Don Juan 06-116 ~ 120
  
 
Don Juan 06-116
Canto the Sixth
 
     CXVI
 
"What dost thou know of love or feeling? -- Wretch!
     Begone!" she cried, with kindling eyes -- "and do
My bidding!" Baba vanish'd, for to stretch
     His own remonstrance further he well knew
Might end in acting as his own "Jack Ketch;"
     And though he wish'd extremely to get through
This awkward business without harm to others,
He still preferr'd his own neck to another's.
  
 
Don Juan 06-117
Canto the Sixth
 
     CXVII
 
Away he went then upon his commission,
     Growling and grumbling in good Turkish phrase
Against all women of whate'er condition,
     Especially sultanas and their ways;
Their obstinacy, pride, and indecision,
     Their never knowing their own mind two days,
The trouble that they gave, their immorality,
Which made him daily bless his own neutrality.
  
 
Don Juan 06-118
Canto the Sixth
 
     CXVIII
 
And then he call'd his brethren to his aid,
     And sent one on a summons to the pair,
That they must instantly be well array'd,
     And above all be comb'd even to a hair,
And brought before the empress, who had made
     Inquiries after them with kindest care:
At which Dudu look'd strange, and Juan silly;
But go they must at once, and will I -- nill I.
  
 
Don Juan 06-119
Canto the Sixth
 
     CXIX
 
And here I leave them at their preparation
     For the imperial presence, wherein whether
Gulbeyaz show'd them both commiseration,
     Or got rid of the parties altogether,
Like other angry ladies of her nation, --
     Are things the turning of a hair or feather
May settle; but far be 't from me to anticipate
In what way feminine caprice may dissipate.
  
 
Don Juan 06-120
Canto the Sixth
 
     CXX
 
I leave them for the present with good wishes,
     Though doubts of their well doing, to arrange
Another part of history; for the dishes
     Of this our banquet we must sometimes change;
And trusting Juan may escape the fishes,
     Although his situation now seems strange
And scarce secure, as such digressions are fair,
The Muse will take a little touch at warfare.
 
George Gordon Byron, Lord Byron (1788-1824) 
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