A Sequel to Don Juan — page 198: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

DON JUAN. 18Y XCVI. If female virtue then were known, at least “T'was not respected ;—and when we remember That upon naked bosoms eyes might feast At will, it was enough to warm December : * The ladies too so airily were drest As to display the contours of each member ; And their voluptuous charms, so ill-concealed, Were by the very drapery revealed. XCVII. The women of that age too seemed to gain From their licentiousness, augmented charms :— Christ ! who could gaze upon the royal train, Survey their heaving breasts and snowy arms, Observe the proud blood swelling in each vein With new emotions—pleasure or alarms,— And not admit that there was much excuse If morals in those times were somewhat loose ? XCVIII. Never was wit more brilliant—never shone The Attic genius of an age so bright : Birth, beauty, talent circled round the throne, A galaxy of transcendental light. Fair woman forged the chains that sate upon Alike the prince, the noble, and the knight ; And aristocracy appeared to prove No other trammels than a Court of Love. * Ladies wore their dresses so low at the period of which we are writing, that more than the hemicycles of the bosoms was entirely exposed, CORnnicloOok<s.Cconn