She said,--what could she say? Why, not a word; But the Count courteously invited in The Stranger, much appeased by what he heard: "Such things, perhaps, we'd best discuss within," Said he; "don't let us make ourselves absurd In public, by a scene, nor raise a din, For then the chief and only satisfaction Will be much quizzing on the whole transaction." XCI. They entered, and for Coffee called--it came, A beverage for Turks and Christians both, Although the way they make it's not the same. Now Laura, much recovered, or less loth To speak, cries "Beppo! what's your pagan name? Bless me! your beard is of amazing growth! And how came you to keep away so long? Are you not sensible 'twas very wrong? XCII. "And are you _really, truly,_ now a Turk? With any other women did you wive? Is't true they use their fingers for a fork? Well, that's the prettiest Shawl--as I'm alive! You'll give it me? They say you eat no pork. And how so many years did you contrive To--Bless me! did I ever? No, I never Saw a man grown so yellow! How's your liver? XCIII. "Beppo! that beard of yours becomes you not; It shall be shaved before you're a day older: Why do you wear it? Oh! I had forgot-- Pray don't you think the weather here is colder? How do I look? You shan't stir from this spot In that queer dress, for fear that some beholder Should find you out, and make the story known. How short your hair is! Lord! how grey it's grown!" XCIV. What answer Beppo made to these demands Is more than I know. He was cast away About where Troy stood once, and nothing stands; Became a slave of course, and for his pay Had bread and bastinadoes, till some bands Of pirates landing in a neighbouring bay, He joined the rogues and prospered, and became A renegade of indifferent fame. XCV. But he grew rich, and with his riches grew so Keen the desire to see his home again, He thought himself in duty bound to do so, And not be always thieving on the main; Lonely he felt, at times, as Robin Crusoe, And so he hired a vessel come from Spain, Bound for Corfu: she was a fine polacca, Manned with twelve hands, and laden with tobacco. XCVI. Himself, and much (heaven knows how gotten!) cash, He then embarked, with risk of life and limb, And got clear off, although the attempt was rash; _He_ said that _Providence_ protected him-- For my part, I say nothing--lest we clash In our opinions:--well--the ship was trim, Set sail, and kept her reckoning fairly on, Except three days of calm when off Cape Bonn.[233] XCVII.