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

"My second!" cried in turn Eugene, 
"Behold my friend Monsieur Guillot; 
To this arrangement can be seen, 
No obstacle of which I know.

Although unknown to fame mayhap, 

He's a straightforward little chap." 
Zaretski bit his lip in wrath, 
But to Vladimir Eugene saith:

"Shall we commence?"—"Let it be so," 

Lenski replied, and soon they be 
Behind the mill. Meantime ye see 
Zaretski and Monsieur Guillot 
In consultation stand aside— 
The foes with downcast eyes abide.

XXVI

Foes! Is it long since friendship rent 
Asunder was and hate prepared? 
Since leisure was together spent, 
Meals, secrets, occupations shared?

Now, like hereditary foes, 

Malignant fury they disclose, 
As in some frenzied dream of fear 
These friends cold-bloodedly draw near 
Mutual destruction to contrive. 
Cannot they amicably smile 
Ere crimson stains their hands defile, 
Depart in peace and friendly live?

But fashionable hatred's flame 

Trembles at artificial shame.

XXVII

The shining pistols are uncased, 
The mallet loud the ramrod strikes, 
Bullets are down the barrels pressed, 
For the first time the hammer clicks.

Lo! poured in a thin gray cascade, 

The powder in the pan is laid, 
The sharp flint, screwed securely on, 
Is cocked once more. Uneasy grown, 
Guillot behind a pollard stood; 
Aside the foes their mantles threw, 
Zaretski paces thirty-two 
Measured with great exactitude. 
At each extreme one takes his stand, 
A loaded pistol in his hand.

XXVIII

"Advance!"— 
          Indifferent and sedate, 
The foes, as yet not taking aim, 
With measured step and even gait 
Athwart the snow four paces came— 
Four deadly paces do they span; 
Oneguine slowly then began 
To raise his pistol to his eye, 
Though he advanced unceasingly.

And lo! five paces more they pass, 

And Lenski, closing his left eye, 
Took aim—but as immediately 
Oneguine fired—Alas! alas! 
The poet's hour hath sounded—See! 
He drops his pistol silently.

XXIX

He on his bosom gently placed 
His hand, and fell. His clouded eye 
Not agony, but death expressed. 
So from the mountain lazily 
The avalanche of snow first bends, 
Then glittering in the sun descends.

The cold sweat bursting from his brow, 

To the youth Eugene hurried now— 
Gazed on him, called him. Useless care! 
He was no more! The youthful bard 
For evermore had disappeared. 
The storm was hushed. The blossom fair 
Was withered ere the morning light— 
The altar flame was quenched in night.

XXX