Eugene Oneguine [Onegin]. A Romance of Russian Life in Verse

But more the passions occupy The converse of our hermits twain, And, heaving a regretful sigh, An exile from their troublous reign, Eugene would speak regarding these. Thrice happy who their agonies Hath suffered but indifferent grown, Still happier he who ne'er hath known!By absence who hath chilled his love, His hate by slander, and who spends Existence without wife or friends, Whom jealous transport cannot move, And who the rent-roll of his race Ne'er trusted to the treacherous ace.

XVIII

When, wise at length, we seek repose Beneath the flag of Quietude, When Passion's fire no longer glows And when her violence reviewed— Each gust of temper, silly word, Seems so unnatural and absurd:Reduced with effort unto sense, We hear with interest intense The accents wild of other's woes, They stir the heart as heretofore. So ancient warriors, battles o'er, A curious interest disclose In yarns of youthful troopers gay, Lost in the hamlet far away.

XIX

And in addition youth is flame And cannot anything conceal, Is ever ready to proclaim The love, hate, sorrow, joy, we feel.Deeming himself a veteran scarred In love's campaigns Oneguine heard With quite a lachrymose expression The youthful poet's fond confession.He with an innocence extreme His inner consciousness laid bare, And Eugene soon discovered there The story of his young love's dream, Where plentifully feelings flow Which we experienced long ago.

XX

Alas! he loved as in our times Men love no more, as only the Mad spirit of the man who rhymes Is still condemned in love to be;One image occupied his mind, Constant affection intertwined And an habitual sense of pain; And distance interposed in vain, Nor years of separation all Nor homage which the Muse demands Nor beauties of far distant lands Nor study, banquet, rout nor ball His constant soul could ever tire, Which glowed with virginal desire.

XXI

When but a boy he Olga loved Unknown as yet the aching heart, He witnessed tenderly and moved Her girlish gaiety and sport.Beneath the sheltering oak tree's shade He with his little maiden played, Whilst the fond parents, friends thro' life, Dreamed in the future man and wife.And full of innocent delight, As in a thicket's humble shade, Beneath her parents' eyes the maid Grew like a lily pure and white, Unseen in thick and tangled grass By bee and butterfly which pass.

XXII