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

Upon the table in a trice Of widow Clicquot or Moet A blessed bottle, placed in ice, For the young poet they display.Like Hippocrene it scatters light, Its ebullition foaming white (Like other things I could relate) My heart of old would captivate.The last poor obol I was worth— Was it not so?—for thee I gave, And thy inebriating wave Full many a foolish prank brought forth;And oh! what verses, what delights, Delicious visions, jests and fights!

XXXVI

Alas! my stomach it betrays With its exhilarating flow, And I confess that now-a-days I prefer sensible Bordeaux.To cope with Ay no more I dare, For Ay is like a mistress fair, Seductive, animated, bright, But wilful, frivolous, and light.But thou, Bordeaux, art like the friend Who in the agony of grief Is ever ready with relief, Assistance ever will extend, Or quietly partake our woe. All hail! my good old friend Bordeaux!

XXXVII

The fire sinks low. An ashy cloak The golden ember now enshrines, And barely visible the smoke Upward in a thin stream inclines.But little warmth the fireplace lends, Tobacco smoke the flue ascends, The goblet still is bubbling bright— Outside descend the mists of night.How pleasantly the evening jogs When o'er a glass with friends we prate Just at the hour we designate The time between the wolf and dogs— I cannot tell on what pretence— But lo! the friends to chat commence.

XXXVIII

"How are our neighbours fair, pray tell, Tattiana, saucy Olga thine?" "The family are all quite well— Give me just half a glass of wine— They sent their compliments—but oh! How charming Olga's shoulders grow! Her figure perfect grows with time! She is an angel! We sometime Must visit them. Come! you must own, My friend, 'tis but to pay a debt, For twice you came to them and yet You never since your nose have shown.But stay! A dolt am I who speak! They have invited you this week."

XXXIX

"Me?"—"Yes! It is Tattiana's fete Next Saturday. The Larina Told me to ask you. Ere that date Make up your mind to go there."—"Ah! It will be by a mob beset Of every sort and every set!""Not in the least, assured am I!" "Who will be there?"—"The family. Do me a favour and appear. Will you?"—"Agreed."—"I thank you, friend," And saying this Vladimir drained His cup unto his maiden dear. Then touching Olga they depart In fresh discourse. Such, love, thou art!

XL