With Ozerov all were delighted, Semyonova with him divided
The tears of the people’s awe. Katenin there could restore
Of Corneille stately genius; there Was known prickly Shakhovskoy
Who wrote comedies with joy; With glory Didla’s crowned there.
And there, in the shades of links, My younger days were rushing things,
XIX
My goddesses’ what are you? where?
You listen to my grievous call:
Are you the same, or others dared To change, replace you there all?
Shall I again your chorus hear?
Of Russian Terpsichore’s dear
Shall see emotional flight?
Or dismal eye will never find
At boring stage some known actor, And, turning to unknown world
My disillusioned lornette, Of joy some careless spectator,
With yawn I’ll cover disrespect And shall of bygone recollect?
XX
Each box in theatre is shining, In pit each stall already boils,
In gallery the claps are flying, And rising curtain makes a noise.
Half-aireal and resplended, To magic bow all attended,
Istomina’s in front of pit, With nymths she waits to make a hit.
With one of feet the floor she’s touching, With other slowly she wheels,
Then sudden caper - and she fleets Like down from Eolus marching,
She makes her figure twine and twist, With quick her foot the foot she beats.
XXI
Each claps.
Onegin now enters, For stalls comes over the feet,
Lornette his double slantwise renders To see all ladies to be fit,
He cast a glance at ladies’ tires, At circles but with looks, attires
Was terribly unsatisfied. With every man at any side
He bowed. Unattending body, At stage he looked as if by chance,
Turned off, then yawned and said at once:
«It’s time to change them in a body,
Too long by ballets I was pressed, By Didle too I am depressed».
XXII
Yet Cupids, devils and the serpents Make noise and hop in front of pit;
Yet some of weary men-servants At entrance on fur-coals sleep;
Yet someone hisses, feet are stamping, Some blow nose, cough, are clapping;
Yet outside, as well’s inside, The lanterns everywhere shine;
Yet, being chilled, are striking horses, Annoyed by harness; near light
The drivers all themselves incite By clapping; each his master curses...
Onegin’s out by himself, He goes to redress himself.
XXIII
Shall I portray in truthful picture Secluded study of the best,
All fashioned model of the creature Who’s dressed, undressed, anew redressed.
All fancy goods for whims abundant Which are supplied by busy London
All over the Baltic waves For forest, fat and hand-made lace;
All things by Paris craft invented To help the idle hungry taste
The great prosperity lo waste - To have at home he intended:
Philosopher among his mates With them his room he decorates.