But Juan was quite "a broth of a boy," A thing of impulse and a child of song; Now swimming in the sentiment of joy, Or the _sensation_ (if that phrase seem wrong), And afterward, if he must needs destroy, In such good company as always throng To battles, sieges, and that kind of pleasure, No less delighted to employ his leisure; XXV. But always without malice: if he warred Or loved, it was with what we call "the best Intentions," which form all Mankind's _trump card_, To be produced when brought up to the test. The statesman--hero--harlot--lawyer--ward Off each attack, when people are in quest Of their designs, by saying they _meant well_; 'T is pity "that such meaning should pave Hell."[425] XXVI. I almost lately have begun to doubt Whether Hell's pavement--if it be so _paved_-- Must not have latterly been quite worn out, Not by the numbers good intent hath saved, But by the mass who go below without Those ancient good intentions, which once shaved And smoothed the brimstone of that street of Hell Which bears the greatest likeness to Pall Mall.[ib] XXVII. Juan, by some strange chance, which oft divides Warrior from warrior in their grim career, Like chastest wives from constant husbands' sides Just at the close of the first bridal year, By one of those odd turns of Fortune's tides, Was on a sudden rather puzzled here, When, after a good deal of heavy firing, He found himself alone, and friends retiring. XXVIII. I don't know how the thing occurred--it might Be that the greater part were killed or wounded, And that the rest had faced unto the right About; a circumstance which has confounded Cæsar himself, who, in the very sight Of his whole army, which so much abounded In courage, was obliged to snatch a shield, And rally back his Romans to the field.[426] XXIX. Juan, who had no shield to snatch, and was No Cæsar, but a fine young lad, who fought He knew not why, arriving at this pass, Stopped for a minute, as perhaps he ought For a much longer time; then, like an ass (Start not, kind reader, since great Homer[427] thought This simile enough for Ajax, Juan Perhaps may find it better than a new one); XXX. Then, like an ass, he went upon his way, And, what was stranger, never looked behind; But seeing, flashing forward, like the day Over the hills, a fire enough to blind Those who dislike to look upon a fray, He stumbled on, to try if he could find A path, to add his own slight arm and forces To corps, the greater part of which were corses. XXXI.