EUGENEONEGIN By AlexanderPushkin

TranslatedbyHenrySpalding

CONTENTS:
PREFACE ...................................................................................................................3 MonPortrait ................................................................................................................4 AShortBiographicalNoticeofAlexanderPushkin. ....................................................6 EugeneOneguine ......................................................................................................11 CANTOTHEFIRST.................................................................................................12 CANTOTHESECOND............................................................................................36 CANTOTHETHIRD ...............................................................................................53 CANTOTHEFOURTH............................................................................................74 CANTOTHEFIFTH.................................................................................................90 CANTOTHESIXTH.............................................................................................. 108 CANTOTHESEVENTH........................................................................................ 126 CANTOTHEEIGHTH........................................................................................... 148

PREFACE
EugeneOneguine,thechiefpoeticalworkofRussia'sgreatestpoet,havingbeen translatedintoalltheprincipallanguagesofEuropeexceptourown,Ihopethatthis versionmayproveanacceptablecontributiontoliterature.Tastesarevariousinmatters ofpoetry,butthepresentworkpossessesamoresolidclaimtoattentionintheseriesof faithfulpicturesitoffersofRussianlifeandmanners.IfthesebecomparedwithMr. Wallace'sbookonRussia,itwillbeseenthatsociallifeinthatempirestillpreserves manyofthecharacteristicswhichdistinguishedithalfacenturyagotheperiodofthe firstpublicationofthelattercantosofthispoem. Manyreferenceswillbefoundinittoourowncountryanditsliterature.Russianpoets havecarefullyplagiarizedtheEnglishnotablyJoukovski.Pushkin,however,wasno plagiarist,thoughundoubtedlyhismindwasgreatlyinfluencedbythegeniusofByron moreespeciallyintheearliestpartofhiscareer.Indeed,aswillberemarkedinthe followingpages,hescarcelymakesanefforttodisguisethisfact. Thebiographicalsketchisofcourseamereoutline.Ididnotthinkalongerone advisable,asmemoirsdonotusuallyexcitemuchinteresttillthesubjectsofthemare prettywellknown.Inthe"notes"Ihaveendeavoredtoelucidateasomewhatobscure subject.Someofthepoet'sallusionsremainenigmaticaltothepresentday.Thepointof eachsarcasmnaturallypassedoutofmindtogetherwiththesocietyagainstwhichitwas levelled.Ifsomeoftheversificationisroughandwantingin"go,"Imustpleadinexcuse thedifficultformofthestanza,andinmanyinstancestheinelasticnatureofthesubject mattertobeversified.StanzaXXXVCantoIIformsagoodexampleofthelatter difficulty,andisomittedintheGermanandFrenchversionstowhichIhavehadaccess. Thetranslationofforeignverseiscomparativelyeasy solongasitisconfinedto conventionalpoeticsubjects,butwhenitembracesabruptscrapsofconversationandthe descriptionoflocalcustomsitbecomesamuchmorearduousaffair.IthinkImaysay thatIhaveadheredcloselytothetextoftheoriginal. Thefollowingforeigntranslationsofthispoemhaveappeared: 1.Frenchprose.OeuvreschoisisdePouchekine.H.Dupont.Paris, 1847. 2.Germanverse.A.Puschkin'spoetischeWerke.F.Bodenstedt.Berlin,1854. 3.Polishverse.EugeniuszOniegin.RomanAleksandraPuszkina.A.Sikorski.Vilnius, 1847. 4.Italianprose.RaccontipoeticidiA.Puschkin,tradottidaA.Delatre.Firenze,1856. London,May1881.

MonPortrait
Writtenbythepoetattheageof15. Vousmedemandezmonportrait, Maispeintd'apresnature: Moncher,ilserabientotfait, Quoiqueenminiature. Jesuisunjeunepolisson Encoredanslesclasses Pointsot,jeledissansfacon, Etsansfadesgrimaces. Oui!ilnefutbabillard NidocteurdeSorbonne, Plusennuyeuxetplusbraillard Quemoimemeenpersonne. Mataille,acelledespluslongs, Ellen'estpointegalee J'aileteintfrais,lescheveuxblonds, Etlatetebouclee. J'aimeetlemondeetsonfracas, Jehaislasolitude J'abhorreetnoisesetdebats, Ettantsoitpeul'etude. Spectacles,bals,meplaisentfort, Etd'apresmapensee, Jediraiscequej'aimeencore, Sijen'etaisauLycee. Aprescela,moncherami, L'onpeutmereconnaitre, Oui!telquelebonDieumefit, Jeveuxtoujoursparaitre. Vraidemon,parl'espieglerie, Vraisingeparsamine, Beaucoupettropd'etourderie, Mafoi!voilaPouchekine.

Note:RussianpropernamestobepronouncedasinFrench(thenasalsoundofmandn excepted)inthefollowingtranslation.Theaccent,whichisveryarbitraryintheRussian language,isindicatedunmistakablyinarhythmicalcomposition.

AShortBiographicalNoticeofAlexanderPushkin.
AlexanderSergevitchPushkinwasbornin1799atPskoff,andwasascionofanancient Russianfamily.InoneofhislettersitisrecordedthatnolessthansixPushkinssigned theChartadeclaratoryoftheelectionoftheRomanofffamilytothethroneofRussia,and thattwomoreaffixedtheirmarksfrominabilitytowrite. In1811heenteredtheLyceum,anaristocraticeducationalestablishmentatTsarskoe Selo,nearSt.Petersburg,wherehewasthefriendandschoolmateofPrinceGortchakoff theRussianChancellor.Asascholarhedisplayednoremarkableamountofcapacity,but wasfondofgeneralreadingandmuchgiventoversification.Whilstyetaschoolboyhe wrotemanylyricalcompositionsandcommencedRuslanandLiudmila,hisfirstpoemof anymagnitude,and,itisasserted,thefirstreadableoneeverproducedintheRussian language.DuringhisboyhoodhecamemuchintocontactwiththepoetsDmitrieffand Joukovski,whowereintimatewithhisfather,andhisuncle,VassiliPushkin,himselfan authorofnomeanrepute.ThefriendshipofthehistorianKaramzinemusthaveexercised astillmorebeneficialinfluenceuponhim. In1817hequittedtheLyceumandobtainedanappointmentintheForeignOfficeatSt. Petersburg.Threeyearsofrecklessdissipationinthecapital,wherehislyricaltalent madehimuniversallypopular,resultedin1818inaputridfeverwhichwasnearcarrying himoff.Atthisperiodofhislifehescarcelysleptatallworkedalldayanddissipatedat night.Societywasopentohimfromthepalaceoftheprincetotheofficers'quartersof theImperialGuard.Thereflectionofthismodeoflifemaybenotedinthefirstcantoof EugeneOneguineandtheearlydissipationsofthe"Philosopherjustturnedeighteen," theexactageofPushkinwhenhecommencedhiscareerintheRussiancapital. In1820hewastransferredtothebureauofLieutenantGeneralInzoff,atKishineffin Bessarabia.Thiseventwasprobablyduetohiscomposingandprivatelycirculatingan "OdetoLiberty,"thoughtheattendantcircumstanceshaveneveryetbeenthoroughly broughttolight.AnindiscreetadmirationforByronmostlikelyinvolvedtheyoungpoet inthisscrape.Thetenorofthisproduction,especiallyitsaudaciousallusiontothemurder oftheemperorPaul,fatherofthethenreigningTsar,assuredlydeserved,accordingto aristocraticideas,thedeportationtoSiberiawhichwassaidtohavebeenpreparedforthe author.TheintercessionofKaramzineandJoukovskiprocuredacommutationofhis sentence.Strangelyenough,Pushkinappearedanxioustodeceivethepublicastothereal causeofhissuddendisappearancefromthecapitalforinanOdetoOvidcomposed aboutthistimehestyleshimselfa"voluntaryexile."(SeeNote4tothisvolume.) Duringthefoursucceedingyearshemadenumerousexcursionsamidthebeautiful countrieswhichfromthebasinoftheEuxineandamongstthesetheCrimeaandthe Caucasus.Anomadlifepassedamidthebeautiesofnatureactedpowerfullyin developinghispoeticalgenius.Tothisperiodherefersinthefinalcantoof Eugene Oneguine(st.v.),whenenumeratingthevariousinfluenceswhichhadcontributedtothe formationofhisMuse:

Then,thefarcapitalforgot, Itssplendouranditsblandishments, InpoorMoldaviacastherlot, Shevisitedthehumbletents Ofmigratorygipsyhordes. Duringthesepleasantyearsofyouthhepennedsomeofhismostdelightful poetical works:amongstthese,ThePrisoneroftheCaucasus,TheFountainofBaktchiserai,and theGipsies.OfthetwoformeritmaybesaidthattheyareinthetruestyleoftheGiaour andtheCorsair.Infact,justatthatpointoftimeByron'sfamelikethesettingsun shoneoutwithdazzlinglustreandirresistiblycharmedthemindofPushkinamongst manyothers.TheGipsiesismoreoriginalindeedthepoethimselfhasbeenidentified withAleko,theheroofthetale,whichmaywellbefoundedonhisownpersonal adventureswithoutinvolvingtheguiltofadoublemurder.Hisundisguisedadmiration forByrondoubtlessexposedhimtoimputationssimilartothosecommonlylevelled againstthatpoet.ButPushkin'stalentwastoogenuineforhimtoremainlongsubservient tothatofanother,andinalaterperiodofhiscareerhebrokeloosefromalltrammelsand selectedalinepeculiarlyhisown.Beforeleavingthisstageinournarrativewemaypoint outthefactthatduringthewholeofthisperiodofcomparativeseclusionthepoetwas indefatigablyoccupiedinstudy.NotonlywerethestandardworksofEuropeanliterature perused,buttwomorelanguagesnamelyItalianandSpanishwereaddedtohisoriginal stock:French,English,LatinandGermanhavingbeenacquiredattheLyceum.Tothis happyunionofliteraryresearchwiththestudyofnaturewemustattributethesudden boundbywhichhesoonafterwardsattainedthepinnacleofpoeticfameamongsthisown countrymen. In1824heoncemorefellundertheimperialdispleasure.Aletterseizedinthepost,and expressiveofatheisticalsentiments(possiblybutatransientvagaryofhisyouth)wasthe ostensiblecauseofhisbanishmentfromOdessatohispaternalestateofMikhailovskoein theprovinceofPskoff.Some,however,averthatpersonalpiqueonthepartofCount Vorontsoff,theGovernorofOdessa,playedapartinthetransaction.Bethisasitmay, theconsequenceswereseriousforthepoet,whowasnotonlyplacedunderthe surveillanceofthepolice,butexpelledfromtheForeignOfficebyexpressorderofthe Tsar"forbadconduct."Aletteronthissubject,addressedbyCountVorontsofftoCount Nesselrode,isanamusinginstanceofthearrogancewithwhichstolidmediocrity frequentlypassesjudgmentonrisinggenius.Itranscribeaportionthereof: Odessa,28thMarch(7thApril)1824 CountYourExcellencyisawareofthereasonsforwhich,sometimeago,young PushkinwassentwithaletterfromCountCapod'IstriatoGeneralInzoff.Ifoundhim alreadyherewhenIarrived,theGeneralhavingplacedhimatmydisposal,thoughhe himselfwasatKishineff.Ihavenoreasontocomplainabouthim.Onthecontrary,heis muchsteadierthanformerly.Butadesireforthewelfareoftheyoungmanhimself,who isnotwantinginability,andwhosefaultsproceedmorefromtheheadthanfromthe

heart,impelsmetourgeuponyouhisremovalfromOdessa.Pushkin'schieffailingis ambition.Hespentthebathingseasonhere,andhasgatheredroundhimacrowdof adulatorswhopraisehisgenius.Thismaintainsinhimabanefuldelusionwhichseemsto turnhisheadnamely,thatheisa"distinguishedwriter"whereas,in realityheisbuta feebleimitatorofanauthorinwhosefavourverylittlecanbesaid(Byron).Thisitis whichkeepshimfromaseriousstudyofthegreatclassicalpoets,whichmightexercisea beneficialeffectuponhistalentswhichcannotbedeniedhimandwhichmightmakeof himincourseoftimea"distinguishedwriter." Thebestthingthatcanbedoneforhimistoremovehimhence.... TheEmperorNicholasonhisaccessionpardonedPushkinandreceivedhimoncemore intofavour.DuringaninterviewwhichtookplaceitissaidthattheTsarpromisedthe poetthathealonewouldinfuturebethecensorofhisproductions.Pushkinwasrestored tohispositionintheForeignOfficeandreceivedtheappointmentofCourtHistorian.In 1828hepublishedoneofhisfinestpoems,Poltava,whichisfoundedonincidents familiartoEnglishreadersinByron'sMazeppa.In1829thehardypoetaccompaniedthe RussianarmywhichunderPaskevitchcapturedErzeroum.In1831hemarriedabeautiful ladyoftheGontcharefffamilyandsettledintheneighbourhoodofSt.Petersburg,where heremainedfortheremainderofhislife,onlyoccasionallyvisitingMoscowand Mikhailovskoe.Duringthisperiodhischiefoccupationconsistedincollectingand investigatingmaterialsforaprojectedhistoryofPetertheGreat,whichwasundertakenat theexpressdesireoftheEmperor.Helikewisecompletedahistoryoftherevoltof Pougatchoff,whichoccurredinthereignofCatherineII.[Note:thisindividualhaving personatedPeterIII,thedeceasedhusbandoftheEmpress,raisedtheOrenburgCossacks inrevolt.Thisrevoltwasnotsuppressedwithoutextensivedestructionoflifeand property.]In1833thepoetvisitedOrenburg,thesceneofthedreadfulexcesseshe recorded thefruitofhisjourneybeingoneofthemostcharmingtaleseverwritten,The Captain'sDaughter.[Note:Translatedin RussianRomance,byMrs.Telfer,1875.] TheremainingyearsofPushkin'slife,spentinthemidstofdomesticblissandgrateful literaryoccupation,werewhatlookersonstyle"yearsofuncloudedhappiness."They were,however,drawingrapidlytoaclose.Unrivalleddistinctionrarelyfailstoarouse bitteranimosityamongsttheenvious,andPushkin'sexistencehadlatterlybeen embitteredbygroundlessinsinuationsagainsthiswife'sreputationintheshapeof anonymouslettersaddressedtohimselfandcouchedinveryinsultinglanguage.He fanciedhehadtracedthemtooneGeorgesd'Anthes,aFrenchmanintheCavalierGuard, whohadbeenadoptedbytheDutchenvoyHeeckeren.D'Anthes,thoughhehadespoused MadamePushkin'ssister,hadconductedhimselfwithimproprietytowardstheformer lady.ThepoetdisplayedinthisaffairafiercehostilityquitecharacteristicofhisAfrican originbutwhichdrovehimtohisdestruction.D'Anthes,itwassubsequentlyadmitted, wasnottheauthoroftheanonymouslettersbutasusualwhenaduelisproposed,an appealtoreasonwasthoughttosmackofcowardice.Theencountertookplacein February1837ononeoftheislandsoftheNeva.Theweaponsusedwerepistols,andthe combatwasofadetermined,nayferociouscharacter.Pushkinwasshotbeforehehad timetofire,and,inhisfall,thebarrelofhispistolbecamecloggedwithsnowwhichlay

deepuponthegroundatthetime.Raisinghimselfonhiselbow,thewoundedmancalled foranotherpistol,crying,"I'vestrengthlefttofiremyshot!"Hefired,andslightly woundedhisopponent,shouting"Bravo!"whenheheardhimexclaimthathewashit. D'Antheswas,however,butslightlycontusedwhilstPushkinwasshotthroughthe abdomen.Hewastransportedtohisresidenceandexpiredafterseveraldayspassedin extremeagony.Thusperishedinthethirtyeighthyearofhisagethisdistinguishedpoet, inamannerandamidsurroundingswhichmaketheduelsceneinthesixthcantoofthis poemseemalmostprophetic.HisreflectionsontheprematuredeathofLenskiappear indeedstrangelyapplicabletohisownfate,asgenerallytotheprematureextinctionof genius. Pushkinwasendowedwithapowerfulphysicalorganisation.Hewasfondoflongwalks, unlikethegeneralityofhiscountrymen,andatonetimeofhiscareeruseddailytofootit intoSt.Petersburgandback,fromhisresidenceinthesuburbs,toconducthis investigationsintheGovernmentarchiveswhenemployedontheHistoryofPeterthe Great.Hewasagoodswordsman,rodewell,andatonetimeaspiredtoenterthecavalry buthisfathernotbeingabletofurnishthenecessaryfundshedeclinedservingintheless romanticinfantry.Latterlyhewasregularinhishabitsroseearly,retiredlate,and managedtogetalongwithbutverylittlesleep.Onrisinghebetookhimselfforthwithto hisliteraryoccupations,whichwerecontinuedtillafternoon,whentheygaveplaceto physicalexercise.Strangeasitwillappeartomany,hepreferredtheautumnmonths, especiallywhenrainy,chillandmisty,fortheproductionofhisliterarycompositions, andwasproportionallydepressedbytheapproachofspring.(Cf.CantoVIIst.ii.) Mournfulisthineapproachtome, OSpring,thouchosentimeoflove HeusuallyleftSt.PetersburgaboutthemiddleofSeptemberandremainedinthecountry tillDecember.Inthisspaceoftimeitwashiscustomtodevelopandperfectthe inspirationsoftheremainingportionoftheyear.Hewasofanimpetuousyetaffectionate natureandmuchbelovedbyanumerouscircleoffriends.Anattractivefeatureinhis characterwashisunalterableattachmenttohisagednurse,asentimentwhichwefind reflectedinthepagesof EugeneOneguineandelsewhere. ThepreponderatinginfluencewhichByronexercisedintheformationofhisgeniushas alreadybeennoticed.ItisindeedprobablethatweoweOneguine tothecombined impressionsof ChildeHaroldandDonJuanuponhismind.YettheRussianpoemexcels thesemasterpiecesofByroninasingleparticularnamely,incompletenessofnarrative, theplotsofthelatterbeingmerevehiclesforthedevelopmentofthepoet'sgeneral reflections.ThereisgroundforbelievingthatPushkinlikewisemadethispoemthe recordofhisownexperience.Thishasdoubtlessbeenthepracticeofmanydistinguished authorsoffictionwhosenameswillreadilyoccurtothereader.Indeed,aswearenever cognizantoftherealmotiveswhichactuateothers,itfollowsthatnowherecanthesecret springsofhumanactionbestudiedtosuchadvantageaswithinourownbreasts.Thus romanceissometimesbutthereflectionofthewriter'sownindividuality,andheadopts thecounseloftheAmericanpoet:

Lookthenintothineheartandwrite! Butafurtherconsiderationofthissubjectwouldherebeoutofplace.PerhapsIcannot moresuitablyconcludethissketchthanbyquotingfromhisOdetotheSea thepoet's tributeofadmirationtothegeniusofNapoleonandByron,whoofallcontemporaries seemthemosttohaveswayedhisimagination. Farewell,thoupathwayofthefree, ForthelasttimethywavesIview Beforemerolldisdainfully, Brilliantlybeautifulandblue. Whyvainregret?Wherevernow MyheedlesscourseImaypursue Oneobjectonthydesertbrow Ieverlastinglyshallview Arock,thesepulchreofFame! Thepoorremainsofgreatnessgone Acoldremembrancetherebecame, ThereperishedgreatNapoleon. Intormentdiretosleephelay Then,asatempestechoingrolls, Anothergeniuswhirledaway, Anothersovereignofoursouls. Heperished.Freedomweptherchild, Helefttheworldhisgarlandbright. Wail,Ocean,surgeintumultwild, Tosingoftheewashisdelight. Impresseduponhimwasthymark, Hisgeniusmouldedwasbythee Likethee,hewasunfathomed,dark Anduntamedinhismajesty. Note:ItmayinterestsometoknowthatGeorgesd'Antheswastriedbycourtmartialfor hisparticipationintheduelinwhichPushkinfell,foundguilty,andreducedtotheranks but,notbeingaRussian subject,hewasconductedbyagendarmeacrossthefrontierand thensetatliberty.

EugeneOneguine
Petridevanite,ilavaitencoreplusdecetteespeced'orgueil,quifaitavoueraveclameme indifferencelesbonnescommelesmauvaisesactions,suited'unsentimentdesuperiorite, peutetreimaginaire.Tired'unelettreparticuliere.

[Note:Writtenin1823atKishineffandOdessa.]

CANTOTHEFIRST
'TheSpleen' 'Herushesatlifeandexhauststhepassions.' PrinceViazemski

CantotheFirst I "Myuncle'sgoodnessisextreme, Ifseriouslyhehathdisease Hehathacquiredtheworld'sesteem Andnothingmoreimportantsees Aparagonofvirtuehe! Butwhatanuisanceitwillbe, Chainedtohisbedsidenightandday Withoutachancetoslipaway. Yeneeddissimulationbase Adyingmanwitharttosoothe, Beneathhisheadthepillowsmooth, Andphysicbringwithmournfulface, Tosighandmeditatealone: Whenwillthedeviltakehisown!" II Thusmusedamadcapyoung,whodrove Throughcloudsofdustatpostalpace, BythedecreeofMightyJove, Inheritorofallhisrace. FriendsofLiudmilaandRuslan,(1) Letmepresentyetotheman, Whowithoutmoreprevarication Theheroisofmynarration! Oneguine,Omygentlereaders, WasbornbesidetheNeva,where Itmaybeyewereborn,orthere Haveshoneasoneoffashion'sleaders. Ialsowanderedthereofold, Butcannotstandthenortherncold.(2)

[Note1: RuslanandLiudmila,thetitleofPushkin'sfirstimportantwork,written1817 20.ItisatalerelatingtheadventuresoftheknighterrantRuslaninsearchofhisfairlady Liudmila,whohasbeencarriedoffbyakaldoon,ormagician.] [Note2:WritteninBessarabia.] III Havingperformedhisservicetruly, Deepintodebthisfatherran Threeballsayearhegaveyeduly, Atlastbecamearuinedman. ButEugenewasbyfatepreserved, Forfirst"madame"hiswantsobserved, Andthen"monsieur"suppliedherplace(3) Theboywaswildbutfullofgrace. "Monsieurl'Abbe,"astarvingGaul, Fearinghispupiltoannoy, Instructedjestinglytheboy, Moralitytaughtscarceatall Gentlyforprankshewouldreprove AndintheSummerGardenrove. [Note3:InRussiaforeigntutorsandgovernessesarecommonly styled"monsieur"or "madame."] IV Whenyouth'srebellioushourdrewnear AndmyEugenethepathmusttrace Thepathofhopeandtenderfear Monsieurcleanoutofdoorstheychase. Lo!myOneguinefreeasair, Croppedinthelateststylehishair, DressedlikeaLondondandyhe Thegiddyworldatlastshallsee. Hewroteandspoke,soallallowed, IntheFrenchlanguageperfectly, Dancedthemazurkagracefully, Withouttheleastconstrainthebowed. Whatmore'srequired?Theworldreplies, Heisacharmingyouthandwise. V Weallofusofeducation

Asomethingsomehowhaveobtained, Thus,praisedbeGod!areputation Withusiseasilyattained. Oneguinewassomanydeemed [Unerringcriticsselfesteemed], Pedanticalthoughscholarlike, Intruthhehadthehappytrick Withoutconstraintinconversation Oftouchinglightlyeverytheme. Silent,oracularye'dseehim Amidaseriousdisputation, Thensuddenlydischargeajoke Theladies'laughtertoprovoke. VI Latinisjustnownotinvogue, ButifthetruthI mustrelate, Oneguineknewenough,therogue Amildquotationtotranslate, AlittleJuvenaltospout, With"vale"finishoffanote Twoverseshecouldrecollect OftheAeneid,butincorrect. Inhistoryhetooknopleasure, Thedustychroniclesofearth Forhimwerebutoflittleworth, Yetstillofanecdotesatreasure Withinhismemorytherelay, FromRomulusuntoourday. VII Foremptysoundtherascalsworehe Existencewouldnotmakeacurse, Knewnotaniambfromachoree, Althoughwereadhimheapsofverse. Homer,Theocritus,hejeered, ButAdamSmithtoreadappeared, Andateconomywasgreat Thatis,hecouldelucidate Howempiresstoreofwealthunfold, Howflourish,whyandwhereforeless Iftherawproducttheypossess Themediumisrequiredofgold. Thefatherscarcelyunderstands

Hissonandmortgageshislands. VIII ButuponallthatEugeneknew Ihavenoleisureheretodwell, Butsayhewasageniuswho Inonethingreallydidexcel. Itoccupiedhimfromaboy, Alabour,torment,yetajoy, Itwhiledhisidlehoursaway Andwhollyoccupiedhisday Theamatorysciencewarm, WhichOvidonceimmortalized, Forwhichthepoetagonized Laiddownhislifeofsunandstorm OnthesteppesofMoldavialone, FarfromhisItalyhisown.(4) [Note4:ReferringtoTomi,thereputedplaceofexileofOvid.Pushkin,thenresidingin Bessarabia,wasinthesamepredicamentashispredecessorinsong,thoughhecertainly didnotpleadguiltytothefact,sinceheremarksinhisodetoOvid: Toexileselfconsigned, Withself,society,existence,discontent, Ivisitinthesedays,withmelancholymind, Thecountrywhereuntoamournfulagetheesent. Ovidthusenumeratesthecauseswhichbroughtabouthisbanishment: "Perdiderintquummeduocrimina,carmeneterror, Alteriusfacticulpasilendamihiest." OvidiiNasonisTristium,lib.ii.207.]

IX Howsoonhelearntdeception'sart, Hopetoconcealandjealousy, Falseconfidenceordoubttoimpart, Sombreorgladinturntobe, Haughtyappear,subservient, Obsequiousorindifferent! Whatlanguorwouldhissilenceshow, Howfulloffirehisspeechwouldglow! Howartlesswasthenotewhichspoke

Ofloveagain,andyetagain Howdeftlycouldhetransportfeign! Howbrightandtenderwashislook, Modestyetdaring!Andatear Wouldatthepropertimeappear. X Howwellheplayedthegreenhorn'spart Tocheattheinexperiencedfair, Sometimesbypleasingflattery'sart, Sometimesbyreadymadedespair Thefeeblemomentwouldespy Oftenderyearsthemodesty Conquerbypassionandaddress, Awaitthelongdelayedcaress. Avowalthen'twastimetopray, Attentivetotheheart'sfirstbeating, Followuploveasecretmeeting Arrangewithouttheleastdelay Then,thenwell,insomesolitude Lessonstogiveheunderstood! XI Howsoonhelearnttotitillate Theheartoftheinveterateflirt! Desiroustoannihilate Hisownantagonistsexpert, Howbitterlyhewouldmalign, Withmanyasnaretheirpathwayline! Butye,Ohappyhusbands,ye Withhimwerefriendseternally: Thecraftyspousecaressedhim,who ByFaublasinhisyouthwasschooled,(5) Andthesuspiciousveteranold, Thepompous,swaggeringcuckoldtoo, Whofloatscontentedlythroughlife, Proudofhisdinnersandhiswife! [Note5:LesAventuresduChevalierdeFaublas,aromanceofa loosecharacterbyJeanBaptisteLouvetdeCouvray,b.1760, d.1797,famousforhisboldorationdenouncingRobespierre, MaratandDanton.] XII

Onemornwhilstyetinbedhelay, Hisvaletbringshimlettersthree. What,invitations?Thesameday Asmanyentertainmentsbe! Aballhere,thereachildren'streat, Whithershallmyrapscallionflit? Whithershallhegofirst?He'llsee, Perchancehewilltoallthethree. Meantimeinmatutinaldress Andhatsurnameda"Bolivar"(6) Hehiesuntothe"Boulevard," Toloiterthereinidleness UntilthesleeplessBreguetchime(7) Announcingtohimdinnertime. [Note6:Ala"Bolivar,"fromthefounderofBolivianindependence.] [Note7:M.Breguet,acelebratedParisianwatchmakerhenceaslangtermforawatch.] XIII 'Tisdark.Heseatshiminasleigh, "Driveon!"thecheerfulcrygoesforth, Hisfursarepowderedontheway Bythefinesilverofthenorth. HebendshiscoursetoTalon's,where(8) HeknowsKaverinewillrepair.(9) Heenters.Highthecorkarose AndCometchampagnefoamingflows. Beforehimredroastbeefisseen Andtruffles,deartoyouthfuleyes, FlankedbyimmortalStrasbourgpies, ThechoicestflowersofFrenchcuisine, AndLimburgcheesealiveandold Isseennextpineapplesofgold. [Note8:Talon,afamousSt.Petersburgrestaurateur.] [Note9:PaulPetrovitchKaverine,afriendforwhomPushkininhisyouthappearsto haveentertainedgreatrespectandadmiration.HewasanofficerintheHussarsofthe Guard,andanoted"dandy"andmanabouttown.Thepoetononeoccasion addressedthe followingimpromptutohisfriend'sportrait: "Withinhimdailyseethethefiresofpunchandwar, UponthefieldsofMarsagallantwarrior,

Afaithfulfriendtofriends,ofladiestorturer, ButevertheHussar."] XIV Stillthirstfreshdraughtsofwinecompels Tocoolthecutlets'seethinggrease, WhenthesonorousBreguettells Ofthecommencementofthepiece. Acriticofthestagemalicious, Aslaveofactressescapricious, Oneguinewasacitizen Ofthedomainsofthesidescene. Tothetheatreherepairs Whereeachyoungcriticreadystands, Capersapplaudswithclapofhands, WithhissesCleopatrascares, Moinarecallsforthisalone Thatallmayhearhisvoice'stone. XV Thoufairyland!Whereformerly ShonepungentSatire'sdauntlessking, VonWisine,friendofliberty, AndKniajnine,aptatcopying. TheyoungSimeonovatoothere WithOzeroffwaswonttoshare Applause,thepeople'sdonative. ThereourKateninedidrevive Corneille'smajesticgenius, SarcasticShakhovskoibroughtout Hiscomedies,anoisyrout, ThereDidelotbecameglorious, There,there,beneaththesidescene'sshade Thedramaofmyyouthwasplayed.(10) [Note10:DenisVonWisine(174192),afavouriteRussian dramatist.Hisfirstcomedy "TheBrigadier,"procuredhimthefavourofthesecondCatherine.Hisbest,however,is the"Minor"(Niedorosl).PrincePotemkin,afterwitnessingit,summonedtheauthor,and greetedhimwiththeexclamation,"Dienow,Denis!"Infact,hissubsequent performanceswerenotofequalmerit. JacobBorissovitchKniajnine(174291),acleveradapterof French tragedy.

Simeonova,acelebratedtragicactress,whoretiredfrom thestageinearlylifeand marriedaPrinceGagarine. Ozeroff,oneofthebestknownRussiandramatistsoftheperiodhepossessedmore originalitythanKniajnine."OedipusinAthens,""Fingal,""DemetriusDonskoi,"and "Polyxena,"arethebestknownofhistragedies. KateninetranslatedCorneille'stragediesintoRussian. Didelot,sometimeDirectoroftheballetattheOperaatSt.Petersburg.] XVI Mygoddesses,whereareyourshades? Doyenothearmymournfulsighs? Areyereplacedbyothermaids Whocannotconjureformerjoys? ShallIyourchorushearanew, Russia'sTerpsichorereview Againinheretherealdance? Orwillmymelancholyglance Onthedullstagefindallthingschanged, Thedisenchantedglassdirect WhereIcannomorerecollect? Acarelesslookeronestranged InsilenceshallIsitandyawn Anddreamoflife'sdelightfuldawn? XVII Thehouseiscrammed.Athousandlamps Onpit,stalls,boxes,brightlyblaze, Impatientlythegallerystamps, Thecurtainnowtheyslowlyraise. Obedienttothemagicstrings, Brilliant,ethereal,theresprings Forthfromthecrowdofnymphssurrounding Istomina(*)thenimblybounding Withonefootrestingonitstip Slowcirclingrounditsfellowswings Andnowsheskipsandnowshesprings LikedownfromAeolus'slip, Nowherlitheformshearcheso'er Andbeatswithrapidfootthefloor.

[Note:IstominaAcelebratedCircassiandanceroftheday,with whomthepoetinhis extremeyouthimaginedhimselfinlove.] XVIII Shoutsofapplause!Oneguinepasses Betweenthestalls,alongthetoes Seated,acuriouslookwithglasses Onunknownfemaleformshethrows. Freescopeheyieldsuntohisglance, Reviewsbothdressandcountenance, Withalldissatisfactionshows. Tomaleacquaintanceshebows, Andfinallyhedeignsletfall Uponthestagehiswearyglance. Heyawns,avertshiscountenance, Exclaiming,"Wemustchange'emall! Ilongbyballetshavebeenbored, NowDidelotscarcecan beendured!" XIX Snakes,satyrs,loveswithmanyashout Acrossthestagestillmadlysweep, Whilstthetiredservingmenwithout Wrappedintheirsheepskinssoundlysleep. Stilltheloudstampingdothnotcease, Stilltheyblownoses,cough,andsneeze, Stilleverywhere,without,within, Thelampsilluminatingshine Thesteedbenumbedstillpawingstands Andoftheirksomeharnesstires, Andstillthecoachmenroundthefires(11) Abusetheirmasters,rubtheirhands: ButEugenelonghathleftthepress Toarrayhimselfineveningdress. [Note11:InRussialargefiresarelightedinwintertimeinfrontofthetheatresforthe benefitofthemenials,who,consideringthestateofthethermometer,cannotbesaidto haveajovialtimeofit.Butinthis,asinothercases,"habit"alleviatestheirlot,andthey bearthecoldwithawonderfulequanimity.] XX FaithfullyshallInowdepict, Portraythesolitaryden

Whereinthechildoffashionstrict Dressedhim,undressed,anddressedagain? AllthatindustrialLondonbrings Fortallow,woodandotherthings AcrosstheBaltic'ssaltseawaves, Allwhichcapriceandaffluencecraves, AllwhichinPariseagertaste, Choosingaprofitabletrade, Forouramusementevermade Andeaseandfashionablewaste, AdornedtheapartmentofEugene, Philosopherjustturnedeighteen. XXI Chinaandbronzethetablesweight, AmberonpipesfromStamboulglows, And,joyofsoulseffeminate, Phialsofcrystalscentsenclose. Combsofallsizes,filesofsteel, Scissorsboth straightandcurvedaswell, Ofthirtydifferentsorts,lo!brushes Bothforthenailsandforthetushes. Rousseau,Iwouldremarkinpassing,(12) CouldnotconceivehowseriousGrimm Daredcalmlycleansehisnails'forehim, Eloquentraverallsurpassing, Thefriendoflibertyandlaws Inthiscasequitemistakenwas. [Note12:"Toutlemondesutqu'il(Grimm)mettaitdublancetmoi,quin'encroyaitrien, jecommencaidelecroire,nonseulementparl'embellissementdesonteint,etpouravoir trouvedestassesdeblancsurlatoilette,maissurcequ'entrantunmatindanssachambre, jeletrouvaisbrossantsesonglesavecunepetitevergettefaiteexpres,ouvragequ'il continuafierementdevantmoi.Jejugeaiqu'unhommequipassedeuxheurestousles matinsabrossersesonglespeutbienpasserquelquesinstantsaremplirdeblanclescreux desapeau." ConfessionsdeJ.J.Rousseau] XXII Themostindustriousmanalive Mayyetbestudiousofhisnails Whatbootsitwith theagetostrive? Customthedespotsoonprevails. AnewKaverineEugenemine,

Dreadingtheworld'sremarksmalign, Wasthatwhichwearewonttocall Afop,indresspedantical. Threemortalhoursperdiemhe Wouldloiterbythelookingglass, Andfrom hisdressingroomwouldpass LikeVenuswhen,capriciously, Thegoddesswouldamasquerade Attendinmaleattirearrayed. XXIII Onthisartisticalretreat Havingoncefixedyourinterest, Imighttoconnoisseursrepeat Thestyleinwhichmyherodressed ThoughIconfessIhardlydare Describeindetailtheaffair, Sincewordslikepantaloons,vest,coat, ToRussindigenousarenot Andalsothatmyfeebleverse PardonIaskforsuchasin Withwordsofforeignorigin ToomuchI'mgiventointersperse, ThoughtotheAcademyIcome AndoftitsDictionarythumb.(13) [Note13:ReferstoDictionaryoftheAcademy,compiledduringthereignofCatherineII underthesupervisionofLomonossoff.] XXIV Butsuchisnotmyprojectnow, Soletustotheballroomhaste, Whitheratheadlongspeeddothgo Eugeneinhackneycarriageplaced. Pastdarkenedwindowsandlongstreets Ofslumberingcitizenshefleets, Tillcarriagelamps,adoublerow, Castagaylustreonthesnow, Whichshineswithiridescenthues. Henearsaspaciousmansion'sgate, Bymanyalampilluminate, Andthroughtheloftywindowsviews Profilesoflovelydamesheknows Andalsofashionablebeaux.

XXV Ourherostopsanddothalight, Fliespasttheportertothestair, But,erehemountsthemarbleflight, Withhurriedhandsmoothsdownhishair. Heenters:inthehallacrowd, Nomorethemusicthundersloud, Someamazurkaoccupies, Crushingandaconfusingnoise SpursoftheCavalierGuardclash, Thefeetofgracefulladiesfly, Andfollowingthemyemightespy Fullmanyaglancelikelightningflash, Andbythefiddle'srushingsound Thevoiceofjealousyisdrowned. XXVI Inmyyoungdaysofwilddelight OnballsImadlyusedtodote, Fonddeclarationstheyinvite Orthedeliveryofanote. Sohearken,everyworthyspouse, Iwouldyourvigilancearouse, Attentivebeuntomyrhymes Anddueprecautionstakebetimes. Yemothersalso,cautionuse, Uponyourdaughterskeepaneye, Employyourglassesconstantly, ForotherwiseGodonlyknows! Iliftawarningvoicebecause Ilonghaveceasedtooffendthelaws. XXVII Alas!life'shourswhichswiftlyfly I'vewastedinamusementsvain, ButwereitnotimmoralI Shoulddearlylikeadanceagain. Iloveitsfuriousdelight, Thecrowdandmerrimentandlight, Theladies,theirfantasticdress, Alsotheirfeetyetne'ertheless ScarcelyinRussiacanyefind

Threepairsofhandsomefemalefeet Ah!Istillstruggletoforget Apairthoughdesolatemymind, Theirmemorylingersstillandseems Toagitatemeinmydreams. XXVIII When,where,andinwhatdesertland, Madman,wiltthoufrommemoryraze Thosefeet?Alas!onwhatfarstrand Doyeofspringtheblossomsgraze? LappedinyourEasternluxury, Notraceyeleftinpassingby Uponthedreary northernsnows, Butbetterlovedthesoftrepose Ofsplendidcarpetsrichlywrought. Ionceforgotforyoursweetcause Thethirstforfameandman'sapplause, Mycountryandanexile'slot Myjoyinyouthwasfleetinge'en Asyourlightfootprintsonthegreen. XXIX Diana'sbosom,Flora'scheeks, Areadmirable,mydearfriend, ButyetTerpsichorebespeaks Charmsmoreenduringintheend. Forpromisesherfeetreveal Ofuntoldgainshemustconceal, Theirprivilegedallurementsfire Ahiddentrainofwilddesire. Ilovethem,OmydearElvine,(14) Beneaththetableclothofwhite, Inwinteronthefenderbright, Inspringtimeonthemeadowsgreen, Upontheballroom'sglassyfloor Orbytheocean'srockyshore. [Note14: Elvine,or Elvina,wasnotimprobablytheowneroftheseductivefeet apostrophizedbythepoet,since,in1816,hewrote anode,"ToHer,"whichcommences thus: "Elvina,mydear,come,givemethinehand,"andsoforth.]

XXX Besidethestormyseaoneday Ienviedsorethebillowstall, Whichrushedineagerdensearray Enamouredatherfeettofall. HowlikethebillowIdesired TokissthefeetwhichIadmired! No,neverintheearlyblaze Offieryyouth'suntutoreddays SoardentlydidIdesire AyoungArmida'slipstopress, Hercheekofrosyloveliness Orbosomfulloflanguidfire, Agustofpassionnevertore Myspiritwithsuchpangsbefore. XXXI Anothertime,sowilleditFate, ImmersedinsecretthoughtIstand Andgraspastirrupfortunate Herfootwasinmyotherhand. Againimaginationblazed, ThecontactofthefootIraised Rekindledinmywitheredheart Thefiresofpassionanditssmart Away!andceasetoringtheirpraise Foreverwiththytattlinglyre, Theproudonesarenotworththefire Ofpassiontheysooftenraise. Thewordsandlooksofcharmerssweet Areoftdeceptiveliketheirfeet. XXXII WhereisOneguine?Halfasleep, Straightfromtheballtobedhegoes, WhilstPetersburgfromslumberdeep Thedrumalreadydotharouse. Theshopmanandthepedlarrise AndtotheBoursethecabmanplies TheOkhtenkawithpitcherspeeds,(15) Crunchingthemorningsnowshetreads Morningawakeswithjoyoussound Theshuttersopentotheskies

Incolumnbluethesmokedothrise TheGermanbakerlooksaround Hisshop,anightcaponhishead, Andpausesofttoserveoutbread. [Note15:i.e.themilkmaidfromtheOkhtavillages,asuburbofSt. Petersburgonthe rightbankoftheNevachieflyinhabitedbythelabouringclasses.] XXXIII Butturningmorningintonight, Tiredbytheball'sincessantnoise, Thevotaryofvaindelight Sleepintheshadowycouchenjoys, Lateintheafternoontorise, Whenthesamelifebeforehimlies Tillmornlifeuniformbutgay, Tomorrowjustlikeyesterday. ButwasourfriendEugenecontent, Free,intheblossomofhisspring, Amidstsuccessesflattering Andpleasure'sdailyblandishment, Orvainly'midluxuriousfare Washeinhealthandvoidofcare? XXXIV Evenso!Hispassionssoonabated, Hatefulthehollowworldbecame, Norlonghismindwasagitated Bylove'sinevitableflame. Fortreacheryhaddoneitsworst Friendshipandfriendshelikewisecurst, Becausehecouldnotgourmandise DailybeefsteaksandStrasbourgpies Andirrigatethemwithchampagne Norslanderviciouslycouldspread Whene'erhehadanachinghead And,thoughapluckyscatterbrain, Hefinallylostalldelight Inbullets,sabres,andinfight. XXXV Hismalady,whosecauseIween Itnowtoinvestigateistime,

WasnothingbuttheBritishspleen TransportedtoourRussianclime. Itgraduallypossessedhismind Though,Godbepraised!hene'erdesigned Toslayhimselfwithbladeorball, Indifferenthebecametoall, AndlikeChildeHaroldgloomily Hetothefestivalrepairs, Norbostonnortheworld'saffairs Nortenderglancenoramoroussigh Impressedhimintheleastdegree, Calloustoallheseemedtobe. XXXVI Yemiraclesofcourtlygrace, Heleftyoufirst,andImustown Themannersofthehighestclass Havelatterlyvexatiousgrown Andthoughperchancealadymay DiscourseofBenthamorofSay, YetasaruletheirtalkIcall Harmless,butquitenonsensical. Thenthey'resoinnocentofvice, Sofullofpiety,correct, Soprudent,andsocircumspect Stately,devoidofprejudice, Soinaccessibletomen, Theirlooksaloneproducethespleen.(16) [Note16:Aproposofthissomewhatungallantsentiment,aRussianscholiastremarks: "Thewholeof thisironicalstanzaisbutarefinedeulogyoftheexcellentqualitiesofour countrywomen.ThusBoileau,intheguiseofinvective,eulogizesLouisXIV.Russian ladiesuniteintheirpersonsgreatacquirements,combinedwithamiabilityandstrict moralityalsoaspeciesofOrientalcharmwhichsomuchcaptivatedMadamedeStael." ItwilloccurtomostthattheapologistoftheRussianfair"dothprotesttoomuch."The poetinallprobabilitywrotetheoffendingstanzainafitofByronic"spleen,"ashewould mostlikelyhimselfhavecalledit.Indeed,sinceByron,poetsofhisschoolseemto assumethisvirtueiftheyhaveitnot,andwetaketheirutterancesunderitsinfluencefor whattheyareworth.] XXXVII Andyou,myyouthfuldamselsfair, Whomlatterlyoneoftenmeets Urgingyourdroshkiesswiftasair

AlongSaintPetersburg'spavedstreets, FromyoutooEugenetooktoflight, Abandoninginsanedelight, Andisolatedfromallmen, Yawningbetookhimtoapen. Hethoughttowrite,butlabourlong Inspiredhimwithdisgustandso Noughtfromhispendideverflow, Andthusheneverfellamong ThatvicioussetwhomIdon'tblame BecauseamemberIbecame. XXXVIII Oncemoretoidlenessconsigned, Hefeltthelaudabledesire Frommerevacuityofmind Thewitofotherstoacquire. Acaseofbookshedothobtain Hereadsatrandom,readsinvain. Thisnonsense,thatdishonestseems, Thiswicked,thatabsurdhedeems, Allareconstrainedandfettersbear, Antiquitynopleasuregave, Themodernsoftheancientsrave Booksheabandonedlikethefair, Hisbookshelfinstantlydothdrape Withtaffety insteadofcrape. XXXIX Havingabjuredthehauntsofmen, Likehimrenouncingvanity, HisfriendshipIacquiredjustthen Hischaracterattractedme. Aninnateloveofmeditation, Originalimagination, Andcoolsagaciousmindhehad: Iwasincensedandhewassad. Bothwereofpassionsatiate Andbothofdullexistencetired, Extincttheflamewhichoncehadfired Bothwereexpectantofthehate WithwhichblindFortuneoftbetrays Theverymorningofourdays.

XL Hewhohathlivedandliving,thinks, Muste'endespisehiskindatlast Hewhohathsufferedofttimesshrinks Fromshadesoftherelentlesspast. Nofondillusionslivetosoothe, Butmemorylikeaserpent'stooth Withlaterepentancegnawsandstings. Allthisinmanycasesbrings Acharm withitinconversation. Oneguine'sspeechesIabhorred Atfirst,butsoonbecameinured Tothesarcasticobservation, Towitticismsandtauntshalfvicious Andgloomyepigramsmalicious. XLI Howoft,whenonasummernight Transparento'ertheNevabeamed Thefirmamentinmellowlight, Andwhenthewaterymirrorgleamed NomorewithpaleDiana'srays,(17) Wecalledtomindouryouthfuldays Thedaysofloveandofromance! Thenwouldwemuseasinatrance, Impressionableforanhour, Andbreathethebalmybreathofnight Andliketheprisoner'sourdelight Whoforthegreenwoodquitshistower, Asontherapidwingsofthought Theearlydaysoflifewesought. [Note17:ThemidsummernightsinthelatitudeofSt.Petersburgareaprolonged twilight.] XLII Absorbedinmelancholymood Ando'erthegranitecopingbent, Oneguinemeditativestood, E'enasthepoetsaysheleant.(18) 'Tissilentall!Alonethecries Ofthenightsentinelsarise AndfromtheMillionayaafar(19)

Thesuddenrattlingofacar. Lo!onthesleepingriverborne, Aboatwithsplashingoarfloatsby, Andnowweheardelightedly Ajollysonganddistanthorn Butsweeterinamidnightdream TorquatoTasso'sstrainsIdeem. [Note18:ReferstoMouravieff's"GoddessoftheNeva."AtSt. Petersburgthebanksof theNevaarelinedthroughoutwith splendidgranitequays.] [Note19: AstreetrunningparalleltotheNeva,andleadingfrom theWinterPalacetotheSummer PalaceandGarden.] XLIII YebillowsofblueHadria'ssea, OBrenta,oncemoreweshallmeet And,inspirationfiringme, YourmagicvoicesIshallgreet, WhosetonesApollo'ssonsinspire, AndafterAlbion'sproudlyre(20) Possessmyloveandsympathy. ThenightsofgoldenItaly I'llpassbeneaththefirmament, Hidinthegondola'sdarkshade, AlonewithmyVenetianmaid, Nowtalkative,nowreticent Fromhermylipsshalllearnthetongue OflovewhichwhilomPetrarchsung. [Note20:ThestronginfluenceexercisedbyByron'sgeniusontheimaginationof Pushkiniswell known.ShakespeareandotherEnglishdramatistshadalsotheirsharein influencinghismind,which,atalleventsinitsearlierdevelopments,wasofan essentiallyimitativetype.AsanexampleofhisShakespearian tastes,seehispoemof "Angelo,"foundedupon"MeasureforMeasure."] XLIV Whenwillmyhouroffreedomcome! Time,Iinvokethee!favouringgales AwaitingontheshoreIroam Andbeckontothepassingsails. Uponthehighwayofthesea WhenshallIwingmypassagefree

Onwavesbytempestscurdledo'er! 'Tistimetoquitthiswearyshore Souncongenialtomymind, Todreamuponthesunnystrand OfAfrica,ancestralland,(21) OfdrearyRussialeftbehind, WhereinIfeltlove'sfataldart, WhereinIburiedleftmyheart. [Note21:Thepoetwas,onhismother'sside,ofAfricanextraction,acircumstancewhich perhapsaccountsforthesouthernfervourofhisimagination.Hisgreatgrandfather, AbrahamPetrovitchHannibal,wasseizedonthecoastofAfricawheneightyearsofage byacorsair,andcarriedaslavetoConstantinople.TheRussianAmbassadorboughtand presentedhimtoPetertheGreatwhocausedhimtobebaptizedatVilnius.Subsequently oneofHannibal'sbrothersmadehiswaytoConstantinopleandthencetoSt.Petersburg forthepurposeofransominghimbutPeterwouldnotsurrenderhisgodsonwhodiedat theageofninetytwo,havingattainedtherankofgeneralintheRussianservice.] XLV Eugenedesignedwithmetostart Andvisitmanyaforeignclime, ButFortunecastourlotsapart Foraprotractedspaceoftime. Justatthattimehisfatherdied, AndsoonOneguine'sdoorbeside Ofcreditorsahungryrout Theirclaimsandexplanationsshout. ButEugene,hatinglitigation Andwithhislotinlifecontent, Toasurrendergaveconsent, Seeinginthisnodeprivation, Orcountingonhisuncle'sdeath Andwhattheoldmanmightbequeath. XLVI Andinrealityoneday Thestewardsentanotetotell Howsicktodeathhisunclelay Andwishedtosaytohimfarewell. Havingthismournfuldocument Perused,Eugeneinpostchaisewent Andhastenedtohisuncle'sside, Butinhisheartdissatisfied, Havingformoney'ssakealone

Sorrowtocounterfeitandwail Thuswebeganourlittletale But,tohisuncle'smansionflown, Hefoundhim onthetablelaid, Aduewhichmusttoearthbepaid. XLVII Thecourtyardfullofserfshesees, Andfromthecountryallaround Hadcomebothfriendsandenemies Funeralamateursabound! Thebodytheyconsignedtorest, Andthenmademerrypopeandguest, Withseriousairthenwentaway Asmenwhomuchhaddonethatday. Lo!myOneguinerurallord! Ofminesandmeadows,woodsandlakes, Henowafullpossessiontakes, Hewhoeconomyabhorred, Delightedmuchhisformerways Tovaryforafewbriefdays. XLVIII Fortwowholedaysitseemedachange Towanderthroughthemeadowsstill, Thecooldarkoakengrovetorange, Tolistentotheripplingrill. Butonthethirdofgroveandmead Hetooknomoretheslightestheed Theymadehimfeelinclinedtodoze Andtheconvictionsoonarose, Ennuicaninthecountrydwell Thoughwithoutpalacesandstreets, Cards,balls,routs,poetryorfetes Onhimspleenmountedsentinel Andlikehisshadowdoggedhislife, Orbetter,likeafaithfulwife. XLIX Iwasforcalmexistencemade, Forruralsolitudeanddreams, Mylyresingssweeterintheshade Andmoreimaginationteems.

OninnocentdelightsIdote, UponmylakeIlovetofloat, ForlawIfarniente take AndeverymorningIawake Thechildofslothandliberty. Islumbermuch,alittleread, Offleetingglorytakenoheed. InformeryearsthusdidnotI Inidlenessandtranquiljoy Thehappiestdaysoflifeemploy? L Love,flowers,thecountry,idleness Andfieldsmyjoyshaveeverbeen Ilikethedifferencetoexpress BetweenmyselfandmyEugene, Lestthemaliciousreaderor Someoneorothereditor Ofkeensarcasticintellect Hereinmyportraitshoulddetect, Andimpiouslyshoulddeclare, TosketchmyselfthatIhavetried LikeByron,bardofscornandpride, Asifimpossibleitwere Towriteofanyotherelf Thanone'sownfascinatingself. LI HereIremarkallpoetsare Lovetoidealizeinclined Ihavedreamedmanyavisionfair Andtherecessesofmymind Retainedtheimage,thoughshortlived, Whichafterwardsthemuserevived. ThuscarelesslyIonceportrayed Mineownideal,themountainmaid, ThecaptivesoftheSalguir'sshore.(22) Butnowaquestioninthiswise Oftuponfriendlylipsdothrise: WhomdoththyplaintiveMuseadore? Towhomamongstthejealousthrong Ofmaidsdostthouinscribethysong?

[Note22:Referstotwoofthemostinterestingproductionsof thepoet. Theformerline indicatesthePrisoneroftheCaucasus,thelatter, TheFountainofBaktchiserai.The SalguirisariveroftheCrimea.] LII Whoseglancereflectinginspiration Withtendernesshathrecognized Thymeditativeincantation Whomhaththystrainimmortalized? None,bemywitnessHeavenabove! Themaladyofhopelesslove Ihaveenduredwithoutrespite. Happywhotheretocanunite Poetictransport.Theyimpart Adoubleforceuntotheirsong WhofollowingPetrarchmovealong Andeasethetorturesoftheheart Perchancetheylaurelsalsocull ButI,inlove,wasmuteanddull. LIII TheMuseappeared,whenlovepassedby Andmydarksoultolightwasbrought Free,Irenewedtheidolatry Ofharmonyenshriningthought. Iwrite,andanguishfliesaway, Nordothmyabsentpenportray Aroundmystanzasincomplete Youngladies'facesandtheirfeet. Extinguishedashesdonotblaze Imourn,buttearsIcannotshed Soon,ofthetempestwhichhathfled Timewilltheravagesefface Whenthattimecomes,apoemI'llstrive Towriteincantostwentyfive. LIV I'vethoughtwello'erthegeneralplan, Thehero'snametooinadvance, MeantimeI'llfinishwhilstIcan CantotheFirstofthisromance. I'vescanneditwithajealouseye, Discoveredmuchabsurdity,

Butwillnotmodifyatittle Iowethecensorshipalittle. Forjournalisticdeglutition Iyieldthefruitofworksevere. Go,ontheNeva'sbankappear, Myverylatestcomposition! EnjoythemeedwhichFamebestows Misunderstanding,wordsandblows.

ENDOFCANTOTHEFIRST

CANTOTHESECOND
ThePoet "ORus!"Horace CantoTheSecond [Note:Odessa,December1823.] I ThevillagewhereinyawnedEugene Wasadelightfullittlespot, Therefriendsofpuredelighthadbeen GratefultoHeavenfortheirlot. Thelonelymansionhousetoscreen Fromgalesahillbehindwasseen Beforeitranastream.Behold! Afar,whereclothedingreenandgold Meadowsandcornfieldsaredisplayed, Villagesinthedistanceshow Andherdsofoxenwanderinglow Whilstnearer,sunkindeepershade, Athickimmenseneglectedgrove ExtendedhauntwhichDryadslove. II 'Twasbuilt,thevenerablepile, Aslordlymansionsoughttobe, Insolid,unpretentiousstyle, Thestyleofwiseantiquity. Loftythechambersoneandall, Silktapestryuponthewall, Imperialportraitshangaround Andstovesofvariousshapesabound. AllthisIknowisoutofdate, Icannottellthereasonwhy, ButEugene,incontestably, Thematterdidnotagitate, Becauseheyawnedatthebareview Ofdrawingroomsoroldornew. III

Hetooktheroomwhereintheold Manfortyyearslonginthiswise Hishousekeeperwaswonttoscold, Lookthroughthewindowandkillflies. 'Twasplainanoakenflooryescan, Twocupboards,table,softdivan, Andnotaspeckofdirtdescried. Oneguineopedthecupboardswide. Inonehedothaccountsbehold, Herebottlesstandinclosearray, Therejarsofciderblocktheway, Analmanacbuteightyearsold. Hisuncle,busymanindeed, Nootherbookhadtimetoread. IV Aloneamidpossessionsgreat, Eugeneatfirstbegantodream, IfbuttolightenTime'sdullrate, Ofmanyaneconomicscheme Thisanchoriteamidhiswaste Theancientbarshtchinareplaced Byan obrok'sindulgentrate:(23) Thepeasantblessedhishappyfate. Butthisaheinouscrimeappeared Untohisneighbour,manofthrift, Whosecretlydenouncedthegift, Andmanyanotherslilysneered Andallwithoneaccordagreed, Hewasadangerousfoolindeed. [Note23:Thebarshtchinawasthecorvee,orforcedlabourofthreedaysperweek renderedprevioustotheemancipationof1861bytheserfstotheirlord. Theobrokwasaspeciesofpolltaxpaidbyaserf,eitherinlieuoftheforcedlabourorin considerationofbeingpermittedtoexerciseatradeorprofessionelsewhere.Veryheavy obrokshaveattimesbeenleviedonserfspossessedofskilloraccomplishments,orwho hadamassedwealthandcircumstancesmaybeeasilyimaginedwhich,undersucha system,mightleadtogreatabuses.] V Allvisitedhimatfirst,ofcourse Butsincetothebackdoortheyled

MostusuallyaCossackhorse UpontheDon'sbroadpasturesbred Iftheybuthearddomesticloads Comerumblinguptheneighbouringroads, Mostbythiscircumstanceoffended Alloverturesoffriendshipended. "Oh!whatafoolourneighbouris! He'safreemason,sowethink. Alonehedothhisclaretdrink, Alady'shanddothneverkiss. 'Tisyes!no! nevermadam!sir!"(24) Thiswashissocialcharacter. [Note24:TheneighbourscomplainedofOneguine'swantofcourtesy.Healwaysreplied "da"or"nyet,"yesorno,insteadof"das"or"nyets"thefinalsbeingacontractionof "sudar"or"sudarinia,"i.e.sirormadam.] VI Intothedistrictthentoboot Anewproprietorarrived, Fromwhoseanalysisminute Theneighbourhoodfreshsportderived. VladimirLenskiwashisname, FromGottingeninspiredhecame, AworshipperofKant,abard, Ayoungandhandsomegalliard. HebroughtfrommysticGermany Thefruitsoflearningandcombined Afieryandeccentricmind, Idolatryofliberty, Awildenthusiastictongue, Blackcurlswhichtohisshouldershung. VII Thepervertworldwithicychill Hadnotyetwitheredhisyoungbreast. Hisheartreciprocatedstill WhenFriendshipsmiledorLovecaressed. Hewasadeardelightfulfool AnurslingyetforHopetoschool. Theriotoftheworldandglare Stillsovereignsofhisspiritwere, Andbyasweetdelusionhe Wouldsoothethedoubtingsofhissoul,

Hedeemedofhumanlifethegoal Tobeacharmingmystery: Herackedhisbrainstofinditsclue Andmarvelsdeemedhethusshouldview. VIII Thishebelieved:akindredspirit Impelledtounionwithhisown Laylanguishingbothdayandnight Waitinghiscominghisalone! Hedeemedhisfriendsbutlongedtomake Greatsacrificesforhissake! Thatafriend'sarmineverycase Felledacalumniatorbase! Thatchosenheroesconsecrate, Friendsofthesonsofeveryland, Existthattheirimmortalband Shallsurely,beitsoonorlate, Pouronthisorbadazzlinglight Andblessmankindwithfulldelight. IX Compassionnoworwrathinspires Andnowphilanthropyhissoul, Andnowhisyouthfulheartdesires Thepathwhichleadstoglory'sgoal. Hisharpbeneaththatskyhadrung WheresometimeGoethe,Schillersung, Andatthealtaroftheirfame Hekindledhispoeticflame. ButfromtheMuses'loftiestheight Thegiftedsongsterneverswerved, Butproudlyinhissongpreserved Anevertranscendentalflight Histransportswerequitemaidenly, Charmingwithgravesimplicity. X Hesangoflovetoloveaslave. Hisdittieswereaspureandbright Asthoughtswhichgentlemaidenshave, Asababe'sslumber,orthelight Ofthemooninthetranquilskies,

Goddessoflovers'tendersighs. Hesangofseparationgrim, Ofwhatnot,andofdistantdim, Ofrosestoromancersdear Toforeignlandshewouldallude, Wherelongtimeheinsolitude Hadletfallmanyabittertear: Hesangoflife'sfreshcoloursstained Beforeheeighteenyearsattained. XI SinceEugeneinthatsolitude Giftssuchasthesealonecouldprize, AscantattendanceLenskishowed Atneighbouringhospitalities. Heshunnedthosepartiesboisterous Theconversationtedious Aboutthecropofhay,thewine, Thekennelorakindredline, Wascertainlynoterudite Norsparkledwithpoeticfire, Norwit,nordidthesameinspire Asenseofsocialdelight, Butstill morestupiddidappear Thegossipoftheirladiesfair. XII Handsomeandrich,theneighbourhood Lenskiasagoodmatchreceived, Suchisthecountrycustomgood Allmotherstheirsweetgirlsbelieved SuitableforthissemiRussian. Heenters:rapidly discussion Shifts,tacksabout,untiltheyprate Thesorrowsofasinglestate. PerchancewhereDuniapoursouttea Theyoungproprietorwefind ToDuniathentheywhisper:Mind! Andaguitarproducedwesee, AndHeavens!warbledforthwehear: Cometomygoldenpalace,dear!(25) [Note25:FromthelayoftheRussalka,i.e.mermaidoftheDnieper.]

XIII ButLenski,havingnodesire Vowsmatrimonialtobreak, WithourOneguinedothaspire Acquaintanceinstantlytomake. Theymet.Earth,water,proseandverse, Oriceandflame,arenotdiverse Iftheyweresimilarinaught. Atfirstsuchcontradictionswrought Mutualrepulsionandennui, Butgrownfamiliarsidebyside Onhorsebackeverydaytheyride Inseparablesoontheybe. ThusoftthisImyselfconfess Menbecomefriendsfromidleness. XIV Buteventhusnotnowadays! Inspiteofcommonsensewe'rewont Ascyphersotherstoappraise, Ourselvesasunitiestocount AndlikeNapoleonseachofus Amillionbipedsreckonsthus Oneinstrumentforhisownuse Feelingissilly,dangerous. Eugene,moretolerantthanthis (Thoughcertainlymankindheknew Andusuallydespisedittoo), Exceptionlessasnoruleis, Afewofdifferenttemperdeemed, Feelinginothersmuchesteemed. XV WithsmilingfaceheLenskihears Thepoet'sfervidconversation Andjudgmentwhichunsteadyveers Andeyewhichgleamswithinspiration AllthiswasnoveltoEugene. Thecoldreplywithgloomymien Heoftuponhislipswouldcurb, Thinking:'tisfoolishtodisturb Thisevanescentboyishbliss. Timewithoutmewilllessonsgive,

Someantimelethimjoyouslive Anddeemtheworldperfectionis! Forgivethefeveryouthinspires, Andyouthfulmadness,youthfulfires. XVI Thegulfbetweenthemwassovast, Debatecommandedamplefood Thelawsofgenerationspast, Thefruitsofscience,evil,good, Theprejudicesallmenhave, Thefatalsecretsofthegrave, Andlifeandfateinturnselected Weretoanalysissubjected. Thefervidpoetwouldrecite, Carriedawaybyecstasy, Fragmentsofnorthernpoetry, WhilstEugenecondescendingquite, Thoughscarcelyfollowingwhatwassaid, Attentivelistenedtothelad. XVII Butmorethepassionsoccupy Theconverseofourhermitstwain, And,heavingaregretfulsigh, Anexilefrom theirtroublousreign, Eugenewouldspeakregardingthese. Thricehappywhotheiragonies Hathsufferedbutindifferentgrown, Stillhappierhewhone'erhathknown! Byabsencewhohathchilledhislove, Hishatebyslander,andwhospends Existencewithoutwifeorfriends, Whomjealoustransportcannotmove, Andwhotherentrollofhisrace Ne'ertrustedtothetreacherousace. XVIII When,wiseatlength,weseekrepose BeneaththeflagofQuietude, WhenPassion'sfirenolongerglows Andwhenherviolencereviewed Eachgustoftemper,sillyword,

Seemssounnaturalandabsurd: Reducedwitheffortuntosense, Wehearwithinterestintense Theaccentswildofother'swoes, Theystirtheheartasheretofore. Soancientwarriors,battleso'er, Acuriousinterestdisclose Inyarnsofyouthfultroopersgay, Lostinthehamletfaraway. XIX Andinadditionyouthisflame Andcannotanythingconceal, Iseverreadytoproclaim Thelove,hate,sorrow,joy,wefeel. Deeminghimselfaveteranscarred Inlove'scampaignsOneguineheard Withquitealachrymoseexpression Theyouthfulpoet'sfondconfession. Hewithaninnocenceextreme Hisinnerconsciousnesslaidbare, AndEugenesoondiscoveredthere Thestoryofhisyounglove'sdream, Whereplentifullyfeelingsflow Whichweexperiencedlongago. XX Alas!helovedasinourtimes Menlovenomore,asonlythe Madspiritofthemanwhorhymes Isstillcondemnedinlovetobe Oneimageoccupiedhismind, Constantaffectionintertwined Andanhabitualsenseofpain Anddistanceinterposedinvain, Noryearsofseparationall NorhomagewhichtheMusedemands Norbeautiesoffardistantlands Norstudy,banquet,routnorball Hisconstantsoulcouldevertire, Whichglowedwithvirginaldesire. XXI

WhenbutaboyheOlgaloved Unknownasyettheachingheart, Hewitnessedtenderlyandmoved Hergirlishgaietyandsport. Beneaththeshelteringoaktree'sshade Hewithhislittlemaidenplayed, Whilstthefondparents,friendsthro'life, Dreamedinthefutureman andwife. Andfullofinnocentdelight, Asinathicket'shumbleshade, Beneathherparents'eyesthemaid Grewlikealilypureandwhite, Unseeninthickandtangledgrass Bybeeandbutterflywhichpass. XXII 'Twasshewhofirstwithinhisbreast Poetictransportdidinfuse, AndthoughtsofOlgafirstimpressed AmournfultemperonhisMuse. Farewell!thougoldendaysoflove! 'Twasthenhelovedthetangledgrove Andsolitudeandcalmdelight, Themoon,thestars,andshiningnight Themoon,thelampofheavenabove, Towhomweusedtoconsecrate Apromenadeintwilightlate Withtearswhichsecretsuffererslove Butnowinhereffulgencepale Asubstituteforlampswehail! XXIII Obedientshehadeverbeen Andmodest,cheerfulasthemorn, Asapoeticlifeserene, Sweetasthekissofloverssworn. Hereyeswereofceruleanblue, Herlockswereofagoldenhue, Hermovements,voiceandfigureslight, AllaboutOlgatoalight RomanceofloveIprayrefer, You'llfindherportraitthere,Ivouch Iformerlyadmiredhermuch Butfinallygrewboredbyher.

ButwithhereldersisterI Mustnowmystanzasoccupy. XXIV Tattianawasherappellation. Wearethefirstwhosuchaname Inpagesofalovenarration Withsuchaperversityproclaim. Butwhereforenot?'Tispleasant,nice, Euphonious,thoughIknowaspice Itcarriesofantiquity Andoftheattic.Honestly, Wemustadmitbutlittletaste Dothinusorournamesappear(26) (Ispeaknotofourpoemshere), Andeducationrunstowaste, Endowingusfromoutherstore Withaffectation,nothingmore. [Note26:TheRussianannotatorremarks:"ThemosteuphoniousGreeknames,e.g. Agathon,Philotas,Theodora,Thekla,etc., areusedamongstusbythelowerclasses only."] XXV AndsoTattianawashername, Norbyhersister'sbrilliancy Norbyherbeautyshebecame Thecynosureofeveryeye. Shy,silentdidthemaidappear Asinthetimidforestdeer, Evenbeneathherparents'roof Stoodasestrangedfromallaloof, Nearestanddearestknewnothow Tofawnuponandloveexpress Achilddevoidofchildishness Torompandplayshene'erwouldgo: Oftstaringthroughthewindowpane Wouldsheinsilencelongremain. XXVI Contemplativeness,herdelight, E'enfromhercradle'searliestdream, Adornedwithmanyavisionbright

Ofrurallifethesluggishstream Ne'ertouchedherfingersindolent Theneedlenor,o'erframeworkbent, Wouldshethecanvastightenrich Withgaydesignandsilkenstitch. Desiretoruleyemayobserve Whentheobedientdollinsport Aninfantmaidendothexhort Politedemeanourtopreserve, Gravelyrepeatingtoanother Recentinstructionsofitsmother. XXVII ButTaniane'erdisplayedapassion Fordolls,e'enfromherearliestyears, Andgossipofthetownandfashion Shene'errepeateduntohers. Strangeuntohereachchildishgame, Butwhenthewinterseasoncame Anddarkanddreartheeveningswere, Terribletalesshelovedtohear. AndwhenforOlganursearrayed Inthebroadmeadowagayrout, Alltheyoungpeopleroundabout, Atprisoner'sbasesheneverplayed. Theirnoisylaughhersoulannoyed, Theirgiddysportsshene'erenjoyed. XXVIII Sheloveduponthebalcony Toanticipatethebreakofday, Whenonthepallideasternsky Thestarrybeaconsfadeaway, Thehorizonluminousdothgrow, Morning'sforerunners,breezesblow Andgraduallydayunfolds. Inwinter,whenNightlongerholds Ahemispherebeneathhersway, LongertheEastinertreclines Beneaththemoonwhichdimlyshines, Andcalmlysleepsthehoursaway, Atthesamehoursheopedhereyes Andwouldbycandlelightarise.

XXIX Romancespleasedherfromthefirst, Herallinalldidconstitute Inloveadventuresshewasversed, RousseauandRichardsontoboot. Notabadfellowwasherfather Thoughsuperannuatedrather Inbookshesawnoughttocondemn But,asheneveropenedthem, Viewedthemwithnotalittlescorn, Andgavehimselfbutlittlepain Hisdaughter'sbooktoascertain Which'neathherpillowlaytillmorn. Hiswifewasalsomadupon Theworks ofMr.Richardson. XXX ShewasthusfondofRichardson Notthatshehadhisworksperused, OrthatadoringGrandison ThatrascalLovelacesheabused ButthatPrincessPaulineofold, HerMoscowcousin,oftentold Thetaleoftheseromanticmen Herhusbandwasabridegroomthen, Andshedespiteherselfwouldwaste Sighsonanotherthanherlord Whosequalitiesappearedtoafford Moresatisfactiontohertaste. HerGrandisonwasintheGuard, Anotedfopwhogambledhard. XXXI Likehis,herdresswasalwaysnice, Theheightoffashion,fittingtight, Butcontrarytoheradvice Thegirlinmarriagetheyunite. Then,herdistractiontoallay, Thebridegroomsagewithoutdelay Removedhertohiscountryseat, WhereGodaloneknowswhomshemet. Shestruggledhardatfirstthuspent, Nightseparatedfromherspouse,

Thenbecamebusywiththehouse, Firstreconciledandthencontent Habitwasgivenusindistress ByHeaveninlieuofhappiness. XXXII Habitalleviatesthegrief Inseparablefromourlot Thisgreatdiscoveryrelief Andconsolationsoonbegot. Andthenshesoon'twixtworkandleisure Foundoutthesecrethowatpleasure Todominateherworthylord, Andharmonywassoonrestored. Theworkpeopleshesuperintended, Mushroomsforwintersalteddown, Kepttheaccounts,shavedmanyacrown,(*) ThebathonSaturdaysattended, Whenangrybeathermaids,Igrieve, Andallwithoutherhusband'sleave. [Note:Theserfsdestinedformilitaryserviceusedtohaveaportionoftheirheadsshaved asadistinctivemark.] XXXIII Inherfriends'albums,timehadbeen, Withbloodinsteadofinkshescrawled, BaptizedPrascoviaPauline, Andinherconversationdrawled. Sheworehercorsettightlybound, TheRussianNwithnasalsound ShewouldpronouncealaFrancaise Butsoonshealteredallherways, CorsetandalbumandPauline, Hersentimentalversesall, Shesoonforgot,begantocall AkulkawhowasonceCeline, Andhadwithwaddlingintheend Hercapsandnightdressestomend. XXXIV Asforherspousehelovedherdearly, Inheraffairsne'erinterfered,

Entrustedalltohersincerely, Indressinggownatmealsappeared. Existencecalmlyspedalong, Andoftateventideathrong Offriendsunceremoniouswould Assemblefromtheneighbourhood: Theygrowlabittheyscandalise Theycrackafeeblejokeandsmile Thusthetimepassesandmeanwhile Olgatheteamustsupervise 'Tistimeforsupper,nowforbed, Andsoonthefriendlytroophathfled. XXXV Theyinapeacefullifepreserved Customsbyagessanctified, StrictlytheCarnivalobserved, AteRussianpancakesatShrovetide, Twiceintheyeartofastwerebound, Ofwhirligigswereveryfond, OfChristmascarols,songanddance Whenpeoplewithlongcountenance OnTrinitySundayyawnedatprayer, Threetearstheydroptwithhumblemein Uponabunchoflovagegreen Kvassneedfulwastothemasair Ongueststheirservantsusedtowait ByrankassettledbytheState.(27) [Note27:Theforegoingstanzarequiresexplanation.Russianpancakesor"blinni"are consumedvigorouslybythelowerordersduringtheCarnival.Atothertimesitis difficulttoprocurethem,atanyrateinthelargetowns. TheRussianpeasantsarechildishlyfondofwhirligigs,whicharealsomuchinvogue duringtheCarnival. "ChristmasCarols"isnotanexactequivalentfortheRussianphrase."Podbliudni pessni,"areliterally"dishsongs,"orsongsusedwithdishes(ofwater)duringthe "sviatki"orHolyNights,whichextendfromChristmastoTwelfthNight,forpurposesof divination.Referencewillagainbemadetothissuperstitiouspractice,whichisnot confinedtoRussia.SeeNote52. "Songanddance,"thewellknown"khorovod,"inwhichthedanceproceedstovocal music.

"Lovage,"theLevisticumofficinalis,isahardyplantgrowingveryfarnorth,thoughan inhabitantofourownkitchengardens.Thepassagecontainingthereferencetothethree tearsandTrinitySundaywasatfirstdeemedirreligiousbytheRussiancensors,and consequentlyexpunged. Kvassisofvarioussorts: thereisthecommon kvassoffermentedryeusedbythe peasantry,andthemoreexpensivekvassoftherestaurants,icedandflavouredwith variousfruits. Thefinaltwolinesrefertothe"Tchin,"orRussiansocialhierarchy.Therearefourteen gradesintheTchinassigningrelativerankandprecedencetothemembersofthevarious departmentsoftheState,civil,military,naval,court,scientificandeducational.The militaryandnavalgradesfromthe14thuptothe7thconferpersonalnobilityonly,whilst abovethe7thhereditaryrankisacquired.Intheremainingdepartments,civilor otherwise,personalnobilityisonlyattainedwiththe9thgrade,hereditarywiththe4th.] XXXVI Thusageapproached,thecommondoom, Anddeathbeforethehusbandwide Openedtheportalsofthetomb Andanewdiademsupplied.(28) Justbeforedinnertimeheslept, Byneighbouringfamiliesbewept, Bychildrenandbyfaithfulwife Withdeeperwoethanothers'grief. Hewasanhonestgentleman, Andwhereatlasthisbonesrepose Theepitaphonmarbleshows: DemetriusLarine,sinfulman, ServantofGodandbrigadier, Enjoyethpeacefulslumberhere. [Note28:Aplayupontheword"venetz,"crown,whichalsosignifiesanimbusorglory, andisthesymbolofmarriagefromthefactoftwogiltcrownsbeingheldovertheheads ofthebrideandbridegroomduringtheceremony.Theliteralmeaningofthepassageis therefore:hisearthlymarriagewasdissolvedandaheavenlyonewascontracted.] XXXVII TohisPenatesnowreturned, VladimirLenskivisited Hisneighbour'slowlytombandmourned Abovetheashesofthedead. Therelongtimesadathearthestayed: "PoorYorick,"mournfullyhesaid,

"HowofteninthinearmsIlay HowwiththymedalIwouldplay, TheMedal Otchakoffconferred!(29) TomehewouldhisOlgagive, Wouldwhisper:shallIsolonglive?" Andbyagenuinesorrowstirred, Lenskihispencilcasetookout Andanelegiacpoemwrote. [Note29:ThefortressofOtchakoffwastakenbystormonthe18thDecember1788bya RussianarmyunderPrincePotemkin.ThirtythousandTurksaresaidtohaveperished duringtheassaultandensuingmassacre.] XXXVIII Likewiseanepitaphwithtears Hewritesuponhisparents'tomb, Andthusancestraldustreveres. Oh! onthefieldsoflifehowbloom Harvestsofsoulsunceasingly ByProvidence'sdarkdecree! Theyblossom,ripenandtheyfall Andothersriseephemeral! Thusourlightracegrowsupandlives, Amomenteffervescingstirs, Thenseeksancestralsepulchres, Theappointedhourarrives,arrives! Andoursuccessorssoonshalldrive Usfromtheworldwhereinwelive. XXXIX Meantime,drinkdeeplyoftheflow Offrivolousexistence,friends ItsinsignificanceIknow Andcarebutlittleforitsends. TodreamsIlonghaveclosedmineeyes, Yetsometimesbanishedhopeswillrise Andagitatemyheartagain Andthusitis'twouldcausemepain Withoutthefaintesttracetoleave Thisworld.Idonotpraisedesire, Yetstillapparentlyaspire Mymournfulfateinversetoweave, Thatlikeafriendlyvoiceitstone Rescuemefromoblivion.

XL Perchancesomeheart'twillagitate, Andthenthestanzasofmytheme Willnot,preservedbykindlyFate, PerishabsorbedbyLethe'sstream. Thenitmaybe,Oflatteringtale, Somefutureignoramusshall Myfamousportraitindicate Andcry:hewasapoetgreat! Mygratitudedonotdisdain, AdmirerofthepeacefulMuse, Whosememorydothnotrefuse Mylightproductionstoretain, Whosehandsindulgentlycaress Thebaysofageandhelplessness.

EndofCantotheSecond.

CANTOTHETHIRD
TheCountryDamsel 'Elleetaitfille,elleetaitamoureuse'Malfilatre CantoTheThird [Note:OdessaandMikhailovskoe,1824.] I "Whitheraway?Deucetakethebard!" "Goodbye,Oneguine,Imustgo." "Iwon'tdetainyoubut'tishard Toguesshowyoutheevepullthrough." "AtLarina's.""Hem,thatisqueer! Prayisitnotatoughaffair Thustoassassinatetheeve?" "Notatall.""ThatIcan'tconceive! 'TissomethingofthissortIdeem. Inthefirstplace,say,amIright? ARussianhouseholdsimplequite, Whowelcomeguestswithzealextreme, Preservesandaneternalprattle Abouttherainandflaxandcattle." II "NomiseryIseeinthat" "Boredom,myfriend,beholdtheill" "YourfashionableworldIhate, Domesticlifeattractsmestill, Where""What!anotherecloguespin? ForGod'ssake,Lenski,don'tbegin! What!reallygoing?'Tistoobad! ButLenski,Ishouldbesoglad WouldyoutomethisPhyllisshow, Fairsource ofeveryfineidea, Versesandtearsetcetera. Presentme.""Youarejoking.""No." "Delighted.""When?""Thisverynight. Theywillreceiveuswithdelight." III

Whilsthomewardbythenearestroute Ourheroesatfullgallopsped, Canwenotstealthilymakeout Whattheyinconversationsaid? "Hownow,Oneguine,yawningstill?" "'Tishabit,Lenski.""Isyourill Moretroublesomethanusual?""No! Howdarkthenightisgettingthough! Hallo,Andriushka,onwardrace! Thedrivebecomesmonotonous Well!Larinaappearstous Anancientladyfullofgrace. Thatbilberrywine,I'msoreafraid, Thedeucewithmyinsidehasplayed." IV "Say,ofthetwowhichwasTattiana?" "Shewhowithmelancholyface AndsilentasthemaidSvetlana(30) Hardbythewindowtookherplace." "Theyounger,you'reinlovewithher!" "Well!""Itheeldershouldprefer, WereIlikeyouabardbytrade InOlga'sfacenolife'sdisplayed. 'TisaMadonnaofVandyk, Anovalcountenanceandpink, Yonsillymoonuponthebrink Ofthehorizonsheislike!" Vladimirsomethingcurtlysaid Norfurthercommentthatnightmade. [Note30:"Svetlana,"ashortpoembyJoukovski,uponwhichhisfamemainlyrests. Joukovskiwasanunblushingplagiarist.ManyeminentEnglishpoetshavebeenlaid undercontributionbyhim,oftenwithoutgoingthroughtheformofacknowledgingthe sourceofinspiration.Eventhepoeminquestioncannotbepronouncedentirelyoriginal, thoughitsintrinsicbeautyisunquestionable.ItundoubtedlyowesitsorigintoBurger's poem"Leonora,"whichhasfoundsomanyEnglishtranslators.Notcontentwithasingle developmentofBurger'sghastlyproductiontheRussianpoethasdirectlyparaphrased "Leonora"underitsowntitle,andalsowrittenapoem"Liudmila"inimitationofit.The principaloutlinesofthesethreepoemsareasfollows:Amaidenlosesherloverinthe warsshemurmursatProvidenceandisvainlyreprovedforsuchblasphemybyher mother.Providenceatlengthlosespatienceandsendsherlover'sspirit,toallappearances asifintheflesh,whoinducestheunfortunatemaidentoelope.Insteadofridingtoa churchorbridalchambertheunpleasantbridegroomresortstothegraveyardandrepairs

tohisowngrave,fromwhichhehasrecentlyissuedtoexecutehiserrand.Itisarepulsive subject."Svetlana,"however,ismoreagreeablethanitsprototype"Leonora,"inasmuch asthewholecatastropheturnsoutadreambroughtonby"sorcery,"duringthe"sviatki" orHolyNights(seeCantoV. st.x),andthedreamerawakestohearthetinklingofher lover'ssledgeapproaching."Svetlana"hasbeentranslatedbySirJohnBowring.] V MeantimeOneguine'sapparition AtLarina'sabodeproduced Quiteasensationtheposition Toallgoodneighbours'sportconduced. Endlessconjecturesallpropound Andsecretlytheirviewsexpound. Whatjokesandguessesnowabound, AbeauisforTattianafound! Infact,somepeoplewereassured Theweddingdayhadbeenarranged, Butthedatesubsequentlychanged Tillproperringscouldbeprocured. OnLenski'smatrimonialfate Theylongagohadhelddebate. VI OfcourseTattianawasannoyed Bysuchallusionsscandalous, Yetwasherinmostsoulo'erjoyed Withsatisfactionmarvellous, Asinherheartthethoughtsankhome, Iaminlove,myhourhathcome! Thusintheearththeseedexpands ObedienttowarmSpring'scommands. Longtimeheryoungimagination Byindolenceandlanguorfired Thefatednutrimentdesired Andlonginternalagitation Hadfilledheryouthfulbreastwithgloom, ShewaitedforIdon'tknowwhom! VII Thefatalhourhadcomeatlast Sheopedhereyesandcried:'tishe! Alas!fornowbeforeherpassed Thesamewarmvisionconstantly

Nowallthingsroundaboutrepeat Ceaselesslytothemaiden sweet Hisname:thetendernessofhome Tiresomeuntoherhathbecome Andthekindheartedservitors: Immersedinmelancholythought, Shehearsofconversationnought Andhatedcasualvisitors, Theircomingwhichnomanexpects, Andstaywhoselengthnonerecollects. VIII Nowwithwhateagerinterest Shethedeliciousnovelreads, Withwhatavidityandzest Shedrinksinthoseseductivedeeds! Allthecreationswhichbelow Fromhappyinspirationflow, TheswainofJuliaWolmar, MalekAdelandDeLinar,(31) Werther,rebelliousmartyrbold, Andthatunrivalledparagon, ThesleepcompellingGrandison, Ourtenderdreamerhadenrolled Asinglebeing:'twasinfine NootherthanOneguinemine. [Note31:TheheroesoftworomancesmuchinvogueinPushkin's time:theformerbyMadameCottin,thelatterbythefamous MadameKrudener.Thefrequentmentioninthecourseofthispoemofromancesonce enjoyingaEuropeancelebritybutnowconsignedtooblivion,willimpressthereader withthetransitorynatureofmerelymediocreliteraryreputation.Onehasnowtosearch fortheverynamesofmostofthepopularauthorsofPushkin'sdayandrummage biographicaldictionariesforthedatesoftheirbirthsanddeaths.Yetthepoet'sprimewas butfiftyyearsago,andhadhelivedtoaripeoldagehewouldhavebeenamongstus still.HewasfouryearsyoungerthanthelateMr.ThomasCarlyle.Thedecadenceof Richardson'spopularityamongsthiscountrymenisafactfamiliartoall.] IX Dreamingherselftheheroine Oftheromancesshepreferred, Clarissa,Julia,Delphine,(32) Tattianathroughtheforesterred, Andthebadbookaccompanies.

Uponthosepagesshedescries Herpassion'sfaithfulcounterpart, Fruitoftheyearningsoftheheart. Sheheavesasighanddeepintent Onraptures,sorrowsnotherown, Shemurmursinanundertone Aletterforherheromeant: Thathero,thoughhismeritshone, WascertainlynoGrandison. [Note32:ReferringtoRichardson's"ClarissaHarlowe,""LaNouvelleHeloise,"and MadamedeStael's"Delphine."] X Alas!myfriends,theyearsflitby Andafterthematheadlongpace Theevanescentfashionsfly Inmotleyandamusingchase. Theworldiseveraltering! Farthingales,patches,werethething, Andcourtier,fop,andusurer Wouldoncein powderedwigappear Timewas,thepoet'stenderquill Inhopesofeverlastingfame Afinishedmadrigalwouldframe Orcoupletsmoreingeniousstill Timewas,avaliantgeneralmight Servewhocouldneitherreadnorwrite. XI Timewas,instylemagniloquent Authorsrepletewithsacredfire Theirheroesusedtorepresent Allthatperfectioncoulddesire Everbyadversefateoppressed, Theiridolstheywerewonttoinvest Withintellect,atasterefined, Andhandsomecountenancecombined, Aheartwherein purepassionburnt Theexcitedheroinatrice Wasreadyforselfsacrifice, Andinthefinaltomewelearnt, Vicehadduepunishmentawarded, Virtuewaswithabriderewarded.

XII Butnowourmindsaremystified AndVirtueactsasanarcotic, Vicein romanceisglorified Andtriumphsincareererotic. ThemonstersoftheBritishMuse Depriveourschoolgirlsofrepose, Theidolsoftheiradoration AVampirefondofmeditation, OrMelmoth,gloomywandererhe, TheEternalJewortheCorsair OrthemysteriousSbogar.(33) Byron'scapriciousphantasy Couldinromanticmantledrape E'enhopelessegoism'sdarkshape. [Note33:"Melmoth,"aromancebyMaturin,and"JeanSbogar,"by Ch.Nodier."The Vampire,"atalepublishedin1819,waserroneouslyattributed toLordByron."Salathiel theEternal Jew,"aromancebyGeo.Croly.] XIII Myfriends,whatmeansthisodddigression? MaybethatIbyheaven'sdecrees Shallabdicatethebard'sprofession, Andshalladoptsomenewcaprice. ThushavingbravedApollo'srage WithhumbleproseI'llfillmypage Andaromanceinancientstyle Shallmydecliningyearsbeguile Norshallmypenpaintterribly Thetormentbornofcrimeunseen, Butshalldepictthetouchingscene OfRussiandomesticity Iwilldescantonlove'ssweetdream, Theoldentimeshallbemytheme. XIV Oldpeople'ssimpleconversations Myunpretendingpageshallfill, Theiroffspring'sinnocentflirtations Bytheoldlimetreeortherill, TheirJealousyandseparation

Andtearsofreconciliation: FreshcauseofquarrelthenI'llfind, Butfinallyinwedlockbind. ThepassionatespeechesI'llrepeat, Accentsofraptureordespair Iutteredtomyladyfair Longago,prostrateatherfeet. Thentheycameeasilyenow, Mytongueissomewhatrustynow. XV Tattiana!sweetTattiana,see! WhatbittertearswiththeeIshed! Thouhastresignedthydestiny Untoaruthlesstyrantdread. Thou'ltsuffer,dearest,butbefore, Hopewithherfascinatingpower Todirecontentmentshallgivebirth Andthoushalttaste thejoysofearth. Thou'ltquafflove'ssweetenvenomedstream, Fantasticimagesshallswarm Inthyimaginationwarm, Ofhappymeetingsthoushaltdream, Andwheresoe'erthyfootstepserr, Confrontthyfatedtorturer! XVI Love'spangsTattianaagonize. Sheseeksthegardeninherneed Suddenshestops,castsdownhereyes Andcaresnotfarthertoproceed Herbosomheaveswhilstcrimsonhues Withsuddenflushhercheekssuffuse, Barelytodrawherbreathsheseems, Hereyewithfireunwontedgleams. Andnow'tisnight,theguardianmoon Sailsherallottedcourseonhigh, Andfromthemistywoodlandnigh Thenightingaletrillsforthhertune RestlessTattianasleeplesslay Andthusuntohernursedidsay: XVII

"Nurse,'tissocloseIcannotrest. Open thewindowsitbyme." "Whatailsthee,dear?""Ifeeldepressed. Relatesomeancienthistory." "Butwhich,mydear?Indaysofyore WithinmymemoryIbore Manyanancientlegendwhich Inmonstersandfairdameswasrich Butnowmymindisdesolate, WhatonceIknewiscleanforgot Alas!howwretchednowmylot!" "Buttellme,nurse,canyourelate Thedayswhichtoyouryouthbelong? Wereyouinlovewhenyouwereyoung?" XVIII "Alack!Tattiana,"shereplied, "Weneverlovedindaysofold, Mymotherinlawwholatelydied(34) Hadkilledmehadthelikebeentold." "Howcameyouthentowedaman?" "Why,asGodordered!MyIvan Wasyoungerthanmyself,mylight, ForImyselfwasthirteenquite(35) Thematchmakerafortnightsped, Hersuitbeforemyparentspressing: Atlastmyfathergavehisblessing, AndbittertearsoffrightIshed. Weepingtheyloosedmytresseslong(36) Andledmeofftochurchwithsong." [Note34:AyoungmarriedcoupleamongstRussianpeasantsresideinthehouseofthe bridegroom'sfathertillthe"tiaglo,"orfamilycircleisbrokenupbyhisdeath.] [Note35:MarriagesamongstRussianserfsusedformerlytotakeplaceatridiculously earlyages.Haxthausenassertsthatstrongheartypeasantwomenweretobeseenatwork inthefieldswiththeirinfanthusbandsintheirarms.Theinducementlayinthefactthat the"tiaglo"(seepreviousnote)receivedanadditionallotofthecommunallandforevery maleaddedtoitsnumber,thoughthiscouldhaveformedaninducementinthesouthern andfertileprovincesofRussiaonly,asitisbelievedthatagricultureinthenorthisso unremunerativethatlandhasoftentobeforceduponthepeasants,inorderthatthetaxes, forwhichthewholeCommuneisresponsibletoGovernment,maybepaid.Theabuseof earlymarriageswasregulatedbyTsarNicholas.]

[Note36:Courtshipswerenotunfrequentlycarriedoninthelargervillages,whichalone couldsupportsuchanindividual,bymeansofa"svakha,"ormatchmaker.InRussia unmarriedgirlsweartheirhairinasinglelongplaitortail,"kossa"themarriedwomen, ontheotherhand,intwo,whicharetwistedintotheheadgear.] XIX "ThenamongststrangersIwasleft ButIperceivethoudostnotheed" "Alas!dearnurse,myheartiscleft, MortallysickIamindeed. Behold,mysobsIscarcerestrain" "Mydarlingchild,thouartinpain. TheLorddeliverherandsave! Tellmeatoncewhatwiltthouhave? I'llsprinkletheewithholywater. Howthyhandsburn!""Dearnurse,I'mwell. Iaminloveyouknowdon'ttell!" "TheLordbewiththee,Omydaughter!" Andtheoldnurseabriefprayersaid Andcrossedwithtremblinghandthemaid. XX "Iaminlove,"herwhisperstell Theagedwomaninherwoe: "Myheart'sdelight,thouartnotwell." "Iaminlove,nurse!leavemenow." Behold!themoonwasshiningbright Andshowedwithanuncertainlight Tattiana'sbeauty,palewithcare, Hertearsandherdishevelledhair Andonthefootstoolsittingdown Besideouryouthfulheroinefair, Akerchiefroundhersilverhair Theagednurseinamplegown,(37) Whilstallcreationseemedtodream Enchantedbythemoon'spalebeam. [Note37:ItisthusthatIamcompelledtorenderafemalegarmentnotknown,sofarasI amaware,toWesternEurope. Itiscalledbythenatives"doushegreika,"thatistosay, "warmerofthesoul"inFrench,chaufferettedel'ame.Itisaspeciesofthickpelisse wornoverthe"sarafan,"or gown.] XXI

Butborneinspiritfaraway Tattianagazesonthemoon, Andstartingsuddenlydothsay: "Nurse,leaveme.Iwouldbealone. Pen,paperbring:thetabletoo Drawnear.Isoontosleepshallgo Goodnight."Behold!sheisalone! 'Tissilentonhershinesthemoon Uponherelbowshereclines, AndEugeneeverinhersoul Inditesaninconsideratescroll Whereinloveinnocentlypines. Nowitisreadytobesent Forwhom,Tattiana,isitmeant? XXII Ihaveknownbeautiescoldandraw AsWinterintheirpurity, Strikingtheintellectwithawe Bydullinsensibility, AndIadmiredtheircommonsense Andnaturalbenevolence, But,Iacknowledge,fromthemfled ForontheirbrowsItremblingread Theinscriptiono'erthegatesofHell "Abandonhopeforeverhere!"(38) Lovetoinspiredothwoeappear Tosuchdelightfultorepel. PerchanceupontheNevae'en Similardamesyemayhaveseen. [Note38:ARussianannotatorcomplainsthatthepoethasmutilatedDante'sfamous line.] XXIII Amidsubmissiveherdsofmen VirginsmiraculousIsee, Whoselfishly unmovedremain Alikebysighsandflattery. ButwhatastonisheddoIfind Whenharshdemeanourhathconsigned Atimidlovetobanishment? Onfreshallurementstheyarebent, Atleastbyshowofsympathy

Atleasttheiraccentsandtheirwords Appearattunedtosofterchords Andthenwithblindcredulity Theyouthfulloveronceagain Pursuesphantasmagoriavain. XXIV WhyisTattianaguiltierdeemed? Becauseinsinglenessofthought Sheneverofdeceptiondreamed Buttrustedtheidealshewrought? Becauseherpassionwantedart, Obeyedtheimpulsesofheart? Becauseshewassoinnocent, ThatHeavenhercharacterhadblent Withanimaginationwild, Withintellectandstrongvolition Andadetermineddisposition, Anardentheartandyetsomild? Dothlove'sincautiousnessinher Soirremissibleappear? XXV Oyewhomtenderlovehathpained Withoutthekenofparentsboth, Whoseheartsresponsivehaveremained Totheimpressionsofouryouth, Theallentrancingjoysoflove Youngladies,ifyeeverstrove Themysticlinestotearaway Alover'slettermightconvey, Orintoboldhandsanxiously Havee'eraprecioustressconsigned, Oreven,silentandresigned, Whenseparation'shourdrewnigh, Havefeltlove'sagitatedkiss Withtears,confusedemotions,bliss, XXVI Withunanimitycomplete, CondemnnotweakTattianamine Donotcoldbloodedlyrepeat Thesneersofcriticssuperfine

Andyou,Omaidsimmaculate, Whomvice,ifnamed,dothagitate E'enasthepresenceofasnake, Ithesameadmonitionmake. Whoknows?withlove'sconsumingflame Perchanceyoualsosoonmayburn, Thentosomegallantinyourturn WillbeascribedbytreacherousFame Thetriumphofaconquestnew. TheGodofLoveisafteryou! XXVII Acoquettelovesbycalculation, Tattiana'slovewasquitesincere, Alovewhichknewnolimitation, Evenastheloveofchildrendear. Shedidnotthink"procrastination Enhancesloveinestimation Andthussecuresthepreyweseek. Hisvanityfirstletuspique Withhopeandthenperplexity, Excruciatetheheartandlate Withjealousfireresuscitate, Lestjadedwithsatiety, Theartfulprisonershouldseek Incessantlyhischainstobreak." XXVIII Istillacomplicationview, Mycountry'shonourandrepute DemandsthatItranslateforyou TheletterwhichTattianawrote. AtRussshewasbynomeansclever Andreadournewspapersscarceever, Andinhernativelanguageshe Possessednoreasenorfluency, SosheinFrenchherselfexpressed. IcannothelpitIdeclare, Thoughhithertoaladyne'er InRussherlovemademanifest, Andneverhathourlanguageproud Incorrespondencebeenallowed.(39)

[Note39:ItiswellknownthatuntilthereignofthelateTsarFrenchwasthelanguageof theRussiancourtandofRussianfashionablesociety.Itshouldbeborneinmindthatat thetimethispoemwaswrittenliterarywarfaremoreorlessopenwasbeingwaged betweentwohostileschoolsofRussianmenofletters.TheseconsistedoftheArzamass, orFrenchschool,towhichPushkinhimselftogetherwithhisuncleVassiliPushkinthe "NestoroftheArzamass"belonged,andtheiropponentswhodevotedthemselvestothe cultivationofthevernacular.] XXIX Theywishthatladiesshould,Ihear, LearnRussian,buttheLorddefend! Ican'tconceivealittledear Withthe"WellWisher"inherhand!(40) Iask,allyewhopoetsare, Isitnottrue?theobjectsfair, Towhomyeforunnumberedcrimes Hadtocomposeinsecretrhymes, Towhomyourheartswereconsecrate, DidtheynotalltheRussiantongue Withlittleknowledgeandthatwrong Incharmingfashionmutilate? Didnottheirlipswithforeignspeech ThenativeRussiantongueimpeach? [Note40:The"BlagoNamierenni,"or"WellWisher,"wasaninferiorRussian newspaperoftheday,muchscoffedatby contemporaries.Theeditoronceexcused himselfforsomegrosserrorbypleadingthathehadbeen"ontheloose."] XXX GodgrantImeetnotataball Oratapromenademayhap, Aschoolmasterinyellowshawl Oraprofessorintullecap. Asrosylipswithoutasmile, TheRussianlanguageIdeemvile Withoutgrammaticalmistakes. Maybe,andthismyterrorwakes, Thefairofthenextgeneration, Aseveryjournalnowentreats, Willteachgrammaticalconceits, Introduceverseinconversation. ButIwhatisallthistome? Willtotheoldtimesfaithfulbe.

XXXI Speechcareless,incorrect,butsoft, Withinexactpronunciation Raiseswithinmybreastasoft Asformerlymuchagitation. Repentancewieldsnotnowherspell AndgallicismsIloveaswell Asthesinsofmyyouthfuldays OrBogdanovitch'ssweetlays.(41) ButImustnowemploymyMuse Withtheepistleofmyfair Ipromised!DidIso?Well,there! NowIamreadytorefuse. IknowthatParny'stenderpen(42) Isnomorecherishedamongstmen. [Note 41:HippolyteBogdanovitchb.1743,d.1803thoughpossessingconsiderable poeticaltalentwaslikemanyotherRussianauthorsmoreremarkableforsuccessful imitationthanfororiginalgenius.Hismostremarkableproductionis"Doushenka,""The Darling,"acompositionsomewhatinthestyleofLaFontaine's"Psyche."Itsmerit consistsingracefulphraseology,andastrongpervadingsenseofhumour.] [Note42:ParnyaFrenchpoetoftheeraofthefirstNapoleon,b.1753,d.1814. IntroducedtotheagedVoltaireduringhislastvisittoParis,thepatriarchlaidhishands upontheyouth'sheadandexclaimed:"MoncherTibulle."Heischieflyknownforhis eroticpoetrywhichattractedtheaffectionateregardoftheyouthfulPushkinwhena studentattheLyceum.Weregrettoaddthat,havingacceptedapensionfromNapoleon, Parnyforthwithproceededtodamagehisliteraryreputationbyinditingan"epic"poem entitled"Goddam!Goddam!parunFrenchDog."Itisdescriptiveoftheapproaching conquestof BritainbyNapoleon,andtreatstheembryoenterpriseasifalreadyconducted toasuccessfulconclusionandbecomematterofhistory.Agoodaccountofthebardand hiscreationswillbefoundintheSaturdayReviewofthe2dAugust1879.] XXXII Bardof the"Feasts,"andmournfulbreast,(43) Ifthouwertsittingbymyside, Withthisimmoderaterequest Ishouldalarmourfriendshiptried: Inoneofthineenchantinglays Torussifytheforeignphrase Ofmyimpassionedheroine. Whereartthou?Come!pretensionsmine Iyieldwithalowreverence ButlonelybeneathFinnishskies

Wheremelancholyrocksarise Hewandersinhisindolence Carelessoffamehisspirithigh Hearsnotmyimportunity! [Note43:EvgenyBaratynski,acontemporaryofPushkinandalyricpoetofsome originalityandtalent.The"Feasts"isashortbrilliantpoeminpraiseofconviviality. Pushkinisthereinpraisedasthebestofcompanions"besidethebottle."] XXXIII Tattiana'sletterIpossess, Iguarditasaholything, AndthoughIreaditwithdistress, I'mo'eriteverpondering. Inspiredbywhomthistenderness, Thisgentledaringwhocouldguess? Whothissoftnonsensecouldimpart, Imprudentprattleoftheheart, Attractiveinitsbanefulness? Icannotunderstand.Butlo! Afeebleversionreadbelow, Aprintwithoutthepicture'sgrace, Or,asitwere,theFreischutz'score Strummedbyatimidschoolgirlo'er.

Tattiana'sLettertoOneguine Iwritetoyou!Ismorerequired? Canlowerdepthsbeyondremain? 'Tisinyourpower now,ifdesired, Tocrushmewithajustdisdain. Butifmylotunfortunate Youintheleastcommiserate Youwillnotallabandonme. Atfirst,Iclungtosecrecy: Believeme,ofmypresentshame Youneverwouldhaveheardthename, IfthefondhopeIcouldhavefanned Attimes,ifonlyonceaweek, Toseeyoubyourfiresidestand, Tolistentothewordsyouspeak, Addresstoyouonesinglephrase Andthentomeditatefordays Ofonethingtillagainwemet.

'Tissaidyouareamisanthrope, Incountrysolitudeyoumope, Andweanunattractiveset Canheartywelcomegivealone. Whydidyouvisitourpoorplace? Forgotteninthevillagelone, Inevershouldhaveseenyourface Andbittertormentneverknown. Theuntutoredspirit'spangscalmeddown Bytime(whocananticipate?) Ihadfoundmypredestinate, Becomeafaithfulwifeande'en Afondandcarefulmotherbeen. Another!tononeotherI Myheart'sallegiancecanresign, Mydoomhasbeenpronouncedonhigh, 'TisHeaven'swillandIamthine. Thesum ofmyexistencegone Butpromiseofourmeetinggave, IfeelthouwastbyGodsentdown Myguardianangeltothegrave. Thoudidsttomeindreamsappear, Unseenthouwastalreadydear. Thineeyesubduedmewithstrangeglance, Iheardthyvoice'sresonance Longago.Dreamitcannotbe! ScarcehadstthouenteredtheeIknew, Iflushedup,stupefiedIgrew, Andcriedwithinmyself:'tishe! Isitnottruth?intonessuppressed WiththeeIconversedwhenIbore Comfortandsuccourtothepoor, AndwhenIprayertoHeavenaddressed Toeasetheanguishofmybreast. Nay!evenasthisinstantfled, Wasitnotthou,Ovisionbright, Thatglimmeredthroughtheradiantnight Andgentlyhoveredo'ermyhead? Wasitnotthouwhothusdidststoop Towhispercomfort,loveandhope? Whoartthou?Guardianangelsent Ortorturermalevolent? Doubtanduncertaintydecide: Allthismaybeanemptydream, Delusionsofaminduntried,

Providenceotherwisemaydeem Thenbeitso!Mydestiny FromhenceforthIconfidetothee! Lo!atthyfeetmytearsIpour AndthyprotectionIimplore. Imagine!HerealoneamI! Noonemyanguishcomprehends, Attimesmyreasonalmostbends, AndsilentlyIheremustdie ButIawaitthee:scarcealive Myheartwithbutonelookrevive Ortodisturbmydreamsapproach Alas!withmeritedreproach. 'Tisfinished.Horribletoread! WithshameIshudderandwithdread ButboldlyImyselfresign: Thinehonourismycountersign! XXXIV Tattianamoansandnowshesighs Andinhergraspthelettershakes, Eventherosywaferdries Uponhertonguewhichfeverbakes. Herheaduponherbreastdeclines Andanenchantingshouldershines Fromherhalfopenvestofnight. Butlo!alreadythemoon'slight Iswaning.Yondervalleydeep Loomsgraybehindthemistandmorn Silversthebrooktheshepherd'shorn Arousesrusticsfromtheirsleep. 'Tisday,thefamilydownstairs, ButnoughtforthisTattianacares. XXXV Thebreakofdayshedothnotsee, Butsitsinbedwithairdepressed, Norontheletteryethathshe Theimageofhersealimpressed. ButgrayPhillippevnathedoor Openedwithcare,andenteringbore Acupofteauponatray. "'Tistime,mychild,arise,Ipray!

Mybeauty,thouartreadytoo. Mymorningbirdie,yesternight Iwashalfsillywith affright. ButpraisedbeGod!inhealthartthou! Thepainsofnighthavewhollyfled, Thycheekisasapoppyred!" XXXVI "Ah!nurse,afavourdoforme!" "Commandme,darling,whatyouchoose" "Donotyoumightsuspiciousbe Butlookyouah!donotrefuse." "IcalltowitnessGodonhigh" "Thensendyourgrandsonquietly TotakethislettertoOWell! Untoourneighbour.Mindyoutell Commandhimnottosayaword Imeanmynamenottorepeat." "Towhomisittogo,mysweet? OflateIhavebeenquiteabsurd, Somanyneighbourshereexist AmItogothroughthewholelist?" XXXVII "Howdullyouarethismorning,nurse!" "Mydarling,growingoldamI! Inagethememorygetsworse, ButIwassharpintimesgoneby. Intimesgonebythybarecommand" "Oh!nurse,nurse,youdon'tunderstand! Whatisthyclevernesstome? Theletteristhething,yousee, Oneguine'sletter!""Ah!thething! Nowdon'tbecrosswithme,mysoul, YouknowthatIamnowafool Butwhyareyourcheekswhitening?" "Nothing,goodnurse,there'snothingwrong, Butsendyourgrandsonbeforelong." XXXVIII Noanswerallthatdaywasborne. Anotherpassed'twasjustthesame. Paleasaghostanddressedsincemorn

Tattianawaits.Noanswercame! Olga'sadmirercamethatday: "Tellme,whydothyourcomradestay?" Thehostessdothinterrogate: "Hehathneglectedusoflate." Tattianablushed,herheartbeatquick "Hepromisedherethisdaytoride," Lenskiuntothedamereplied, "Theposthathkepthim,itislike." Shamefaced,Tattianadownwardlooked Asifhecruellyhadjoked! XXXIX 'Twasdusk!Uponthetablebright Shrillsangthesamovarateve,(44) Thechinateapottooyemight Incloudsofsteamaboveperceive. Intothecupsalreadysped ByOlga'shanddistributed Thefragrantteaindarklingstream, Andaboyhandedroundthecream. Taniadothbythecasementlinger Andbreathesuponthechillyglass, Dreamingofwhatnot,prettylass, Andtraceswithaslenderfinger Uponitsdampopacity, Themysticmonogram,O.E. [Note44:Thesamovar,i.e."selfboiler,"ismerelyan urnforhotwaterhavingafirein thecenter.Wemayobserveasimilarcontrivanceinourownoldfashionedteaurns which areprovidedwithareceptacleforaredhotironcylinderin center.Theteapotis usuallyplacedonthetopofthesamovar.] XL Inthemeantimeherspiritsinks, Herwearyeyesarefilledwithtears Ahorse'shoofsshehearsSheshrinks! NearertheycomeEugeneappears! Ah!thanaspectrefromthedead MoreswifttheroomTattianafled, Fromhalltoyardandgardenflies, Notdaringtocastbackhereyes. Shefearsandlikeanarrowrushes Throughparkandmeadow,woodandbrake,

Thebridgeandalleytothelake, Bramblesshesnapsandlilacscrushes, Theflowerbedsskirts,thebrookdothmeet, Tilloutofbreathuponaseat XLI Shesank. "He'shere!Eugeneishere! MercifulGod,whatwillhedeem?" Yetstillherheart,whichtormentstear, Guardsfondlyhope'suncertaindream. Shewaits,onfirehertremblingframe Willhepursue?Butnoonecame. Sheheardofservantmaidsthenote, Whointheorchardsgatheredfruit, Singinginchorusallthewhile. (Thisbycommandforitwasfound, Howevercherriesmightabound, Theydisappearedbystealthandguile, Somouthstheystoptwithsong,notfruit Deviceofruralmindsacute!)

TheMaidens'Song Youngmaidens,fairmaidens, Friendsandcompanions, Disportyourselves,maidens, Arouseyourselves,fairones. Comesingweinchorus Thesecretsofmaidens. Alluretheyounggallant Withdanceandwithsong. Asweluretheyounggallant, Espyhimapproaching, Disperseyourselves,darlings, Andpelthimwithcherries, Withcherries,redcurrants, Withraspberries,cherries. Approachnottohearken Tosecretsofvirgins, Approachnottogazeat Thefrolicsofmaidens. XLII

Theysang,whilstnegligentlyseated, Attentivetotheechoingsound, Tattianawithimpatiencewaited Untilherheartlesshighshouldbound Tillthefireinhercheekdecreased Buttremorstillherframepossessed, Nordidherblushesfadeaway, Morecrimsoneverymomentthey. Thusshinesthewretchedbutterfly, Withiridescentwingdothflap Whencapturedinaschoolboy'scap Thusshakestheharewhensuddenly Shefromthewintercornespies Asportsmanwhoincovertlies. XLIII Butfinallysheheavesasigh, Andrisingfromherbenchproceeds Butscarcehadturnedthecornernigh, Whichtotheneighbouringalleyleads, WhenEugenelikeaghostdidrise Beforeherstraightwith roguisheyes. Tattianafaltered,andbecame Scarletasburntbyinwardflame. Butthisadventure'sconsequence Today,myfriends,atanyrate, Iamnotstrongenoughtostate I,aftersomucheloquence, Musttakeawalkandrestabit SomedayI'llsomehowfinishit.

EndofCantotheThird

CANTOTHEFOURTH
RuralLife 'LaMoraleestdanslanaturedeschoses.'Necker

CantoTheFourth [Mikhailovskoe,1825] I THElesswelovealadyfair Theeasier'tistogainhergrace, Andthemoresurely weensnare Herinthepitfallswhichweplace. Timewaswhencoldseductionstrove Toswaggerastheartoflove, Everywheretrumpetingitsfeats, Notseekinglovebutsensualsweets. Butthisamusementdelicate Wasworthyofthatoldbaboon, Ourfathersusedtodoteupon TheLovelacesareoutofdate, Theirglorywiththeirheelsofred Andlongperukeshathvanished. II Forwhoimposturecanendure, Aconstantharpingononetune, Seriousendeavourstoassure Whateverybodylonghasknown Evertohearthesamereplies Andovercomeantipathies Whichneverhaveexisted,e'en Inlittlemaidensofthirteen? Andwhatlikemenacesfatigues, Entreaties,oaths,fictitiousfear, Epistlesofsixsheetsornear, Rings,tears,deceptionsandintrigues, Aunts,mothersandtheirscrutiny, Andhusbands'tediousamity?

III SuchwerethemusingsofEugene. Heintheearlyyearsoflife Hadadeludedvictimbeen Oferrorandthepassions'strife. Bydailylifedeteriorated, Awhilethisbeautycaptivated, Andthatnolongercouldinspire. Slowlyexhaustedbydesire, Yetsatiatedwithsuccess, Insolitudeorworldlydin, Heheardhissoul'scomplaintwithin, Withlaughtersmotheredweariness: Andthushespenteightyearsoftime, Destroyedtheblossomofhisprime. IV Thoughbeautyhenomoreadored, Hestillmadeloveinaqueerway Rebuffedasquicklyreassured, Jiltedgladofaholiday. Withoutenthusiasmhemet Thefair,norpartedwithregret, Scarcemindfuloftheirloveandguile. Thusaguestwithcomposurewill Totakeahandatwhistoftcome: Hetakeshisseat,concludeshisgame, Andstraightreturningwhencehecame, Tranquillygoestosleepathome, Andinthemorningdothnotknow Whitherthateveninghewillgo. V However,Tania'sletterreading, Eugenewastouchedwithsympathy Thelanguageofhergirlishpleading Arousedinhimsweetreverie. HecalledtomindTattiana'sgrace, Pallidandmelancholyface, Andinavision,sinless,bright, Hisspiritsankwithstrangedelight. Maybetheempireofthesense, Regainedauthorityawhile,

Buthedesirednottobeguile Suchopenheartedinnocence. Buttothegardenonceagain Whereinwelatelyleftthetwain. VI Twominutestheyinsilencespent, Oneguinethenapproachedandsaid: "Youhavealettertomesent. Donotexcuseyourself.Iread Confessionswhichatrustingheart Maywellininnocenceimpart. Charmingisyoursincerity, Feelingswhichlonghadceasedtobe Itwakensinmybreastagain. ButIcamenottoadulate: YourfranknessIshallcompensate Byanavowaljustasplain. Aneartomyconfessionlend TothydecreemywillIbend. VII "Ifthedomestichearthcouldbless Mysumofhappinesscontained Ifwifeandchildrentopossess Ahappydestinyordained: IfinthescenesofhomeImight E'enforaninstantfinddelight, Then,Isaytruly,nonebutthee Iwoulddesiremybridetobe Isaywithoutpoeticphrase, Foundtheidealofmyyouth, TheeonlywouldIchoose,intruth, Aspartnerofmymournfuldays, Theeonly,pledgeofallthingsbright, AndbeashappyasImight. VIII "ButstrangeamItohappiness 'Tisforeigntomycastofthought Meyourperfectionswouldnotbless Iamnotworthytheminaught Andhonestly'tismybelief

Ourunionwouldproducebutgrief. Thoughnowmylovemightbeintense, Habitwouldbringindifference. Iseeyouweep.Thosetearsofyours Tendnotmyhearttomitigate, Butmerelytoexasperate Judgethenwhatroseswouldbeours, WhatpleasuresHymenwouldprepare Forus,maybeformanyayear. IX "Whatcanbedrearierthanthehouse, Whereinthemiserablewife Deploresamostunworthyspouse Andleadsasolitarylife? Thetiresomeman,hervalueknowing, Yetcursesonhisfatebestowing, Isfulloffrigidjealousy, Mute,solemn,frowninggloomily. SuchamI.Thisdidyeexpect, Wheninsimplicityyewrote Yourinnocentandcharmingnote Withsomuchwarmthandintellect? Hathfateapportioneduntothee Thislotinlifewithsterndecree? X "Ideasandtimene'erbackwardmove MysoulIcannotrenovate Iloveyouwithabrother'slove, Perchanceonemoreaffectionate. Listentomewithoutdisdain. Amaidhathoft,mayyetagain Replacethevisionsfancydrew Thustreesinspringtheirleavesrenew Asintheirturntheseasonsroll. 'TisevidentlyHeaven'swill Youfallinloveagain.Butstill Learntopossessmoreselfcontrol. Notallwilllikemyselfproceed Andthoughtlessnesstowoemightlead." XI

ThusdidourfriendOneguinepreach: Tattiana,dimwithtearshereyes, Attentivelistenedtohisspeech, Allbreathlessandwithoutreplies. Hisarmheoffers.Muteandsad (Mechanically,letusadd), Tattianadothaccepthisaid And,hangingdownherhead,themaid Aroundthegardenhomewardhies. Togethertheyreturned,norword Of censureforthesameincurred Thecountryhathitsliberties Andprivilegesniceallowed, EvenasMoscow,cityproud. XII Confess,Oyewhothisperuse, Oneguineactedverywell BypoorTattianaintheblues 'Twasnotthefirsttime,Icantell You,heanobleminddisclosed, Thoughsomemen,evillydisposed, Sparedhimnottheirasperities. Hisfriendsandalsoenemies (Oneandthesamethingitmaybe) Esteemedhimmuchastheworldgoes. Yes!everyonemusthavehisfoes, ButLord!fromfriendsdeliverme! Thedeucetakefriends,myfriends,amends I'vehadtomakeforhavingfriends! XIII Buthow?Quiteso.ThoughIdismiss Dark,unavailingreverie, Ijusthint,inparenthesis, Thereisnostupidcalumny Bornofababblerinaloft Andbytheworldrepeatedoft, Thereisnofishmarketretort Andnoridiculousreport, Whichyourtruefriendwithasweetsmile Wherefashionablecirclesmeet Ahundredtimeswillnotrepeat, Quiteinadvertentlymeanwhile

Andyetheinyourcausewouldstrive Andlovesyouasarelative! XIV Ahem!Ahem!Myreadernoble, Areallyourrelativesquitewell? Permitmeisitworththetrouble Foryourinstructionheretotell WhatIbyrelativesconceive? Theseareyourrelatives,believe: Thosewhomweoughttolove,caress, Withspiritualtenderness Whom,asthecustomisofmen, WevisitaboutChristmasDay, Orbyacardourhomagepay, ThatuntilChristmascomesagain Theymayforgetthatweexist. AndsoGodblessthem,ifHelist. XV Inthistheloveofthefairsex Beatsthatoffriendsandrelatives: Inlove,althoughitstempestsvex, Ourlibertyatleastsurvives: Agreed!butthenthewhirloffashion, Thenaturalficklenessofpassion, Thetorrentofopinion, Andthefairsexaslightasdown! Besidesthehobbiesofaspouse Shouldberespectedthroughoutlife Byeverypropermindedwife, Andthisthefaithfuloneallows, Wheninasinstantsheislost, Satanwilljest,andatlove'scost. XVI Oh!wherebestowourlove?Whomtrust? Whereishewhodothnotdeceive? Whowordsandactionswilladjust Tostandardsinwhichwebelieve? Oh!whoisnotcalumnious? Wholabourshardtohumourus? Towhomareourmisfortunesgrief

Andwhoisnotatiresomethief? Myveneratedreader,oh! Ceasethepursuitofshadowsvain, Spareyourselfunavailingpain Andallyourloveonselfbestow Aworthyobject'tis,andwell Iknowthere'snonemoreamiable. XVII Butfromtheinterviewwhatflowed? Alas!Itisnothardtoguess. Theinsensatefireoflovestillglowed Nordiscontinuedtodistress Aspiritwhichforsorrowyearned. Tattianamorethaneverburned Withhopelesspassion:fromherbed Sweetslumberwingeditswayandfled. Herhealth,life'ssweetnessanditsbloom, Hersmileandmaidenlyrepose, Allvanishedasanechogoes. Acrossheryouthashadehadcome, Aswhenthetempest'sveilisdrawn Acrossthesmilingfaceofdawn. XVIII Alas!Tattianafadesaway, Growspaleandsinks,butnothingsays Listlessisshethelivelongday Norinterestinaughtbetrays. Shakingwithseriousairthehead, Inwhisperslowtheneighbourssaid: 'Tistimeshetothealtarwent! Butenough!Now,'tismyintent Theimaginationtoenliven Withlovewhichhappinessextends Againstmyinclination,friends, BysympathyIhavebeen driven. Forgiveme!SuchtheloveIbear Myheroine,Tattianadear. XIX Vladimir,hourlymoreaslave ToyouthfulOlga'sbeautybright,

Intodeliciousbondagegave Hisardentsoulwithfulldelight. Alwaystogether,eventide Foundthemindarknesssidebyside, Atmorn,handclaspedinhand,theyrove Aroundthemeadowandthegrove. Andwhatresulted?Drunkwithlove, Butwithconfusedandbashfulair, Lenskiatintervalswoulddare, IfOlgasmilinglyapprove, Dallywithadishevelledtress Orkisstheborderofherdress. XX ToOlgafrequentlyhewould Someniceinstructivenovelread, Whoseauthornatureunderstood BetterthanChateaubrianddid Yetsometimespagestwoorthree (Nonsenseandpureabsurdity, Formaiden'shearingdeemedunfit), Hesomewhatblushingwouldomit: Farfromtherestthepairwouldcreep And(elbowsonthetable)they Agameofchesswouldoftenplay, Buriedinmeditationdeep, TillabsentlyVladimirtook Withhisownpawnalas!hisrook! XXI Homewardreturning,heathome IsoccupiedwithOlgafair, Analbum,flyleafofthetome, Heleisurelyadornsforher. Landscapesthereonhewoulddesign, Atombstone,Aphrodite'sshrine, Or,withapenandcoloursfit, Adovewhichonalyredothsit The"inmemoriam"pagessought, Wheremanyanotherhandhadsigned Atendercouplethecombined, Aregisteroffleetingthought, Aflimsytraceofmusingspast Whichmightformanyageslast.

XXII Surelyyeallhaveoverhauled Acountrydamsel'salbumtrim, Whichallherdarlingfriendshavescrawled Fromfirsttolastpagetotherim. Behold!orthographydespising, Metrelessversesrecognizing Byfriendshiphowtheywereabused, Hewn,hacked,andotherwiseillused. Upontheopeningpageyefind: Qu'ecrirervouzsurcestablettes? Subscribed,toujoursavous,Annette Andonthelastone,underlined: Whointhylovefindsmoredelight Beyondthismayattempttowrite. XXIII Infalliblyyoutherewillfind Twohearts,atorch,offlowersawreath, Andvowswillprobablybesigned: Affectionatelyyourstilldeath. Somearmypoetthereinmay Havesmuggledhisflagitiouslay. Insuchanalbumwithdelight Iwould,myfriends,inscriptionswrite, BecauseIshouldbesure,meanwhile, Myverses,kindlymeant,wouldearn Delightedglancesinreturn Thatafterwardswithevilsmile Theywouldnotsolemnlydebate IfcleverlyornotIprate. XXIV But,Oyetomeswithoutcompare, Whichfromthedevil'sbookcasestart, Albumsmagnificentwhichscare Thefashionablerhymester'sheart! Yea!althoughrenderedbeauteous ByTolstoy'spencilmarvellous, ThoughBaratynskiversespenned,(45) Thethunderboltonyoudescend! Whene'erabrilliantcourtlydame

Presentsherquartoamiably, Despairandangerseizeonme, Andamaliciousepigram Tremblesuponmylipsfromspite, AndmadrigalsI'maskedtowrite! [Note45:CountTolstoy,acelebratedartistwhosubsequently becameVicePresidentof theAcademyofArtsatSt.Petersburg.Baratynski,seeNote43.] XXV ButLenskimadrigalsne'erwrote InOlga'salbum,youthfulmaid, Topurestlovehetunedhisnote Norfrigidadulationpaid. Whatneverwasremarkedorheard OfOlgaheinsongaverred Hiselegies,whichplenteousstreamed, Bothnaturalandtruthfulseemed. Thusthou,Yazykoff,dostarise(46) Inamorousflightswhensoinspired, SingingGodknowswhatmaidadmired, Andallthypreciouselegies, Sometimecollected,shallrelate Thestoryofthylifeandfate. [Note46:Yazykoff,apoetcontemporarywithPushkin.Hewasanauthorofpromise unfulfilled.] XXVI SinceFameandFreedomheadored, IncitedbyhisstormyMuse OdesLenskialsohadoutpoured, ButOlgawouldnotsuchperuse. Whenpoetslachrymoserecite Beneaththeeyesofladiesbright Theirownproductions,someinsist Nogreaterpleasurecan exist Justso!thatmodestswainisblest Whoreadshisvisionarytheme Tothefairobjectofhisdream, Abeautylanguidlyatrest, Yes,happythoughsheathisside Byotherthoughtsbeoccupied.

XXVII ButItheproductsofmyMuse, Consistingofharmoniouslays, Tomyoldnursealoneperuse, Companionofmychildhood'sdays. Or,afterdinner'sdullrepast, Ibythebuttonholeseizefast Myneighbour,whobychancedrewnear, Andbreatheadramainhisear. Orelse(Idealnothereinjokes), Exhaustedbymywoesandrhymes, Isailuponmylakeattimes Andterrifyaswarmofducks, Who,heardthemusicofmylay, Taketotheirwingsandflyaway. XXVIII ButtoOneguine! Apropos! Friends,Imustyourindulgencepray. Hisdailyoccupations,lo! MinutelyIwillnowportray. Ahermit'slifeOneguineled, Atseveninsummerrosefrombed, Andcladinairycostumetook Hiscourseuntotherunningbrook. There,apingGulnare'sbard,hespanned HisHellespontfrombanktobank, Andthenacupofcoffeedrank, Somewretchedjournalinhishand Thendressedhimself...(*) [Note:Stanzaleftunfinishedbytheauthor.] XXIX Soundsleep,books,walking,werehisbliss, Themurmuringbrook,thewoodlandshade, Theuncontaminatedkiss Ofayoungdarkeyedcountrymaid, Afiery,yetwellbrokenhorse, Adinner,whimsicaleachcourse, Abottleofavintagewhite Andsolitudeandcalmdelight. SuchwasOneguine'ssaintedlife,

Andsuchunconsciouslyheled, Normarkedhowsummer'sprimehadfled Inaimlesseaseandfarfromstrife, Thecurseofcommonplacedelight. Andtownandfriendsforgottenquite. XXX Thisnorthernsummerofourown, Onwintersofthesouthaskit, Glimmersanddies.Thisiswellknown, Thoughwewillnotacknowledgeit. AlreadyAutumnchilledthesky, Thetinysunshonelessonhigh Andshorterhadthedaysbecome. Theforestsinmysteriousgloom Werestrippedwithmelancholysound, Upontheearthamistdidlie Andmanyacaravanonhigh Ofclamorousgeeseflewsouthwardbound. Awearyseasonwasathand Novemberatthegatedidstand. XXXI Themornarisesfoggy,cold, Thesilentfieldsnopeasantnears, Thewolfuponthehighwaysbold Withhisferociousmateappears. Detectinghimthepassinghorse snorts,andhisriderbendshiscourse Andwiselygallopstothehill. Nomoreatdawntheshepherdwill Driveoutthecattlefromtheirshed, Noratthehourofnoonwithsound Ofhornincirclecallthemround. Singinginsideherhutthemaid Spins,whilstthefriendofwintrynight, Thepinetorch,byhercracklesbright. XXXII Alreadycrisphoarfrostsimpose O'erallasheetofsilverydust (Readersexpecttherhymeof rose, There!takeitquickly,ifyemust).

Behold!thanpolishedfloormorenice Theshiningriverclothedinice Ajoyoustroopoflittleboys Engravetheicewithstridentnoise. Aheavygooseonscarletfeet, Thinkingtofloatuponthestream, Descendsthebankwithcareextreme, Butstaggers,slips,andfalls.Wegreet Thefirstbrightwreathingstormofsnow Whichfallsinstarryflakesbelow. XXXIII Howinthecountrypassthistime? Walking?Thelandscapetirestheeye Inwinterbyitsblankanddim Andnakeduniformity. Onhorsebackgallopo'erthesteppe! Yoursteed,thoughroughshod,cannotkeep Hisfootingonthetreacherousrime Andmayfallheadlonganytime. Alonebeneathyourrooftreestay AndreadDePradtorWalterScott!(47) Keepyouraccounts!You'drathernot? Thengetmaddrunkorwroththeday Willpassthesametomorrowtry You'llspendyourwinterfamously! [Note47:TheAbbedePradt:b.1759,d.1837.Apolitical pamphleteeroftheFrench Revolution:wasatfirstanemigre,butmadehispeacewithNapoleonandwasappointed ArchbishopofMalines.] XXXIV AtrueChildeHaroldmyEugene Toidlemusingwasaprey Atmornanicybathwithin Hesat,andthenthelivelongday, Alonewithinhishabitation Andburieddeepinmeditation, Heroundthebilliardtablestalked, Theballsimpelled,thebluntcuechalked Wheneveningo'erthelandscapelooms, Billiardsabandoned,cueforgot, Atabletothefireisbrought, Andhewaitsdinner.Lenskicomes,

Drivingabreastthreehorsesgray. "Bringdinnernowwithoutdelay!" XXXV Uponthetableinatrice OfwidowClicquotorMoet Ablessedbottle,placedinice, Fortheyoungpoettheydisplay. LikeHippocreneitscatterslight, Itsebullitionfoamingwhite (LikeotherthingsIcouldrelate) Myheartofoldwouldcaptivate. ThelastpoorobolIwasworth Wasitnotso?fortheeIgave, Andthyinebriatingwave Fullmanyafoolishprankbroughtforth Andoh!whatverses,whatdelights, Deliciousvisions,jestsandfights! XXXVI Alas!mystomachitbetrays Withitsexhilaratingflow, AndIconfessthatnowadays IprefersensibleBordeaux. TocopewithAynomoreIdare, ForAyislikeamistressfair, Seductive,animated,bright, Butwilful,frivolous,andlight. Butthou,Bordeaux,artlikethefriend Whointheagonyofgrief Iseverreadywithrelief, Assistanceeverwillextend, Orquietlypartakeourwoe. Allhail!mygoodoldfriendBordeaux! XXXVII Thefiresinkslow.Anashycloak Thegoldenembernowenshrines, Andbarelyvisiblethesmoke Upwardinathinstreaminclines. Butlittlewarmththefireplacelends, Tobaccosmoketheflueascends, Thegobletstillisbubblingbright

Outsidedescendthemistsofnight. Howpleasantlytheeveningjogs Wheno'eraglasswithfriendsweprate Justatthehourwedesignate Thetimebetweenthewolfanddogs Icannottellonwhatpretence Butlo! thefriendstochatcommence. XXXVIII "Howareourneighboursfair,praytell, Tattiana,saucyOlgathine?" "Thefamilyareallquitewell Givemejusthalfaglassofwine Theysenttheircomplimentsbutoh! HowcharmingOlga'sshouldersgrow! Herfigureperfectgrowswithtime! Sheisanangel!Wesometime Mustvisitthem.Come!youmustown, Myfriend,'tisbuttopayadebt, Fortwiceyoucametothemandyet Youneversinceyournosehaveshown. Butstay!AdoltamIwhospeak! Theyhaveinvitedyouthisweek." XXXIX "Me?""Yes!ItisTattiana'sfete NextSaturday.TheLarina Toldmetoaskyou.Erethatdate Makeupyourmindtogothere.""Ah! Itwillbebyamobbeset Ofeverysortandeveryset!" "Notintheleast,assuredamI!" "Whowillbethere?""Thefamily. Domeafavourandappear. Willyou?""Agreed.""Ithankyou,friend," AndsayingthisVladimirdrained Hiscupuntohismaidendear. ThentouchingOlgatheydepart Infreshdiscourse.Such,love,thouart! XL Hewasmostgay.Thehappydate Inthreeweekswouldarriveforthem

Thesecretsofthemarriagestate Andlove'sdeliciousdiadem Withrapturouslongingheawaits, Norinhisdreamsanticipates Hymen'sembarrassments,distress, Andfreezingfitsofweariness. Thoughwe,ofHymenfoes,meanwhile, Inlifedomesticseeastring Ofpicturespainfulharrowing, AnovelinLafontaine'sstyle, MywretchedLenski'sfateImourn, Heseemedformatrimonyborn. XLI Hewasbeloved:orsayatleast, Hethoughtso,andexistencecharmed. Thecredulousindeedareblest, Andhewho,jealousydisarmed, Insensualsweetshissouldothsteep Asdrunkentrampsatnightfallsleep, Or,parablemoreflattering, Asbutterfliestoblossomscling. Butwretchedwhoanticipates, Whosebrainnofondillusionsdaze, Whoeverygesture,everyphrase Intrueinterpretationhates: Whoseheartexperienceicymade Andyetoblivionforbade.

EndofCantoTheFourth

CANTOTHEFIFTH
TheFete 'Oh,donotdreamthesefearfuldreams, OmySvetlana.'Joukovski CantoTheFifth [Note:Mikhailovskoe,18256] I Thatyeartheautumnseasonlate Keptlingeringonasloathtogo, AllNaturewinterseemedtoawait, TillJanuaryfellnosnow Thethirdatnight.Tattianawakes Betimes,andsees,whenmorningbreaks, Park,garden,palings,yardbelow Androofsnearmornblanchedo'erwithsnow Uponthewindowstracery, Thetreesinsilveryarray, Downinthecourtyardmagpiesgay, Andthefarmountainsdaintily O'erspreadwithWinter'scarpetbright, Allsodistinct,andallsowhite! II Winter!Thepeasantblithelygoes Tolabourinhissledgeforgot, Hisponysniffingthefreshsnows Justmanagesafeebletrot Thoughdeephesinksintothedrift Forththekibitkagallopsswift,(48) Itsdriverseatedon therim Inscarletsashandsheepskintrim Yonderthehouseholdladdothrun, Placedinasledgehisterrierblack, Himselftransformedintoahack Tofreezehisfingerhathbegun, Helaughs,althoughitachesfromcold, Hismotherfromthedoordothscold.

[Note48:The"kibitka,"properlyspeaking,whetheronwheelsorrunners,isavehicle withahoodnotunlikeabigcradle.] III Inscenesliketheseitmaybethough, Yefeelbutlittleinterest, Theyareallnaturalandlow, Arenotwitheleganceimpressed. Anotherbardwithartdivine Hathpicturedinhisgorgeousline Thefirstappearanceofthesnows AndallthejoyswhichWinterknows. Hewilldelightyou,Iamsure, Whenheinardentverseportrays Secretexcursionsmadeinsleighs ButcompetitionIabjure Eitherwithhimortheeinsong, BardoftheFinnishmaidenyoung.(49) [Note49:Theallusionsintheforegoingstanzaareinthefirstplacetoapoementitled "TheFirstSnow,"byPrinceViazemski andsecondlyto"Eda,"byBaratynski,apoem descriptiveoflifeinFinland.] IV Tattiana,Russiantothecore, Herselfnotknowingwellthereason, TheRussianwinterdidadore Andthecoldbeautiesoftheseason: Onsunnydaystheglisteningrime, Sledging,thesnows,whichatthetime Ofsunsetglowwithrosylight, ThemistyeveningsereTwelfthNight. Theseeveningsasindaysofold TheLarinaswouldcelebrate, Theservantsusedtocongregate Andtheyoungladiesfortunestold, Andeveryyeardistributed Journeysandwarriorstowed. V Tattianaintraditionsold Believed,thepeople'swisdomweird, Indreamsandwhatthemoonforetold

Andwhatshefromthecardsinferred. Omensinspiredhersoulwithfear, Mysteriouslyallobjectsnear Ahiddenmeaningcouldimpart, Presentimentsoppressedherheart. Lo!theprimcatuponthestove Withonepawstrokesherfaceandpurrs, Tattianacertainlyinfers Thatguestsapproach:andwhenabove Thenewmoon'screscentslimshespied, Suddenlytothelefthandside, VI Shetrembledandgrewdeadlypale. Oraswiftmeteor,maybe, Acrossthegloomofheavenwouldsail Anddisappearinspacethenshe Wouldhasteinagitationdire Tomutterherconcealeddesire Erethebrightmessengerhadset. Wheninherwalksabroadshemet Afriarblackapproachingnear,(50) Oraswiftharefrommeadtomead Hadrunacrossherpathatspeed, Whollybesideherselfwithfear, Anticipatingwoeshepined, Certainmisfortunenearopined. [Note50:TheRussianclergyaredividedintotwoclasses:thewhiteorsecular,whichis madeupofthemassofparish priests,andtheblackwhoinhabitthemonasteries,furnish thehighdignitariesoftheChurch,andconstitutethatswarm ofuselessdronesforwhom PetertheGreatfeltsuchadeeprepugnance.] VII Wherefore?Shefoundasecretjoy Inhorrorforitselfalone, ThusNaturedothoursoulsalloy, Thusherperversityhathshown. TwelfthNightapproaches.Merryeves!(51) Whenthoughtlessyouthwhomnothinggrieves, Beforewhoseinexperiencedsight Lifeliesextended,vastandbright, Topeerintothefuturetries. Oldagethroughspectaclestoopeers,

Althoughthedestinedcoffinnears, Havinglostallinlifeweprize. Itmattersnot.Hopee'entothese Withchildlikelispwilllietoplease. [Note51:Referstothe"Sviatki"orHolyNightsbetweenChristmasEveandTwelfth Night.Divination,orthetellingoffortunesbyvariousexpedients,isthefavourite pastimeontheseoccasions.] VIII Tattianagazedwithcuriouseye Onmeltedwaxinwaterpoured Theclueuntosomemystery Shedeemeditsoutlinemightafford. Ringsfromadishofwaterfull Inorderduethemaidenspull ButwhenTattiana'shandhadta'en Aringsheheardtheancientstrain: Thepeasantstherearerichaskings, Theyshovelsilverwithaspade, Hewhomwesingtoshallbemade Happyandglorious.Butthisbrings Withsadrefrainmisfortunenear. Girlsthekashourkamuchprefer.(52) [Note52:Duringthe"sviatki"itisacommoncustomforthegirlstoassemblearounda tableonwhichisplacedadish orbasinofwaterwhichcontainsaring.Eachinherturn extractstheringfromthebasinwhilsttheremaindersinginchorusthe"podbliudni pessni,"or"dishsongs"beforementioned.Thesearepopularlysupposedtoindicatethe fortunesoftheimmediateholderofthering.Thefirstnamedlinesforeshadowdeaththe latter,the"kashourka,"or"kittensong,"indicatesapproachingmarriage.Itcommences thus:"Thecataskedthekittentosleeponthestove."] IX Frostythenighttheheavensshone Thewondroushostofheavenlyspheres Sailedsilentlyinunison Tattianaintheyardappears Inahalfopendressinggown Andbendshermirroronthemoon, Buttremblingonthemirrordark Thesadmoononlycouldremark. List!thesnowcruncheshedrawsnigh! Thegirlontiptoeforwardbounds

Andhervoicesweeterthanthesounds Ofclarinetorflutedothcry: "Whatisyourname?"Theboorlookeddazed, And"Agathon"replied,amazed.(53) [Note53:Thesuperstitionisthatthenameofthefuturehusbandmay thusbe discovered.] X Tattiana(nursetheprojectplanned) Bynightpreparedforsorcery, Andinthebathroomdidcommand Tolaytwocoverssecretly. ButsuddenfearassailedTattiana, AndI,rememberingSvetlana,(54) Becomealarmed.Sonevermind! I'm notforwitchcraftnowinclined. Soshehersilkensashunlaced, Undressedherselfandwenttobed AndsoonLelhoveredo'erherhead.(55) Beneathherdownypillowplaced, Alittlevirginmirrorpeeps. 'Tissilentall.Tattianasleeps. [Note54:SeeNote30.] [Note55:Lel,inSlavonicmythology,correspondstotheMorpheusoftheLatins.The wordisevidentlyconnectedwiththeverb "leleyat"tofondleorsoothe,likewisewithour ownword"tolull."] XI AdreadfulsleepTattianasleeps. Shedreamtshejourneyedo'erafield Allcoveredupwithsnowinheaps, Bymelancholyfogsconcealed. Amidthesnowdriftswhichsurround Astream,bywinter'siceunbound, Impetuouslycloveitsway Withboilingtorrentdarkandgray Twopolestogethergluedbyice, Afragilebridgeandinsecure, Spannedtheunbridledtorrento'er Besidethethunderingabyss Tattianaindespairunfeigned

Rooteduntothespotremained. XII Asifagainstobstructionsore Tattianao'erthestreamcomplained Tohelphertotheothershore Nooneappearedtolendahand. Butsuddenlyasnowdriftstirs, Andwhatfromitsrecessappears? Abristlybearofmonstroussize! Heroars,and"Ah!"Tattianacries. Heoffersherhismurderouspaw Shenervesherselffromheralarm Andleansuponthemonster'sarm, Withfootstepstremulouswithawe PassesthetorrentButalack! Bruinismarchingatherback! XIII She,toturnbackhereyesafraid, Acceleratesherhastypace, Butcannotanyhowevade Hershaggymyrmidoninchase. Thebearrollsonwithmanyagrunt: Aforestnowsheseesinfront Withfirtreesstandingmotionless Inmelancholyloveliness, Theirbranchesbythesnowboweddown. Throughaspens,limesandbirchesbare, Theshiningorbsofnightappear Thereisnopaththestormhathstrewn Bothbushandbrake,ravineandsteep, Andallinsnowisburieddeep. XIV Thewoodsheentersbearbehind, Insnowshesinksuptotheknee Nowalongbranchitselfentwined Aroundherneck,nowviolently Awayhergoldenearringstore Nowthesweetlittleshoesshewore, Grownclammy,stickfastinthesnow Herhandkerchiefshelosesnow

Notimetopickitup!afraid, Shehearsthebearbehindherpress, Nordarestheskirtingofherdress Forshameliftupthemodestmaid. Sheruns,thebearuponhertrail, Untilherpowersofrunningfail. XV Shesankuponthesnow.ButBruin Adroitlyseizedandcarriedher Submissiveasifinaswoon, Shecannotdrawabreathorstir. Hedraggedherbyaforestroad Tillamidtreesahovelshowed, Bybarrensnowheapedupandbound, Atangledwildernessaround. Brightblazedthewindowoftheplace, Withinresoundedshriekandshout: "Mychumliveshere,"Bruingruntsout. "Warmyourselfherealittlespace!" Straightfortheentrancethenhemade Andheruponthethresholdlaid. XVI Recovering,Taniagazesround Beargonesheatthethresholdplaced Insideclinkglasses,criesresound Asifitweresomefuneralfeast. Butdeemingallthisnonsensepure, Shepeepedthroughachinkofthedoor. Whatdothshesee?Aroundtheboard Sitmanymonstrousshapesabhorred. Acaninefacewithhornsthereon, Anotherwithcock'sheadappeared, Hereanoldwitchwithhirsutebeard, Thereanimperiousskeleton Adwarfadornedwithtail,again Ashapehalfcatandhalfacrane. XVII Yetghastlier,yetmorewonderful, Acrabuponaspiderrides, Perchedonagoose'sneckaskull

Inscarletcaprevolvingglides. Awindmilltooajigperforms Andwildlywavesitsarmsandstorms Barking,songs,whistling,laughtercoarse, Thespeechofmanandtrampofhorse. ButwideTattianaopedhereyes Wheninthatcompanyshesaw Himwhoinspiredbothloveandawe, Theheroweimmortalize. Oneguinesatthetableby Andviewedthedoorwithcunningeye. XVIII Allbustlewhenhemakesasign: Hedrinks,alldrinkandloudlycall Hesmiles,inlaughterallcombine Heknitshisbrows'tissilentall. Hethereismasterthatisplain Tattianacouragedothregain Andgrownmorecuriousbyfar Justplacedtheentrancedoorajar. Thewindroseinstantly,blewout Thefireofthenocturnallights Atroublefelluponthesprites Oneguinelightningglancesshot Furioushefromthetablerose Allarise.Tothedoorhegoes. XIX Terrorassailsher.Hastily Tattianawouldattempttofly, Shecannotthenimpatiently Shestrainsherthroattoforceacry ShecannotEugeneopedthedoor Andtheyounggirlappearedbefore Thosehellishphantoms.Pealsarise Offranticlaughter,andalleyes Andhoofsandcrookedsnoutsandpaws, Tailswhichabushytuftadorns, Whiskersandbloodytonguesandhorns, Sharprowsoftushes,bonyclaws, Areturneduponher.Allcombine Inonegreatshout:she'smine!she'smine!

XX "Mine!"criedEugenewithsavagetone. Thetroopofapparitionsfled, Andinthefrostynightalone Remainedwithhimtheyouthfulmaid. WithtranquilairOneguineleads Tattianatoacorner,bids Heronashakybenchsitdown Hisheadsinksslowly,restsupon HershoulderOlgaswiftlycame AndLenskifollowedalightbroke HisfistOneguinefiercelyshook Andgazedaroundwitheyesofflame Theunbiddenguestsheroughlychides Tattianamotionlessabides. XXI ThestrifegrewfuriousandEugene Graspedalongknifeandinstantly StruckLenskideadacrossthescene Darkshadowsthickenadreadcry Wasuttered,andthecabinshook Tattianaterrifiedawoke. Shegazedaroundheritwasday. Lo!throughthefrozenwindowsplay Aurora'sruddyraysoflight ThedoorflewopenOlgacame, MorebloomingthantheBorealflame Andswifterthantheswallow'sflight. "Come,"shecried,"sister,tellmee'en Whomyouinslumbermayhaveseen." XXII Butshe,hersisterneverheeding, Withbookinhandreclinedinbed, Pageafterpagecontinuedreading, Butnoreplyuntohermade. Althoughherbookdidnotcontain Thebard'senthusiasticstrain, Norpreceptssagenorpicturese'en, YetneitherVirgilnorRacine NorByron,WalterScott,norSeneca, NortheJournaldesModes,Ivouch,

Everabsorbedamaidsomuch: Itsname,myfriends,wasMartinZadeka, ThechiefoftheChaldeanwise, Whodreamsexpoundandprophecies. XXIII Broughtbyapedlarvagabond Untotheirsolitudeoneday, Thismonumentofthoughtprofound Tattianapurchasedwithastray Tomeof"Malvina,"andbutthree(56) Andahalfrublesdowngaveshe Also,toequalisethescales, Shegotabookofnurserytales, Agrammar,likewisePetriadstwo, Marmontelalso,tomethethird Tattianaeverydayconferred WithMartinZadeka.Inwoe Sheconsolationthenceobtained Inseparabletheyremained. [Note56:"Malvina,"aromancebyMadameCottin.] XXIV Thedreamleftterrorinitstrain. Notknowingitsinterpretation, Taniathemeaningwouldobtain Ofsuchadreadhallucination. Tattianatotheindexflies Andalphabeticallytries Thewordsbear,bridge,fir,darkness,bog, Raven,snowstorm,tempest,fog, Etceterabutnothingshowed HerMartinZadekainaid, Thoughthefoulvisionpromisemade Ofamostmournfulepisode, Andmanyadaythereafterlaid Aloadofcareuponthemaid. XXV "Butlo!forthfromthevalleysdun WithpurplehandAuroraleads, Swiftfollowinginherwake,thesun,"(57)

Andagrandfestivalproceeds. TheLarinasweresincesunrise O'erwhelmedwithguestsbyfamilies Theneighbourscome,insledgeapproach, Britzka,kibitka,orincoach. Crushandconfusioninthehall, Latestarrivals'salutations, Barking,youngladies'osculations, Shouts,laughter,jamming'gainstthewall, Bowsandthescrapeofmanyfeet, Nurseswhoscreamandbabeswhobleat. [Note57:TheabovethreelinesareaparodyontheturgidstyleofLomonossoff,a literarymanofthesecondCatherine'sera.] XXVI Bringinghispartnercorpulent FatPoustiakoffdrovetothedoor Gvozdine,alandlordexcellent, Oppressorof thewretchedpoor AndtheSkatenines,agedpair, Withalltheirprogenywerethere, Whofromtwoyearstothirtytell Petoushkoff,theprovincialswell Bouyanofftoo,mycousin,wore(58) Hiswaddedcoatandcapwithpeak (SurelyyouknowhimasIspeak) AndFlianoff,pensionedcouncillor, Rogueandextortionerofyore, Nowbuffoon,glutton,andabore. [Note58:PushkincallsBouyanoffhiscousinbecauseheisacharacterinthe"Dangerous Neighbour,"apoembyVassili Pushkin,thepoet'suncle.] XXVII ThefamilyofKharlikoff, CamewithMonsieurTriquet,aprig, WhoarrivedlatelyfromTamboff, Inspectaclesandchestnutwig. LikeatrueFrenchman,coupletswrought InTania'spraiseinpouchhebrought, Knownuntochildrenperfectly: Reveillezvouz,belleendormie. Amongsomeancientballadsthrust,

Hefoundtheminanalmanac, AndthesagaciousTriquetback Tolighthadbroughtthemfromtheirdust, Whilsthe"belleNina"hadtheface By"belleTattiana"toreplace. XXVIII Lo!fromthenearestbarrackcame, Ofoldmaidsthedivinity, Andcomfortofeachcountrydame, Thecaptainofacompany. Heenters.Ah!goodnewstoday! Themilitarybandwillplay. Thecolonelsentit.Oh!delight! Sotherewillbeadancetonight. Girlsinanticipationskip! Butdinnertimecomes.Twoandtwo Theyhandinhandtotablego. ThemaidsbesideTattianakeep Menopposite.Thecrosstheysign Andchatteringloudsitdowntodine. XXIX Ceasedforaspaceallchattering. Jawsareatwork.Oneveryside Plates,knivesandforksareclattering Andringingwineglassesareplied. Butbydegreesthecrowdbegin Toraiseaclamourandadin: Theylaugh,theyargue,andtheybawl, Theyshoutandnoonelistsatall. Thedoorsswingopen:Lenskimakes HisentrancewithOneguine."Ah! Atlasttheauthor!"criesMamma. Theguestsmakeroomasideeachtakes Hischair,plate,knifeandforkinhaste Thefriendsarecalledandquicklyplaced. XXX RightoppositeTattianaplaced, She,thanthemorningmoonmorepale, Moretimidthanadoelongchased, Liftsnothereyeswhichswimmingfail.

Anewtheflamesofpassionstart Withinhersheissickatheart Thetwofriends'complimentsshehears Not,andafloodofbittertears Witheffortsherestrains.Wellnigh Thepoorgirlfellintoafaint, Butstrengthofmindandselfrestraint Prevailedatlast.Sheinreply Saidsomethinginanundertone Andatthetablesatherdown. XXXI Totragedy,thefaintingfit, Andfemaletearshysterical, Oneguinecouldnotnowsubmit, Forlonghehadenduredthemall. Ourmisanthropewasfullofire, Atagreatfeastagainstdesire, AndmarkingTania'sagitation, Castdownhiseyesintrepidation Andsulkedinsilentindignation SwearinghowLenskihewouldrile, Avengehimselfinproperstyle. Triumphantbyanticipation, Caricatureshenowdesigned Ofalltheguestswithinhismind. XXXII CertainlynotEugenealone Tattiana'stroublemighthavespied, Butthattheeyesofeveryone Byarichpiewereoccupied Unhappilytoosaltbyfar Andthatabottlesealedwithtar Appeared,Don'seffervescingboast,(59) Betweentheblancmangeandtheroast Behind,ofglassesanarray, Tall,slender,likethyformdesigned, Zizi,thoumirrorofmymind, Fairobjectofmyguilelesslay, Seductivecupoflove,whoseflow Mademesotipsylongago!

[Note59:TheDonskoeChampanskoeisaspeciesofsparklingwinemanufacturedinthe vicinityoftheriverDon.] XXXIII Fromthemoistcorkthebottlefreed Withloudexplosion,thebrightwine Hissedforth.Withseriousairindeed, Longtorturedbyhislaydivine, Triquetarose,andforthebard Thecompanydeepsilenceguard. Taniawellnighexpiredwhenhe Turnedtoheranddiscordantly Intonedit,manuscriptinhand. Voicesandhandsapplaud,andshe Mustbowincommoncourtesy Thepoet,modestthoughsogrand, Dranktoherhealthinthefirstplace, Thenhandedherthesongwithgrace. XXXIV Congratulations,toastsresound, Tattianathankstoallreturned, But,whenOneguine'sturncameround, Themaiden'swearyeyewhichyearned, Heragitationanddistress Arousedinhimsometenderness. Hebowedtohernorsilencebroke, Butsomehowthereshoneinhislook Thewitchinglightofsympathy Iknownotifhisheartfeltpain Orifhemeanttoflirtagain, Fromhabitormaliciously, Butkindnessfromhiseyehadbeamed AndtoreviveTattianaseemed. XXXV Thechairsarethrustbackwitharoar, Thecrowduntothedrawingroomspeeds, Asbeeswholeavetheirdaintystore Andseekinbuzzingswarmsthemeads. Contentedandwithvictualsstored, Neighbourbyneighboursatandsnored, Matronsuntothefireplacego,

Maidsinthecornerwhisperlow Behold!greentablesarebroughtforth, Andtestygamestersdoengage Inbostonandthegameofage, Ombre,andwhistallothersworth: Astrongresemblancethesepossess Allsonsofmentalweariness. XXXVI Eightrubberswerealreadyplayed, Eighttimestheheroesofthefight Changeofpositionhadessayed, Whenteawasbrought.'Tismydelight Timetodenotebydinner,tea, Andsupper.Inthecountrywe Cancountthetimewithoutmuchfuss Thestomachdothadmonishus. And,bytheway,Ihereassert Thatforthatmatterinmyverse AsmanydinnersIrehearse, Asofttomeatanddrinkadvert, Asthou,greatHomer,didstofyore, Whomthirtycenturiesadore. XXXVII Iwillwiththydivinity Contendwithknifeandforkandplatter, Butgrantwithmagnanimity I'mbeateninanothermatter Thyheroes,sanguinarywights, Alsothyroughandtumblefights, ThyVenusandthyJupiter, Moreadvantageouslyappear ThancoldOneguine'soddities, Theaspectofalandscapedrear. Ore'enIstomina,mydear, Andfashion'sgayfrivolities ButmyTattiana,onmysoul, IssweeterthanthyHelenfoul. XXXVIII Noonethecontrarywillurge, ThoughforhisHelenMenelaus

Againacenturyshouldscourge Us,andlikeTrojanwarriorsslayus ThougharoundhonouredPriam'sthrone Troy'ssagesshouldinconcertown Oncemore,whensheappearedinsight, ParisandMenelausright. Butas tofighting'twillappear! Forpatience,reader,Imustplead! Alittlefartherpleasetoread Andbenotinadvancesevere. There'llbeafight.Idonotlie. MywordofhonourgivenhaveI. XXXIX Thetea,asIremarked,appeared, Butscarcehadmaidstheirsaucersta'en Wheninthegrandsaloonwasheard Ofbassoonsandofflutesthestrain. Hissoulbycrashofmusicfired, Histeawithrumnomoredesired, TheParisofthosecountryparts ToOlgaPetoushkovadarts: ToTaniaLenskiKharlikova, Amarriageablemaidmatured, ThepoetfromTamboffsecured, BouyanoffwhiskedoffPoustiakova. Alltothegrandsaloonaregone Theballinallitssplendourshone. XL ItriedwhenIbeganthistale, (Seethefirstcantoifyewill), AballinPeter'scapital, TosketchyeinAlbano'sstyle.(60) Butbyfantasticdreamsdistraught, Mymemorywanderedwideandsought Thefeetofmydearladyfriends. Ofeet,where'eryourpathextends Ilongenoughdeceivedhaveerred. TheperfidiesIrecollect Shouldmakememuchmorecircumspect, Reformmebothindeedandword, Andthisfifthcantooughttobe Fromsuchdigressionswhollyfree.

[Note60:FrancescoAlbano,acelebratedpainter,styledthe"Anacreon ofPainting,"was bornatBologna1578,anddiedintheyear1666.] XLI Thewhirlwindofthewaltzsweepsby, Undeviatingandinsane Asgiddyyouth'shilarity Pairafterpairtheracesustain. Themomentforrevenge,meanwhile, Espying,Eugenewithasmile ApproachesOlgaandthepair Amidthecompanycareer. Soonthemaidonachairheseats, Beginstotalkofthisandthat, Butwhentwominutesshehadsat, Againthegiddywaltzrepeats. AllareamazedbutLenskihe Scarcecreditswhathiseyescansee. XLII Hark!themazurka.Intimespast, Whenthemazurkausedtopeal, Allrattledintheballroomvast, Theparquetcrackedbeneaththeheel, Andjoltingjarredthewindowframes. 'Tisnotsonow.Likegentledames Weglidealongafloorofwax. However,themazurkalacks Noughtofitscharmsoriginal Incountrytowns,wherestillitkeeps Itsstamping,capersandhighleaps. Fashionisthereimmutable, Whotyrannizesuswithease, OfmodernRussiansthedisease. XLIII Bouyanoff,wrathfulcousinmine, Untotheheroofthislay OlgaandTanialed.Malign, OneguineOlgaboreaway. Glidinginnegligentcareer, Hebendingwhisperedinherear

Somemadrigalnotwortharush, Andpressedherhandthecrimsonblush Uponhercheekbyadulation Grewbrighterstill.ButLenskihath Seenall,besidehimselfwithwrath, Andhotwithjealousindignation, Tillthemazurka'sclosehestays, Herhandforthecotillonprays. XLIV Shefearsshecannot.Cannot?Why? ShepromisedEugene,orshewould Withgreatdelight.OGodonhigh! Heardhethetruth?Andthusshecould Andcanitbe?Butlateachild Andnowafickleflirtandwild, Cunningalreadytodisplay Andwellinstructedtobetray! Lenskithestrokecouldnotsustain, Atwomankindhegrowledacurse, Departed,orderedouthishorse Andgallopedhome.Butpistolstwain, Apairofbulletsnoughtbeside Hisfateshallpresentlydecide.

ENDOFCANTOTHEFIFTH

CANTOTHESIXTH
TheDuel 'La,sottogiorninubilosiebrevi, Nasceunagenteacui'lmorirnonduole.' Petrarch CantoTheSixth [Mikhailovskoe,1826:thetwofinalstanzaswere,however, writtenatMoscow.] I HavingremarkedVladimir'sflight, Oneguine,boredtodeathagain, ByOlgastood,dejectedquite Andsatisfiedwithvengeanceta'en. Olgabegantolonglikewise ForLenski,soughthimwithhereyes, Andendlessthecotillonseemed Asifsometroubleddreamshedreamed. 'Tisdone.Tosuppertheyproceed. Beddingislaidoutandtoall Assignedalodging,fromthehall(61) Uptotheattic,andallneed Tranquilrepose.Eugenealone Topassthenightathomehathgone. [Note61:HospitalityisanationalvirtueoftheRussians.Onfestaloccasionsinthe countrythewholepartyisusuallyaccommodatedforthenight,orindeedforasmany nightsasdesired,withinthehouseoftheentertainer.Thisofcourseisrenderednecessary bythegreatdistanceswhichseparatetheresidencesofthegentry.Still,thealacritywith whichaRussianhostesswillturnherhousetopsyturvyfortheaccommodationofforty orfiftyguestswouldsomewhatastonishthemistressofamodernBelgravianmansion.] II Allslumber.Inthedrawingroom LoudsnoresthecumbrousPoustiakoff Withbetterhalfascumbersome Gvozdine,Bouyanoff,Petoushkoff AndFlianoff,somewhatindisposed, Onchairsinthesaloonreposed,

WhilstonthefloorMonsieurTriquet Injerseyandinnightcaplay. InOlga'sandTattiana'srooms Layallthegirlsbysleepembraced, Exceptonebythewindowplaced WhompaleDiana'srayillumes MypoorTattianacannotsleep Butstaresintothedarknessdeep. III Hisvisitshehadnotawaited, Hismomentarylovingglance Herinmostsoulhadpenetrated, Andhisstrangeconductatthedance WithOlganorofthisappeared Anexplanation:shewasscared, Alarmedbyjealousagonies: Ahandoficeappearedtoseize(62) Herheart:itseemedadarksomepit Beneathherroaringopenedwide: "Ishallexpire,"Tattianacried, "Butdeathfromhimwillbedelight. Imurmurnot!Whymournfulness? Hecannotgivemehappiness." [Note62:Theremustbeapeculiarappropriatenessinthisexpressionasdescriptiveofthe sensationofextremecold.Mr.Wallacemakesuseofanidenticalphraseindescribingan occasionwhenhewasfrostbittenwhilstsledginginRussia.Hesays(vol.i.p.33):"My furcloakflewopen,thecoldseemedtograspmeintheregionoftheheart,andIfell insensible."] IV Haste,hastethylaggingpace,mystory! Anewacquaintancewemustscan. TheredwellsfiveverstsfromKrasnogory, Vladimir'sproperty,aman WhothrivesthismomentasIwrite, Aphilosophicanchorite: Zaretski,onceabullybold, Agamblingtroopwhenhecontrolled, Chiefrascal,pothousepresident, Nowofafamilythehead, Simpleandkindlyandunwed, Truefriend,landlordbenevolent,

Yea!andamanofhonour,lo! Howperfectdothourepochgrow! V Timewastheflatteringvoiceoffame, Hisruffianbraveryadored, Andtrue,hispistol'sfaultlessaim Anaceatfifteenpacesbored. ButImustaddtowhatIwrite That,tipsyonceinactualfight, HefromhisKalmuckhorsedidleap Inmudandmiretowallowdeep, DrunkasaflyandthustheFrench Avaluablehostagegained, AmodernRegulusunchained, Whotosurrenderdidnotblench ThateverymornatVerrey'scost Threeflasksofwinehemightexhaust. VI Timewas,hisraillerywasgay, Helovedthesimpletontomock, Tomakewisementheidiotplay Openlyor'neathdecentcloak. Yetsometimesthisorthatdeceit Encounteredpunishmentcomplete, Andsometimesintosnaresaswell Himselfjustlikeagreenhornfell. Hecouldindisputationshine Withpungentorobtuseretort, Attimestosilencewouldresort, Attimestalknonsensewithdesign Quarrelsamongyoungfriendshebred Andtothefieldofhonourled VII Orreconciledthem,itmaybe, Andallthethreetobreakfastwent Thenhe'dmalignthemsecretly Withjestandgossipgailyblent. Sedaliatempora.Andbravery (Likelove,anothersortofknavery!) Diminishesasyearsdecline.

But,asIsaid,Zaretskimine Beneathacacias,cherrytrees, Fromstormsprotectionhavingsought, Livedasareallywisemanought, LikeHorace,plantedcabbages, Bothducksandgeeseinplentybred Andlessonstohischildrenread. VIII Hewasnofool,andEugenemine, Tofriendshipmakingnopretence, Admiredhisjudgment,whichwasfine, Pervadedwithmuchcommonsense. Heusuallywasgladtosee Themanandlikedhiscompany, So,whenhecamenextdaytocall, Wasnotsurprisedtherebyatall. But,aftermutualcompliments, Zaretskiwithaknowinggrin, Ereconversationcouldbegin, Theepistlefromthebardpresents. Oneguinetothewindowwent Andscannedinsilenceitscontent. IX Itwasacheery,generous Cartel,orchallengetoafight, Wheretoinlanguagecourteous Lenskihiscomradedidinvite. Oneguine,byfirstimpulsemoved, Turnedandrepliedasitbehoved, Curtlyannouncingforthefray Thathewas"readyanyday." Zaretskirose,norwouldexplain, Hecarednolongertheretostay, Hadmuchtodoathomethatday, Andsodeparted.ButEugene, Thematterbyhisconsciencetried, Waswithhimselfdissatisfied. X Infact,thesubjectanalysed, Withinthatsecretcourtdiscussed,

Inmuchhisconductstigmatized For,fromtheoutset,'twasunjust Tojestashehaddonelasteve, Atimid,shrinkinglovetogrieve. Andoughthenottodisregard Thepoet'smadness?for'tishard Ateighteennottoplaythefool! Sincerelylovinghim,Eugene Assuredlyshouldnothavebeen Conventionality'sdulltool Notamerehot,pugnaciousboy, Butmanofsenseandprobity. XI Hemighthismotiveshavenarrated, Notbristleduplikeawildbeast, Heoughttohaveconciliated Thatyouthfulheart"But,nowatleast, Theopportunityisflown. Besides,aduellistwellknown Hathmixedhimselfintheaffair, Maliciousandaslanderer. Undoubtedly,disdainalone Shouldrecompensehisidlejeers, Butfoolstheircalumniesandsneers" Behold!theworld'sopinion!(63) Ouridol,Honour'smotiveforce, Roundwhichrevolvestheuniverse. [Note63:AlineofGriboyedoff's.(WoefromWit.)] XII Impatient,boilingo'erwithwrath, Thebardhisanswerwaitsathome, Butlo!hisbraggartneighbourhath Triumphantwiththeanswercome. Nowforthejealousyouthwhatjoy! Hefearedthecriminalmighttry Totreatthematterasajest, Usesubterfuge,andthushisbreast Fromthedreadpistolturnaway. Butnowalldoubtwassetaside, Untothewindmillhemustride Tomorrowbeforebreakofday,

Tocockthepistolbarrelbend Onthighortemple,friendonfriend. XIII Resolvedtheflirttocastaway, ThefoamingLenskiwouldrefuse, ToseehisOlgaerethefray Hiswatch,thesuninturnheviews Finallytosthisarmsinair Andlo!heisalreadythere! Hedeemedhiscomingwouldinspire Olgawithtrepidationdire. Hewasdeceived.Justasbefore Themiserablebardtomeet, Ashopeuncertainandassweet, Olgaranskippingfromthedoor. Shewasasheedlessandasgay Well!justasshewasyesterday. XIV "Whydidyouleavelastnightsosoon?" WasthefirstquestionOlgamade, Lenski,intoconfusionthrown, Allsilentlyhungdownhishead. Jealousyandvexationtook Toflightbeforeherradiantlook, Beforesuchfondsimplicity Andmentalelasticity. Heeyedherwithafondconcern, Perceivedthathewasstill beloved, Alreadybyrepentancemoved Toaskforgivenessseemedtoyearn Buttrembles,wordshecannotfind, Delighted,almostsaneinmind. XV Butoncemorepensiveanddistressed BesidehisOlgadothhegrieve, Norenoughstrengthofmindpossessed Tomentiontheforegoingeve, Hemused:"Iwillhersaviourbe! Withardentsighsandflattery Thevileseducershallnotdare

Thefreshnessofherheartimpair, Norshallthecaterpillarcome Thelily'sstemtoeataway, Norshallthebudofyesterday Perishwhenhalfdiscloseditsbloom!" Allthis,myfriends,translatearight: "Iwithmyfriendintendtofight!" XVI Ifhehadonlyknownthewound WhichrankledinTattiana'sbreast, AndifTattianaminehadfound Ifthepoormaidencouldhaveguessed Thatthetwofriendswithmorning'slight Abovetheyawninggravewouldfight, Ah!itmaybe,affectiontrue Hadreconciledthepairanew! Butofthislove,e'encasually, Asyetnonehaddiscoveredaught Eugeneofcourserelatednought, Tattianasufferedsecretly Hernurse,whocouldhavemadeaguess, Wasfamousforthickheadedness. XVII Lenskithateveinthoughtimmersed, Nowgloomyseemedandcheerfulnow, ButhewhobytheMusewasnursed Iseverthus.Withfrowningbrow Tothepianofortehemoves Andvariouschordsuponitproves, Then,eyeingOlga,whisperslow: "I'mhappy,say,isitnotso?" Butitgrewlatehemustnotstay Heavyhisheartwithanguishgrew Totheyounggirlhesaidadieu, Asitwere,torehimselfaway. Gazingintohisface,shesaid: "Whatailsthee?""Nothing."Heisfled. XVIII Athomearrivingheaddressed Hiscareuntohispistols'plight,

Replacedthemintheirbox,undressed AndSchillerreadbycandlelight. Butonethoughtonlyfilledhismind, Hismournful heartnopeacecouldfind, Olgaheseesbeforehiseyes Miraculouslyfairarise, Vladimirclosesuphisbook, Andgraspsapen:hisverse,albeit Withlovers'rubbishfilled,wasneat Andflowedharmoniously.Hetook Andspouteditwithlyricfire LikeD[elvig]whendinnerdothinspire. XIX Destinyhathpreservedhislay. Ihaveit.Lo!theverything! "Oh!whitherhaveyewingedyourway, Yegoldendaysofmyyoungspring? Whatwillthecomingdawnreveal? Invainmyanxiouseyesappeal Inmistprofoundallyetishid. Sobeit!Justthelawswhichbid Thefatalbulletpenetrate, Orinnocentlypastmefly. Goodgovernsall!Thehourdrawsnigh Oflifeordeathpredestinate. Blestbethelaboursofthelight, Andblesttheshadowsofthenight. XX "Tomorrow'sdawnwillglimmergray, Brightdaywillthenbegintoburn, ButthedarksepulchreImay Haveenterednevertoreturn. Thememoryofthebard,adream, WillbeabsorbedbyLethe'sstream Menwillforgetme,butmyurn Tovisit,lovelymaid,return, O'ermyremainstodropatear, Andthink:herelieswholovedmewell, Forconsecratetomehefell Inthedawnofexistencedrear. Maidwhommyheartdesiresalone, Approach,approachIamthineown."

XXI Thusinastyleobscureandstale,(64) Hewrote('tistheromanticstyle, ThoughofromancethereinIfail Toseeaughtnevermindmeanwhile) Andaboutdawnuponhisbreast Hiswearyheaddeclinedatrest, Foro'erawordtofashionknown, "Ideal,"hehaddrowsygrown. Butscarcehadsleep'ssoftwitchery Subduedhim,whenhisneighbourstept Intothechamberwhereheslept Andwakenedhimwiththeloudcry: "'Tistimetogetup!Sevendothstrike. Oneguinewaitsonus,'tislike." [Note64:Thefactoftheabovewordsbeingitalicisedsuggeststheideathatthepoetis herefiringaParthianshotatsomeunfriendlycritic.] XXII HewasinerrorforEugene Wassleepingthenasleeplikedeath Thepallofnightwasgrowingthin, ToLuciferthecockmustbreathe Hissong,whenstillheslumbereddeep, Thesunhadmountedhighhissteep, Apassingsnowstormwreathedaway Withpallidlight,butEugenelay Uponhiscouchinsensibly Slumberstillo'erhimlingeringflies. Butfinallyheopedhiseyes Andturnedasidethedrapery Hegazedupontheclockwhichshowed Helongshouldhavebeenontheroad. XXIII Heringsinhasteinhastearrives HisFrenchman,goodMonsieurGuillot, Whodressinggownandslippersgives Andlinenonhimdothbestow. Dressingasquicklyashecan, Eugenedirectsthetrustyman

Toaccompanyhimandtoescort Aboxofterribleimport. Harnessedtherapidsledgearrived: Heenters:tothemillhedrives: Descends,theorderGuillotgives, ThefataltubesLepagecontrived(65) Tobringbehind:thetriplesteeds Totwoyoungoaksthecoachmanleads. [Note65:Lepageacelebratedgunmakerofformerdays.] XXIV Lenskithefoeman'sapparition Leaningagainstthedamexpects, Zaretski,villagemechanician, Inthemeantimethemillinspects. Oneguinehisexcusessays "But,"criedZaretskiinamaze, "Yoursecondyouhaveleftbehind!" Aduellistofclassicmind, Methodwasdearuntohisheart Hewouldnotthatamanyeslay Inalaxorinformalway, Butfollowedthestrictrulesofart, Andancientusagesobserved (Forwhichourpraisehehathdeserved). XXV "Mysecond!"criedinturnEugene, "BeholdmyfriendMonsieurGuillot Tothisarrangementcanbeseen, NoobstacleofwhichIknow. Althoughunknowntofamemayhap, He'sastraightforwardlittlechap." Zaretskibithislipinwrath, ButtoVladimirEugenesaith: "Shallwecommence?""Letitbeso," Lenskireplied,andsoontheybe Behindthemill.Meantimeyesee ZaretskiandMonsieurGuillot Inconsultationstandaside Thefoeswithdowncasteyesabide. XXVI

Foes!Isitlongsincefriendshiprent Asunderwasandhateprepared? Sinceleisurewastogetherspent, Meals,secrets,occupationsshared? Now,likehereditaryfoes, Malignantfurytheydisclose, Asinsomefrenzieddreamoffear Thesefriendscoldbloodedlydrawnear Mutualdestructiontocontrive. Cannottheyamicablysmile Erecrimsonstainstheirhandsdefile, Departinpeaceandfriendlylive? Butfashionablehatred'sflame Tremblesatartificialshame. XXVII Theshiningpistolsareuncased, Themalletloud theramrodstrikes, Bulletsaredownthebarrelspressed, Forthefirsttimethehammerclicks. Lo!pouredinathingraycascade, Thepowderinthepanislaid, Thesharpflint,screwedsecurelyon, Iscockedoncemore.Uneasygrown, Guillotbehindapollardstood Asidethefoestheirmantlesthrew, Zaretskipacesthirtytwo Measuredwithgreatexactitude. Ateachextremeonetakeshisstand, Aloadedpistolinhishand. XXVIII "Advance!" Indifferentandsedate, Thefoes,asyetnottakingaim, Withmeasuredstepandevengait Athwartthesnowfourpacescame Fourdeadlypacesdotheyspan Oneguineslowlythenbegan Toraisehispistoltohiseye, Thoughheadvancedunceasingly. Andlo!fivepacesmoretheypass, AndLenski,closinghislefteye,

Tookaimbutasimmediately OneguinefiredAlas!alas! Thepoet'shourhathsoundedSee! Hedropshispistolsilently. XXIX Heonhisbosomgentlyplaced Hishand,andfell.Hiscloudedeye Notagony,butdeathexpressed. Sofromthemountainlazily Theavalancheofsnowfirstbends, Thenglitteringinthesundescends. Thecoldsweatburstingfromhisbrow, TotheyouthEugenehurriednow Gazedonhim,calledhim.Uselesscare! Hewasnomore!Theyouthfulbard Forevermorehaddisappeared. Thestormwashushed.Theblossomfair Waswitherederethemorninglight Thealtarflamewasquenchedinnight. XXX Tranquilhelay,andstrangetoview Thepeacewhichonhisforeheadbeamed, Hisbreastwasriddledthroughandthrough, Thebloodgushedfromthewoundandsteamed Erethisbutonebriefmomentbeat Thatheartwithinspirationsweet Andenmityandhopeandlove Thebloodboiledandthepassionsstrove. Now,asinadesertedhouse, Alldarkandsilenthathbecome Theinmateisforeverdumb, Thewindowswhitened,shuttersclose Whitherdepartedisthehost? Godknows!Theverytraceislost. XXXI 'Tissweetthefoetoaggravate Withepigramsimpertinent, Sweettobeholdhimobstinate, Hisbuttinghornsinangerbent, Theglassunwittinglyinspect

Andblushtoownhimselfreflect. Sweeteritis,myfriends,ifhe Howllikeadolt:'tismeantforme! Butsweeterstillitistoarrange Forhimanhonourablegrave, Athispalebrowashottohave, Placedatthecustomaryrange Buthomehisbodytodespatch Canscarceinsweetnessbeamatch. XXXII Well,ifyourpistolballbychance Thecomradeofyouryouthshouldstrike, Whobyahaughtywordorglance Oranytrifleelseyelike Youo'eryourwineinsultedhath Orevenovercomeby wrath Scornfullychallengedyouafield Tellme,ofsentimentsconcealed Whichinyourspiritdominates, Whenmotionlessyourgazebeneath Helies,uponhisforeheaddeath, Andslowlylifecoagulates Whendeafandsilenthedothlie Heedlessofyourdespairingcry? XXXIII Eugene,hispistolyetinhand Andwithremorsefulanguishfilled, GazingonLenski'scorsedidstand Zaretskishouted:"Why,he'skilled!" Killed!atthisdreadfulexclamation Oneguinewentwithtrepidation Andtheattendantscalledinhaste. MostcarefullyZaretskiplaced Withinhissledgethestiffenedcorse, Andhurriedhomehisawfulfreight. Consciousofdeathapproximate, Loudpawstheeartheachpantinghorse, Hisbitwithfoambesprinkledo'er, Andhomewardlikeanarrow tore. XXXIV

Myfriends,thepoetyeregret! Whenhope'sdelightfulflowerbutbloomed Inbudofpromiseincomplete, Themanlytogascarceassumed, Heperished.Wherehistroubleddreams, Andwheretheadmirablestreams Ofyouthfulimpulse,reverie, Tenderandelevated,free? Andwheretempestuouslove'sdesires, Thethirstofknowledgeandoffame, Horrorofsinfulnessandshame, Imagination'ssacredfires, Yeshadowsofalifemorehigh, Yedreamsofheavenlypoesy? XXXV Perchancetobenefitmankind, Orbutforfamehesawthelight Hislyre,tosilencenowconsigned, Resoundingthroughallagesmight Haveechoedtoeternity. Withworldlyhonours,itmaybe, Fortunethepoethadrepaid. Itmaybethathismartyredshade Carriedatruthdivineaway That,forthecenturydesigned, Hadperishedacreativemind, Andpastthethresholdofdecay, Hene'ershallhearTime'seulogy, Theblessingsofhumanity. XXXVI Or,itmaybe,thebardhadpassed Alifeincommonwiththerest Vanishedhisyouthfulyearsatlast, Thefireextinguishedinhisbreast, Inmanythingshadchangedhislife TheMuseabandoned,ta'enawife, Inhabitedthecountry,clad Indressinggown,acuckoldglad: Alifeoffact,notfiction,led Atfortysufferedfromthegout, Eaten,drunk,gossipedandgrownstout: Andfinally,uponhisbed

Hadfinishedlifeamidhissons, Doctorsandwomen,sobsandgroans. XXXVII But,howsoe'erhislotwerecast, Alas!theyouthfulloverslain, Poeticalenthusiast, Afriendlyhandthylifehathta'en! Thereisaspotthevillagenear WheredwelttheMuses'worshipper, Twopineshavejoinedtheirtangledroots, Arivuletbeneaththemshoots Itswaterstotheneighbouringvale. Therethetiredploughmanlovestolie, Thereapinggirlsapproachandply Withinitswavethesoundingpail, Andbythatshadyrivulet Asimpletombstonehathbeenset. XXXVIII There,whentherainsofspringwemark Uponthemeadowsshowering, Theshepherdplaitshisshoeofbark,(66) OfVolgafishermendothsing, Andtheyoungdamselfromthetown, Forsummertothecountryflown, Whene'eracrosstheplainatspeed Aloneshegallopsonhersteed, Stopsatthetombinpassingby Thetightenedleathernreinshedraws, Asideshecastsherveilofgauze Andreadswithrapideagereye Thesimpleepitaphatear Dothinhergentleeyeappear. [Note66:InRussiaandothernortherncountriesrudeshoesaremadeoftheinnerbarkof thelimetree.] XXXIX Andmeditativefromthespot Sheleisurelyawaydothride, Spiteofherself withLenski'slot Longtimehermindisoccupied.

Shemuses:"WhatwasOlga'sfate? Longtimewasherheartdesolate Ordidhertearssoonceasetoflow? Andwheremaybehersisternow? Whereistheoutlaw,bannedbymen, Offashionabledamesthefoe, Themisanthropeofgloomybrow, Bywhomtheyouthfulbardwasslain?" IntimeI'llgiveyewithoutfail Atrueaccountandindetail. XL Butnotatpresent,thoughsincerely Ionmychosenherodote ThoughI'llreturntohimrightearly, JustatthismomentIcannot. Yearshaveinclinedmetosternprose, Yearstolightrhymethemselvesoppose, Andnow,Imournfullyconfess, InrhymingIshowlaziness. Asonce,tofilltherapidpage Mypennolongerfindsdelight, Otherandcolderthoughtsaffright, Sternersolicitudesengage, Inworldlydinorsolitude Uponmyvisionssuchintrude. XLI FreshaspirationsIhaveknown, Iamacquaintedwithfreshcare, Hopelessareallthefirst,Iown, Yetstillremainstheolddespair. Illusions,dream,where,whereyoursweetness? Whereyouth(theproperrhymeisfleetness)? Andisittruehergarlandbright Atlastisshrunkandwitheredquite? Andisittrueandnotajest, Notevenapoeticphrase, Thatvanishedaremyyouthfuldays (ThisjokingIusedtoprotest), Neverformetoreappear ThatsoonIreachmythirtiethyear? XLII

Andsomynoonhathcome!Ifso, Imustresignmyself,insooth Yetletuspartinfriendship,O Myfrivolousandjollyyouth. Ithanktheeforthyjoyfulness, Love'stendertransportsanddistress, Forriot,frolics,mightyfeeds, Andallthatfromthyhandproceeds Ithankthee.Inthycompany, Withtumultorcontentmentstill OfthydelightsIdrankmyfill, Enough!withtranquilspiritI Commenceanewcareerinlife Andrestfrombygonedaysofstrife. XLIII Butpause!Thoucalmretreats,farewell, Wheremydaysinthewilderness Oflanguorandoflovedidtell Andcontemplativedreaminess Andthou,youth'searlyinspiration, Invigorateimagination Andspurmyspirit'storpidmood! Flyfrequenttomysolitude, Letnotthepoet'sspiritfreeze, Growharshandcruel,deadanddry, Eventuallypetrify Intheworld'smortalrevelries, Amidthesoullesssonsofpride Andglitteringsimpletonsbeside XLIV Amidsly,pusillanimous Spoiledchildrenmostdegenerate Andtiresomeroguesridiculous Andstupidcensorspassionate AmidcoquetteswhopraytoGod Andabjectslaveswhokisstherod Inhauntsoffashionwhereeachday Allwithurbanitybetray, Whereharshfrivolityproclaims Itscoldunfeelingsentences Amidtheawfulemptiness

Ofconversation,thoughtandaims InthatmorasswhereyouandI Wallow,myfriends,incompany!

ENDOFCANTOTHESIXTH

CANTOTHESEVENTH
Moscow Moscow,Russia'sdarlingdaughter, Wherethineequalshallwefind?' Dmitrieff WhocanhelplovingmotherMoscow? Baratynski(Feasts) AjourneytoMoscow!Toseetheworld! Wherebetter? Wheremanisnot. Griboyedoff(WoefromWit)

CantoTheSeventh [Written18271828atMoscow,Mikhailovskoe,St.Petersburg andMalinniki.] I ImpelledbySpring'sdissolvingbeams, Thesnowsfromoffthehillsaround Descendedswiftinturbidstreams Andfloodedallthelevelground. Asmilefromslumberingnatureclear Didseemtogreettheyouthfulyear Theheavensshoneindeeperblue, Thewoods,stillnakedtotheview, Seemedinahazeofgreenembowered. Thebeeforthfromhiscellofwax Flewtocollecthisruraltax Thevalleysdriedandgailyflowered Herdslow,andundernight'sdarkveil Alreadysingsthenightingale. II Mournfulisthineapproachtome, OSpring,thouchosentimeoflove! Whatagitationlanguidly Myspiritandmyblooddothmove,

Whatsademotionso'ermesteal WhenfirstuponmycheekIfeel ThebreathofSpringagainrenewed, Secureinruralquietude Or,strangetomeishappiness? Doallthingswhichtomirthincline. Andmakeadarkexistenceshine Inflictannoyanceanddistress Uponasoulinertandcloyed? Andisalllightwithindestroyed? III Or,heedlessoftheleaves'return WhichAutumnlatetoearthconsigned, Dowealoneourlossesmourn Ofwhichtherustlingwoodsremind? Or,whenanewallNatureteems, Doweforeseeintroubleddreams Thecomingoflife'sAutumndrear. Forwhichnospringtimeshallappear? Or,itmaybe,weinlyseek, Wafteduponpoeticwing, SomeotherlongdepartedSpring, Whosememoriesmaketheheartbeatquick Withthoughtsofafardistantland, Ofastrangenightwhenthemoonand IV 'Tisnowtheseason!Idlersall, Epicureanphilosophers, Yemenoffashioncynical, OfLevshin'sschoolyefollowers,(67) Priamsofcountrypopulations Anddamesoffineorganisations, Springsummonsyoutohergreenbowers, 'Tisthewarmtimeoflabour,flowers Thetimeformysticstrollswhichlate Intothestarrynightextend. Quicktothecountryletuswend Invehiclessurchargedwithfreight Incoachorpostcartdulyplaced Beyondthecitybarriershaste. [Note67:Levshinacontemporarywriteronpoliticaleconomy.]

V Thoualso,readergenerous, Thechaiselongorderedpleaseemploy, Abandoncitiesriotous, Whichinthewinterwereajoy: TheMusecapriciousletuscoax, Goheartherustlingoftheoaks Besideanamelessrivulet, WhereinthecountryEugeneyet, Anidleanchoriteandsad, Awhileagothewinterspent, NearyoungTattianaresident, Myprettyselfdeceivingmaid Nomorethevillageknowshisface, Forthereheleftamournfultrace. VI Letusproceeduntoarill, Whichinahillyneighbourhood Seeks,windingamidmeadowsstill, Theriverthroughthelindenwood. Thenightingalethereallnightlong, Spring'sparamour,poursforthhersong Thefountainbrawls,sweetbriersbloom, Andlo!whereliesamarbletomb Andtwooldpinestheirbranchesspread "VladimirLenskiliesbeneath, Whoearlydiedagallantdeath," Thereonthepassingtravellerread: "Thedate,hisfleetingyearshowlong Reposeinpeace,thouchildofsong." VII Timewas,thebreathofearly dawn Wouldagitateamysticwreath Hungonapinebranchearthwarddrawn Abovethehumbleurnofdeath. Timewas,twomaidensfromtheirhome Ateventidewouldhithercome, And,bythelightthemoonbeamsgave, Lament,embraceuponthatgrave. Butnownoneheedsthemonument

Ofwoe:effacedthepathwaynow: Thereisnowreathuponthebough: Alonebesideit,grayandbent, Asformerlytheshepherdsits Andhispoorbastensandalknits. VIII MypoorVladimir,bittertears Theebutalittlespacebewept, Faithless,alas!thymaidappears, Nortrueuntohersorrowkept. Anothercouldherheartengage, Anothercouldherwoeassuage Byflatteryandlover'sart Alancercaptivatesherheart! Alancerhersouldotesupon: Beforethealtar,lo!thepair, Markyewithwhatamodestair Shebowsherheadbeneaththecrown(68) Beholdherdowncasteyeswhichglow, Herlipswherelightsmilescomeandgo! [Note68:ThecrownusedincelebratingmarriagesinRussiaaccordingtotheformsof theEasternChurch.SeeNote28.] IX MypoorVladimir!Inthetomb, Passedintodulleternity, Wasthesadpoetfilledwithgloom, Hearingthefatalperfidy? Or,beyondLethelulledtorest, Haththebard,byindifferenceblest, Calloustoallonearthbecome Istheworldtohimsealedanddumb? Thesameunmovedoblivion Onusbeyondthegraveattends, Thevoiceoflovers,foesandfriends, Diessuddenly:ofheirsalone Remainsonearththeunseemlyrage, Whilststrugglingfortheheritage. X SoonOlga'saccentsshrillresound

Nolongerthroughherformerhome Thelancer,tohiscallingbound, Backtohisregimentmustroam. Theagedmother,bathedintears, Distractedbyhergriefappears Whenthehourcametobidgoodbye ButmyTattiana'seyesweredry. Onlyhercountenanceassumed Adeadlypallor,airdistressed Whenallaroundtheentrancepressed, Tosayfarewell,andfussedandfumed Aroundthecarriageofthepair Tattianagentlyledthemthere. XI Andlonghereyesasthroughahaze Aftertheweddedcouplestrain Alas!thefriendofchildishdays Away,Tattiana,hathbeenta'en. Thydove,thydarlinglittlepet Onwhomasister'sheartwasset Afarisbornebycruelfate, Forevermoreisseparate. Shewandersaimlessasasprite, Intothetangledgardengoes Butnowherecanshefindrepose, Noreventearsaffordrespite, Ofconsolationallbereft Wellnighherheartintwainwascleft. XII Incruelsolitudeeachday Withflamemoreardentpassionburns, AndtoOneguinefaraway Herheartimportunatelyturns. Shenevermorehisfacemayview, Forwasitnotherdutyto Detesthimforabrotherslain? Thepoetfellalreadymen Nomorerememberedhimunto Anotherhisbetrothedwasgiven Thememoryofthebardwasdriven Likesmokeathwarttheheavenblue Twoheartsperchanceweredesolate

Andmournedhimstill.Whymournhisfate? XIII 'Twaseve.'Twasdusk.Theriverspeeds Intranquilflow.Thebeetlehums. Alreadydancetosongproceeds Thefisher'sfireafarillumes Theriver'sbank.Tattianalone Beneaththesilverofthemoon Longtimeinmeditationdeep Herpathacrosstheplaindothkeep Proceeds,untilshefromahill Seeswhereanoblemansionstood, Avillageandbeneath,awood, Agardenbyashiningrill. Shegazedthereon,andinstantbeat Herheartmoreloudlyandmorefleet. XIV Shehesitates,indoubtisthrown "ShallIproceed,orhomewardflee? Heisnotthere:Iamnotknown: ThehouseandgardenIwouldsee." Tattianafromthehilldescends Withbatedbreath,aroundshebends Acountenanceperplexedandscared. Sheentersadesertedyard Yelping,apackofdogsrushout, Butathershriekranforthwithnoise Thehouseholdtroopoflittleboys, Whowithascuffleandashout Thecursawaytokennelchase, Thedamselunderescortplace. XV "CanIinspectthemansion,please?" Tattianaasks,andhurriedly UntoAniciaforthekeys Thefamilyofchildrenhie. Aniciasoonappears,thedoor Opensuntohervisitor. Intothelonelyhouseshewent, WhereinaspaceOneguinespent.

Shegazedacue,forgottenlong, Dothonthebilliardtablerest, Uponthetumbledsofaplaced, Aridingwhip.Shestrollsalong. Thebeldamsaith:"Thehearth,byit Themasteralwaysusedtosit. XVI "DepartedLenskiheretodine Inwintertimewouldoftencome. Pleasefollowthisway,ladymine, Thisismymaster'ssittingroom. 'Tishereheslept,hiscoffeetook, Intoaccountswouldsometimeslook, Abookatearlymornperused. Theroommyformermasterused. OnSundaysbyyonwindowhe, Spectaclesuponnose,allday Waswontwithmeatcardstoplay. Godsavehissouleternally Andgranthiswearybonestheirrest DeepinourmotherEarth'schillbreast!" XVII Tattiana'seyeswithtendergleam Oneverythingaroundhergaze, Ofpricelessvalueallthingsseem Andinherlanguidbosomraise Apleasurethoughwithsorrowknit: Thetablewithitslampunlit, Thepileofbooks,withcarpetspread Beneaththewindowsillhisbed, Thelandscapewhichthemoonbeamsfret, Thetwilightpalewhichsoftensall, LordByron'sportraitonthewall Andthecastironstatuette Withfoldedarmsandeyesbentlow, Cockedhatandmelancholybrow.(69) [Note69:TheRussiansnotunfrequentlyadorntheirapartmentswitheffigiesofthegreat Napoleon.] XVIII

Longinthisfashionablecell Tattianaasenchantedstood Butitgrewlatecoldblewthegale Darkwasthevalleyandthewood slepto'ertherivermistygrown. Behindthemountainsankthemoon. Long,longthehourhadpastwhenhome Ouryouthfulwanderershouldroam. Shehidthetroubleofherbreast, Heavedaninvoluntarysigh Andturnedtoleaveimmediately, Butfirstpermissiondidrequest Thitherinfuturetoproceed Thatcertainvolumesshemightread. XIX Adieushetothematronsaid Atthefrontgates,butinbriefspace Atearlymornreturnsthemaid Totheabandoneddwellingplace. Wheninthestudy'scalmretreat, Wraptinoblivioncomplete, Shefoundherselfaloneatlast, Longtimehertearsflowedthickandfast Butpresentlyshetriedtoread Atfirstforbookswasdisinclined, Butsoontheirchoiceseemedtohermind Remarkable.Shethenindeed Devouredthemwithaneagerzest. Anewworldwasmademanifest! XX AlthoughweknowthatEugenehad Longceasedtobeareadingman, Stillcertainauthors,Imayadd, Hehadexceptedfromtheban: ThebardofJuanandtheGiaour, Withitmaybeacouplemore Romancesthree,inwhichyescan Portrayedcontemporaryman Asthereflectionofhisage, Hisimmoralityofmind Toaridselfishnessresigned, Avisionary personage

Withhisexasperatedsense, Hisenergyandimpotence. XXI Andnumerouspageshadpreserved Thesharpincisionsofhisnail, Andthesetheattentivemaidobserved Witheyepreciseandwithoutfail. Tattianasawwithtrepidation Bywhatideaorobservation Oneguinewasthemostimpressed, Inwhathemerelyacquiesced. Uponthosemarginssheperceived Oneguine'spencillings.Hismind Maderevelationsundesigned, Ofwhathethoughtandwhatbelieved, Adagger,asterisk,ornote Interrogationtodenote. XXII AndmyTattiananowbegan Tounderstandbyslowdegrees Moreclearly,Godbepraised,theman, Whomautocraticfate'sdecrees Hadbidhersighforwithouthope Adangerous,gloomymisanthrope, Beingfromhellorheavensent, Angelorfiendmalevolent. Whichishe?oranimitation, Abogyconjuredupinjoke, ARussianinChildeHarold'scloak, Offoreignwhimstheimpersonation Handbookoffashionablephrase Orparodyofmodernways? XXIII Hathshefoundouttheriddleyet? Hathsheafittingphraseselected? Buttimefliesandshedothforget Theylongathomehaveherexpected Whithertwoneighbouringdameshavewalked Andalongtimeabouthertalked. "Whatcanbedone?Sheisnochild!"

Criedtheolddamewithanguishfilled: "Olinkaisherjunior,see. 'Tistimetomanyher,'tistrue, ButtellmewhatamItodo? Toallsheanswerscruelly Iwillnotwed,andeverweeps Andlonelythroughtheforestcreeps." XXIV "Issheinlove?"quothone."Withwhom? Bouyanoffcourted.Sherefused. Petoushkoffmettheselfsamedoom. ThehussarPikhtinwasaccused. HowtheyoungimponTaniadoted! Tocaptivateherhowdevoted! Imused:perhapsthematter'ssquared Oyes!myhopessoondisappeared." "But,matushka,toMoscowyou(70) Shouldgo, themarketforamaid, Withmanyavacancy,'tissaid." "Alas!myfriend,norevenue!" "Enoughtoseeonewinter'send Ifnot,themoneyIwilllend." [Note70:"Matushka,"or"littlemother,"atermofendearment inconstantuseamongstRussianfemales.] XXV Thevenerabledameopined Thecounselgoodandfullofreason, Hermoneycounted,anddesigned TovisitMoscowintheseason. Tattianalearnstheintelligence Ofherprovincialinnocence Theunaffectedtraitsshenow Untoacarpingworldmustshow Hertoilette'santiquatedstyle, Herantiquatedmodeofspeech, ForMoscowfopsandCirceseach Tomarkwithacontemptuoussmile. Horror!hadshenotbetterstay Deepinthegreenwoodfaraway? XXVI

Arisingwiththemorning'slight, Untothefieldsshemakesherway, Andwithemotionaldelight Surveyingthem,shethusdothsay: "Yepeacefulvalleysall,goodbye! Yewellknownmountainsummitshigh, YegroveswhosedepthsIknowsowell, Thoubeauteousskyabove,farewell! Deliciousnature,theeIfly, ThecalmexistencewhichIprize Iyieldforsplendidvanities, Thoutoofarewell,myliberty! WhitherandwhereforedoIspeed AndwhatwillDestinyconcede?" XXVII FartherTattiana'swalksextend 'Tisnowthehillocknowtherill Theirnaturalattractionslend Tostaythemaidagainstherwill. Shetheacquaintancessheloves, Herspaciousfieldsandshadygroves, Anothervisithastestopay. ButSummerswiftlyfadesaway AndgoldenAutumndrawethnigh, Andpallidnaturetremblinggrieves, Avictimdeckedwithgoldenleaves Darkcloudsbeforethenorthwindfly Itblew:ithowled:tillwintere'en Cameforthinallhermagicsheen. XXVIII Thesnowdescendsandburiesall, Hangsheavyontheoakenboughs, Awhiteandundulatingpall O'erhillockando'ermeadowthrows. Thechanneloftheriverstilled Asifwitheiderdownisfilled. Thehoarfrostglitters:allrejoice InmotherWinter'sstrangecaprice. ButTania'sheartisnotatease, Winter'sapproachshedothnothail Northefrostparticlesinhale

Northefirstsnowofwinterseize Hershoulders,breastandfacetolave Alarmthewinterjourneygave. XXIX Thedatewasfixedthoughoftpostponed, Butultimatelydothapproach. Examined,mended,newlyfound Wastheoldandforgottencoach Kibitkasthree,theaccustomedtrain,(71) Thehouseholdpropertycontain: Saucepansandmattressesandchairs, Portmanteausandpreservesinjars, Featherbeds,alsopoultrycoops, Basinsandjugswell!everything Tohappinesscontributing. Behold!besidetheirdwellinggroups Ofserfsthefarewellwailhavegiven. Nagseighteentothedooraredriven. [Note71:Informertimes,andtosomeextentthepracticestillcontinuestothepresent day,Russianfamilieswerewonttotravelwitheverynecessary oflife,and,inthecaseof thewealthy,allitsluxuriesfollowingintheirtrain.Asthepoetcomplainsinasubsequent stanzatherewerenoinnsandifthesimpleLarinasrequiredsuchamplestoreofcreature comfortstheimpedimentsaccompanyingagreatnobleonhisjourneysmaybeeasily conceived.] XXX Thesetothecoachofstatearebound, Breakfastthebusycooksprepare, Baggageisheapedupinamound, Oldwomenatthecoachmenswear. Abeardedpostillionastride Aleanandshaggynagdothride, Untothegatestheservantsfly Tobidthegentlefolkgoodbye. Thesetaketheirseatsthecoachofstate Leisurelythroughthegatewayglides. "Adieu!thouhomewherepeaceabides, Whereturmoilcannotpenetrate, ShallIbeholdtheeonceagain?" Tattianatearscannotrestrain. XXXI

Thelimitsofenlightenment Whentoenlargeweshallsucceed, Incourseoftime(thewholeextent Willnotfivecenturiesexceed Bycomputation)itislike Ourroadstransformedtheeyewillstrike HighwaysallRussiawillunite Andformanetworkleftandright Onironbridgesweshallgaze Whicho'erthewatersboldlyleap, Mountainswe'lllevelandthroughdeep Streamsexcavatesubaqueousways, AndChristianfolkwill,Iexpect, Aninnateverystageerect. XXXII Butnow,whatwretchedroadsonesees, Ourbridgeslongneglectedrot, Andatthestagesbugsandfleas Onemoment'sslumbersuffernot. Innstherearenone.Pretentiousbut Meagre,withinadraughtyhut, Abilloffarehangsfullinsight Andirritatestheappetite. MeantimeaCyclopsofthoseparts Beforeafirewhichfeeblyglows MendswiththeRussianhammer'sblows TheflimsywaresofWesternmarts, Withblessingsontheditchesand Therutsofhisownfatherland. XXXIII Yetonafrostywinterday Thejourneyinasledgedothplease, Nosenselessfashionablelay Glideswithamoreluxuriousease ForourAutomedonsarefire Andourswifttroikasnevertire Theverstpostscatchthevacanteye Andlikeapalisadeflitby.(72) TheLarinasunwiselywent, Fromapprehensionofthecost, Bytheirownhorses,notthepost

SoTaniatoherheart'scontent Couldtastethepleasuresoftheroad. Sevendaysandnightsthetravellersplod. [Note72:Thissomewhatmustyjokehasappearedinmorethanonenational costume. MostEnglishmen,ifweweretoreplaceverstpostswithmilestonesandsubstitutea graveyardforapalisade,wouldinstantlyrecognizeitsYankeeextraction.InRussia howeveritsoriginisasancientatleastasthereignofCatherinetheSecond.The witticismranthus:AcouriersentbyPrincePotemkintotheEmpressdrovesofastthat hissword,projectingfromthevehicle,rattledagainsttheverstpostsasifagainsta palisade!] XXXIV Buttheydrawnear.Beforethem,lo! WhiteMoscowraisesheroldspires, Whosecountlessgoldencrossesglow Aswithinnumerablefires.(73) Ah!brethren,whatwasmydelight WhenIyonsemicirclebright Ofchurches,gardens,belfrieshigh Descriedbeforemesuddenly! Moscow,howoftinevildays, Condemnedtoexiledirebyfate, OntheeIusedtomeditate! Moscow!Howmuchisinthephrase ForeveryloyalRussianbreast! Howmuchisinthatwordexpressed! [Note73:TheaspectofMoscow,especiallyasseenfromtheSparrowHills,alowrange borderingtheriverMoskvaatashortdistancefromthecity,isuniqueandsplendid.It possessesseveraldomescompletelyplatedwithgoldandsometwelvehundredspires mostofwhicharesurmountedbyagoldencross.Atthetimeofsunsettheyseemliterally tippedwithflame.ItwasfromthismemorablespotthatNapoleonandtheGrandArmy firstobtainedaglimpseatthecityoftheTsars.Therearethreehundredandseventy churchesinMoscow.TheKremlinitselfishoweverbyfarthemostinterestingobjectto thestranger.] XXXV Lo!compassedbyhisgroveofoaks, PetrovskiPalace!Gloomily Hisrecentgloryheinvokes. Here,drunkwithhislatevictory, Napoleontarriedtillitplease Moscowapproachonbendedknees,

TimehonouredKremlin'skeyspresent. Notso!MyMoscowneverwent Toseekhimoutwithbendedhead. Nogiftshebears,nofeastproclaims, Butlightsincendiaryflames Fortheimpatientchiefinstead. Fromhenceengrossedinthoughtprofound Heontheconflagrationfrowned.(74) [Note74:NapoleononhisarrivalinMoscowonthe14thSeptembertookuphisquarters intheKremlin,butonthe16thhadtoremovetothePetrovskiPalaceorCastleon accountoftheconflagrationwhichbrokeoutinallquartersofthecity.Hehowever returnedtotheKremlinon the19thSeptember.ThePalaceitselfisplacedinthemidstof extensivegroundsjustoutsidethecity,ontheroadtoTver,i.e.tothenorthwest.Itis perhapsworthyofremark,asoneamongstnumerouscircumstancesprovinghow extensivelythepoetinterwovehisownlifeexperienceswiththeplotofthispoem,thatit wasbythisroadthathehimselfmusthavebeeninthehabitofapproachingMoscow fromhisfavouritecountryresidenceofMikhailovskoe,intheprovinceofPskoff.] XXXVI Adieu,thouwitnessofourglory, PetrovskiPalacecome,astir! Driveon!thecitybarriershoary AppearalongtheroadofTver Thecoachisborneo'errutsandholes, Pastwomen,sentryboxes,rolls, Pastpalacesandnunneries, Lampposts,shops,sledges,families, Bokharians,peasants,bedsofgreens, Boulevards,belfries,milliners, Huts,chemists,Cossacks,shopkeepers Andfashionablemagazines, Balconies,lion'sheadsondoors, Jackdawsoneveryspireinscores.(75) [Note75:Thefirstlinereferstotheprevailingshapeofthecastironhandleswhichadorn theportecocheres.TheRussiansarefondoftamebirdsjackdaws,pigeons,starlings, etc.,aboundinMoscowandelsewhere.] XXXVII Thewearywaystillincomplete, Anhourpassedbyanothertill, NearKhariton'sinasidestreet Thecoachbeforeahousestoodstill.

Atanoldaunt'stheyhadarrived Whohadforfourlongyearssurvived Aninvalidfromlungcomplaint. AKalmuckgray,incaftanrent Andspectacles,hisknittingstaid Andthesaloonthrewopenwide Theprincessfromthesofacried Andthenewcomerswelcomebade. Thetwooldladiesthenembraced Andexclamationsinterlaced. XXXVIII "Princesse,monange!""Pachette!" "Aline!" "Whowouldhavethoughtit?Asofyore! Isitforlong?""Macherecousine!" "Sitdown.Howfunny,tobesure! 'Tisasceneofromance,Ivow!" "Tania,myeldestchild,youknow" "Ah!come,Tattiana,cometome! Isitadream,andcanitbe? Cousin,rememb'restGrandison?" "What!Grandison?""Yes,certainly!" "Oh! Iremember,whereishe?" "Here,heresideswithSimeon. HecalleduponmeChristmasEve Hissonismarried,justconceive!" XXXIX "Andhebutofhimpresently TomorrowTaniawewillshow, Whatsayyou?tothefamily Alas!abroadIcannotgo. See,Icanhardlycrawlabout Butyoumustbothbequitetiredout! Letusgoseekalittlerest Ah!I'msoweakmythrobbingbreast! Oppressivenowishappiness, NotonlysorrowAh!mydear, NowIamfitfornothinghere. Inoldagelifeisweariness!" Thenweepingshesankbackdistressed Andfitsofcoughingrackedherchest.

XL Bythesicklady'sgaiety AndkindnessTaniawasimpressed, But,herownroominmemory, Thestrangeapartmentheroppressed: Reposehersilkencurtainsfled, Shecouldnotsleepinhernewbed. Theearlytinklingofthebells Whichofapproachinglabourtells ArousedTattianafromherbed. Themaidenathercasementsits Asdaylightglimmers,darknessflits, Butah!discernsnorwoodnormead Beneathherlayastrangecourtyard, Astable,kitchen,fenceappeared. XLI Toconsanguineousdinnersthey ConductTattianaconstantly, Thatgrandmothersandgrandsiresmay Contemplatehersadreverie. WeRussians,friendsfromdistantparts Everreceivewithkindlyhearts Andexclamationsandgoodcheer. "HowTaniagrows!Dothitappear" "LongsinceIheldtheeatthefont SinceinthesearmsItheedidbear AndsinceIpulledtheebytheear AndItogivetheecakeswaswont?" Thentheolddamesinchorussing, "Oh!howouryearsarevanishing!" XLII Butnothingchangedinthemisseen, Allinthegoodoldstyleappears, Ourdearoldaunt,PrincessHelene, Hercapoftullestilleverwears: LuceriaLvovnapaintapplies, AmyPetrovnautterslies, IvanPetrovitchstillagaby, SimeonPetrovitchjustasshabby PelagieNikolavnahas HerfriendMonsieurFinemouchethesame,

Herwolfdogandherhusbandtame Stillofhisclubhememberwas Asdeafandsillydothremain, Stilleatsanddrinksenoughfortwain. XLIII TheirdaughterskissTattianafair. Inthebeginning,coldandmute, Moscow'syoungGracesatherstare, Examineherfromheadtofoot. Theydeemhersomewhatfinical, Outlandishandprovincial, Atriflepale,atriflelean, Butplainergirlstheyofthadseen. ObedientthentoNature'slaw, Withhertheydidassociate, Squeezetinyhandsandosculate Hertressescurledinfashionsaw, Andoftinwhisperswouldimpart Amaiden'ssecretsoftheheart. XLIV Triumphstheirownorthoseoffriends Hopes,frolics,dreamsandsentiment Theirharmlessconversationblends Withscandal'strivialornament. Thentorewardsuchconfidence Heramorousexperience Withmuteappealtoasktheyseem ButTaniajustasinadream Withoutparticipationhears, Theirvoicesnoughttoherimpart Andthelonesecretofherheart, Hersacredhoardofjoyandtears, Sheburiesdeepwithinherbreast Noraughtconfidesuntotherest. XLV Tattianawouldhavegladlyheard Theconverseoftheworldpolite, Butinthedrawingroomall appeared Tofindingossipsuchdelight, Speechwassotameandcolourless

Theirslandere'enwasweariness Intheirsterilityofprattle, Questionsandnewsandtittletattle, Nosensewasevermanifest Thoughbyanerrorandunsought Thelanguidmindcouldsmileatnought, Heartwouldnotthrobalbeitinjest Evenamusingfoolswemiss Inthee,thouworldofemptybliss. XLVI Ingroups,officialstriplingsglance ConceitedlyonTaniafair, Andviewsamongstthemselvesadvance Unfavourableuntoher. Butonebuffoonunhappydeemed Hertheidealwhichhedreamed, Andleaning'gainsttheportalclosed Toheranelegycomposed. AlsooneViazemski,remarking Tattianabyapooraunt'sside, Successfullytopleasehertried, Andanoldgentthepoetmarking ByTania,smoothinghisperuke, Toaskhernamethetroubletook.(76) [Note76:Oneoftheobscuresatiricalallusionscontainedinthispoem.Doubtlessthe jokewasperfectlyintelligibletothehabituesofcontemporarySt.Petersburgsociety. Viazemskiof courseisthepoetandprince,Pushkin'sfriend.] XLVII ButwhereMelpomenedothrave Withlengthenedhowlandaccentloud, Andherbespangledrobedothwave Beforeacoldindifferentcrowd, AndwhereThaliasoftlydreams Andheedlessofapprovalseems, Terpsichorealoneamong Hersisterhooddelightstheyoung (So'twaswithusinformeryears, Inyouryoungdaysandalsomine), Neveruponmyheroine Thejealousdameherlorgnetteveers, Theconnoisseurhisglancesthrows

Fromboxesorfromstallsin rows. XLVIII Totheassemblyhertheybear. Theretheconfusion,pressure,heat, Thecrashofmusic,candles'glare Andrapidwhirlofmanyfeet, Theladies'dressesairy,light, Themotleymovingmassandbright, Youngladiesinavastycurve, Tostrikeimaginationserve. 'Tistherethatarrantfopsdisplay Theirinsolenceandwaistcoatswhite Andglassesunemployedallnight Thitherhussarsonleavewillstray Toclankthespur,delightthefair Andvanishlikeabirdinair. XLIX Fullmanyalovelystarhathnight AndMoscowmanyabeautyfair: Yetclearershinesthaneverylight Themoonintheblueatmosphere. Andshetowhommylyrewouldfain, Yetdaresnot,dedicateitsstrain, Shinesinthefemalefirmament Likeafullmoonmagnificent. Lo! withwhatpridecelestial Herfeettheearthbeneathherpress! Herhearthowfullofgentleness, Herglancehowwildyetgenial! Enough,enough,concludethylay Forfolly'sduesthouhadsttopay. L Noise,laughter,bowing,hurryingmixt, Gallop,mazurka,waltzingsee! Apillarby,twoauntsbetwixt, Tania,observedbynobody, Looksuponallwithabsentgaze Andhatestheworld'sdiscordantways. 'Tisnoisometoherthere:inthought Againherrurallifeshesought,

Thehamlet,thepoorvillagers, Thelittlesolitarynook Whereshiningrunsthetinybrook, Hergarden,andthosebooksofhers, Andthelimealley'stwilightdim Wherethefirsttimeshemetwith him. LI Thuswidelymeditationerred, Forgottheworld,thenoisyball, Whilstfromhercountenancene'erstirred Theeyesofagravegeneral. Bothauntslookedknowingasajudge, EachgaveTattiana'sarmanudge Andinawhisperdidrepeat: "Lookquicklytoyourleft,mysweet!" "Theleft?Why,whatonearthisthere?" "Nomatter,lookimmediately. There,inthatknotofcompany, Twodressedinuniformappear Ah!hehasgonetheotherway" "Who?Isitthatstoutgeneral,pray?" LII Letuscongratulationspay ToourTattianaconquering, Andforatimeourcoursedelay, ThatIforgetnotwhomIsing. Letmeexplainthatinmysong "Icelebrateacomradeyoung Andtheextentofhiscaprice OepicMuse,mypowersincrease Andgrantsuccesstolabourlong Havingatrustystaffbestowed, GrantthatIerrnotontheroad." Enough!mypackisnowunslung ToclassicismI'vehomagepaid, Thoughlate,haveabeginningmade.(77) [Note77:Manywillconsiderthismodeofbringingthecantotoaconclusionofmore thandoubtfultaste.Thepoetevidentlyaimsastrokeatthepedanticandnarrowminded criticismtowhichoriginalgenius,emancipatedfromthestraitwaistcoatof conventionality,isnotunfrequentlysubjected.]

EndofCantoTheSeventh

CANTOTHEEIGHTH
TheGreatWorld 'Faretheewell,andifforever, Stillforeverfaretheewell.'Byron

CantotheEighth [St.Petersburg,Boldino,TsarskoeSelo,18801881]

I IntheLyceum'snoiselessshade AsinagardenwhenIgrew, IApuleiusgladlyread ButwouldnotlookatCicero. 'Twastheninvalleyslone,remote, Inspringtime,heardthecygnet'snote Bywatersshiningtranquilly, ThatfirsttheMuseappearedtome. Intothestudyoftheboy Therecameasuddenflashoflight, TheMuserevealedherfirstdelight, Sangchildhood'spastimesanditsjoy, Glorywithwhichourhistoryteems Andtheheart'sagitateddreams. II Andtheworldmethersmilingly, Afirstsuccesslightpinionsgave, TheoldDerjavinenoticedme, Andblestme,sinkingtothegrave.(78) Thenmycompanionsyoungwithpleasure Intheunfetteredhoursofleisure Herutteranceseverheard, Andbyapartialtemperstirred Andboilingo'erwithfriendlyheat, Theyfirstofallmybrowdidwreathe Andanencouragementdidbreathe ThatmycoyMusemightsingmoresweet. Otriumphsofmyguilelessdays,

Howsweetadreamyourmemoriesraise! [Note78:ThistouchingsceneproducedalastingimpressiononPushkin'smind.Ittook placeatapublicexaminationattheLyceum,onwhichoccasiontheboypoetproduceda poem.Theincidentrecallsthe"MoncherTibulle"ofVoltaireandtheyouthfulParny(see Note42).DerjavineflourishedduringthereignsofCatherinetheSecondandAlexander theFirst.Hispoemsarestiffandformalinstyleandarenotmuchthoughtofby contemporaryRussians.Butacenturybackaveryinfinitesimalendowmentofliterary abilitywassufficienttosecureimperialrewardandprotection,owingtothebackward stateoftheempire.StanzaIIproperlyconcludeswiththisline,theremainderhavingbeen expungedeitherbytheauthorhimselforthecensors.Ihavefilledupthevoidwithlines fromafragmentleftbytheauthorhavingreferencetothiscanto.] III Passion'swildswayIthenallowed, Herpromptingsuntolawdidmake, PursuitsIfollowedofthecrowd, MysportiveMuseIusedtotake Tomanyanoisyfeastandfight, Terrorofguardiansofthenight Andwildfestivitiesamong Shebroughtwithherthegiftofsong. LikeaBacchanteinhersport Besidethecupshesangherrhymes Andtheyoungrevellersofpasttimes Vociferouslypaidhercourt, AndI,amidthefriendlycrowd, Ofmylightparamourwasproud. IV ButIabandonedtheirarray, Andfledafarshefollowedme. HowoftthekindlyMuseaway Hathwhiledtheroad'smonotony, Entrancedmebysomemystictale. Howoftbeneaththemoonbeamspale LikeLeonoradidsheride(79) WithmeCaucasianrocksbeside! HowofttotheCrimeanshore Sheledmethroughnocturnalmist Untothesoundingseatolist, WhereNereidsmurmurevermore, Andwherethebillowshoarselyraise ToGodeternalhymnsofpraise.

[Note79:SeeNote30,"Leonora,"apoembyGottfriedAugustusBurger,b.1748,d. 1794.] V Then,thefarcapitalforgot, Itssplendouranditsblandishments, InpoorMoldaviacastherlot, Shevisitedthehumbletents Ofmigratorygipsyhordes Andwildamongthemgrewherwords Ourgodliketongueshecouldexchange Forsavagespeech,uncouthandstrange, Anddittiesofthesteppesheloved. Butsuddenlyallchangedaround! Lo!inmygardenwasshefound Andasacountrydamselroved, Apensivesorrowinherglance AndinherhandaFrenchromance. VI NowforthefirsttimeImyMuse Leadintogoodsociety, HersteppelikebeautiesIperuse Withjealousfear,anxiety. Throughdensearistocraticrows Ofdiplomatsandwarlikebeaux Andsuperciliousdamessheglides, Sitsdownandgazesonallsides Amazedattheconfusingcrowd, Varietyofspeechandvests, Deliberateapproachofguests Whototheyouthfulhostessbowed, Andthedarkfringeofmen,likeframes Enclosingpicturesoffairdames. VII Assembliesoligarchical Pleaseherbytheirdecorumfixed, Therigourofcoldprideandall Titlesandagesintermixed. Butwhointhatchoicecompany Withcloudedbrowstandssilently?

Unknowntoallhedothappear, Avisiondesolateanddrear Dothseemtohimthefestalscene. Dothhisbrowwretchednessdeclare Orsufferingpride?Whyishethere? Whomayhebe?IsitEugene? Prayisithe?Itisthesame. "Andisitlongsincebackhecame? VIII "Ishethesameorgrownmorewise? Still doththemisanthropeappear? Hehasreturned,sayinwhatguise? Whatishislatestcharacter? Whatdothheact?IsitMelmoth,(80) Philanthropistorpatriot, ChildeHarold,quaker,devotee, Orothermaskdonnedplayfully? Oragoodfellowforthenonce, Likeyouandmeandalltherest? Butthisismyadvice,'twerebest Nottobehaveashedidonce Societyhedupedenow." "Isheknowntoyou?""YesandNo." [Note80:AromancebyMaturin.] IX Whereforeregardinghimexpress Perverse,unfavourableviews? Isitthathumanrestlessness Forevercarps,condemns,pursues? Isitthatardentsoulsofflame Byrecklessnessamuseorshame Selfishnonentitiesaround? Thatmindwhichyearnsforspaceisbound? Andthattoooftenwereceive Professionseagerlyfordeeds, Thatcrassstupiditymisleads, Thatwebycantourselvesdeceive, Thatmediocrityalone Withoutdisgustwelookupon? X

Happyhewhoinyouthwasyoung, Happywhotimelygrewmature, Hewholife'sfrostswhichearlywrung Hathgraduallylearnttoendure Byvisionswhowasne'erderanged Norfromthemobpoliteestranged, Attwentywhowasprigorswell, Atthirtywhowasmarriedwell, Atfiftywhoreliefobtained Frompublicandfromprivateties, Whoglory,wealthanddignities Hathtranquillyinturnattained, Anduntowhomweallallude Astoaworthymanandgood! XI Butsadisthereflectionmade, Invainwasyouthbyusreceived, Thatweherconstantlybetrayed Andsheatlasthathusdeceived Thatourdesireswhichnoblestseemed, Thepurestofthedreamswedreamed, Haveonebyoneallwitheredgrown LikerottenleavesbyAutumnstrown 'Tisfearfultoanticipate Noughtbutofdinnersalongrow, Tolookonlifeasonashow, Eternallytoimitate Theseemlycrowd,partakingnought Itspassionsanditsmodesofthought. XII Thebuttofscandalhavingbeen, 'Tisdreadfulyeagree,Ihope Topasswithreasonablemen Forafictitiousmisanthrope, Avisionarymortified, OrmonsterofSatanicpride, Ore'enthe"Demon"ofmystrain.(81) Oneguinetakehimupagain Induelhavingkilledhisfriend Andreached,withnoughthismindtoengage, Thetwentysixthyearofhisage,

Weariedofleisureintheend, Withoutprofession,business,wife, Heknewnothowtospendhislife. [Note81:The"Demon,"ashortpoembyPushkinwhichatitsfirstappearancecreated someexcitementinRussiansociety.Amoreappropriate,oratanyrateexplanatorytitle, wouldhavebeentheTempter.Itisdescriptiveofthefirstmanifestationofdoubtand cynicisminhisyouthfulmind,allegoricallyasthevisitsofa"demon."Russiansociety wasmovedtoembodythisimaginarydemoninthepersonofacertainfriendof Pushkin's.ThismustnotbeconfoundedwithLermontoff'spoembearingthesametitle uponwhichRubinstein'snewopera,"IlDemonio,"isfounded.] XIII Himadisquietudedidseize, Awishfromplacetoplacetoroam, Averytroublesomedisease, Insomeawillingmartyrdom. Abandonedhehiscountryseat, Ofwoodsandfieldsthecalmretreat, Whereeverydaybeforehiseyes Abloodbespatteredshadewouldrise, Andaimlessjourneysdidcommence Butstillremembrancetohimclings, Histravelslikeallotherthings Inspiredbutwearinessintense Returning,fromhisshipamid AballhefellasTchatzkidid.(82) [Note82:Tchatzki,oneoftheprincipalcharactersinGriboyedoff'scelebratedcomedy "WoefromWit"(GoreotOuma).] XIV Behold,thecrowdbeginstostir, Awhisperrunsalongthehall, Aladydrawsthehostessnear, Behindheragravegeneral. Hermannersweredeliberate, Reserved,butnotinanimate, Hereyesnosaucyglanceaddress, Therewasnoanglingforsuccess. Herfeaturesnogrimacesbleared Ofaffectationinnocent, Calmandwithoutembarrassment, Afaithfulmodelsheappeared

Of"commeilfaut."Shishkoff,forgive! Ican'ttranslatetheadjective.(83) [Note83:Shishkoffwasamemberoftheliteraryschoolwhichcultivatedthevernacular asopposedtotheArzamassorGallicschool,towhichthepoethimselfandhisuncle VassiliPushkinbelonged.Hewasadmiral,author,andministerofeducation.] XV Ladiesincrowdsaroundherclose, Herwithasmileoldwomengreet, Themensalutewithlowerbows Andwatchhereye'sfullglancetomeet. Maidensbeforehermeeklymove Alongthehall,andhighabove Thecrowddothheadandshouldersrise Thegeneralwhoaccompanies. Nonecouldherbeautifuldeclare, Yetviewingherfromheadtofoot, Nonecouldatraceofthatimpute, Whichintheelevatedsphere OfLondonlifeis"vulgar"called Andruthlessfashionhathblackballed. XVI Ilikethiswordexceedingly Althoughitwillnotbeartranslation, Withus'tisquiteanovelty Nothighingeneralestimation 'Twouldserveyeinanepigram Butturnweoncemoretoourdame. Enchanting,butunwittingly, Attableshewassittingby ThebrilliantNinaVoronskoi, TheNeva'sCleopatra,and Nonetheconvictioncouldwithstand ThatNina'smarblesymmetry, Thoughdazzlingitseffulgencewhite, Couldnoteclipseherneighbour'slight. XVII "Andisit,"meditatesEugene. "Andisitshe?Itmustbeno How!fromthewasteofsteppesunseen,"

Andtheeternallorgnettethrough Frequentandrapiddothhisglance Seektheforgottencountenance Familiartohimlongago. "Informme,prince,pray dostthouknow Theladyinthecrimsoncap WhowiththeSpanishenvoyspeaks?" Theprince'seyeOneguineseeks: "Ah!longtheworldhathmissedthyshape! Butstop!Iwillpresentthee,if Youchoose.""Butwhoisshe?""Mywife." XVIII "Sothouartwed!Ididnotknow. Longago?""'Tisthesecondyear." "To?""Larina.""Tattiana?""So. Anddostthouknowher?""Welivenear." "Thencomewithme."Theprinceproceeds, Hiswifeapproaches,withhimleads Hisrelativeandfriendaswell. Thelady'sglanceuponhimfell Andthoughhersoulmightbeconfused, Andvehementlythoughamazed Sheontheapparitiongazed, Nosignsoftroubleheraccused, Amienunalteredshepreserved, Herbowwaseasy,unreserved. XIX Ahno!nofaintnessherattacked Norsuddenturnedsheredorwhite, Herbrowshedidnote'encontract Noryetherlipcompresseddidbite. Thoughhesurveyedherathisease, NottheleasttraceOneguinesees OftheTattianaoftimesfled. Heconversationwouldhaveled Butcouldnot.Thenshequestionedhim: "Hadhebeenlonghere,andwherefrom? Straightfromtheirprovincehadhecome?" Castupwardsthenhereyeballsdim Untoherhusband,wentaway TransfixedOneguineminedothstay.

XX IsthisthesameTattiana,say, Beforewhomonceinsolitude, Inthebeginningofthislay, Deepinthedistantprovincerude, Impelledbyzealformoralworth, Hesalutaryrulespouredforth? Themaidwhosenotehestillpossessed Whereintheheartitsvowsexpressed, Wherealluponthesurfacelies, Thatgirlbuthemustdreamingbe Thatgirlwhomonceonatimehe Couldinahumblespheredespise, Canshehavebeenamomentgone Thushaughty,carelessinhertone? XXI Hequitsthefashionablethrong Andmeditativehomewardgoes, Visions,nowsad,nowgrateful,long Doagitatehislaterepose. Hewakestheywithalettercome ThePrincessN.willbeathome Onsuchaday.OHeavens,'tisshe! Oh!Iaccept.Andinstantly Heapolitereplydothscrawl. Whathathhedreamed?Whathathoccurred? Intherecesseswhathathstirred Ofaheartcoldandcynical? Vexation?Vanity?orstrove Againtheplagueofboyhoodlove? XXII ThehoursoncemoreOneguinecounts, Impatientwaitsthecloseofday, Buttenstrikesandhissledgehemounts Andgallopstoherhouseaway. Tremblingheseekstheyoungprincess Tattianafindsinloneliness. Togethermomentsoneortwo Theysat,butconversation'sflow DesertedEugene.He,distraught, Sitsbyhergloomily,desponds,

Scarcetoherquestionsheresponds, Fullofexasperatingthought. Hefixedlyuponherstares Shecalmandunconcernedappears. XXIII Thehusbandcomesandinterferes Withthisunpleasantteteatete, WithEugenepranksofformeryears Andjestsdothrecapitulate. Theytalkedandlaughed.Theguestsarrived. Theconversationwasrevived Bythecoarsewitofworldlyhate Butroundthehostessscintillate Lightsallieswithoutcoxcombry, Awhilesoundconversationseems Tobanishfarunworthythemes Andplatitudesandpedantry, Andneverwastheearaffright Bylibertiesorlooseorlight. XXIV Andyetthecity'sflowerwasthere, Noblesseandmodelsofthemode, Faceswhichwemeeteverywhere Andnecessaryfoolsallowed. Beholdthedameswhooncewerefine Withroses,capsandlooksmalign Somemarriageablemaidsbehold, Blank,unapproachableandcold. Lo,theambassadorwhospeaks Economypolitical, Andwithgrayhairambrosial Theoldmanwhohashadhisfreaks, Renownedforhisacumen,wit, Butnowridiculousabit. XXV BeholdSabouroff,whomtheage Forbasenessofthespiritscorns, SaintPriest,whoeveryalbum'spage Withbluntedpencilpointadorns. Anothertribuneoftheball

Hunglikeaprintagainstthewall, PinkasPalmSundaycherubim,(84) Motionless,mute,tightlacedandtrim. Thetraveller,birdofpassagehe, Stiff,overstarchedandinsolent, Awakenssecretmerriment Byhisembarrasseddignity Muteglancesinterchangedaside Meetpunishmentforhimprovide. [Note84:OnPalmSundaytheRussianscarrybranches,orusedtodoso.Thesebranches wereadornedwithlittlepaintedpicturesofcherubswiththeruddycomplexionsof tradition.Hencethecomparison.] XXVI ButmyOneguinethewholeeve WithinhismindTattianabore, Nottheyoungtimidmaid,believe, Enamoured,simpleminded,poor, Buttheindifferentprincess, Divinitywithoutaccess OftheimperialNeva'sshore. OMen,howverylikeyeare ToEvetheuniversalmother, Possessionhathnopowertoplease, Theserpenttounlawfultrees Ayebidsyeinsomewayorother Unlessforbiddenfruitweeat, Ourparadiseisnomoresweet. XXVII Ah!howTattianawastransformed, Howthoroughlyherpartshetook! Howsoontohabitssheconformed Whichcrushingdignitymustbrook! Whowouldthemaideninnocent In theunmoved,magnificent Autocratofthedrawingroomseek? Andhehadmadeherheartbeatquick! 'Twashewhom,amidnightlyshades, WhilstMorpheushisapproachdelays, Shemournedandtothemoonwouldraise Thelanguideyeoflovesickmaids, Dreamingperchanceinwealorwoe

Toendwithhimherpathbelow. XXVIII ToLoveallageslowlybend, Buttheyoungunpollutedheart Hisgustsshouldfertilize,amend, Asvernalstormsthefieldsathwart. YouthfreshensbeneathPassion'sshowers, Developsandmaturesitspowers, Andthusinseasontherichfield Gayflowersandlusciousfruitdothyield. Butatalater,sterileage, Thesolsticeofourearthlyyears, MournfulLove'sdeadlytraceappears Asstormswhichinchillautumnrage Andleaveamarshthefertileground Anddevastatethewoodsaround. XXIX Therewasnodoubt!Eugene,alas! Tattianalovedaswhenalad, Bothdayandnighthenowmustpass Inlovelornmeditationsad. Carelessofeverysocialrule, Thecrystalsofhervestibule Hedailyinhisdrivesdrewnear Andlikeashadowhauntedher. Enrapturedwasheifallowed Toswathehershouldersinthefurs, Ifhishothandencounteredhers, Orhedispersedthemotleycrowd Oflackeysinherpathwaygrouped, Ortopickupherkerchiefstooped. XXX Sheseemedofhimoblivious, Despitetheanguishofhisbreast, Receivedhimfreelyatherhouse, Attimesthreewordstohimaddressed Incompany,orsimplybowed, Orrecognizednotinthecrowd. Nocoquetrywasthere,Ivouch Societyenduresnotsuch!

Oneguine'scheekgrewashypale, Eithershesawnotorignored Oneguinewastedonmyword, Alreadyhegrewphthisical. AlltothedoctorsEugenesend, Andtheythewatersrecommend. XXXI Hewentnotsoonerwasprepared Towritehisforefatherstowarn Ofhisapproachbutnothingcared Tattianathusthesexisborn. Heobstinatelywillremain, Stillhopes,endeavours,thoughinvain. Sicknessmorecouragedothcommand Thanhealth,sowithatremblinghand Aloveepistlehedothscrawl. Thoughcorrespondenceasarule Heusedtohateandwasnofool Yetsufferingemotional Hadrenderedhimaninvalid Butwordforwordhisletterread. Oneguine'sLettertoTattiana Allisforeseen.Mysecretdrear Willsoundaninsultinyourear. WhatacrimoniousscornItrace Depictedonyourhaughtyface! WhatdoIask?Whatcauseassigned ThatItoyourevealmymind? Towhatmaliciousmerriment, Itmaybe,Iyieldnutriment! Meetingyouintimespastbychance, WarmthIimaginedinyourglance, But,knowingnottheactualtruth, Restrainedtheimpulsesofyouth Alsomywretchedliberty Iwouldnotpartwithfinally Thisseparatedusaswell Lenski,unhappyvictim,fell, Fromeverythingthehearthelddear Ithenresolvedmyhearttotear Unknowntoall,withoutatie,

Ithoughtretirement,liberty, Willhappinessreplace.MyGod! HowIhaveerredandfelttherod! No,evertobeholdyourface, Tofollowyouineveryplace, Yoursmilinglips,yourbeamingeyes, Towatchwithlovers'ecstasies, Longlisten,comprehendthewhole Ofyourperfectionsinmysoul, Beforeyouagonizedtodie This,thisweretruefelicity! Butsuchisnotforme.Ibrood Dailyofloveinsolitude. Mydaysoflifeapproachtheirend, YetIinidlenessexpend Theremnantdestinyconcedes, Andthuseachstubbornlyproceeds. Ifeel,allottedismyspan But,thatlifelongermayremain, AtmornImustassuredly KnowthatthyfacethatdayIsee. Itremblelestmyhumbleprayer Youwithsterncountenancedeclare Theartificeof villany Ihearyourharsh,reproachfulcry. Ifyebutknewhowdreadful'tis Tobearlove'sparchingagonies Toburn,yetreasonkeepawake Thefeverofthebloodtoslake Apassionatedesiretobend And,sobbingatyourfeet,toblend Entreaties,woesandprayers,confess Allthattheheartwouldfainexpress Yetwithafeignedfrigidity Toarmthetongueande'entheeye, Tobeinconversationclear Andhappyuntoyouappear. Sobeit!Butinternalstrife Icannotlongerwageconcealed. Thedieiscast!Thineismylife! IntothyhandsmyfateIyield!

XXXII Noanswer!Heanothersent. Epistlesecond,notethethird, Remainedunnoticed.Oncehewent Toanassemblysheappeared Justasheentered.Howsevere! Shewillnotsee,shewillnothear. Alas!sheisashard,behold, AndfrostyasaTwelfthNightcold. Oh,howherlipscompressedrestrain Theindignationofherheart! AsidelonglookdothEugenedart: Where,where,remorse,compassion,pain? Where,where,thetraceoftears?None,none! Uponherbrowsitswrathalone XXXIII Anditmaybeasecretdread Lesttheworldorherlorddivine Acertainlittleescapade WellknownuntoOneguinemine. 'Tishopeless!Homewarddothheflee Cursinghisownstupidity, Andbroodingo'ertheillshebore, Societyrenouncedoncemore. Theninthesilentcabinet Heinimaginationsaw ThetimewhenMelancholy'sclaw 'Midworldlypleasureschasedhimyet, Caughthimandbythecollartook Andshuthiminalonelynook. XXXIV Hereadasvainlyasbefore, perusingGibbonandRousseau, Manzoni,HerderandChamfort,(85) MadamedeStael,Bichat,Tissot: HereadtheunbelievingBayle, AlsotheworksofFontenelle, SomeRussianauthorsheperused Noughtintheuniverserefused: Noralmanacsnornewspapers, Whichlessonsuntousrepeat,

WhereinIcastigationget Andwhereamadrigaloccurs Writinmyhonournowandthen Esemprebene,gentlemen! [Note85:Owingtotheunstablenatureoffamethenamesofsomeoftheaboveliterary worthiesnecessitatereferenceatthisperiodinthenineteenthcentury. JohannGottfriedvonHerder,b.1744,d.1803,aGermanphilosopher,philanthropistand author,wasthepersonalfriendofGoetheandheldthepoetofcourtchaplainatWeimar. Hischiefworkisentitled,"IdeasforaPhilosophyoftheHistoryofMankind,"in4vols. SebastienRochNicholasChamfort,b.1741,d.1794,wasaFrenchnovelistanddramatist oftheRevolution,whocontrarytohisrealwishesbecameentangledinitsmeshes.He exercisedaconsiderableinfluenceovercertainofitsleaders,notablyMirabeauand Sieyes.Heissaidtohaveoriginatedthetitleofthecelebratedtractfromthepenofthe latter."WhatistheTiersEtat?Nothing.Whatoughtittobe?Everything."Heultimately experiencedthecommondestinyinthosedays,wasthrownintoprisonandthough shortlyafterwardsreleased,hisincarcerationhadsuchaneffectuponhismindthathe committedsuicide. MarieFrancoisXavierBichat,b.1771,d.1802,aFrenchanatomistandphysiologistof eminence.Hisprincipalworksarea"TraitedesMembranes,""Anatomiegenerale appliqueealaPhysiologieetalaMedecine,"and"RecherchesPhysiologiquessurlaVie etlaMort."Hediedatanearlyagefromconstantexposuretonoxiousexhalationsduring hisresearches. PierreFrancoisTissot,b.1768,d.1864,aFrenchwriteroftheRevolutionandEmpire.In 1812hewasappointedbyNapoleoneditoroftheGazettedeFrance.Hewrotehistories oftheRevolution,ofNapoleonandofFrance.Hewaslikewiseapoetandauthorofa workentitled"LestroisIrlandaisConjures,oul'ombred'Emmet,"andisbelievedtohave editedFoy's"HistoryofthePeninsularWar." Theabovecataloguebyitsheterogeneouscompositiongivesafairideaoftheintellectual movementinRussiafromtheEmpressCatherinetheSeconddownwards.Itis characterizedbyafeverishthirstforencyclopaedicknowledgewithoutacorresponding powerofassimilation.] XXXV Butwhatresults?Hiseyesperuse Butthoughtsmeanderfaraway Ideas,desiresandwoesconfuse Hisintellectinclosearray. Hiseyes,theprintedlinesbetwixt, Onlinesinvisiblearefixt

'Twasthesehereadandthesealone Hisspiritwasintentupon. Theywerethewonderfultraditions Ofkindly,dimantiquity, Dreamswithnocontinuity, Prophecies,threatsandapparitions, Thelivelytrashofstorieslong Orlettersofamaidenyoung. XXXVI Andbydegreesuponhimgrew Alethargyofsense,atrance, Andsoonimaginationthrew Beforehimherwildgameofchance. Andnowuponthesnowinthaw Ayoungmanmotionlesshesaw, Asonewhobivouacsafield, AndheardavoicecryWhy!He'skilled! Andnowheviewsforgottenfoes, Poltroonsandmenofslanderoustongue, Beviesoftreacherousmaidensyoung Ofthanklessfriendsthecirclerose, Amansionbythewindow,see! Shesitsalone'tisevershe! XXXVII Sofrequentlyhismindwouldstray Hewellnighlosttheuseofsense, Almostbecameapoetsay Oh!whathadbeenhiseminence! Indeed,byforceofmagnetism ARussianpoem'smechanism Myscholarwithoutaptitude Atthistimealmostunderstood. Howlikeapoetwasmychum When,sittingbyhisfirealone Whilstcheerilytheembersshone, He"Benedetta"usedtohum, Or"Idolmio,"andinthegrate Wouldlosehisslippersorgazette. XXXVIII Timeflies!agenialairabroad,

Winterresignedherempirewhite, Oneguinene'eraspoetshowed Nordiednorlosthissensesquite. Springcheeredhimup,andheresigned Hischambersclosewhereinconfined Hemarmotlikedidhibernate, Hisdoublesashesandhisgrate, Andsalliedforthonebrilliantmorn AlongtheNeva'sbankhesleighs, Ontheblueblocksoficetherays Ofthesunglistenmuddy,worn, Thesnowuponthestreetsdothmelt Whitheralongthemdothhepelt? XXXIX Oneguinewhithergallops?Ye Haveguessedalready.Yes,quiteso! UntohisownTattianahe, Incorrigiblerogue,dothgo. Herhouseheenters,ghastlywhite, Thevestibulefindsemptyquite Heentersthesaloon.'Tisblank! Adoorheopens.Butwhyshrank Hebackasfromasuddenblow? Alonetheprincesssitteththere, Pallidandwithdishevelledhair, Gazinguponanotebelow. Hertearsflowplentifullyand Hercheekreclinesuponherhand. XL Oh!whoherspeechlessagonies Couldnotin thatbriefmomentguess! Whonowcouldfailtorecognize Tattianaintheyoungprincess! Torturedbypangsofwildregret, Eugenefellprostrateatherfeet Shestarts,nordothawordexpress, ButgazesonOneguine'sface Withoutamazeorwrathdisplayed: Hissunkeneyeandaspectfaint, Imploringlooksandmutecomplaint Shecomprehends.Thesimplemaid Byfondillusionsoncepossest

Isonceagainmademanifest. XLI Hiskneelingpostureheretains Calmlyhereyesencounterhis Insensibleherhandremains Beneathhislips'devouringkiss. Whatvisionsthenherfancythronged Abreathlesssilencethen,prolonged Butfinallyshesoftlysaid: "Enough,arise!formuchweneed Withoutdisguiseourselvesexplain. Oneguine,hastforgottenyet ThehourwhenFatesowilledwemet Inthelonegardenandthelane? HowmeeklythenIheardyoupreach Todayitismyturntoteach. XLII "Oneguine,Iwasyoungerthen, Andbetter,ifIjudgearight IlovedyouwhatdidIobtain? Affectionhowdidyourequite? Butwithausterity!foryou Nonoveltyisitnottrue? Wasthemeekloveamaidenfeels. Butnowmyverybloodcongeals, Callingtomindyouricylook Andsermonbutinthatdreadhour Iblamenotyourbehaviour Anhonourablecourseyetook, Displayedanoblerectitude Mysoulisfilledwithgratitude! XLIII "Then,inthecountry,is'tnottrue? Andfarremovedfromrumourvain Ididnotpleaseyou.Whypursue Menow,inflictuponmepain? WhereforeamIyourquarryheld? IsitthatIamnowcompelled Tomoveinfashionablelife, ThatIamrich,aprince'swife?

Becausemylord,inbattlesmaimed, IspettedbytheEmperor? Thatmydishonourwouldensure Anotorietyproclaimed, Andinsocietymightshed Abastardfameprohibited? XLIV "Iweep.Andifwithinyourbreast Myimagehathnotdisappeared, Knowthatyoursarcasmillsuppressed, Yourconversationcoldandhard, Ifthechoiceinmypowerwere, TolawlessloveIshouldprefer Andtotheselettersandthesetears. Forvisionsofmychildishyears Thenyewerebarelygenerous, Ageimmatureaversetocheat Butnowwhatbringsyoutomyfeet? Howmean,howpusillanimous! Aprudentmanlikeyouandbrave Toshallowsentimentaslave! XLV "Oneguine,allthissumptuousness, Thegildingoflife'svanities, Intheworld'svortexmysuccess, Mysplendidhouseandgaieties Whatarethey?GladlywouldIyield Thislifeinmasqueradeconcealed, Thisglitter,riot,emptiness, Formywildgardenandbookcase, Yes!forourunpretendinghome, Oneguinethebelovedplace WherethefirsttimeIsawyourface, Orforthesolitarytomb Whereinmypooroldnursedothlie Beneathacrossandshrubbery. XLVI "'Twaspossiblethen,happiness Nay,nearbutdestinydecreed Mylotisfixedwiththoughtlessness

ItmaybethatIdidproceed Withbittertearsmymotherprayed, AndforTattiana,mournfulmaid, Indifferentwasherfuturefate. Imarriednow,Isupplicate ForeveryourTattianaleave. Yourheartpossesses,Iknowwell, Honourandprideinflexible. Iloveyoutowhatenddeceive? ButIamnowanother'sbride Foreverfaithfulwillabide." XLVII Sherosedeparted.ButEugene Stoodasifstruckbylightningfire. Whatastormofemotionskeen Ragedroundhimandofbalkeddesire! Andhark!theclankofspursisheard AndTania'shusbandsoonappeared. Butnowourherowemustleave JustatamomentwhichIgrieve Mustbepronouncedunfortunate Forlongforever.Tobesure Togetherwehavewanderedo'er Theworldenough.Congratulate Eachotherastheshoreweclimb! Hurrah!itlongagowastime! XLVIII Reader,whoeverthoumaystbe, Foemanorfriend,Idoaspire Topartinamitywiththee! Adieu!whate'erthoudidstdesire Fromcarelessstanzassuchasthese, Ofpassionreminiscences, Picturesoftheamusingscene, Reposefromlabour,satirekeen, Orfaultsofgrammaronitspage Godgrantthatallwhohereinglance, Inseriousmoodordalliance Orinasquabbletoengage, Mayfindacrumbtosatisfy. Nowwemustseparate.Goodbye!

XLIX Andfarewellthou,mygloomyfriend, Thoualso,myidealtrue, Andthou,persistenttotheend, Mylittlebook.WiththeeIknew Allthatapoetcoulddesire, Oblivionoflife'stempestdire, Offriendsthegratefulintercourse Oh,manyayearhathrunitscourse SinceIbeheldEugeneandyoung Tattianainamistydream, Andmyromance'sopentheme Glitteredinaperspectivelong, AndIdiscernedthroughFancy'sprism Distinctlynotitsmechanism. L Butyetowhom,whenfriendshipheard, ThefirstfruitsofmytaleIread, AsSaadiancientlyaverred(86) Someareafarandsomearedead. WithoutthemEugeneiscomplete Andthou,fromwhomTattianasweet Wasdrawn,idealofmylay Ah!whathathfatenottornaway! Happywhoquitlife'sbanquetseat Beforethedregstheyshalldivine Ofthecupbrimmingo'erwithwine Whotheromancedonotcomplete, ButwhoabandonitasI HavemyOneguinesuddenly. [Note86: ThecelebratedPersianpoet.Pushkinusesthepassagereferredtoasan epigraphtothe"FountainofBaktchiserai."Itrunsthus:"Many,evenasI,visitedthat fountain,butsomeofthesearedeadandsomehavejourneyedafar."Saadiwasbornin 1189atShirazandwasareputeddescendantfromAli,Mahomet'ssoninlaw.Inhis youthhewasasoldier,wastakenprisonerbytheCrusadersandforcedtoworkinthe ditchesofTripoli,whencehewasransomedbyamerchantwhosedaughterhe subsequentlymarried.Hedidnotcommencewritingtillanadvancedage.Hisprincipal workisthe"Gulistan,"or"RoseGarden,"aworkwhichhasbeentranslatedintoalmost everyEuropeantongue.]

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