Part 26 (1/2)
Her features no grimaces bleared; Of affectation innocent, Calm and without embarra.s.sment, A faithful model she appeared Of ”comme il faut.” s.h.i.+shkoff, forgive!
I can't translate the adjective.(83)
[Note 83: s.h.i.+shkoff was a member of the literary school which cultivated the vernacular as opposed to the _Arzama.s.s_ or Gallic school, to which the poet himself and his uncle Va.s.sili Pushkin belonged. He was admiral, author, and minister of education.]
XV
Ladies in crowds around her close, Her with a smile old women greet, The men salute with lower bows And watch her eye's full glance to meet.
Maidens before her meekly move Along the hall, and high above The crowd doth head and shoulders rise The general who accompanies.
None could her beautiful declare, Yet viewing her from head to foot, None could a trace of that impute, Which in the elevated sphere Of London life is ”vulgar” called And ruthless fas.h.i.+on hath blackballed.
XVI
I like this word exceedingly Although it will not bear translation, With us 'tis quite a novelty Not high in general estimation; 'Twould serve ye in an epigram-- But turn we once more to our dame.
Enchanting, but unwittingly, At table she was sitting by The brilliant Nina Voronskoi, The Neva's Cleopatra, and None the conviction could withstand That Nina's marble symmetry, Though dazzling its effulgence white, Could not eclipse her neighbour's light.
XVII
”And is it,” meditates Eugene.
”And is it she? It must be--no-- How! from the waste of steppes unseen,”-- And the eternal lorgnette through Frequent and rapid doth his glance Seek the forgotten countenance Familiar to him long ago.
”Inform me, prince, pray dost thou know The lady in the crimson cap Who with the Spanish envoy speaks?”-- The prince's eye Oneguine seeks: ”Ah! long the world hath missed thy shape!
But stop! I will present thee, if You choose.”--”But who is she?”--”My wife.”
XVIII
”So thou art wed! I did not know.
Long ago?”--”'Tis the second year.”
”To--?”--”Larina.”--”Tattiana?”--”So.
And dost thou know her?”--”We live near.”
”Then come with me.” The prince proceeds, His wife approaches, with him leads His relative and friend as well.
The lady's glance upon him fell-- And though her soul might be confused, And vehemently though amazed She on the apparition gazed, No signs of trouble her accused, A mien unaltered she preserved, Her bow was easy, unreserved.
XIX
Ah no! no faintness her attacked Nor sudden turned she red or white, Her brow she did not e'en contract Nor yet her lip compressed did bite.
Though he surveyed her at his ease, Not the least trace Oneguine sees Of the Tattiana of times fled.
He conversation would have led-- But could not. Then she questioned him:-- ”Had he been long here, and where from?
Straight from their province had he come?”-- Cast upwards then her eyeb.a.l.l.s dim Unto her husband, went away-- Transfixed Oneguine mine doth stay.
XX
Is this the same Tattiana, say, Before whom once in solitude, In the beginning of this lay, Deep in the distant province rude, Impelled by zeal for moral worth, He salutary rules poured forth?
The maid whose note he still possessed Wherein the heart its vows expressed, Where all upon the surface lies,-- That girl--but he must dreaming be-- That girl whom once on a time he Could in a humble sphere despise, Can she have been a moment gone Thus haughty, careless in her tone?
XXI
He quits the fas.h.i.+onable throng And meditative homeward goes, Visions, now sad, now grateful, long Do agitate his late repose.
He wakes--they with a letter come-- The Princess N. will be at home On such a day. O Heavens, 'tis she!
Oh! I accept. And instantly He a polite reply doth scrawl.
What hath he dreamed? What hath occurred?