Part 19 (2/2)

Maid whom my heart desires alone, Approach, approach; I am thine own.”

XXI

Thus in a style _obscure_ and _stale_,(64) He wrote ('tis the romantic style, Though of romance therein I fail To see aught--never mind meanwhile) And about dawn upon his breast His weary head declined at rest, For o'er a word to fas.h.i.+on known, ”Ideal,” he had drowsy grown.

But scarce had sleep's soft witchery Subdued him, when his neighbour stept Into the chamber where he slept And wakened him with the loud cry: ”'Tis time to get up! Seven doth strike.

Oneguine waits on us, 'tis like.”

[Note 64: The fact of the above words being italicised suggests the idea that the poet is here firing a Parthian shot at some unfriendly critic.]

XXII

He was in error; for Eugene Was sleeping then a sleep like death; The pall of night was growing thin, To Lucifer the c.o.c.k must breathe His song, when still he slumbered deep, The sun had mounted high his steep, A pa.s.sing snowstorm wreathed away With pallid light, but Eugene lay Upon his couch insensibly; Slumber still o'er him lingering flies.

But finally he oped his eyes And turned aside the drapery; He gazed upon the clock which showed He long should have been on the road.

XXIII

He rings in haste; in haste arrives His Frenchman, good Monsieur Guillot, Who dressing-gown and slippers gives And linen on him doth bestow.

Dressing as quickly as he can, Eugene directs the trusty man To accompany him and to escort A box of terrible import.

Harnessed the rapid sledge arrived: He enters: to the mill he drives: Descends, the order Guillot gives, The fatal tubes Lepage contrived(65) To bring behind: the triple steeds To two young oaks the coachman leads.

[Note 65: Lepage--a celebrated gunmaker of former days.]

XXIV

Lenski the foeman's apparition Leaning against the dam expects, Zaretski, village mechanician, In the meantime the mill inspects.

Oneguine his excuses says; ”But,” cried Zaretski in amaze, ”Your second you have left behind!”

A duellist of cla.s.sic mind, Method was dear unto his heart He would not that a man ye slay In a lax or informal way, But followed the strict rules of art, And ancient usages observed (For which our praise he hath deserved).

XXV

”My second!” cried in turn Eugene, ”Behold my friend Monsieur Guillot; To this arrangement can be seen, No obstacle of which I know.

Although unknown to fame mayhap, He's a straightforward little chap.”

Zaretski bit his lip in wrath, But to Vladimir Eugene saith: ”Shall we commence?”--”Let it be so,”

Lenski replied, and soon they be Behind the mill. Meantime ye see Zaretski and Monsieur Guillot In consultation stand aside-- The foes with downcast eyes abide.

XXVI

Foes! Is it long since friends.h.i.+p rent Asunder was and hate prepared?

Since leisure was together spent, Meals, secrets, occupations shared?

Now, like hereditary foes, Malignant fury they disclose, As in some frenzied dream of fear These friends cold-bloodedly draw near Mutual destruction to contrive.

Cannot they amicably smile Ere crimson stains their hands defile, Depart in peace and friendly live?

But fas.h.i.+onable hatred's flame Trembles at artificial shame.

XXVII

The s.h.i.+ning pistols are uncased, The mallet loud the ramrod strikes, Bullets are down the barrels pressed, For the first time the hammer clicks.

Lo! poured in a thin gray cascade, The powder in the pan is laid, The sharp flint, screwed securely on, Is c.o.c.ked once more. Uneasy grown, Guillot behind a pollard stood; Aside the foes their mantles threw, Zaretski paces thirty-two Measured with great exact.i.tude.

At each extreme one takes his stand, A loaded pistol in his hand.

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