LXXXVII.

Dully passed o'er the dinner of the day; And Juan took his place, he knew not where, Confused, in the confusion, and _distrait_, And sitting as if nailed upon his chair: Though knives and forks clanked round as in a fray, He seemed unconscious of all passing there, Till some one, with a groan, expressed a wish (Unheeded twice) to have a fin of fish.

LXXXVIII.

On which, at the _third_ asking of the banns, He started; and perceiving smiles around Broadening to grins, he coloured more than once, And hastily--as nothing can confound A wise man more than laughter from a dunce-- Inflicted on the dish a deadly wound, And with such hurry, that, ere he could curb it, He had paid his neighbour's prayer with half a turbot.