A Sequel to Don Juan — page 230: what you’re looking at

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

DON JUAN. 221 XLV. Ah! Prudery—like Prejudice—you strain At gnats, and swallow camels! I’m afraid That all my fine discussions are in vain, And reformation will be long delayed ;— For Prudery ’s a garment which, ’tis plain, Suits the unfaithful wife and sour old maid— The first to hide her flirtings with her lover, The next the motives of her spleen to cover. ALVI, If there be anything that I detest More than another, ’tis hypocrisy :— France is the nation which I love the best, For from that vice ’tis altogether free. French married ladies—it must be confest— Are p’rhaps no better than they ought to be ; But still they are not base enough to bask In Pleasure’s smile beneath Religion’s mask. XLVI. And, by the way—when I reflect—if e’er The ladies of our upper classes should Before a Bow-Street Magistrate repair Upon a charge of being much too good, I’d gladly be their bail to meet elsewhere The accusation—certain that they stood On the safe side, and never could be found Guilty upon such an unlikely ground. COMmiclboOoks. con