DON JUAN.

CANTO xm.

I.

1 how mean to be serious$ — it is time,Since laughter nowa-days is deemed too se-rious.

A jest at Vice by Virtue's called a crime,

And critically held as deleterious:

Besides, the sad's a source of the sublime 9Although when long a little apt to weary us:And therefore shall my lay soar high and solemnAs an old temple dwindled to a column.