BON JUAN.'

Canto ft

3a.

L.

At six, I said, lie was a charming child, <- "At twelve he was a fine, but quiet boy; i’Although in infancy a little wild,

They tamed him down amongst them; to destroyHis natural spirit not in vain they tojl’d,

At least it seem’d soand his mother’s joy »Was to declare how sage > and still, and steady,Her young philosopher was grown already,

LI.

I had my doubts, perhaps I have them still,

But what I say is neither here nor there:

I knew his father 'well, and have some skill u‘"!7In character —■ but it would not be fairFrom sire to son to augur good or ill: 1He and his wife were an ill-sorted pairBut scandal’s my aversion — i protestAgainst all evil speaking, even in jest n o

/