XXVIII. She kept a journal, where his faults were noted, XXIX. And then this best and meekest woman bore Who saw their spouses kill'd, and nobly chose Never to say a word about them more Calmly she heard each calumny that rose, And saw his agonies with such sublimity, That all the world exclaim'd,,,What magnanimity!" XXX. No doubt, this patience, when the world is dam ning us, Is philosophic in our former friends; "Tis also pleasant to be deem'd magnanimous, XXXI. And if our quarrels should rip up old stories, And help them with a lie or two addițional, I'm not to blame, as you well know, no more is Any one else they were become traditional; Besides, their resurrection aids our glories . By contrast, which is what we just were wishing all: And science profits by this resurrection — Dead scandals form good subjects for dissection. XXXII. Their friends had tried at reconciliation, Then their relations, who made matters worse; (Twere hard to tell upon a like occasion To whom it may be best to have recourse I can't say much for friend or yet relation): The lawyers did their utmost for divorce, But scarce a fee was paid on either side Before, unluckily, Dón Jóse died. XXXIII. He died and most unluckily, because, From counsel learned in those kinds of laws, To public feeling, which on this occasion. XXXIV. But ah! he died; and buried with him lay XXXV. Yet Jóse was an honourable man, That I must say, who knew him very well; Therefore his frailties Pll no further scan, Indeed there were not many more to tell; And if his passions now and then outran Discretion, and were not so peaceable As Numa's (who was also named Pompilius), He had been ill brought up, and was born bilious. XXXVI. Whate'er might be his worthlessness or worth, Poor fellow! he had many things to wound him, Let's own, since it can do no good on earth; It was a trying moment that which found him Standing alone beside his desolate hearth, Where all his household gods lay shiver'd round him; No choice was left his feelings or his pride Save death or Doctors' Commons so he died. XXXVII. Dying intestate, Juan was sole heir To a chancery suit, and messuages, and lands, Which, with a long minority and care, Promised to turn out well in proper hands: Inez became sole guardian, which was fair, And answer'd but to nature's just demands; An only son left with an only mother Is brought up much more wisely than another. |