No wonder such accomplishments should turn A female head, however sage and steady-- With scarce a hope that Beppo could return, In law he was almost as good as dead, he Nor sent, nor wrote, nor showed the least concern, And she had waited several years already: And really if a man won't let us know That he's alive, he's _dead_--or should be so. XXXVI. Besides, within the Alps, to every woman, (Although, God knows, it is a grievous sin,) 'Tis, I may say, permitted to have _two_ men; I can't tell who first brought the custom in, But "Cavalier Serventes" are quite common, And no one notices or cares a pin; An we may call this (not to say the worst) A _second_ marriage which corrupts the _first_. XXXVII. The word was formerly a "Cicisbeo,"[211] But _that_ is now grown vulgar and indecent; The Spaniards call the person a "_Cortejo_,"[212] For the same mode subsists in Spain, though recent; In short it reaches from the Po to Teio, And may perhaps at last be o'er the sea sent: But Heaven preserve Old England from such courses! Or what becomes of damage and divorces? XXXVIII.[213] However, I still think, with all due deference To the fair _single_ part of the creation, That married ladies should preserve the preference In _tête à tête_ or general conversation-- And this I say without peculiar reference To England, France, or any other nation-- Because they know the world, and are at ease, And being natural, naturally please. XXXIX. 'Tis true, your budding Miss is very charming, But shy and awkward at first coming out, So much alarmed, that she is quite alarming, All Giggle, Blush; half Pertness, and half Pout; And glancing at _Mamma_, for fear there's harm in What you, she, it, or they, may be about: The Nursery still lisps out in all they utter-- Besides, they always smell of bread and butter.[214] XL. But "Cavalier Servente" is the phrase Used in politest circles to express This supernumerary slave, who stays Close to the lady as a part of dress, Her word the only law which he obeys. His is no sinecure, as you may guess; Coach, servants, gondola, he goes to call, And carries fan and tippet, gloves and shawl. XLI. With all its sinful doings, I must say, That Italy's a pleasant place to me, Who love to see the Sun shine every day, And vines (not nailed to walls) from tree to tree Festooned, much like the back scene of a play, Or melodrame, which people flock to see, When the first act is ended by a dance In vineyards copied from the South of France. XLII.