Part 4 (1/2)

29.

In days of revelries and pa.s.sions I'd go insane about a ball: For billets doux and declarations There's no securer place at all, Respected husbands! May I offer My service to you lest you suffer; I beg you, note my every word, I want you always on your guard.

And you, mammas, pay more attention, Observe your daughters' etiquette And keep a hold on your lorgnette!

Or else... you'll need G.o.d's intervention!

I'm only writing this to show That I stopped sinning long ago.

30.

Alas, much life I have neglected For every pastime thinkable, Yet were my morals not affected, I to this day would love a ball.

I love the youthfulness and madness, The crush, the glitter and the gladness, The care with which the women dress; I love their little feet, yet guess You'd be unlikely to discover Three shapely pairs of women's feet In all of Russia. Long indeed Have two small feet caused me to suffer...

Sad, cold, I still recall their smart, And in my sleep they stir my heart.

31.

To what far desert will you wander, Madman, to overcome their sting?

Ah, little, little feet! I wonder Where now you crush the flowers of spring?

Born to the softness of the orient, On our sad snows you left no imprint: You loved the sumptuous feel instead Of rugs that yielded to your tread, You lived in luxury, refinement.

For you how long ago did I Forget renown and eulogy, My native land and my confinement?

The happiness of youth has pa.s.sed Like your light trace on meadow gra.s.s.

32.

Diana's45 breast, the cheeks of Flora,46 Are charming, friends, I do agree, But somehow what enchant me more are The small feet of Terpsich.o.r.e.

To all who gaze on them magnetic, Of priceless recompense prophetic, Their cla.s.sic gracefulness inspires A wilful swarming of desires.

I love them, dear Elvina,47 under A lengthy tablecloth or pressed On gra.s.s in spring or when they rest In winter on a cast-iron fender, Upon the parquet floors of halls, Beside the sea on granite walls.

33.

Once by the sea, a storm impending, I recollect my envy of The waves, successively descending, Collapsing at her feet with love.

Oh how I wished to join their races And catch her feet in my embraces!

No, never did I in the fire Of my ebullient youth desire To kiss with so much pain and hunger A young Armida's48 lips or seek The rose upon a flaming cheek Or touch a bosom full of languor; No, never did a pa.s.sion's squall So rend and tear apart my soul.

34.

Another memory comes, revealing A cherished dream in which I stand Holding a happy stirrup... feeling A tiny foot inside my hand.

Imagination seethes, excited, Once more its contact has ignited The blood within my withered heart, Once more I love, once more I smart!...