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

Behold, the crowd begins to stir, 
A whisper runs along the hall, 
A lady draws the hostess near, 
Behind her a grave general.

Her manners were deliberate, 

Reserved, but not inanimate, 
Her eyes no saucy glance address, 
There was no angling for success.

Her features no grimaces bleared; 

Of affectation innocent, 
Calm and without embarrassment, 
A faithful model she appeared 
Of "comme il faut." Shishkoff, forgive! 
I can't translate the adjective.[86]

XV

Ladies in crowds around her close, 
Her with a smile old women greet, 
The men salute with lower bows 
And watch her eye's full glance to meet.

Maidens before her meekly move 

Along the hall, and high above 
The crowd doth head and shoulders rise 
The general who accompanies.

None could her beautiful declare, 

Yet viewing her from head to foot, 
None could a trace of that impute, 
Which in the elevated sphere 
Of London life is "vulgar" called 
And ruthless fashion hath blackballed.

XVI

I like this word exceedingly 
Although it will not bear translation, 
With us 'tis quite a novelty 
Not high in general estimation; 
'Twould serve ye in an epigram— 
But turn we once more to our dame.

Enchanting, but unwittingly, 

At table she was sitting by 
The brilliant Nina Voronskoi, 
The Neva's Cleopatra, and 
None the conviction could withstand 
That Nina's marble symmetry, 
Though dazzling its effulgence white, 
Could not eclipse her neighbour's light.

XVII

"And is it," meditates Eugene. 
"And is it she? It must be—no— 
How! from the waste of steppes unseen,"— 
And the eternal lorgnette through 
Frequent and rapid doth his glance 
Seek the forgotten countenance 
Familiar to him long ago. 
"Inform me, prince, pray dost thou know 
The lady in the crimson cap 
Who with the Spanish envoy speaks?"— 
The prince's eye Oneguine seeks: 
"Ah! long the world hath missed thy shape! 
But stop! I will present thee, if 
You choose."—"But who is she?"—"My wife."

XVIII

"So thou art wed! I did not know. 
Long ago?"—"'Tis the second year." 
"To—?"—"Larina."—"Tattiana?"—"So. 
And dost thou know her?"—"We live near."

"Then come with me." The prince proceeds, 

His wife approaches, with him leads 
His relative and friend as well. 
The lady's glance upon him fell—

And though her soul might be confused, 

And vehemently though amazed 
She on the apparition gazed, 
No signs of trouble her accused, 
A mien unaltered she preserved, 
Her bow was easy, unreserved.

XIX