Don Juan, with Notes. Complete Ed

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1857 Excerpt: ...in which unanimity, That stranger to most councils, here prevail'd. As sometimes happens in a great extremity; And every difficultv being dispell'd, Glory began to dawn with due sublimity, While Souvaroff, determin'd to obtain it, Was teaching his recruits to use the bayonet, 11$. It is an actual fact, that he, commander 52 In chief, in proper person deign'd to drill The awkward squad, and could afford to squander His time, a corporal's duty to fulfil; Just as you'd break a sucking salamander To swallow flame, and never take it ill: He show'd them how to mount a ladder (which Was not like Jacob's) or to cross a ditch. LIII. Also be dress'd up, for the nonce, fascines, 53 Like men, with turbans, scimitars, and dirks, And made them charge with bayonet these machines, By way of lesson against actual Turks; And, when well practis'd in these mimic scenes, He judg'd them proper to assail the works; At which your wise men sneer'd in phrases witty: He made no answer; but he took the city. LIV. Most thmgs were in this posture on the eve 64 Of the assault, and all the camp was in A stern repose; which you would scarce conceive: Yet men resolv'd to clash through thick and thin, Are very silent when they once believe That all is settled: --there was little din, For some were thinking of their home and friends, And others of themselves and latter ends. LV. Suwarrow chiefly was on the alert, 66 Surveying, drilling, ordering, jesting, pondering: For the man was, we safely may assert, A thing to wonder at beyond most wondering; Hero, buffoon, half-demon, and half-dirt, Praying, instructing, desolating, plundering; Now Mars, now Momus; aud when bent to storm A fortress, Harlequin in uniform. LVI. The day before the assault, while upon drill--56 For this great conqueror play'..