Was seeming new on each occasion, With jokes innocence amazed.
Could give a fright by desperation, With flattery could draw one’s gaze,
Was able any glimpse of sweetness, Of vergin years bias giftness
With passion and the wit to gain, For sudden tenderness to wait,
For words of love to be entreating, First move of heart to catch by chance,
To chase the love and all at once To get agreed a secret meeting,
And then from people far away To give her lessons all the day?
XII
And how could he be annoying The hearts of ladies, whom he knew!
But when his thoughts were of destroying His own rivals, though few,
His scandal talks were such backbiting!
His nets for them were so frightening!
But blissful husband of coquette, To part from him you did regret!
By cunning husband he was greeted, Of Faublas previous a fan;
By one mistrustful old man; Him stately cuckold admitted,
Who’s always proud of himself, Of dinner and of wife herself.
XIII, XIV
………………….. ………………….. …………………..
XV
Sometimes, when he’s in bed yet sleeping, Some papers they are bringing him.
What?
Invitations for a meeting?
Three houses will wait for him.
Some balls, one children’s entertainment...
What will he choose for his engagement?
With which to start?
In wonder style To every place he came in time.
Meanwhile he’s dressed for walk at morning, His bolivar he’s having on {3]
And comes to bouieward quite forlone: He there at a space is walking
Until his breget sleepless, fine {4} Will strike the bells for him to dine.
XVI
Its dark.
In sledge he’s sitting now. -Away, away! - the driver marks,
And, covered with the frosted gown, His beaver collar now sparks.
To Talon’s surely he’s raiding. Kaverin there is awaiting.
He comes: the corks for ceiling pass, The wine like comet splashes fast.
A bloody roast-beef is given, And truffles, splendour of teenage,
In France of cooking highest gauge; And pie train Strassburg, freshly driven,
Between the Limburg lively cheese And best pine-apple gold squeese.
XYII
The thirst demands some more of drinking To cool hot cutlet’s fat at once,
But breget bells are now clinking: New ballet will begin by chance,
Of theatre strict legislator, Inconstant adorer of later
Quite charming actresses, he is An honoured cityzen of links.
For theatre Onegin’s speeding. In it each man is free at all:
He may each entrechat catcall, Or hiss Moina, Fedra greeting;
Or Cleopatra may encore (By others to be heard once more).
XYIII
Enchanting land! In days of wisdom, Of satire great potentate,
Fonvizin shone, a friend of freedom, Knyazhnin was always up-to-date.