinus300 tells us there is no hymn Where the sublime soars forth301 on wings more ample:302 But Virgil’s songs303 are pure, except that horrid one Beginning with “Formosum Pastor Corydon”.304

293 see, for instance, Iliad XIV 153-351, or Odyssey VIII 266-366. 294 bustle – commotion 295 to have a tussle – have problems, have difficulties 296 epic poems by Virgil and Homer, of which Don Juan is a mock version, involving a complex series of critical jokes 297 odd – strange 298 Greek lyric poet of love and intoxication (much enjoyed by Robert Herrick – see tutorial notes) 299 Roman erotic poet. Some of his poems are so obscene as to defy translation. 300 late Greek critic, author of an influential Treatise on the Sublime. 301 to soar forth – fly 302 Byron’s note: “She (Sappho) wants to display, not a single emotion, but a whole congress of emotions” 303 his pastoral poems or Eclogues 304 the second Eclogue concerns the love of one shepherd, Corydon, for another, Alexis. XLIII Lucretius’ irreligion is too strong,305 For early stomachs, to prove wholesome306 food; I can’t help thinking Juvenal307 was wrong, Although no doubt his real intent was good, For speaking out so plainly308 in his song, So much indeed as to be downright rude309; And then what proper310 person can be partial To311 all those nauseous epigrams of Martial312?

XLIV Juan was taught from out the best edition, Expurgated by learnéd313 men, who place Judiciously, from out the schoolboy’s vision, The grosser parts; but, fearful to deface Too much their modest bard by this omission, And pitying sore his mutilated case, They only add them all in an appendix, Which saves, in fact, the trouble of an index;

305 philosophical and materialist Roman poet 306 wholesome – salubrious, morally healthy 307 Roman satirist, an influence on Byron 308 plainly – openly 309 downright rude – absolutely obscene, thoroughly vulgar 310 proper – (in this case) respectable 311 to be partial to – enjoy, like 312 Roman epigrammatist, much translated by Byron 313 learnéd – erudite XLV For there we have them all “at one fell swoop”314, Instead of being scatter’d through the Pages; They stand forth marshall’d in a handsome troop, To meet the ingenuous youth of future ages, Till some less rigid editor shall stoop315 To call them back into their separate cages, Instead of standing staring all together, Like garden gods – and not so decent either.

XLVI The Missal316 too (it was the family Missal) Was ornamented in a sort of way Which ancient mass-books often are, and this all Kinds of grotesques illumined; and how they, Who saw those figures on the margin kiss all, Could turn their optics to the text and pray, Is more than I know – But Don Juan’s mother Kept this herself, and gave her son another.

XLVII Sermons he read, and lectures he endured, And homilies, and lives of all the saints; To Jerome and to Chrysostom inured317,318 He did not take such studies for restraints; But how faith is acquired, and then ensured, So well not one of the aforesaid319 paints As Saint Augustine in his fine Confessions,320 Which make the reader envy his transgressions.

314 one fell swoop – together. The phrase comes from Macbeth, IV iii 219. Macduff is bewailing the deaths of his wife and children. A quotation often removed from its context. 315 to stoop – (in this case) deign 316 Missal – prayer-book 317 to inure – familiarize, become accustomed to 318 early church fathers, the former translator of the Bible into Latin. Both lived for part of their lives in deserts, and were famous for their ascetic rigour. Chrysostom (c.347-407) was brought up successfully by a very strict mother; but inured implies that Inez will not fare as well with Juan. 319 aforesaid – previously mentioned 320 St Augustine of Hippo (354-430) lived an indulgent life before he turned to religion. He describes in his Confessions – though in no great detail – how he stole pears, harboured lustful feelings and worldly ambitions, frequented the theatre, and hung around with bad people of one kind or another. He tells us with shame that he lived with one woman to whom he was not married, but to whom he was faithful. As Chrysostom was, but as Juan will not be, he was saved by the prayers and example of his mother. XLVIII This, too, was a seal’d book to little Juan – I can’t but say that his mamma was right, If such an education was the true one. She scarcely321 trusted him from out her sight; Her maids were old, and if she took a new one, You might be sure she was a perfect fright322;323 She did this during even her husband’s life – I recommend as much to every wife.

XLIX Young Juan wax’d324 in goodliness and grace;325 At six a charming child, and at eleven With all the promise of as fine a face As e’er to man’s maturer growth was given: He studied steadily, and grew apace326, And seem’d, at least, in the right road to heaven, For half his days were pass’d at church, the other Between his tutors, confessor, and mother.

L At six, I said, he was a charming child, At twelve he was a fine, but quiet boy; Although in infancy a little wild, They tamed him down327 amongst them: to destroy His natural spirit not in vain they toil’d328, At least it seem’d so; and his mother’s joy Was to declare how sage329, and still, and steady, Her young philosopher was grown already.

321 scarcely – hardly 322 to be a perfect fright – be very ugly 323 recalls 19th-century rules governing recruitment of female bedders in Cambridge colleges. 324 waxed – matured 325 echoes Luke 2, 40: ... the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him; 326 apace – quickly 327 to tame (down) – domesticate 328 to toil – work hard 329 sage – wise LI I had my doubts, perhaps I have them still, But what I say is neither here nor there330: I knew his father well, and have some skill In character – but it would not be fair From sire275 to son to augur good or ill: He and his wife were an ill-sorted pair – But scandal’s my aversion – I protest Against all evil speaking, even in jest331.

LII For my part I say nothing – nothing – but This I will say332 – my reasons are my own – That if I had an only son to put To school (as God be praised that I have none), ’Tis31 not with Donna Inez I would shut Him up to learn his catechism alone, No – no – I’d send him out betimes333 to college, For there it was I pick’d up my own knowledge.334

330 to be neither here nor there – be irrelevant 331 in jest – as a joke 332 For my part I say nothing – nothing – but / This I will say: echoes Mrs Slipslop in Fielding’s Joseph Andrews, Book II Chapter 3: “... for my part I say nothing, but that it is wondersome how some People can carry all things with a grave Face.” 333 betimes – (archaic) before the usual time, early 334 has overtone of Genesis. Byron lived riotously and got heavily into debt at Cambridge. Both joke and rhyme are echoed below, at II, 1087-8. The theme of education is important in the first canto-and-a-half of the poem: stressed at intervals throughout Canto I (see above, st.16) and reinforced strongly at the start of Canto II, it ceases when Juan refuses to eat his tutor Pedrillo at II sts.77-8, an event subtextually theological as well as gastronomic (see notes). The lawyers of John Murray, in attempting successfully to obtain an injunction against pirates of the first two Cantos, persuaded the court that the poem was moral in its emphasis in that One great tendency of the book ... was to show in Don Juan’s ultimate character the ill effect of that injudicious maternal education which Don Juan is represented as having received, and which had operated injuriously upon his mind (Smiles I 405-8, quoted DJV I 32). Byron was doubtless pleased, insisting as he always did that the poem was moral in its intention; but whether the forensically-cunning Murray lawyers enjoyed reading and re-reading it in researching their brief, we cannot know. The main establishment motive behind their action was to keep Don Juan expensive, and thus out of the hands of ordinary people. LIII For there one learns – ’tis31 not for me to boast, Though I acquired – but I pass over that, As well as all the Greek I since have lost: I say that there’s the place – but Verbum sat335. I think I pick’d up too, as well as most, Knowledge of matters – but no matter what – I never married – but, I think, I know That sons should not be educated so.

LIV Young Juan now was sixteen years of age, Tall, handsome, slender, but well knit336: he seem’d Active, though not so sprightly337, as a page; And everybody but his mother deem’d338 Him almost man; but she flew in a rage339 And bit her lips (for else she might have scream’d) If any said so, for to be precocious Was in her eyes a thing the most atrocious.

LV Amongst her numerous acquaintance, all Selected for discretion and devotion, There was the Donna Julia340, whom to call Pretty were but to give a feeble notion Of many charms in her as natural As sweetness to the flower, or salt to ocean, Her zone to Venus, or his bow to Cupid (But this last simile is trite341 and stupid).

335 Verbum Sat – (Latin) a word is enough to the wise 336 well knit – well made, well proportioned 337 sprightly – lively, energetic 338 deemed – considered 339 to fly in a rage (fly-flew-flown) – become furious 340 Byron’s choice for the name of Juan’s first love is perhaps a covert tribute to the early influence on him of ’s book The Poetical Works of Thomas Little (1801) which he claimed to have known by heart at the age of 15. Many of the poems in it are called To Julia. The name occurs at Le Sage’s Gil Blas, X 12. 341 trite – unoriginal, clichéd LVI The of her Oriental eye Accorded with her Moorish origin (Her blood was not all Spanish, by the by342; In Spain, you know, this is a sort of sin343);344 When proud Granada fell, and, forced to fly, Boabdil wept, of Donna Julia’s kin345 Some went to Africa, some stay’d in Spain, Her great-great-grandmamma chose to remain.

LVII She married (I forget the pedigree) With an Hidalgo, who transmitted down His blood less noble than such blood should be; At such alliances his sires346 would frown347, In that point so precise in each degree That they bred in and in348, as might be shown, Marrying their cousins – nay349, their aunts, and nieces, Which always spoils350 the breed, if it increases.

LVIII This heathenish351 cross352 restored the breed again, Ruin’d its blood353, but much improved its flesh354; For from a root355 the ugliest in Old Spain Sprung up356 a branch as beautiful as fresh; The sons no more were short, the daughters plain357: But there’s a rumour which I fain358 would hush359, ’Tis31 said that Donna Julia’s grandmamma Produced her Don more heirs at love than law.

342 by the by – by the way, incidentally 343 sin – transgression, immoral act 344 In Spain, you know, this is a sort of Sin: the satire about Julia’s fine Moorish blood may in part be directed at the anti-Islamic tendencies of Southey’s epics Thalaba and Roderick, Last of the Goths. Francis Jeffrey pointed out the vulgarity of Southey’s prejudices in his review of Roderick, writing of the excessive horror and abuse with which the Mahometans are uniformly spoken of on account of their religion alone (Edinburgh Review, June 1815 p. 3). Byron, who, unlike Southey, had travelled among Moslems, felt strongly on the subject (both men had travelled in Spain, and Southey was a Hispanic specialist) and probably made Juan’s first two loves part- Moorish by way of riposte. 345 kin – ancestors 346 sires – forefathers, ancestors 347 to frown – disapprove 348 to bred in and in – become inbred, commit endogamy 349 nay – no, worse 350 to spoil – ruin 351 heathenish – pagan, non-Christian 352 cross – (in this case) hybrid, mixture 353 blood – blood line, ancestry 354 flesh – biology 355 root – origin 356 to spring up (spring-sprang-sprung) – emerge 357 plain – (in this case) ugly, unattractive 358 fain – willingly 359 to hush – silence LIX However this might be, the race went on Improving still through every generation, Until it centred in an only son, Who left an only daughter; my narration May have suggested that this single one360 Could be but361 Julia (whom on this occasion I shall have much to speak about), and she Was married, charming362, chaste, and twenty-three.

LX Her eye (I’m very fond of handsome eyes) Was large and dark, suppressing half its fire Until she spoke, then through its soft disguise Flash’d an expression more of pride than ire363, And love than either; and there would arise364 A something in them which was not desire, But would have been, perhaps, but for the soul Which struggled through and chasten’d down365 the whole.

LXI Her glossy366 hair was cluster’d367 o’er a brow368 Bright with intelligence, and fair369, and smooth; Her eyebrow’s shape was like th’ aerial bow370, Her cheek all purple with the beam371 of youth, Mounting at times to a transparent glow, As if her veins ran372 lightning; she, in sooth373, Possess’d an air374 and grace by no means common: Her stature tall – I hate a dumpy375 woman.376

360 the bloodline expires with Julia 361 could be but – could only be 362 charming – adorable 363 ire – (poetic) anger 364 to arise (arise-arose-arisen) – emerge 365 to chasten sth. down – subdue sth., keep sth. under control 366 glossy – shiny, shining 367 clustered – grouped 368 brow – forehead 369 fair – beautiful 370 like the aerial bow – like a rainbow, well arched 371 beam – glow, radiance 372 ran – (in this case) contained 373 in sooth – truly, really 374 air – (in this case) countenance, appearance 375 dumpy – squat, short and round 376 Lady Byron was short Juan’s Sexual Initiation

SOURCE: Peter Vassallo, in Byron: The Italian Literary Influence (pp. 67-74) adduces, as a possible source for the story of adultery which now follows, Il Ritorno Inaspettato (The Unexpected Return) one of the Novelle Galanti by Giambattista Casti (first published 1790, enlarged 1804). In it Climene, married at first happily to Lindoro, but deserted by him in favour of the army, has an affair with the 13-year-old Rosmin, and extricates herself wittily377 on her husband’s return. Vassallo sees the portrayal of Julia’s comically inexorable defeat by temptation (below, Stanzas 75-85) as especially indebted to Casti.

LXII Wedded378 she was some years, and to a man Of fifty, and such husbands are in plenty379; And yet, I think, instead of such a one ’Twere380 better to have two of five-and-twenty, Especially in countries near the sun: And now I think on ’t381, “mi vien in mente”,382 Ladies even of the most uneasy virtue383 Prefer a spouse whose age is short of thirty.384

LXIII ’Tis31 a sad thing, I cannot choose but385 say, And all the fault of that indecent sun, Who cannot leave alone our helpless clay386, But will keep baking, broiling, burning on, That howsoever people fast and pray387, The flesh388 is frail, and so the soul undone389: What men call gallantry, and gods adultery, Is much more common where the climate’s sultry390.

377 wittily – in a humorous way 378 wedded – marriage 379 in plenty – common 380 ’twere – it were, (in this case) it would have been 381 on it – about it 382 mi vien in mente – (Italian) it occurs to me 383 ladies of uneasy virtue – (wordplay) lady of easy virtue (= a promiscuous women), so formally Byron is saying that Doña Julia was virtuous. However, ‘uneasy’ suggests that Julia was made uncomfortable by her own virtuous conduct 384 ‘Virtue’ rhymes with ‘thirty’: “Varty … tharty”. 385 cannot choose but – have to 386 clay – (wordplay) a. earth; b. the substance of the human body, flesh 387 That howsoever people fast and pray – irrespectively of how piously people behave 388 the flesh – the physical aspect of humanity 389 undone – frustrated, damned 390 sultry – hot and humid LXIV Happy the nations of the moral North! Where all is virtue, and the winter season Sends sin391, without a rag on392, shivering393 forth394 (’Twas151 snow that brought St. Anthony to reason);395 Where juries cast up396 what a wife is worth, By laying whate’er sum in mulct397 they please on The lover, who must pay a handsome price, Because it is a marketable vice.398

LXV Alfonso399 was the name of Julia’s lord, A man well looking for his years, and who Was neither much beloved nor yet abhorr’d: They lived together, as most people do, Suffering each other’s foibles400 by accord, And not exactly either one or two; Yet he was jealous, though he did not show it, For jealousy dislikes the world to know it.

LXVI Julia was – yet I never could see why – With Donna Inez quite a favourite friend; Between their tastes there was small sympathy401, For not a line had Julia ever penn’d402: Some people whisper but no doubt they lie, For malice still imputes some private end) That Inez had, ere403 Don Alfonso’s marriage, Forgot with him her very prudent carriage404;

391 sin – immorality 392 without a rag on – completely naked 393 shivering – trembling because of the cold 394 forth – (in this case) away 395 Byron later changed this to St. Francis correctly remembering that it was St. Francis of Assisi rather than St. Antony of Padua about whom he was thinking. 396 to cast up – determine 397 in Mulct – as a fine 398 a marketable Vice – refers to damages for enticement, emblem of the way in England even love is valued materially 399 The name Don Alfonso is often found in Le Sage’s Gil Blas 400 foible – imperfection, idiosyncrasy 401 small sympathy – little in common 402 to pen – write 403 ere – (poetic) before 404 carriage – (in this case) conduct LXVII And that still keeping up the old connection, Which time had lately render’d much more chaste, She took his lady also in affection, And certainly this course was much the best: She flatter’d Julia with her sage405 protection, And complimented Don Alfonso’s taste; And if she could not (who can?) silence scandal, At least she left it a more slender handle406.

LXVIII I can’t tell whether Julia saw the affair With other people’s eyes, or if her own Discoveries made, but none could be aware Of407 this, at least no symptom e’er was shown; Perhaps she did not know, or did not care, Indifferent from the first or callous grown408: I’m really puzzled what to think or say, She kept her counsel in so close a way409.

LXIX Juan she saw, and, as a pretty child, Caress’d him often – such a thing might be Quite innocently done, and harmless styled, When she had twenty years, and thirteen he; But I am not so sure I should have smiled When he was sixteen, Julia twenty-three; These few short years make wondrous alterations410, Particularly411 amongst sun-burnt nations.

LXX Whate’er the cause might be, they had become Changed; for the dame grew distant, the youth shy412, Their looks cast down, their greetings almost dumb413, And much embarrassment in either eye; There surely will be little doubt with some That Donna Julia knew the reason why, But as for Juan, he had no more notion Than he who never saw the sea of ocean.

405 sage – wise, prudent 406 she left it a more slender handle – she made it more difficult 407 to be aware of – be conscious of 408 callous grown – she had become indifferent 409 She kept her counsel in so close a way – she didn’t reveal her opinions 410 wondrous alterations – delightful changes 411 particularly – especially 412 shy – timid 413 dumb – silent LXXI Yet Julia’s very coldness still was kind, And tremulously gentle her small hand Withdrew itself from his, but left behind A little pressure, thrilling414, and so bland415 And slight, so very slight, that to the mind ’Twas151 but a doubt; but ne’er magician’s wand416 Wrought change417 with all Armida’s fairy art418 Like what this light touch left on Juan’s heart.

LXXII And if she met him, though she smiled no more, She look’d a sadness sweeter than her smile, As if her heart had deeper thoughts in store419 She must not own420, but cherish’d more the while For that compression in its burning core; Even innocence itself has many a wile421, And will not dare to trust itself with truth, And love is taught hypocrisy from youth.

LXXIII But passion most dissembles422, yet betrays Even by its darkness; as the blackest sky Foretells423 the heaviest tempest, it displays424 Its workings through the vainly guarded eye, And in whatever aspect it arrays425 Itself, ’tis31 still the same hypocrisy; Coldness or anger, even disdain or hate, Are masks it often wears, and still426 too late.

414 thrilling – exciting, arousing 415 bland – (in this case) gentle, benign 416 wand – stick/baton used by a magician/wizard 417 to work change (work-wrought-wrought) – provoke a transformation 418 Armida is a sorceress in Tasso’s Gerusalemme Liberata, and seduces the crusading hero Rinaldo. She is related to the similar figures of Circe in the Odyssey, Dido in the Aeneid, and to later figures such as Kundry in Wagner’s Parsifal. However, where the victims of Armida, Circe, Dido and Kundry all resist heroically, Juan succumbs to Julia without reservation, and only discovery terminates their relationship. 419 deeper thoughts in store – more passionate latent thoughts 420 to own – admit 421 many a wile – a lot of subterfuges, many stratagems 422 to dissemble – dissimulate, disguise 423 to foretell (-tell/-told/-told) – predict 424 to display – exhibit 425 to array – clothe 426 still – (in this case) always LXXIV Then there were sighs427, the deeper for suppression, And stolen428 glances429, sweeter for the theft, And burning blushes, though for no transgression, Tremblings when met, and restlessness when left; All these are little preludes to possession, Of which young passion cannot be bereft, And merely tend to show how greatly love is Embarrass’d at first starting with a novice.

LXXV Poor Julia’s heart was in an awkward state; She felt it going, and resolved to make The noblest efforts for herself and mate,430 For honour’s, pride’s, religion’s, virtue’s sake; Her resolutions were most truly great, And almost might have made a Tarquin quake431:432 She pray’d the Virgin Mary for her grace, As being the best judge of a lady’s case.

LXXVI She vow’d433 she never would see Juan more, And next day paid a visit to his mother, And look’d extremely at the opening door, Which, by the Virgin’s grace, let in another; Grateful she was, and yet a little sore – Again it opens, it can be no other, ’Tis31 surely Juan now – No! I’m afraid That night the Virgin was no further pray’d434.

LXXVII She now determined that a virtuous woman Should rather face435 and overcome436 temptation, That flight was base and dastardly, and no man Should ever give her heart the least sensation; That is to say, a thought beyond the common Preference, that we must feel upon occasion For people who are pleasanter than others, But then they only seem so many brothers.

427 sigh – exhalation 428 stolen – furtive 429 glance – look 430 Byron always regarded women’s resolution ironically 431 to quake – shake, tremble 432 legendary Etruscan kings of Rome. One of them, Tarquinius Superbus, ravished Lucretia. See Shakespeare’s poem The Rape of Lucrece. 433 to vow – promise, swear (to oneself) 434 That night the Virgin was no further pray’d – she didn’t pray to the Virgin Mary again that night 435 should rather face – would be better to confront 436 to overcome (-come/-came/-come) – defeat, conquer LXXVIII And even if by chance437 – and who can tell? The devil’s so very sly438 – she should discover That all within was not so very well, And, if still free, that such or such a lover Might please perhaps, a virtuous wife can quell439 Such thoughts, and be the better when they’re over; And if the man should ask, ’tis31 but denial: I recommend young ladies to make trial.

LXXIX And then there are such things as love divine, Bright and immaculate, unmix’d and pure, Such as the angels think so very fine, And matrons who would be no less secure, Platonic, perfect, “just such love as mine”; Thus Julia said – and thought so, to be sure; And so I’d have her think, were I440 the man On whom her reveries441 celestial ran.

LXXX Such love is innocent, and may exist Between young persons without any danger. A hand may first, and then a lip be kist442; For my part, to such doings I’m a stranger, But hear these freedoms form the utmost list Of all o’er which such love may be a ranger: If people go beyond, ’tis31 quite a crime, But not my fault – I tell them all in time.

LXXXI Love, then, but love within its proper443 limits, Was Julia’s innocent determination In young Don Juan’s favour, and to him its Exertion might be useful on occasion; And, lighted at too pure a shrine to dim its Ethereal lustre, with what sweet persuasion He might be taught, by love and her together – I really don’t know what, nor Julia either.

437 by change – fortuitously 438 sly – astute, devious 439 to quell – repress, control 440 were I – if I were 441 reverie – fantasy 442 kist – kissed 443 proper – respectable LXXXII Fraught with444 this fine intention, and well fenced In mail of proof – her purity of soul –445 She, for the future of her strength convinced. And that her honour was a rock, or mole446, Exceeding sagely from that hour dispensed With any kind of troublesome control; But whether Julia to the task was equal Is that which must be mention’d in the sequel.

LXXXIII Her plan she deem’d447 both innocent and feasible448, And, surely, with a stripling of sixteen Not scandal’s fangs could fix on much that’s seizable, Or if they did so, satisfied to mean Nothing but what was good, her breast was peaceable – A quiet conscience makes one so serene! Christians have burnt each other, quite persuaded That all the Apostles would have done as they did.

LXXXIV And if in the mean time her husband died, But Heaven forbid that such a thought should cross Her brain, though in a dream! (and then she sigh’d) Never could she survive that common loss; But just suppose449 that moment should betide450, I only say suppose it – inter nos451. (This should be entre nous, for Julia thought In French, but then the rhyme would go for nought452.)

444 fraught with – full of, filled with 445 A distant model for Julia’s dilemma may be that of Lady Booby in Fielding’s Joseph Andrews, I, 7: “Whither doth this violent Passion hurry us? What Meanness do we submit to from its Impulse? Wisely we resist its first and least Approaches: for it is then only we can assure ourselves the Victory. No Woman could ever safely say, so far only ill I go. Have I not exposed myself to the Refusal of my Footman? I cannot bear the Reflection.” 446 mole – (in this case) breakwater, causeway 447 deemed – considered 448 feasible – viable 449 just suppose – imagine for a moment 450 to betide – occur 451 “inter nos” ... “entre Nous”: between ourselves (respectively Latin and French). It is hard to imagine why Julia would say the words at all in the context given, or why she would not say so intimate a thing in Spanish (in which it would be entre nosotros). 452 to go for nought – be ruined LXXXV I only say suppose this supposition: Juan being then grown up to man’s estate453 Would fully suit a widow of condition, Even seven years hence454 it would not be too late; And in the interim455 (to pursue this vision) The mischief456, after all, could not be great, For he would learn the rudiments of love, I mean the seraph way of those above.

LXXXVI So much for Julia. Now we’ll turn to Juan. Poor little fellow! he had no idea Of his own case, and never hit the true one; In feelings quick as Ovid’s Miss Medea, He puzzled over what he found a new one, But not as yet imagined it could be Thing quite in course, and not at all alarming, Which, with a little patience, might grow charming.

LXXXVII Silent and pensive, idle, restless, slow, His home deserted for the lonely wood457,458 Tormented with a wound he could not know, His, like all deep grief, plunged in solitude: I’m fond myself of solitude or so, But then, I beg it may be understood, By solitude I mean a sultan’s, not A hermit’s, with a haram for a grot459.

453 Man’s Estate – adulthood. See Twelfth Night, concluding song to V i. 454 hence – from then, in the future 455 in the interim – meanwhile 456 mischief – harm, sin 457 wood – forest 458 recalls Romeo in I i. For his depiction of such adolescent angst, Byron had his own memories of Mary Chaworth to remember 459 grot – (literary) grotto LXXXVIII “Oh Love! in such a wilderness as this, Where transport and security entwine460, Here is the empire of thy perfect bliss461, And here thou art462 a god indeed divine.” The bard463 I quote from does not sing amiss464, With the exception of the second line, For that same twining465 “transport and security” Are twisted466 to a phrase of some obscurity.

LXXXIX The poet meant, no doubt, and thus appeals To the good sense and senses of mankind, The very thing which every body feels, As all have found on trial, or may find, That no one likes to be disturb’d at meals Or love. – I won’t say more about ‘entwined’ Or ‘transport’, as we knew all that before, But beg467 ‘security’ will bolt the door.

460 to entwine – bind together, mix 461 bliss – paradise, complete happiness 462 thou art – (archaic) you are (singular) 463 Thomas Campbell (1777-1844); the lines are from his Gertrude of Wyoming (1809: Canto III, 1-4) 464 amiss – incorrectly 465 twining – combining 466 twisted – contorted 467 to beg – ask XC Young Juan wander’d by the glassy brooks468, Thinking unutterable things; he threw Himself at length within the leafy nooks469 Where the wild branch of the cork forest grew; There poets find materials for their books, And every now and then470 we read them through, So that their plan and prosody are eligible471, Unless, like Wordsworth, they prove unintelligible.472

XCI He, Juan (and not Wordsworth), so pursued His self-communion with his own high soul, Until his mighty heart, in its great mood, Had mitigated part, though not the whole Of its disease; he did the best he could With things not very subject to control, And turn’d, without perceiving his condition, Like Coleridge, into a metaphysician.

XCII He thought about himself, and the whole earth Of man the wonderful, and of the stars, And how the deuce they ever could have birth; And then he thought of earthquakes, and of wars, How many miles the moon might have in girth, Of air-balloons, and of the many bars To perfect knowledge of the boundless skies; – And then he thought of Donna Julia’s eyes.

468 brook – stream, small river 469 nook – recess, refuge 470 now and then – occasionally 471 eligible – appropriate, worthy 472 continues the satire in the Dedication, with distantly jesting connections between adolescent metaphysics and adolescent self-abuse (= masturbation), or in the cases of Wordsworth and Coleridge, middle-aged metaphysics (see 618) and self-abuse. Neither ‘rival poet’ wrote any overtly erotic poems. XCIII In thoughts like these true wisdom may discern Longings sublime, and aspirations high, Which some are born with, but the most part learn To plague themselves withal473, they know not why: ’Twas151 strange that one so young should thus concern His brain about the action of the sky; If you think ’twas151 philosophy that this did, I can’t help thinking puberty assisted474.

XCIV He pored upon475 the leaves, and on the flowers, And heard a voice in all the winds476; and then He thought of wood-nymphs and immortal bowers477,478 And how the goddesses came down to men: He miss’d the pathway, he forgot the hours, And when he look’d upon479 his watch again, He found how much old Time had been a winner – He also found that he had lost480 his dinner.

473 withal – in addition 474 to assist – (false friend) help, play a part 475 to pore upon – contemplate, ponder 476 echoes Gray, On a Distant Prospect of Eton College 4, 89: They [young Etonians] hear a voice in every wind, / And snatch a fearful joy. 477 bower – pleasant secluded place in a garden 478 Byron is uncertain, in fair copy, at 756, as to whether or not to use ‘Poesy’, indicating that Keats has replaced Wordsworth in the firing-line of the satire. Byron had used the archaic word as a simple synonym for poetry in his earlier work: but Keats uses it nine times in Sleep and Poetry (1817) and four times in Endymion, which had been published in May 1818. Byron had read Sleep and Poetry, and had disliked it, ostensibly, for its attack on Pope; and it could be that he felt Keats had devalued ‘poesy’ somewhat. Starting with Don Juan (Dedication, above, line 38) he only uses the word ironically from now on. 479 upon – at 480 lost – missed