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

The dream left terror in its train. Not knowing its interpretation, Tania the meaning would obtain Of such a dread hallucination.Tattiana to the index flies And alphabetically tries The words bear, bridge, fir, darkness, bog, Raven, snowstorm, tempest, fog, Et cetera; but nothing showed Her Martin Zadeka in aid, Though the foul vision promise made Of a most mournful episode, And many a day thereafter laid A load of care upon the maid.

XXV

"But lo! forth from the valleys dun With purple hand Aurora leads, Swift following in her wake, the sun,"[60] And a grand festival proceeds.The Larinas were since sunrise O'erwhelmed with guests; by families The neighbours come, in sledge approach, Britzka, kibitka, or in coach.Crush and confusion in the hall, Latest arrivals' salutations, Barking, young ladies' osculations, Shouts, laughter, jamming 'gainst the wall, Bows and the scrape of many feet, Nurses who scream and babes who bleat.

XXVI

Bringing his partner corpulent Fat Poustiakoff drove to the door; Gvozdine, a landlord excellent, Oppressor of the wretched poor;And the Skatenines, aged pair, With all their progeny were there, Who from two years to thirty tell; Petoushkoff, the provincial swell;Bouyanoff too, my cousin, wore[61] His wadded coat and cap with peak (Surely you know him as I speak); And Flianoff, pensioned councillor, Rogue and extortioner of yore, Now buffoon, glutton, and a bore.

XXVII

The family of Kharlikoff, Came with Monsieur Triquet, a prig, Who arrived lately from Tamboff, In spectacles and chestnut wig.Like a true Frenchman, couplets wrought In Tania's praise in pouch he brought, Known unto children perfectly: Reveillez-vouz, belle endormie.Among some ancient ballads thrust, He found them in an almanac, And the sagacious Triquet back To light had brought them from their dust, Whilst he "belle Nina" had the face By "belle Tattiana" to replace.

XXVIII

Lo! from the nearest barrack came, Of old maids the divinity, And comfort of each country dame, The captain of a company.He enters. Ah! good news to-day! The military band will play. The colonel sent it. Oh! delight! So there will be a dance to-night.Girls in anticipation skip! But dinner-time comes. Two and two They hand in hand to table go. The maids beside Tattiana keep— Men opposite. The cross they sign And chattering loud sit down to dine.

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