Until you nearly trod on them, and then You started back in horror to survey The wondrous hideousness of those small men, Whose colour was not black, nor white, nor grey, But an extraneous mixture, which no pen Can trace, although perhaps the pencil may; They were mis-shapen pigmies, deaf and dumb-- Monsters, who cost a no less monstrous sum. LXXXIX. Their duty was--for they were strong, and though They looked so little, did strong things at times-- To ope this door, which they could really do, The hinges being as smooth as Rogers' rhymes; And now and then, with tough strings of the bow, As is the custom of those Eastern climes, To give some rebel Pacha a cravat-- For mutes are generally used for that. XC. They spoke by signs--that is, not spoke at all; And looking like two Incubi, they glared As Baba with his fingers made them fall To heaving back the portal folds: it scared Juan a moment, as this pair so small, With shrinking serpent optics on him stared;[297] It was as if their little looks could poison Or fascinate whome'er they fixed their eyes on. XCI. Before they entered, Baba paused to hint To Juan some slight lessons as his guide: "If you could just contrive," he said, "to stint That somewhat manly majesty of stride, 'T would be as well, and--(though there's not much in 't) To swing a little less from side to side, Which has at times an aspect of the oddest;-- And also could you look a little modest, XCII. "'T would be convenient; for these mutes have eyes Like needles, which may pierce those petticoats; And if they should discover your disguise, You know how near us the deep Bosphorus floats; And you and I may chance, ere morning rise, To find our way to Marmora without boats, Stitched up in sacks--a mode of navigation A good deal practised here upon occasion."[298] XCIII. With this encouragement he led the way Into a room still nobler than the last; A rich confusion formed a disarray In such sort, that the eye along it cast Could hardly carry anything away, Object on object flashed so bright and fast; A dazzling mass of gems, and gold, and glitter, Magnificently mingled in a litter. XCIV. Wealth had done wonders--taste not much; such things Occur in Orient palaces, and even In the more chastened domes of Western kings (Of which I have also seen some six or seven), Where I can't say or gold or diamond flings Great lustre, there is much to be forgiven; Groups of bad statues, tables, chairs, and pictures, On which I cannot pause to make my strictures. XCV.