later, August 24, the siege was broken up. Stanza lxxxv. is not in the
original MS.]

[103] {78} [Charles IV. abdicated March 19, 1808, in favour of his son
Ferdinand VII.; and in the following May, Charles once more abdicated on
his own behalf, and Ferdinand for himself and his heirs, in favour of
Napoleon. Thenceforward Charles was an exile, and Ferdinand a prisoner
at Valencay, and Spain, so far as the Bourbons were concerned, remained
"kingless," until motives of policy procured the release of the latter,
who re-entered his kingdom March 22, 1814.]

[dj]
Ye, who would more of Spain and Spaniards know,
Sights, Saints, Antiques, Arts, Anecdotes and War,
Go hie ye hence to Paternoster Row--
Are they not written in the Boke of Carr,[Sec.1]
Green Erin's Knight and Europe's wandering star!
Then listen, Readers, to the Man of Ink,
Hear what he did, and sought, and wrote afar;
All those are cooped within one Quarto's brink,
This borrow, steal,--don't buy,--and tell us what you think.

There may you read with spectacles on eyes,
How many Wellesleys did embark for Spain,[Sec.2]
As if therein they meant to colonise,
How many troops y-crossed the laughing main
That ne'er beheld the said return again:
How many buildings are in such a place,
How many leagues from this to yonder plain,
How many relics each cathedral grace,
And where Giralda stands on her gigantic base.[Sec.3]

There may you read (Oh, Phoebus, save Sir John!
That these my words prophetic may not err)[Sec.4]
All that was said, or sung, and lost, or won,
By vaunting Wellesley or by blundering Frere,[Sec.a]
He that wrote half the "Needy Knife-Grinder,"[Sec.5]
Thus Poesy the way to grandeur paves--[Sec.b]
Who would not such diplomatists prefer?
But cease, my Muse, thy speed some respite craves,
Leave legates to the House, and armies to their graves.

Yet here of Vulpes mention may be made,[Sec.c][Sec.6]
Who for the Junta modelled sapient laws,
Taught them to govern ere they were obeyed:
Certes fit teacher to command, because
His soul Socratic no Xantippe awes;
Blest with a Dame in Virtue's bosom nurst,--
With her let silent Admiration pause!--
True to her second husband and her first:
On such unshaken fame let Satire do its worst.

[Sec.1] "Porphyry said tha