That is the usual method, but not mine–
My way is to begin with the beginning;
The regularity of my design
Forbids all wandering as the worst of sinning,
And therefore I shall open with a line
(Although it cost me half an hour in spinning)
Narrating somewhat of Don Juan's father,
And also of his mother, if you'd rather.

In these lines from "Don Juan," Byron humorously asserts his intention to start his epic tale at the very beginning, defying the typical narrative approach of immersing readers in the midst of action. His tongue-in-cheek tone reveals his awareness of the literary conventions he is poised to subvert. By claiming that his "regularity of design / Forbids all wandering as the worst of sinning," Byron both mocks and embraces the expectation of a structured narrative. The irony here is palpable; Byron is famous for his digressions and satirical departures, which he uses to critique society and its pretensions. This stanza sets the stage for a work that is as much about the poet's playful rebellion against literary norms as it is about the story of the infamously rakish Don Juan. Through this approach, Byron ensures that his poem is not just a retelling but a commentary on storytelling itself.