A Sequel to Don Juan — page 16: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

DON JUAN. 7 IV. Lo! I, the man, whose Muse whilome did hide, As public taste her taught, in mere romance,* Am chosen now to publish far and wide, Through England, Germany, Spain, Belgium, France, America, and all the world beside, | The deeds of him whose smile and tender glance Undid more hearts than e’er were riddled through By stalworth knight with lance and faulchion true. V. Here, reader, is a very nice selection Of epic introductions—choose between The four thus offered unto your inspection :— For my part, I prefer the “‘ Faerie Queene ;”’ But should you have another predilection, We cannot blame your taste, for there have been Numbers who think the argument those urge ill Who would place Spenser in the rank with Virgil. Vi. If some old maid or bilious moralist Should cavil at these verses, I declare And on an affidavit would insist, That I am innocent of what is there : I.merely act as an epitomist Of deeds whose weight Don Juan’s back must bear ;— _I would make matters better, were I able, But cannot turn a history to a fable. * Lo! I, the man whose Muse whilome did mask, As time her taught, in lowly shepherd’s weeds. — Commencement of Spenser's '' Faerie Quevne.’ Comicbooksncom