Part 17 (1/2)
But now its noisy effervescence Betrays my stomach, and instead I much prefer Bordeaux's quiescence Which spares the stomach and the head.
An15 I can no longer savour; An is like a woman's favour, Ravis.h.i.+ng, gay, mercurial, Impetuous and trivial...
If now Bordeaux is my addiction, It's as a friend who's always there To benefit us everywhere, Partaking sorrow and affliction, Sharing the leisure time we spend.
Long live Bordeaux, our precious friend!
47.
The fire is out; ash barely covers The golden coal; a tiny flow Of vapour, just apparent, hovers; The grate exhales the faintest glow.
And, up the chimney, pipe smoke rises.
Wine in the gleaming gla.s.s still fizzes Among the empty dinner plates.
An evening gloom acc.u.mulates...
I like a friendly chat in quiet Over a friendly bowl of wine, Above all at that special time 'Between the wolf and dog'16 (though why it Should be so called, I've no idea).
But our two friends are talking here:
48.
'How are the Larin girls, I wonder, Tatiana, sprightly Olga, tell?'
'Pour me just half a gla.s.s or under...
Enough, dear chap... the family's well And all of them send salutations.
But Olga, ah, what transformations!
Dear fellow, Olga's in her prime, What shoulders, bosom, soul!... Some time, Let's visit them, they'll be delighted; Judge for yourself, my friend, it's clear: You drop in twice, then disappear And never show a nose. They're slighted.
But I'm a fool... for as I speak, You are invited there next week.'
49.
'I?' 'Yes. The family's celebrating Tatiana's nameday, Sat.u.r.day.
Mother and Olen'ka are waiting: You've no good reason to gainsay?'
'But goodness knows what sort of rabble I shall encounter, that's the trouble...'
'I'm sure n.o.body will be there, It's just a family affair.
So let us go, do me the favour!'
'Well, yes; let's hope I'm entertained.'
'You're kind,' Vladimir said and drained His gla.s.s, a toast to his fair neighbour, Then started talking once again Of Olga a such is love's refrain!
50.
Cheerful he was a about to marry.