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PREFACE IMITATION OF HORACE Ep. 20.--B. 1.
Methinks, Oh! vain ill-judging Book, I see thee cast a wishful look, Where reputations won and lost are In famous row called Paternoster. Incensed to find your precious olio Buried in unexplored port-folio, You scorn the prudent lock and key, And pant well bound and gilt to see Your Volume in the window set Of Stockdale, Hookham, or Debrett.
Go then, and pass that dangerous bourn Whence never Book can back return: And when you find, condemned, despised, Neglected, blamed, and criticised, Abuse from All who read you fall, placed himself near her; But first He whispered a few words in his Friend's ear, who immediately took the hint, and endeavoured to draw off the old Woman's attention from her lovely charge.
"You are doubtless lately arrived at Madrid," said Lorenzo to his fair Neighbour; "It is impossible that such charms should have long remained unobserved; and had not this been your first public appearance, the envy of the Women and adoration of the Men would have rendered you already sufficiently remarkable."
He paused, in expectation of an answer. As his speech did not absolutely require one, the Lady did not open her lips: After a few moments He resumed his discourse:
"Am I wrong in supposing you to be a Stranger to Madrid?"
The Lady hesitated; and at last, in so low a voice as to be scarcely intelligible, She made shift to answer,--"No, Segnor."
"Do you intend making a stay of any length?"
"Yes, Segnor."
"I should esteem myself fortunate, were it in my power to contribute to making your abode agreeable. I am well known at Madrid, and my Family has some interest at Court. If I can be of any service, you cannot honour or oblige me more than by permitting me to be of use to you."--"Surely," said He to himself, "She cannot answer that by a monosyllable; now She must say something to me."
Lorenzo was deceived, for the Lady answered only by a bow.
After a pause of some minutes--"It is certainly from your being a Stranger," said He, "and as yet unacquainted with our customs, that you continue to wear your veil. Permit me to remove it."
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