I say Don Juan, wrapt in contemplation, Walk'd on behind his carriage, o'er the summit, And lost in wonder of so great a nation, Gave way to it, since he could not o'ercome it. "And here," he cried, "is Freedom's chosen station; Here peals the people's voice, nor can entomb it Racks, prisons, inquisitions; resurrection Awaits it, each new meeting or election. "Here are chaste wives, pure lives; here people pay But what they please; and, if that things be dear, 'Tis only that they love to throw away Their cash, to show how much they have a year. Here laws are all inviolate; none lay Traps for the traveller; every highway's clear: Here"--here he was interrupted by a knife, With,--"Damn your eyes! Your money or your life!" These freeborn sounds proceeded from four pads, In ambush laid, who had perceived him loiter Behind his carriage; and, like handy lads, Had seized the lucky hour to reconnoitre, In which the heedless gentleman who gads Upon the road, unless he prove a fighter, May find himself, within that isle of riches, Exposed to lose his life as well as breeches. Juan did not understand a word Of English, save their shibboleth, "God damn!" And even that he had so rarely heard, He sometimes thought 'twas only their "Salaam," Or "God be with you!" and 'tis not absurd To think so; for, half English as I am (To my misfortune), never can I say I heard them wish "God with you," save that way. But if he failed to understand their speech, he interpreted their actions accurately enough, and, drawing a pocket-pistol, shot the foremost in the stomach, who, writhing in agony on the ground, and unable to discriminate between Continental nationalities, called out that "the bloody Frenchman" had killed him. His three companions did not wait to discover that it was not a Frenchman, but a Spaniard. No, they promptly ran away, and left their fellow to die, which he presently did, and Don Juan, after an interview with the coroner, proceeded on his road in wonderment. "Perhaps," he thought, "it is the country's wont to welcome foreigners in this way."