No More Learning

For God's sake, Lenski, don't begin!
What! really going? 'Tis too bad!
But Lenski, I should be so glad
Would you to me this Phyllis show,
Fair source of every fine idea,
Verses and tears et cetera.
Present me. "--"You are joking. "--"No. "--
"Delighted. "--"When? "--"This very night.
They will receive us with delight. "

III

Whilst homeward by the nearest route
Our heroes at full gallop sped,
Can we not stealthily make out
What they in conversation said? --
"How now, Oneguine, yawning still? "--
"'Tis habit, Lenski.
"--"Is your ill
More troublesome than usual? "--"No!
How dark the night is getting though!
Hallo, Andriushka, onward race!
The drive becomes monotonous--
Well! Larina appears to us
An ancient lady full of grace. --
That bilberry wine, I'm sore afraid,
The deuce with my inside has played. "

IV

"Say, of the two which was Tattiana? "
"She who with melancholy face
And silent as the maid Svetlana(30)
Hard by the window took her place. "--
"The younger, you're in love with her! "
"Well! "--"I the elder should prefer,
Were I like you a bard by trade--
In Olga's face no life's displayed.
'Tis a Madonna of Vandyk,
An oval countenance and pink,
Yon silly moon upon the brink
Of the horizon she is like! "--
Vladimir something curtly said
Nor further comment that night made.

[Note 30: "Svetlana," a short poem by Joukovski, upon which his
fame mainly rests. Joukovski was an unblushing plagiarist.