Part 29 (1/2)

53.

Noise, laughter, galop, waltz, mazurka, Bows, bustle... meanwhile from the dance Tatiana hides a the capers irk her a Beside a column, 'twixt two aunts, She looks but does not see, detesting The worldly tumult and the jesting, She, stifling here, in fancy strains To reach again her fields and lanes, Her rural life: the tranquil bowers, The poor folk, the secluded nook Where flows a tiny, limpid brook, Her novels and the country flowers, And those tenebrous linden ways Where he appeared in former days.

54.

But while her mind is in the distance, Forgetting monde and noisy ball, A certain general of substance Won't take his eyes off her at all.

The two aunts wink and in like manner Both with their elbows nudge Tatiana, And each one whispers in her ear: 'Look quickly to the left, my dear.'

'The left? But where? What is so special?'

'Well, never mind what it may be, Just look... that group... in front, you see...

Those two in uniform, official...

Gone... Wait, his profile's in between.'

'Who? That fat general, you mean?'

55.

But let's extend congratulations To dear Tatiana, triumphing, And change my course (entreating patience), Lest I forget of whom I sing.

And by the way two words, updating: 'I sing a youthful friend, relating His many eccentricities.

Please favour the felicities, O epic Muse, of my exertions, And, with your trusty staff, let me Not wander on so waywardly.'

There, done! Enough! No more diversions!

Thus, cla.s.sicism I placate: An Introduction's here, though late.

CHAPTER VIII.

Fare thee well, and, if for ever.

Still forever fare thee well.1

Byron

1.

In those far days, serene and careless, The lycee's2 gardens saw me grow, I read with pleasure Apuleius3 And disregarded Cicero4, In those far days, in dales mysterious, In spring, when swans call out, imperious, Near waters s.h.i.+ning tranquilly, The Muse began to visit me.

My student cell was inundated With sudden light. She brought me there A youthful feast, a merry fare Of fancies that in song she feted, Sang, too, our glorious, ancient themes, Sang of the heart that stirs our dreams.

2.

And with a smile my Muse was greeted; Our first success encouraged us, We were by old Derzhavin5 heeded And blessed before he joined the dust...6