Part 3 (1/2)

XIX

Snakes, satyrs, loves with many a shout Across the stage still madly sweep, Whilst the tired serving-men without Wrapped in their sheepskins soundly sleep.

Still the loud stamping doth not cease, Still they blow noses, cough, and sneeze, Still everywhere, without, within, The lamps illuminating s.h.i.+ne; The steed benumbed still pawing stands And of the irksome harness tires, And still the coachmen round the fires(11) Abuse their masters, rub their hands: But Eugene long hath left the press To array himself in evening dress.

[Note 11: In Russia large fires are lighted in winter time in front of the theatres for the benefit of the menials, who, considering the state of the thermometer, cannot be said to have a jovial time of it. But in this, as in other cases, ”habit” alleviates their lot, and they bear the cold with a wonderful equanimity.]

XX

Faithfully shall I now depict, Portray the solitary den Wherein the child of fas.h.i.+on strict Dressed him, undressed, and dressed again?

All that industrial London brings For tallow, wood and other things Across the Baltic's salt sea waves, All which caprice and affluence craves, All which in Paris eager taste, Choosing a profitable trade, For our amus.e.m.e.nt ever made And ease and fas.h.i.+onable waste,-- Adorned the apartment of Eugene, Philosopher just turned eighteen.

XXI

China and bronze the tables weight, Amber on pipes from Stamboul glows, And, joy of souls effeminate, Phials of crystal scents enclose.

Combs of all sizes, files of steel, Scissors both straight and curved as well, Of thirty different sorts, lo! brushes Both for the nails and for the tushes.

Rousseau, I would remark in pa.s.sing,(12) Could not conceive how serious Grimm Dared calmly cleanse his nails 'fore him, Eloquent raver all-surpa.s.sing,-- The friend of liberty and laws In this case quite mistaken was.

[Note 12: ”Tout le monde sut qu'il (Grimm) mettait du blanc; et moi, qui n'en croyait rien, je commencai de le croire, non seulement par l'embelliss.e.m.e.nt de son teint, et pour avoir trouve des ta.s.ses de blanc sur la toilette, mais sur ce qu'entrant un matin dans sa chambre, je le trouvais brossant ses ongles avec une pet.i.te vergette faite expres, ouvrage qu'il continua fierement devant moi. Je jugeai qu'un homme qui pa.s.se deux heures tous les matins a brosser ses ongles peut bien pa.s.ser quelques instants a remplir de blanc les creux de sa peau.”

_Confessions de J. J. Rousseau_]

XXII

The most industrious man alive May yet be studious of his nails; What boots it with the age to strive?

Custom the despot soon prevails.

A new Kaverine Eugene mine, Dreading the world's remarks malign, Was that which we are wont to call A fop, in dress pedantical.

Three mortal hours per diem he Would loiter by the looking-gla.s.s, And from his dressing-room would pa.s.s Like Venus when, capriciously, The G.o.ddess would a masquerade Attend in male attire arrayed.

XXIII

On this artistical retreat Having once fixed your interest, I might to connoisseurs repeat The style in which my hero dressed; Though I confess I hardly dare Describe in detail the affair, Since words like pantaloons, vest, coat, To Russ indigenous are not; And also that my feeble verse-- Pardon I ask for such a sin-- With words of foreign origin Too much I'm given to intersperse, Though to the Academy I come And oft its Dictionary thumb.(13)

[Note 13: Refers to Dictionary of the Academy, compiled during the reign of Catherine II under the supervision of Lomonossoff.]

XXIV

But such is not my project now, So let us to the ball-room haste, Whither at headlong speed doth go Eugene in hackney carriage placed.

Past darkened windows and long streets Of slumbering citizens he fleets, Till carriage lamps, a double row, Cast a gay l.u.s.tre on the snow, Which s.h.i.+nes with iridescent hues.

He nears a s.p.a.cious mansion's gate, By many a lamp illuminate, And through the lofty windows views Profiles of lovely dames he knows And also fas.h.i.+onable beaux.

XXV

Our hero stops and doth alight, Flies past the porter to the stair, But, ere he mounts the marble flight, With hurried hand smooths down his hair.

He enters: in the hall a crowd, No more the music thunders loud, Some a mazurka occupies, Crus.h.i.+ng and a confusing noise; Spurs of the Cavalier Guard clash, The feet of graceful ladies fly, And following them ye might espy Full many a glance like lightning flash, And by the fiddle's rus.h.i.+ng sound The voice of jealousy is drowned.

XXVI

In my young days of wild delight On b.a.l.l.s I madly used to dote, Fond declarations they invite Or the delivery of a note.

So hearken, every worthy spouse, I would your vigilance arouse, Attentive be unto my rhymes And due precautions take betimes.

Ye mothers also, caution use, Upon your daughters keep an eye, Employ your gla.s.ses constantly, For otherwise--G.o.d only knows!