A Sequel to Don Juan — page 40: what you’re looking at

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

DON JUAN. 31 LXXVI. *T was clever, for it promised mighty things, And led to naught: the fly upon the wheel Chuckles because he fancies that he flings The dust around. How little must you feel, When lashed by the reproaches and the sting's Of those who dare proclaim the public weal As paramount ! What do you think will be Your character in future history? : LXX VIL. Ye stubborn recusants of right—and, worse, Daring apologists for wrong—know ye How bitter ’tis to earn a nation’s curse, That execration wrung from misery ? Go—learn it from the millions who rehearse The foul deeds which sum up your infamy : Go—read it on the tombs which mark the grave Of myriads whom you could, but would not save ! LXX VIII. That curse is stamped upon the haggard face Of starving multitudes throughout the land :— E’en in the countenance of babes you trace The mark, as though impressed with demon hand ! Britannia’s self is pale at the disgrace Which taints the annals of her native strand ; And History turns her mournful face aside, The gushing fountains of her grief to hide. COMmiclbookxs.conn