A Sequel to Don Juan — page 197: what you’re looking at

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

128 A SEQUEL To XCIV. The vices of his predecessors too Weighed heavily upon the crown he wore: Had he been brave, experienced, wise, and true, It was too late its lustre to restore. The Queen’s licentiousness served to renew Those bitter feelings which were formed before ; And France avenged whole centuries of ill Upon that man of vacillating will. XCV. There was an evil custom at that time— A fashion by the Queen most likely set, And therefore not regarded as a crime,— That every married dame should have a pet, Or lover (but the first word suits my rhyme ; ) And husbands then beheld without regret Their wives each with a cavalier servente— (Josephine de la Pagerie had twenty. )* * Josephine was very gay and dissipated. Her intrigues led to a misunderstanding with her first husband, Count de Beauharnais ; and the tribunals were appealed to. A reconciliation was however effected. After the execution of her husband, she in- dulged in all the pleasures of that most dissipated age and city; and eventually became the mistress of Barras, the Revolutionary Minister of War. She then married Napoleon Bonaparte. comichookss;com