Laurel · Alexander Pushkin · Eugene Onegin

Canto III

Alexander Pushkin (1799–1837), translated by Henry Spalding · 1881

iambic tetrameter · 707 lines · from Eugene Onegin

“Whither away? Deuce take the bard!”—“Good-bye, Onéguine, I must go.”—“I won’t detain you; but ’tis hardTo guess how you the eve pull through.”—“At Làrina’s.”—“Hem, that is queer!Pray is it not a tough affairThus to assassinate the eve?”—“Not at all.”—“That I can’t conceive!’Tis something of this sort I deem.In the first place, say, am I right?A Russian household simple quite,Who welcome guests with zeal extreme,Preserves and an eternal prattleAbout the rain and flax and cattle.”—

“No misery I see in that”—“Boredom, my friend, behold the ill—”“Your fashionable world I hate,Domestic life attracts me still,Where—”—“What! another eclogue spin?For God’s sake, Lenski, don’t begin!What! really going? ’Tis too bad!But Lenski, I should be so gladWould you to me this Phyllis show,Fair source of every fine idea,Verses and tears et cetera.Present me.”—“You are joking.”—“No.”—“Delighted.”—“When?”—“This very night.They will receive us with delight.”

Whilst homeward by the nearest routeOur heroes at full gallop sped,Can we not stealthily make outWhat they in conversation said?—“How now, Onéguine, yawning still?”—“’Tis habit, Lenski.”—“Is your illMore troublesome than usual?”—“No!How dark the night is getting though!Hallo, Andriushka, onward race!The drive becomes monotonous—Well! Làrina appears to usAn ancient lady full of grace.—That bilberry wine, I’m sore afraid,The deuce with my inside has played.”

“Say, of the two which was Tattiana?”“She who with melancholy faceAnd silent as the maid SvetlanaHard by the window took her place.”—“The younger, you’re in love with her!”“Well!”—“I the elder should prefer,Were I like you a bard by trade—In Olga’s face no life’s displayed.’Tis a Madonna of Vandyk,An oval countenance and pink,Yon silly moon upon the brinkOf the horizon she is like!”—Vladimir something curtly saidNor further comment that night made.

Meantime Onéguine’s apparitionAt Làrina’s abode producedQuite a sensation; the positionTo all good neighbours’ sport conduced.Endless conjectures all propoundAnd secretly their views expound.What jokes and guesses now abound,A beau is for Tattiana found!In fact, some people were assuredThe wedding-day had been arranged,But the date subsequently changedTill proper rings could be procured.On Lenski’s matrimonial fateThey long ago had held debate.

Of course Tattiana was annoyedBy such allusions scandalous,Yet was her inmost soul o’erjoyedWith satisfaction marvellous,As in her heart the thought sank home,I am in love, my hour hath come!Thus in the earth the seed expandsObedient to warm Spring’s commands.Long time her young imaginationBy indolence and languor firedThe fated nutriment desired;And long internal agitationHad filled her youthful breast with gloom,She waited for—I don’t know whom!

The fatal hour had come at last—She oped her eyes and cried: ’tis he!Alas! for now before her passedThe same warm vision constantly;Now all things round about repeatCeaselessly to the maiden sweetHis name: the tenderness of homeTiresome unto her hath becomeAnd the kind-hearted servitors:Immersed in melancholy thought,She hears of conversation noughtAnd hated casual visitors,Their coming which no man expects,And stay whose length none recollects.

Now with what eager interestShe the delicious novel reads,With what avidity and zestShe drinks in those seductive deeds!All the creations which belowFrom happy inspiration flow,The swain of Julia Wolmar,Malek Adel and De Linar,Werther, rebellious martyr bold,And that unrivalled paragon,The sleep-compelling Grandison,Our tender dreamer had enrolledA single being: ’twas in fineNo other than Onéguine mine.

Dreaming herself the heroineOf the romances she preferred,Clarissa, Julia, Delphine,—Tattiana through the forest erred,And the bad book accompanies.Upon those pages she descriesHer passion’s faithful counterpart,Fruit of the yearnings of the heart.She heaves a sigh and deep intentOn raptures, sorrows not her own,She murmurs in an undertoneA letter for her hero meant:That hero, though his merit shone,Was certainly no Grandison.

Alas! my friends, the years flit byAnd after them at headlong paceThe evanescent fashions flyIn motley and amusing chase.The world is ever altering!Farthingales, patches, were the thing,And courtier, fop, and usurerWould once in powdered wig appear;Time was, the poet’s tender quillIn hopes of everlasting fameA finished madrigal would frameOr couplets more ingenious still;Time was, a valiant general mightServe who could neither read nor write.

Time was, in style magniloquentAuthors replete with sacred fireTheir heroes used to representAll that perfection could desire;Ever by adverse fate oppressed,Their idols they were wont to investWith intellect, a taste refined,And handsome countenance combined,A heart wherein pure passion burnt;The excited hero in a triceWas ready for self-sacrifice,And in the final tome we learnt,Vice had due punishment awarded,Virtue was with a bride rewarded.

But now our minds are mystifiedAnd Virtue acts as a narcotic,Vice in romance is glorifiedAnd triumphs in career erotic.The monsters of the British MuseDeprive our schoolgirls of repose,The idols of their adorationA Vampire fond of meditation,Or Melmoth, gloomy wanderer he,The Eternal Jew or the CorsairOr the mysterious Sbogar.Byron’s capricious phantasyCould in romantic mantle drapeE’en hopeless egoism’s dark shape.

My friends, what means this odd digression?May be that I by heaven’s decreesShall abdicate the bard’s profession,And shall adopt some new caprice.Thus having braved Apollo’s rageWith humble prose I’ll fill my pageAnd a romance in ancient styleShall my declining years beguile;Nor shall my pen paint terriblyThe torment born of crime unseen,But shall depict the touching sceneOf Russian domesticity;I will descant on love’s sweet dream,The olden time shall be my theme.

Old people’s simple conversationsMy unpretending page shall fill,Their offspring’s innocent flirtationsBy the old lime-tree or the rill,Their Jealousy and separationAnd tears of reconciliation:Fresh cause of quarrel then I’ll find,But finally in wedlock bind.The passionate speeches I’ll repeat,Accents of rapture or despairI uttered to my lady fairLong ago, prostrate at her feet.Then they came easily enow,My tongue is somewhat rusty now.

Tattiana! sweet Tattiana, see!What bitter tears with thee I shed!Thou hast resigned thy destinyUnto a ruthless tyrant dread.Thou’lt suffer, dearest, but before,Hope with her fascinating powerTo dire contentment shall give birthAnd thou shalt taste the joys of earth.Thou’lt quaff love’s sweet envenomed stream,Fantastic images shall swarmIn thy imagination warm,Of happy meetings thou shalt dream,And wheresoe’er thy footsteps err,Confront thy fated torturer!

Love’s pangs Tattiana agonize.She seeks the garden in her need—Sudden she stops, casts down her eyesAnd cares not farther to proceed;Her bosom heaves whilst crimson huesWith sudden flush her cheeks suffuse,Barely to draw her breath she seems,Her eye with fire unwonted gleams.And now ’tis night, the guardian moonSails her allotted course on high,And from the misty woodland nighThe nightingale trills forth her tune;Restless Tattiana sleepless layAnd thus unto her nurse did say:

“Nurse, ’tis so close I cannot rest.Open the window—sit by me.”“What ails thee, dear?”—“I feel depressed.Relate some ancient history.”“But which, my dear?—In days of yoreWithin my memory I boreMany an ancient legend whichIn monsters and fair dames was rich;But now my mind is desolate,What once I knew is clean forgot—Alas! how wretched now my lot!”“But tell me, nurse, can you relateThe days which to your youth belong?Were you in love when you were young?”—

“Alack! Tattiana,” she replied,“We never loved in days of old,My mother-in-law who lately diedHad killed me had the like been told.”“How came you then to wed a man?”—“Why, as God ordered! My IvanWas younger than myself, my light,For I myself was thirteen quite;The matchmaker a fortnight sped,Her suit before my parents pressing:At last my father gave his blessing,And bitter tears of fright I shed.Weeping they loosed my tresses longAnd led me off to church with song.”

“Then amongst strangers I was left—But I perceive thou dost not heed—”“Alas! dear nurse, my heart is cleft,Mortally sick I am indeed.Behold, my sobs I scarce restrain—”“My darling child, thou art in pain.—The Lord deliver her and save!Tell me at once what wilt thou have?I’ll sprinkle thee with holy water.—How thy hands burn!”—“Dear nurse, I’m well.I am—in love—you know—don’t tell!”“The Lord be with thee, O my daughter!”—And the old nurse a brief prayer saidAnd crossed with trembling hand the maid.

“I am in love,” her whispers tellThe aged woman in her woe:“My heart’s delight, thou art not well.”—“I am in love, nurse! leave me now.”Behold! the moon was shining brightAnd showed with an uncertain lightTattiana’s beauty, pale with care,Her tears and her dishevelled hair;And on the footstool sitting downBeside our youthful heroine fair,A kerchief round her silver hairThe aged nurse in ample gown,Whilst all creation seemed to dreamEnchanted by the moon’s pale beam.

garment not known, so far as I am aware, to Western Europe.It is called by the natives “doushegreika,” that is to say,“warmer of the soul”—in French, chaufferette de l’âme. Itis a species of thick pelisse worn over the “sarafan,” or

But borne in spirit far awayTattiana gazes on the moon,And starting suddenly doth say:“Nurse, leave me. I would be alone.Pen, paper bring: the table tooDraw near. I soon to sleep shall go—Good-night.” Behold! she is alone!’Tis silent—on her shines the moon—Upon her elbow she reclines,And Eugene ever in her soulIndites an inconsiderate scrollWherein love innocently pines.Now it is ready to be sent—For whom, Tattiana, is it meant?

I have known beauties cold and rawAs Winter in their purity,Striking the intellect with aweBy dull insensibility,And I admired their common senseAnd natural benevolence,But, I acknowledge, from them fled;For on their brows I trembling readThe inscription o’er the gates of Hell“Abandon hope for ever here!”Love to inspire doth woe appearTo such—delightful to repel.Perchance upon the Neva e’enSimilar dames ye may have seen.

Amid submissive herds of menVirgins miraculous I see,Who selfishly unmoved remainAlike by sighs and flattery.But what astonished do I findWhen harsh demeanour hath consignedA timid love to banishment?—On fresh allurements they are bent,At least by show of sympathy;At least their accents and their wordsAppear attuned to softer chords;And then with blind credulityThe youthful lover once againPursues phantasmagoria vain.

Why is Tattiana guiltier deemed?—Because in singleness of thoughtShe never of deception dreamedBut trusted the ideal she wrought?—Because her passion wanted art,Obeyed the impulses of heart?—Because she was so innocent,That Heaven her character had blentWith an imagination wild,With intellect and strong volitionAnd a determined disposition,An ardent heart and yet so mild?—Doth love’s incautiousness in herSo irremissible appear?

O ye whom tender love hath painedWithout the ken of parents both,Whose hearts responsive have remainedTo the impressions of our youth,The all-entrancing joys of love—Young ladies, if ye ever stroveThe mystic lines to tear awayA lover’s letter might convey,Or into bold hands anxiouslyHave e’er a precious tress consigned,Or even, silent and resigned,When separation’s hour drew nigh,Have felt love’s agitated kissWith tears, confused emotions, bliss,—

With unanimity complete,Condemn not weak Tattiana mine;Do not cold-bloodedly repeatThe sneers of critics superfine;And you, O maids immaculate,Whom vice, if named, doth agitateE’en as the presence of a snake,I the same admonition make.Who knows? with love’s consuming flamePerchance you also soon may burn,Then to some gallant in your turnWill be ascribed by treacherous FameThe triumph of a conquest new.The God of Love is after you!

A coquette loves by calculation,Tattiana’s love was quite sincere,A love which knew no limitation,Even as the love of children dear.She did not think “procrastinationEnhances love in estimationAnd thus secures the prey we seek.His vanity first let us piqueWith hope and then perplexity,Excruciate the heart and lateWith jealous fire resuscitate,Lest jaded with satiety,The artful prisoner should seekIncessantly his chains to break.”

I still a complication view,My country’s honour and reputeDemands that I translate for youThe letter which Tattiana wrote.At Russ she was by no means cleverAnd read our newspapers scarce ever,And in her native language shePossessed nor ease nor fluency,So she in French herself expressed.I cannot help it I declare,Though hitherto a lady ne’erIn Russ her love made manifest,And never hath our language proudIn correspondence been allowed.

They wish that ladies should, I hear,Learn Russian, but the Lord defend!I can’t conceive a little dearWith the “Well-Wisher” in her hand!I ask, all ye who poets are,Is it not true? the objects fair,To whom ye for unnumbered crimesHad to compose in secret rhymes,To whom your hearts were consecrate,—Did they not all the Russian tongueWith little knowledge and that wrongIn charming fashion mutilate?Did not their lips with foreign speechThe native Russian tongue impeach?

God grant I meet not at a ballOr at a promenade mayhap,A schoolmaster in yellow shawlOr a professor in tulle cap.As rosy lips without a smile,The Russian language I deem vileWithout grammatical mistakes.May be, and this my terror wakes,The fair of the next generation,As every journal now entreats,Will teach grammatical conceits,Introduce verse in conversation.But I—what is all this to me?Will to the old times faithful be.

Speech careless, incorrect, but soft,With inexact pronunciationRaises within my breast as oftAs formerly much agitation.Repentance wields not now her spellAnd gallicisms I love as wellAs the sins of my youthful daysOr Bogdanovitch’s sweet lays.But I must now employ my MuseWith the epistle of my fair;I promised!—Did I so?—Well, there!Now I am ready to refuse.I know that Parny’s tender penIs no more cherished amongst men.

Bard of the “Feasts,” and mournful breast,If thou wert sitting by my side,With this immoderate requestI should alarm our friendship tried:In one of thine enchanting laysTo russify the foreign phraseOf my impassioned heroine.Where art thou? Come! pretensions mineI yield with a low reverence;But lonely beneath Finnish skiesWhere melancholy rocks ariseHe wanders in his indolence;Careless of fame his spirit highHears not my importunity!

lyric poet of some originality and talent. The “Feasts” isa short brilliant poem in praise of conviviality. Pushkinis therein praised as the best of companions “beside the

Tattiana’s letter I possess,I guard it as a holy thing,And though I read it with distress,I’m o’er it ever pondering.Inspired by whom this tenderness,This gentle daring who could guess?Who this soft nonsense could impart,Imprudent prattle of the heart,Attractive in its banefulness?I cannot understand. But lo!A feeble version read below,A print without the picture’s grace,Or, as it were, the Freischutz’ scoreStrummed by a timid schoolgirl o’er.

I write to you! Is more required?Can lower depths beyond remain?’Tis in your power now, if desired,To crush me with a just disdain.But if my lot unfortunateYou in the least commiserateYou will not all abandon me.At first, I clung to secrecy:Believe me, of my present shameYou never would have heard the name,If the fond hope I could have fannedAt times, if only once a week,To see you by our fireside stand,To listen to the words you speak,Address to you one single phraseAnd then to meditate for daysOf one thing till again we met.’Tis said you are a misanthrope,In country solitude you mope,And we—an unattractive set—Can hearty welcome give alone.Why did you visit our poor place?Forgotten in the village lone,I never should have seen your faceAnd bitter torment never known.The untutored spirit’s pangs calmed downBy time (who can anticipate?)I had found my predestinate,Become a faithful wife and e’enA fond and careful mother been.

Another! to none other IMy heart’s allegiance can resign,My doom has been pronounced on high,’Tis Heaven’s will and I am thine.The sum of my existence goneBut promise of our meeting gave,I feel thou wast by God sent downMy guardian angel to the grave.Thou didst to me in dreams appear,Unseen thou wast already dear.Thine eye subdued me with strange glance,I heard thy voice’s resonanceLong ago. Dream it cannot be!Scarce hadst thou entered thee I knew,I flushed up, stupefied I grew,And cried within myself: ’tis he!Is it not truth? in tones suppressedWith thee I conversed when I boreComfort and succour to the poor,And when I prayer to Heaven addressedTo ease the anguish of my breast.Nay! even as this instant fled,Was it not thou, O vision bright,That glimmered through the radiant nightAnd gently hovered o’er my head?Was it not thou who thus didst stoopTo whisper comfort, love and hope?Who art thou? Guardian angel sentOr torturer malevolent?Doubt and uncertainty decide:All this may be an empty dream,Delusions of a mind untried,Providence otherwise may deem—Then be it so! My destinyFrom henceforth I confide to thee!Lo! at thy feet my tears I pourAnd thy protection I implore.Imagine! Here alone am I!No one my anguish comprehends,At times my reason almost bends,And silently I here must die—But I await thee: scarce aliveMy heart with but one look revive;Or to disturb my dreams approachAlas! with merited reproach.

’Tis finished. Horrible to read!With shame I shudder and with dread—But boldly I myself resign:Thine honour is my countersign!

Tattiana moans and now she sighsAnd in her grasp the letter shakes,Even the rosy wafer driesUpon her tongue which fever bakes.Her head upon her breast declinesAnd an enchanting shoulder shinesFrom her half-open vest of night.But lo! already the moon’s lightIs waning. Yonder valley deepLooms gray behind the mist and mornSilvers the brook; the shepherd’s hornArouses rustics from their sleep.’Tis day, the family downstairs,But nought for this Tattiana cares.

The break of day she doth not see,But sits in bed with air depressed,Nor on the letter yet hath sheThe image of her seal impressed.But gray Phillippevna the doorOpened with care, and entering boreA cup of tea upon a tray.“’Tis time, my child, arise, I pray!My beauty, thou art ready too.My morning birdie, yesternightI was half silly with affright.But praised be God! in health art thou!The pains of night have wholly fled,Thy cheek is as a poppy red!”

“Ah! nurse, a favour do for me!”—“Command me, darling, what you choose”—“Do not—you might—suspicious be;But look you—ah! do not refuse.”“I call to witness God on high—”“Then send your grandson quietlyTo take this letter to O— Well!Unto our neighbour. Mind you tell—Command him not to say a word—I mean my name not to repeat.”“To whom is it to go, my sweet?Of late I have been quite absurd,—So many neighbours here exist—Am I to go through the whole list?”

“How dull you are this morning, nurse!”“My darling, growing old am I!In age the memory gets worse,But I was sharp in times gone by.In times gone by thy bare command—”“Oh! nurse, nurse, you don’t understand!What is thy cleverness to me?The letter is the thing, you see,—Onéguine’s letter!”—“Ah! the thing!Now don’t be cross with me, my soul,You know that I am now a fool—But why are your cheeks whitening?”“Nothing, good nurse, there’s nothing wrong,But send your grandson before long.”

No answer all that day was borne.Another passed; ’twas just the same.Pale as a ghost and dressed since mornTattiana waits. No answer came!Olga’s admirer came that day:“Tell me, why doth your comrade stay?”The hostess doth interrogate:“He hath neglected us of late.”—Tattiana blushed, her heart beat quick—“He promised here this day to ride,”Lenski unto the dame replied,“The post hath kept him, it is like.”Shamefaced, Tattiana downward lookedAs if he cruelly had joked!

’Twas dusk! Upon the table brightShrill sang the samovar at eve,The china teapot too ye mightIn clouds of steam above perceive.Into the cups already spedBy Olga’s hand distributedThe fragrant tea in darkling stream,And a boy handed round the cream.Tania doth by the casement lingerAnd breathes upon the chilly glass,Dreaming of what not, pretty lass,And traces with a slender fingerUpon its damp opacity,The mystic monogram, O. E.

In the meantime her spirit sinks,Her weary eyes are filled with tears—A horse’s hoofs she hears—She shrinks!Nearer they come—Eugene appears!Ah! than a spectre from the deadMore swift the room Tattiana fled,From hall to yard and garden flies,Not daring to cast back her eyes.She fears and like an arrow rushesThrough park and meadow, wood and brake,The bridge and alley to the lake,Brambles she snaps and lilacs crushes,The flowerbeds skirts, the brook doth meet,Till out of breath upon a seat

She sank.—“He’s here! Eugene is here!Merciful God, what will he deem?”Yet still her heart, which torments tear,Guards fondly hope’s uncertain dream.She waits, on fire her trembling frame—Will he pursue?—But no one came.She heard of servant-maids the note,Who in the orchards gathered fruit,Singing in chorus all the while.(This by command; for it was found,However cherries might abound,They disappeared by stealth and guile,So mouths they stopt with song, not fruit—Device of rural minds acute!)

Young maidens, fair maidens,Friends and companions,Disport yourselves, maidens,Arouse yourselves, fair ones.Come sing we in chorusThe secrets of maidens.Allure the young gallantWith dance and with song.As we lure the young gallant,Espy him approaching,Disperse yourselves, darlings,And pelt him with cherries,With cherries, red currants,With raspberries, cherries.Approach not to hearkenTo secrets of virgins,Approach not to gaze atThe frolics of maidens.

They sang, whilst negligently seated,Attentive to the echoing sound,Tattiana with impatience waitedUntil her heart less high should bound—Till the fire in her cheek decreased;But tremor still her frame possessed,Nor did her blushes fade away,More crimson every moment they.Thus shines the wretched butterfly,With iridescent wing doth flapWhen captured in a schoolboy’s cap;Thus shakes the hare when suddenlyShe from the winter corn espiesA sportsman who in covert lies.

But finally she heaves a sigh,And rising from her bench proceeds;But scarce had turned the corner nigh,Which to the neighbouring alley leads,When Eugene like a ghost did riseBefore her straight with roguish eyes.Tattiana faltered, and becameScarlet as burnt by inward flame.But this adventure’s consequenceTo-day, my friends, at any rate,I am not strong enough to state;I, after so much eloquence,Must take a walk and rest a bit—Some day I’ll somehow finish it.

Words in this poem 153

whither adv.: To what place; -- used interrogatively; as, whither goest thou [OE. whider. AS. hwider; akin to E. where, who; cf. Goth. hvadre whither. See Who, and cf. Hither, Thither.]
assassinate n.: An assassination, murder, or murderous assault. [F. assassinat.]
deem v. t.: To decide; to judge; to sentence; to condemn. [OE. demen to judge, condemn, AS. d, fr. d doom; akin to OFries. d, OS. ad, D. doemen, OHG. tuommen, Icel. dæma, Sw. dömma, Dan. dömme, Goth. d. See Doom, n., an]
boredom n.: The state of being bored, or pestered; a state of ennui. Dickens.
eclogue n.: A pastoral poem, in which shepherds are introduced conversing with each other; a bucolic; an idyl; as, the Ecloques of Virgil, from which the modern usage of the word has been established. [L. ecloga, Gr. égloque, écloque. See Ex-, and Legend.]
delighted a.: Endowed with delight.
homeward a.: Being in the direction of home; as, the homeward way.
route n.: The course or way which is traveled or passed, or is to be passed; a passing; a course; a road or path; a march. [OE. & F. route, OF. rote, fr. L. rupta (sc. via), fr. ruptus, p.p. of rumpere to break; hence, literally, a broken or beaten way or path. See Rout, and cf. Rut ]
bilberry n.: The European whortleberry (Vaccinium myrtillus); also, its edible bluish black fruit. [Cf. Dan. böllebær bilberry, where bölle is perh. akin to E. ball.]
madonna n.: My lady; -- a term of address in Italian formerly used as the equivalent of Madame, but for which Signora is now substituted. [It. madonna my lady. See Dame, Donna, and cf. Madame, Monkey.]
brink n.: The edge, margin, or border of a steep place, as of a precipice; a bank or edge, as of a river or pit; a verge; a border; as, the brink of a chasm. Also Fig. [Dan. brink edge, verge; akin to Sw. brink declivity, hill, Icel. brekka; cf. LG. brink a grassy hill, W. bryn hill, bryncyn hillock.]
curtly adv.: In a curt manner.
abode n.: Act of waiting; delay. [OE. abad, abood, fr. abiden to abide. See Abide. For the change of vowel, cf. abode, imp. of abide.]
propound v. t.: To offer for consideration; to exhibit; to propose; as, to propound a question; to propound an argument. [From earlier propone, L. proponere, propositum, to set forth, propose, propound; pro for, before + ponere to put. See Position, and cf. Provost.]
expound v. t.: To lay open; to expose to view; to examine. [OE. exponen, expounen, expounden, fr. L. exponere to set out, expose, expound; ex out + ponere to put: cf. OE. expondre, expondre. See Position.]
scandalous a.: Giving offense to the conscience or moral feelings; exciting reprobation; calling out condemnation. [Cf. F. scandaleux.]
inmost a.: Deepest within; farthest from the surface or external part; innermost. [OE. innemest, AS. innemest, a double superlative form fr. inne within, fr. in in. The modern form is due to confusion with most. See In, and cf. Aftermost, Fore]
indolence n.: Freedom from that which pains, or harasses, as toil, care, grief, etc. [L. indolentia freedom from pain: cf. F. indolence.]
avidity n.: Greediness; strong appetite; eagerness; intenseness of desire; as, to eat with avidity. [L. aviditas, fr. avidus: cf. F. avidité. See Avid.]
zest n.: A piece of orange or lemon peel, or the aromatic oil which may be squeezed from such peel, used to give flavor to liquor, etc. [F. zeste, probably fr. L. schistos split, cleft, divided, Gr. Schism.]
rebellious a.: Engaged in rebellion; disposed to rebel of the nature of rebels or of rebellion; resisting government or lawful authority by force.
paragon n.: A companion; a match; an equal.
dreamer n.: One who dreams.
heroine n.: A woman of an heroic spirit. [F. héroïne, L. heroina, Gr. Hero.]
delphine a.: Pertaining to the dauphin of France; as, the Delphin classics, an edition of the Latin classics, prepared in the reign of Louis XIV., for the use of the dauphin (in usum Delphini). [See Dauphin.]
yearnings n.: The maws, or stomachs, of young calves, used a rennet for curdling milk. [Cf. AS. geirnan, geyrnan, to rum. See 4th Earn.]
heaves n.: A disease of horses, characterized by difficult breathing, with heaving of the flank, wheezing, flatulency, and a peculiar cough; broken wind.
undertone n.: A low or subdued tone or utterance; a tone less loud than usual.
flit a.: Nimble; quick; swift. See Fleet.
evanescent a.: Liable to vanish or pass away like vapor; vanishing; fleeting; as, evanescent joys. [L. evanescens, -entis, p. pr. of evanescere.]
courtier n.: One who is in attendance at the court of a prince; one who has an appointment at court. [From Court.]
usurer n.: One who lends money and takes interest for it; a money lender. [F. usurier, LL. usurarius. See Usury, and cf. Usurarious.]
madrigal n.: A little amorous poem, sometimes called a pastoral poem, containing some tender and delicate, though simple, thought. [It. madrigale, OIt. madriale, mandriale (cf. LL. matriale); of uncertain origin, possibly fr. It mandra flock, L. mandra stall, herd of cattle, Gr. madrigal, or]
valiant a.: Vigorous in body; strong; powerful; as, a valiant fencer. [OE. valiant, F. vaillant, OF. vaillant, valant, originally p. pr. of OF. & F. valoir to be worth, L. valere to be strong. See Wield, and cf. Avail, Convalesce, ]
magniloquent a.: Speaking pompously; using swelling discourse; bombastic; tumid in style; grandiloquent. [L. magnus great + loquens, -entis, p. pr. of loqui to speak. See Magnitude, Loquacious.]
replete a.: Filled again; completely filled; full; charged; abounding. [L. repletus, p. p. of replere to fill again, fill up; pref. re- re- + plere to fill, akin to plenus full: cf. F. replet corpulent. See Plenty, Replenish.]
trice v. t.: To pull; to haul; to drag; to pull away. [OE. trisen; of Scand. or Low German origin; cf. Sw. trissa a sheave, pulley, triss a spritsail brace, Dan. tridse a pulley, tridse to haul by means of a pulley,]
career n.: A race course: the ground run over. [F. carrière race course, high road, street, fr. L. carrus wagon. See Car.]
erotic a.: Of or pertaining to the passion of love; treating of love; amatory. [Gr. érotique. See Eros.]
corsair n.: A pirate; one who cruises about without authorization from any government, to seize booty on sea or land. [F. corsaire (cf. It. corsare, corsale, Pr. corsari), LL. corsarius, fr. L. cursus a running, course, whence Sp. corso cruise, corsa cruise, coasting voyage, cor]
drape v. t.: To cover or adorn with drapery or folds of cloth, or as with drapery; as, to drape a bust, a building, etc. [F. draper, fr. drap cloth. See 3d Drab.]
shall v. i.: To owe; to be under obligation for. [OE. shal, schal, imp. sholde, scholde, AS. scal, sceal, I am obliged, imp. scolde, sceolde, inf. sculan; akin to OS. skulan, pres. skal, imp. skolda, D. zullen,]
abdicate v.: To surrender or relinquish, as sovereign power; to withdraw definitely from filling or exercising, as a high office, station, dignity; as, to abdicate the throne, the crown, the papacy. [L. abdicatus, p.p. of abdicare; ab + dicare to proclaim, akin to dicere to say. See Diction.]
unseen a.: Not seen or discovered.
domesticity n.: The state of being domestic; domestic character; household life. [LL. domesticitas: cf. F. domesticité.]
descant v. i.: To sing a variation or accomplishment. [From descant; n.; or directly fr. OF. descanter, deschanter; L. dis- + cantare to sing.]
olden a.: Old; ancient; as, the olden time.
rill n.: A very small brook; a streamlet. [Cf. LG. rille a small channel or brook, a furrow, a chamfer, OE. rigol a small brook, F. rigole a trench or furrow for water, W. rhill a row, rhigol a little di]
enow: A form of Enough.
hast: , 2d pers. sing. pres. of. Fave, contr. of havest.
resigned a.: Submissive; yielding; not disposed to resist or murmur.
ruthless a.: Having no ruth; cruel; pitiless.
dire a.: Ill-boding; portentous; as, dire omens. [L. dirus; of uncertain origin.]
shalt: 2d per. sing. of Shall.
quaff v. t.: To drink with relish; to drink copiously of; to swallow in large draughts. [For quach, fr. Gael. & Ir. cuach a drinking cup; cf. L. caucus a drinking vessel. Cf. Quaigh.]
confront v. t.: To stand facing or in front of; to face; esp. to face hostilely; to oppose with firmness.
torturer n.: One who tortures; a tormentor.
agonize v. i.: To writhe with agony; to suffer violent anguish. [F. agoniser, LL. agonizare, fr. Gr. Agony.]
suffuse v. t.: To overspread, as with a fluid or tincture; to fill or cover, as with something fluid; as, eyes suffused with tears; cheeks suffused with blushes. [L. suffusus, p.p. of suffundere to overspread; sub under + fundere to pour. See Fuse to melt.]
unwonted a.: Not wonted; unaccustomed; unused; not made familiar by practice; as, a child unwonted to strangers.
sleepless a.: Having no sleep; wakeful.
yore adv.: In time long past; in old time; long since. [OE. , yare, , AS. geára;akin to geár a year, E. year. Year.]
alack interj.: An exclamation expressive of sorrow. [Prob. from ah! lack! OE. lak loss, failure, misfortune. See Lack.]
matchmaker n.: One who makes matches for burning or kinding.
fortnight n.: The space of fourteen days; two weeks. [Contr. fr. fourteen nights, our ancestors reckoning time by nights and winters; so, also, seven nights, sennight, a week.]
amongst prep.: Mixed or mingled; surrounded by. [OE. amongist, amonges, amonge, among, AS. onmang, ongemang, gemang, in a crowd or mixture. For the ending -st see Amidst. See Mingle.]
mortally adv.: In a mortal manner; so as to cause death; as, mortally wounded.
scarce a.: Not plentiful or abundant; in small quantity in proportion to the demand; not easily to be procured; rare; uncommon. [OE. scars, OF. escars, eschars, LL. scarpsus, for L. excerptus, p. p. of excerpere to pick out, and hence to contract, to shorten; ex (see Ex-) + carpere. See C]
footstool n.: A low stool to support the feet of one when sitting.
enchanted a.: Under the power of enchantment; possessed or exercised by enchanters; as, an enchanted castle.
pelisse n.: An outer garment for men or women, originally of fur, or lined with fur; a lady's outer garment, made of silk or other fabric. [F., fr. L. pelliceus, pellicius, made of skins, fr. pellis a skin. Cf. Pelt skin, Pilch, and see 2d Pell.]
innocently adv.: In an innocent manner.
admired a.: Regarded with wonder and delight; highly prized; as, an admired poem.
amid prep.: In the midst or middle of; surrounded or encompassed by; among. [OE. amidde, amiddes, on midden, AS. on middan, in the middle, fr. midde the middle. The s is an adverbial ending, originally marking the genitive; the t is a la]
selfishly adv.: In a selfish manner; with regard to private interest only or chiefly.
unmoved a.: Not moved; fixed; firm; unshaken; calm; apathetic.
demeanour n.: Management; treatment; conduct. [For demeanure, fr. demean. See Demean, v. t.]
singleness n.: The quality or state of being single, or separate from all others; the opposite of doubleness, complication, or multiplicity.
blent p. p.: Blinded. Also (Chaucer), 3d sing. pres. Blindeth.
irremissible a.: Not remissible; unpardonable; as, irremissible crimes. Burke. [L. irremissibilis: cf. F. irrémissible. See In- not, and Remissible.]
responsive a.: That responds; ready or inclined to respond. [Cf. F. resposif.]
anxiously adv.: In an anxious manner; with painful uncertainty; solicitously.
tress n.: A braid, knot, or curl, of hair; a ringlet. [OE. tresse, OF. trece, F. tresse, LL. tricia, fr. Gr. tri`cha threefold, because a tress is usually formed by interlacing three pieces; akin to trei^s three. Se]
unanimity n.: The quality or state of being unanimous. [L. unanimitas: cf. F. unanimité.]
superfine a.: Very fine, or most fine; being of surpassing fineness; of extra nice or fine quality; as, superfine cloth.
immaculate a.: Without stain or blemish; spotless; undefiled; clear; pure. [L. immaculatus; pref. im- not + maculatus, p. p. of maculare to spot, stane, fr. macula spot. See Mail armor.]
coquette n.: A vain, trifling woman, who endeavors to attract admiration from a desire to grafity vanity; a flirt; -- formerly sometimes applied also to men. [F., fr. coquet, coquette, coquettish, orig., cocklike, strutting like a cock, fr. coq a cock. Cf. Cock, Cocket, Cocky, Cockade.]
pique n.: A cotton fabric, figured in the loom, -- used as a dress goods for women and children, and for vestings, etc. [F., p.p. of piquer to prick.]
excruciate a.: Excruciated; tortured. [L. excruciatus, p. p. of excruciare to excruciate; ex out + cruciare to put to death on a cross, to torment. See Cruciate, Cross.]
resuscitate a.: Restored to life. Bp. Gardiner. [L. resuscitatus, p. p. of resuscitare; pref. re- re- + suscitare to raise, rouse. See Suscitate.]
artful a.: Performed with, or characterized by, art or skill. [From Art.]
incessantly adv.: Unceasingly; continually.
honour n.: Esteem due or paid to worth; high estimation; respect; consideration; reverence; veneration; manifestation of respect or reverence. [OE. honor, honour, onour, onur, OF. honor, onor, honur, onur, honour, onour, F. honneur, fr. L. honor, honos.]
wrote v. i.: To root with the snout. See 1st Root. [OE. wroten. See 1st Root.]
russ n.: A Russian, or the Russians.
fluency n.: The quality of being fluent; smoothness; readiness of utterance; volubility. [L. fluentia: cf. F. fluence. See Fluent.]
hitherto adv.: To this place; to a prescribed limit.
unnumbered a.: Not numbered; not counted or estimated; innumerable.
mutilate a.: Deprived of, or having lost, an important part; mutilated. Sir T. [L. mutilatus, p.p. of mutilare to mutilate, fr. mutilus maimed; cf. Gr. Mutton.]
impeach v. t.: To hinder; to impede; to prevent. [OE. empeechier to prevent, hinder, bar, F. empêcher, L. impedicare to entangle; pref. im- in + pedica fetter, fr. pes, pedis, foot. See Foot, and Appeach, Dispa]
promenade n.: A walk for pleasure, display, or exercise. Burke. [F. (with a foreign suffix), from promener to lead, take for a walk, se promener to walk, from L. prominare to drive forward or along; pro forward + minare to dr]
mayhap adv.: Perhaps; peradventure. [Prov. or Dialectic]
tulle n.: A kind of silk lace or light netting, used for veils, etc. [F.; -- so called from the town of Tulle, in France.]
inexact a.: Not exact; not precisely correct or true; inaccurate. [Pref. in- not + exact: cf. F. inexact.]
russify v. t.: To Russianize; as, to Russify conquered tribes. [Cf. F. russifier. See -fy.]
impassioned p. p.: Actuated or characterized by passion or zeal; showing warmth of feeling; ardent; animated; excited; as, an impassioned orator or discourse.
finnish a.: Of or pertaining to Finland, to the Finns, or to their language.
originality n.: The quality or state of being original. [Cf. F. originalité.]
conviviality n.: The good humor or mirth indulged in upon festive occasions; a convivial spirit or humor; festivity.
schoolgirl n.: A girl belonging to, or attending, a school.
commiserate v. t.: To feel sorrow, pain, or regret for; to pity. [L. commiseratus, p. p. of commiserari to commiserate; com- + miserari to pity. See Miserable.]
clung a.: Wasted away; shrunken. [Prop. p. p. fr. OE. clingen to wither. See Cling, v. i.]
fireside n.: A place near the fire or hearth; home; domestic life or retirement.
misanthrope n.: A hater of mankind; a misanthropist. [Gr. misanthrope. Cf. Miser.]
mope v. t.: To make spiritless and stupid.
lone n.: A lane. See Loanin.
predestinate a.: Predestinated; foreordained; fated. [L. praedestinatus, p. p. of praedestinare to predestine; prae before + destinare to determine. See Destine.]
wast: The second person singular of the verb be, in the indicative mood, imperfect tense; -- now used only in solemn or poetical style.
didst: , the 2d pers. sing. imp. of Do.
succour v. t.: tiono run to, or run to support; hence, to help or relieve when in difficulty, want, or distress; to assist and deliver from suffering; to relieve; as, to succor a besieged city. [OE. socouren, OF. sucurre, soucourre, secorre, F. secourir, L. succurrere, succursum, to run under, run to the aid of, help, succor; sub under + currere to run.]
henceforth adv.: From this time forward; henceforward.
await v. t.: To watch for; to look out for. [OF. awaitier, agaitier; (L. ad) + waitier, gaitier to watch, F. guetter. See Wait.]
boldly adv.: In a bold manner. [AS. bealdlice.]
countersign v. t.: To sign on the opposite side of (an instrument or writing); hence, to sign in addition to the signature of a principal or superior, in order to attest the authenticity of a writing. [Counter- + sign: cf. F. contresigner.]
wafer n.: A thin cake made of flour and other ingredients. [OE. wafre, OF. waufre, qaufre, F. qaufre; of Teutonic origin; cf. LG. & D. wafel, G. waffel, Dan. vaffel, Sw. våffla; all akin to G. wabe a honeycomb, OHG. waba]
vest n.: An article of clothing covering the person; an outer garment; a vestment; a dress; a vesture; a robe. [L. vestis a garment, vesture; akin to Goth. wasti, and E. wear: cf. F. veste. See Wear to carry on the person, and cf. Divest, Invest, Travesty.]
waning n.: The act or process of waning, or decreasing.
yonder adv.: At a distance, but within view. [OE. yonder, ýonder; cf. OD. ginder, Goth. jaindr there. Yond, adv.]
morn n.: The first part of the day; the morning; -- used chiefly in poetry. [OE. morwen, morgen, AS. morgen; akin to D. morgen, OS. morgan, G. morgen, Icel. morginn, morgunn, Sw. morgon, Dan. morgen, Goth. maúrgins. Cf. Morrow, Morning.]
downstairs adv.: Down the stairs; to a lower floor.
birdie n.: A pretty or dear little bird; -- a pet name.
yesternight n.: The last night; the night last past.
favour n.: Kind regard; propitious aspect; countenance; friendly disposition; kindness; good will. [Written also favour.]
neighbour v. i.: To dwell in the vicinity; to be a neighbor, or in the neighborhood; to be near.
cleverness n.: The quality of being clever; skill; dexterity; adroitness.
whitening n.: The act or process of making or becoming white.
ghost n.: The spirit; the soul of man. [OE. gast, gost, soul, spirit, AS. gast breath, spirit, soul; akin to OS. g spirit, soul, D. geest, G. geist, and prob. to E. gaze, ghastly.]
hostess n.: A female host; a woman who hospitably entertains guests at her house. [OE. hostesse, ostesse. See Host a landlord.]
interrogate n.: An interrogation; a question. Bp. Hall.
dame n.: A mistress of a family, who is a lady; a womam in authority; especially, a lady. [F. dame, LL. domna, fr. L. domina mistress, lady, fem. of dominus master, ruler, lord; akin to domare to tame, subdue. See Tame, and cf. Dam mother, Dan, Danger]
shamefaced a.: Easily confused or put out of countenance; diffident; bashful; modest. [For shamefast; AS. scamf. See Shame, n., and Fast firm.]
samovar n.: A metal urn used in Russia for making tea. It is filled with water, which is heated by charcoal placed in a pipe, with chimney attached, which passes through the urn. [Russ. samovar'.]
teapot n.: A vessel with a spout, in which tea is made, and from which it is poured into teacups.
darkling a.: Becoming dark or gloomy; frowing.
casement n.: A window sash opening on hinges affixed to the upright side of the frame into which it is fitted. (Poetically) A window. [Shortened fr. encasement. See Incase 1st Case, and cf. Incasement.]
lass n.: A youth woman; a girl; a sweetheart. [OE. lasse; prob. of Celtic origin; cf. W. llodes girl, fem. of llawd lad. (Lad a youth.]
spectre n.: Something preternaturally visible; an apparition; a ghost; a phantom. [F. spectre, fr. L. spectrum an appearance, image, specter, fr. specere to look. See Spy, and cf. Spectrum.]
fondly adv.: Foolishly. Verstegan (1673).
stealth n.: The act of stealing; theft. [OE. staple. See Steal, v. t.]
disport n.: Play; sport; pastime; diversion; playfulness. [OF. desport, deport. See Disport, v. i., and cf. Sport.]
negligently adv.: In a negligent manner.
neighbouring a.: Living or being near; adjacent; as, the neighboring nations or countries.
somehow adv.: In one way or another; in some way not yet known or designated; by some means; as, the thing must be done somehow; he lives somehow.

Definitions and etymologies from Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913.

About this text

Canto III is in the public domain. This text is taken from Eugene Onegin, Project Gutenberg ebook #23997, the Henry Spalding translation; the transcription's header, footer and licence were removed and nothing else was changed. You may copy, print and reuse it freely.

Cite as: Alexander Pushkin, Canto III, in Eugene Onegin (1881), text of Project Gutenberg ebook #23997, Laurel, https://laurelpoetry.com/poem/eugene-onegin/canto-iii.html, id L14407.

Form and metre

Canto III is 707 lines in 49 stanzas. The metre is iambic tetrameter, measured from the stress the words themselves fix (confidence 88%). 92% of its stressed syllables fall where the metre puts the beat. The lines average 8.1 syllables. 125 lines end on an unstressed syllable, a feminine ending. 32% of the lines run on without a stop at the line end.

See other poems in iambic tetrameter.

Measured by Laurel's pipeline, not copied from a handbook: how stress and metre are counted, how rhyme is lettered, how a drifted rhyme is found. Where the dictionary cannot confirm a rhyme the letter is withheld, not guessed.

Rhyme words, stanza by stanza

The word that ends each line, lettered by the rhyme it makes; a dash is a line whose rhyme the dictionary could not confirm.

1 A-A-BBCCDEEDFF bard^A · go · hard^A · through · queer^B · affair^B · eve^C · conceive^C · deem^D · right^E · quite^E · extreme^D · prattle^F · cattle^F
2 -A-ABBCCD--DEE that · ill^A · hate · still^A · spin^B · begin^B · bad^C · glad^C · show^D · idea · cetera · no^D · night^E · delight^E
3 ABABCCDDEEEEFF route^A · sped^B · out^A · said^B · still^C · ill^C · no^D · though^D · race^E · monotonous^E · us^E · grace^E · afraid^F · played^F
4 -A-ABBCCDEED-C tattiana · face^A · svetlana · place^A · her^B · prefer^B · trade^C · displayed^C · vandyk^D · pink^E · brink^E · like^D · said · made^C
5 ABABCCCCDEEDFF apparition^A · produced^B · position^A · conduced^B · propound^C · expound^C · abound^C · found^C · assured^D · arranged^E · changed^E · procured^D · fate^F · debate^F
6 ABABCCDDEFFEGG annoyed^A · scandalous^B · o'erjoyed^A · marvellous^B · home^C · come^C · expands^D · commands^D · imagination^E · fired^F · desired^F · agitation^E · gloom^G · whom^G
7 A-A-BBCCDEEDFF last^A · he · passed^A · constantly · repeat^B · sweet^B · home^C · become^C · servitors^D · thought^E · nought^E · visitors^D · expects^F · recollects^F
8 ABABCCDDEFFEGG interest^A · reads^B · zest^A · deeds^B · below^C · flow^C · wolmar^D · linar^D · bold^E · paragon^F · grandison^F · enrolled^E · fine^G · mine^G
9 ----AABBCDDCDD heroine · preferred · delphine · erred · accompanies^A · descries^A · counterpart^B · heart^B · intent^C · own^D · undertone^D · meant^C · shone^D · grandison^D
10 ABABCC--DEEDFF by^A · pace^B · fly^A · chase^B · altering^C · thing^C · usurer · appear · quill^D · fame^E · frame^E · still^D · might^F · write^F
11 ABABCCDDEFFEGG magniloquent^A · fire^B · represent^A · desire^B · oppressed^C · invest^C · refined^D · combined^D · burnt^E · trice^F · sacrifice^F · learnt^E · awarded^G · rewarded^G
12 ABAB--CC----DD mystified^A · narcotic^B · glorified^A · erotic^B · muse · repose · adoration^C · meditation^C · he · corsair · sbogar · phantasy · drape^D · shape^D
13 A-A-BBCC-DD-EE digression^A · decrees · profession^A · caprice · rage^B · page^B · style^C · beguile^C · terribly · unseen^D · scene^D · domesticity · dream^E · theme^E
14 ABABCCDDEFFE-- conversations^A · fill^B · flirtations^A · rill^B · separation^C · reconciliation^C · find^D · bind^D · repeat^E · despair^F · fair^F · feet^E · enow · now
15 -A-A--BBCDDC-- see · shed^A · destiny · dread^A · before · power · birth^B · earth^B · stream^C · swarm^D · warm^D · dream^C · err · torturer
16 ABABCCDDEFFEGG agonize^A · need^B · eyes^A · proceed^B · hues^C · suffuse^C · seems^D · gleams^D · moon^E · high^F · nigh^F · tune^E · lay^G · say^G
17 A-A-BBCCDEED-- rest^A · me · depressed^A · history · yore^B · bore^B · which^C · rich^C · desolate^D · forgot^E · lot^E · relate^D · belong · young
18 ABABCCDDEFFEGG replied^A · old^B · died^A · told^B · man^C · ivan^C · light^D · quite^D · sped^E · pressing^F · blessing^F · shed^E · long^G · song^G
19 ABABCCDDEFFE-- left^A · heed^B · cleft^A · indeed^B · restrain^C · pain^C · save^D · have^D · water^E · well^F · tell^F · daughter^E · said · maid
20 A-A-BBCCDCCDEE tell^A · woe · well^A · now · bright^B · light^B · care^C · hair^C · down^D · fair^C · hair^C · gown^D · dream^E · beam^E
22 ABAC--CBDEEDFF away^A · moon^B · say^A · alone^C · too · go · alone^C · moon^B · reclines^D · soul^E · scroll^E · pines^D · sent^F · meant^F
23 A-A-BBCCDEEDFF raw^A · purity · awe^A · insensibility · sense^B · benevolence^B · fled^C · read^C · hell^D · here^E · appear^E · repel^D · e'en^F · seen^F
24 A-B-CCDD----AB men^A · see · remain^B · flattery · find^C · consigned^C · banishment^D · bent^D · sympathy · words · chords · credulity · again^A · vain^B
25 ABABCCDDEFFE-- deemed^A · thought^B · dreamed^A · wrought^B · art^C · heart^C · innocent^D · blent^D · wild^E · volition^F · disposition^F · mild^E · her · appear
26 A-A---BB-CC-DD pained^A · both · remained^A · youth · love · strove · away^B · convey^B · anxiously · consigned^C · resigned^C · nigh · kiss^D · bliss^D
27 ABAB--CCDEEDFF complete^A · mine^B · repeat^A · superfine^B · immaculate · agitate · snake^C · make^C · flame^D · burn^E · turn^E · fame^D · new^F · you^F
28 ABABAACC-DD-C- calculation^A · sincere^B · limitation^A · dear^B · procrastination^A · estimation^A · seek^C · pique^C · perplexity · late^D · resuscitate^D · satiety · seek^C · break
29 A-A-BB--CDDCEE view^A · repute · you^A · wrote · clever^B · ever^B · she · fluency · expressed^C · declare^D · ne'er^D · manifest^C · proud^E · allowed^E
30 A-A--ABBC--CDD hear^A · defend · dear^A · hand · are · fair^A · crimes^B · rhymes^B · consecrate^C · tongue · wrong · mutilate^C · speech^D · impeach^D
31 ABABCCDDEFFEGG ball^A · mayhap^B · shawl^A · cap^B · smile^C · vile^C · mistakes^D · wakes^D · generation^E · entreats^F · conceits^F · conversation^E · me^G · be^G
32 ABABCCDDEFFEGG soft^A · pronunciation^B · oft^A · agitation^B · spell^C · well^C · days^D · lays^D · muse^E · fair^F · there^F · refuse^E · pen^G · men^G
33 ABABCCDDEFFE-- breast^A · side^B · request^A · tried^B · lays^C · phrase^C · heroine^D · mine^D · reverence^E · skies^F · arise^F · indolence^E · high · importunity
35 ABABAACCADD--- possess^A · thing^B · distress^A · pondering^B · tenderness^A · guess^A · impart^C · heart^C · banefulness^A · lo^D · below^D · grace · score · o'er
36 ABABCC--DDEFEFGGHIIHJKJKJ-CCLL required^A · remain^B · desired^A · disdain^B · unfortunate^C · commiserate^C · me · secrecy · shame^D · name^D · fanned^E · week^F · stand^E · speak^F · phrase^G · days^G · met^H · misanthrope^I · mope^I · set^H · alone^J · place^K · lone^J · face^K · known^J · down · anticipate^C · predestinate^C · e'en^L · been^L
37 ABAB-C-CDDEEFGGFH--HHIJJI--KKLMLM-NOONPPNQQRR i^A · resign^B · high^A · thine^B · gone · gave^C · down · grave^C · appear^D · dear^D · glance^E · resonance^E · be^F · knew^G · grew^G · he^F · suppressed^H · bore · poor · addressed^H · breast^H · fled^I · bright^J · night^J · head^I · stoop · hope · sent^K · malevolent^K · decide^L · dream^M · untried^L · deem^M · destiny · thee^N · pour^O · implore^O · i^N · comprehends^P · bends^P · die^N · alive^Q · revive^Q · approach^R · reproach^R
38 AABB read^A · dread^A · resign^B · countersign^B
39 ABABCCDDEFFEGG sighs^A · shakes^B · dries^A · bakes^B · declines^C · shines^C · night^D · light^D · deep^E · morn^F · horn^F · sleep^E · downstairs^G · cares^G
40 ABABCCDD-EE-FF see^A · depressed^B · she^A · impressed^B · door^C · bore^C · tray^D · pray^D · too · yesternight^E · affright^E · thou · fled^F · red^F
41 ABABA-CCDEEDFF me^A · choose^B · be^A · refuse^B · high^A · quietly · well^C · tell^C · word^D · repeat^E · sweet^E · absurd^D · exist^F · list^F
42 ABABCCDDE--EFF nurse^A · i^B · worse^A · by^B · command^C · understand^C · me^D · see^D · thing^E · soul · fool · whitening^E · wrong^F · long^F
43 ABABCCDD-EE--- borne^A · same^B · morn^A · came^B · day^C · stay^C · interrogate^D · late^D · quick · ride^E · replied^E · like · looked · joked
44 ABABCCDDEFFE-- bright^A · eve^B · might^A · perceive^B · sped^C · distributed^C · stream^D · cream^D · linger^E · glass^F · lass^F · finger^E · opacity · e
45 ABABCCDDEFFEGG sinks^A · tears^B · shrinks^A · appears^B · dead^C · fled^C · flies^D · eyes^D · rushes^E · brake^F · lake^F · crushes^E · meet^G · seat^G
46 -ABABCC-DEFFEDD sank · here^A · deem^B · tear^A · dream^B · frame^C · came^C · note · fruit^D · while^E · found^F · abound^F · guile^E · fruit^D · acute^D
47 A-AA-ABCBC-D-D---A maidens^A · companions · maidens^A · ones^A · chorus · maidens^A · gallant^B · song^C · gallant^B · approaching^C · darlings · cherries^D · currants · cherries^D · hearken · virgins · at · maidens^A
48 -A-A--BB-CC-DD seated · sound^A · waited · bound^A · decreased · possessed · away^B · they^B · butterfly · flap^C · cap^C · suddenly · espies^D · lies^D
49 ABABCCDD-EE-FF sigh^A · proceeds^B · nigh^A · leads^B · rise^C · eyes^C · became^D · flame^D · consequence · rate^E · state^E · eloquence · bit^F · it^F

Scansion, line by line

Each line with its syllable count and the stresses the words themselves fix: / stressed, ˘ unstressed, · a syllable the word leaves free and the metre decides. Read against iambic tetrameter. How this is done.

Line	Syl.	Stress
“Whither away? Deuce take the bard!”—	8	/˘˘/····
“Good-bye, Onéguine, I must go.”—	8	········
“I won’t detain you; but ’tis hard	8	··˘/····
To guess how you the eve pull through.”—	8	········
“At Làrina’s.”—“Hem, that is queer!	8	········
Pray is it not a tough affair	8	······˘/
Thus to assassinate the eve?”—	8	··˘/˘···
“Not at all.”—“That I can’t conceive!	8	······˘/
’Tis something of this sort I deem.	8	·/˘·····
In the first place, say, am I right?	8	········
A Russian household simple quite,	8	·/˘/·/˘·
Who welcome guests with zeal extreme,	8	·/˘···˘/
Preserves and an eternal prattle	9	˘/··˘/˘/˘
About the rain and flax and cattle.”—	9	·······/˘
“No misery I see in that”—	8	·/˘˘····
“Boredom, my friend, behold the ill—”	8	/˘··˘/··
“Your fashionable world I hate,	8	·/˘˘˘···
Domestic life attracts me still,	8	˘/˘·˘/··
Where—”—“What! another eclogue spin?	8	··˘/˘/˘·
For God’s sake, Lenski, don’t begin!	8	······˘/
What! really going? ’Tis too bad!	8	·/˘/˘···
But Lenski, I should be so glad	8	········
Would you to me this Phyllis show,	8	·····/˘·
Fair source of every fine idea,	9	···/˘·˘/˘
Verses and tears et cetera.	8	/˘···/˘˘
Present me.”—“You are joking.”—“No.”—	8	˘/···/˘·
“Delighted.”—“When?”—“This very night.	8	˘/˘··/˘·
They will receive us with delight.”	8	··˘/··˘/
Whilst homeward by the nearest route	8	·/˘··/˘·
Our heroes at full gallop sped,	8	//˘··/˘·
Can we not stealthily make out	8	···/˘˘··
What they in conversation said?—	8	····˘/˘·
“How now, Onéguine, yawning still?”—	8	·····/˘·
“’Tis habit, Lenski.”—“Is your ill	8	·/˘·····
More troublesome than usual?”—“No!	8	·/˘·/˘˘·
How dark the night is getting though!	8	·····/˘·
Hallo, Andriushka, onward race!	8	·····/˘·
The drive becomes monotonous—	8	··˘/˘/˘˘
Well! Làrina appears to us	8	····˘/··
An ancient lady full of grace.—	8	·/˘/˘···
That bilberry wine, I’m sore afraid,	9	·/˘˘···˘/
The deuce with my inside has played.”	8	····˘/··
“Say, of the two which was Tattiana?”	9	·········
“She who with melancholy face	8	···/˘·˘·
And silent as the maid Svetlana	9	·/˘····/˘
Hard by the window took her place.”—	8	···/˘···
“The younger, you’re in love with her!”	8	·/˘·····
“Well!”—“I the elder should prefer,	8	···/˘·˘/
Were I like you a bard by trade—	8	········
In Olga’s face no life’s displayed.	8	·/˘···˘/
’Tis a Madonna of Vandyk,	8	··˘/˘·/˘
An oval countenance and pink,	8	·/˘/˘˘··
Yon silly moon upon the brink	8	·/˘·····
Of the horizon she is like!”—	8	··˘/˘···
Vladimir something curtly said	8	/˘˘/˘/˘·
Nor further comment that night made.	8	·/˘/˘···
Meantime Onéguine’s apparition	9	/·····˘/˘
At Làrina’s abode produced	8	····˘/˘/
Quite a sensation; the position	9	··˘/˘·˘/˘
To all good neighbours’ sport conduced.	8	········
Endless conjectures all propound	8	/˘˘/˘·˘/
And secretly their views expound.	8	·/˘˘··˘/
What jokes and guesses now abound,	8	···/˘·˘/
A beau is for Tattiana found!	8	········
In fact, some people were assured	8	···/˘·˘/
The wedding-day had been arranged,	8	·/˘···˘/
But the date subsequently changed	8	···/˘˘˘·
Till proper rings could be procured.	8	·/˘···˘/
On Lenski’s matrimonial fate	8	····˘/˘·
They long ago had held debate.	8	··˘/··˘/
Of course Tattiana was annoyed	8	······˘/
By such allusions scandalous,	8	··˘/˘/˘˘
Yet was her inmost soul o’erjoyed	8	···/˘··˘
With satisfaction marvellous,	8	··˘/˘···
As in her heart the thought sank home,	8	········
I am in love, my hour hath come!	8	·····/··
Thus in the earth the seed expands	8	······˘/
Obedient to warm Spring’s commands.	8	˘/˘···˘/
Long time her young imagination	9	····˘·˘/˘
By indolence and languor fired	9	·/˘˘·/˘/˘
The fated nutriment desired;	9	·/˘/˘˘˘/˘
And long internal agitation	9	··˘/˘·˘/˘
Had filled her youthful breast with gloom,	8	···/˘···
She waited for—I don’t know whom!	8	·/˘·····
The fatal hour had come at last—	8	·/˘/····
She oped her eyes and cried: ’tis he!	8	········
Alas! for now before her passed	8	˘/······
The same warm vision constantly;	8	···/˘/˘˘
Now all things round about repeat	8	······˘/
Ceaselessly to the maiden sweet	8	/˘˘··/˘·
His name: the tenderness of home	8	···/˘˘··
Tiresome unto her hath become	8	/˘····˘/
And the kind-hearted servitors:	8	···/˘···
Immersed in melancholy thought,	8	˘/·/˘·˘·
She hears of conversation nought	8	····˘/˘·
And hated casual visitors,	9	·/˘/˘˘/˘˘
Their coming which no man expects,	8	·/˘···˘/
And stay whose length none recollects.	8	······˘/
Now with what eager interest	7	···/˘/˘
She the delicious novel reads,	8	··˘/˘/˘·
With what avidity and zest	8	··˘/˘˘··
She drinks in those seductive deeds!	8	····˘/˘·
All the creations which below	8	··˘/˘···
From happy inspiration flow,	8	·/˘·˘/˘·
The swain of Julia Wolmar,	7	·······
Malek Adel and De Linar,	8	/˘˘/····
Werther, rebellious martyr bold,	8	/˘˘/˘/˘·
And that unrivalled paragon,	8	·····/˘·
The sleep-compelling Grandison,	8	··˘/˘/˘˘
Our tender dreamer had enrolled	8	//˘/˘·˘/
A single being: ’twas in fine	8	·/˘/˘···
No other than Onéguine mine.	8	·/˘·····
Dreaming herself the heroine	8	/˘˘/·/˘˘
Of the romances she preferred,	8	··˘/˘·˘/
Clarissa, Julia, Delphine,—	8	˘/˘··˘/˘
Tattiana through the forest erred,	8	·····/˘·
And the bad book accompanies.	8	····˘/˘˘
Upon those pages she descries	7	···/˘··
Her passion’s faithful counterpart,	8	·/˘/˘/˘·
Fruit of the yearnings of the heart.	8	···/˘···
She heaves a sigh and deep intent	8	······˘/
On raptures, sorrows not her own,	8	·/˘/˘···
She murmurs in an undertone	8	·/˘··/˘·
A letter for her hero meant:	8	·/˘··/˘·
That hero, though his merit shone,	8	·/˘··/˘·
Was certainly no Grandison.	8	·/˘˘·/˘˘
Alas! my friends, the years flit by	8	˘/······
And after them at headlong pace	8	·····/··
The evanescent fashions fly	8	··˘/˘/˘·
In motley and amusing chase.	8	·/˘·˘/˘·
The world is ever altering!	8	···/˘/˘˘
Farthingales, patches, were the thing,	8	/˘·/˘···
And courtier, fop, and usurer	9	·/˘˘··/˘˘
Would once in powdered wig appear;	8	···/˘·˘/
Time was, the poet’s tender quill	8	···/˘/˘·
In hopes of everlasting fame	8	····˘/˘·
A finished madrigal would frame	8	·/˘/˘˘··
Or couplets more ingenious still;	8	····˘/˘·
Time was, a valiant general might	8	···/˘/˘·
Serve who could neither read nor write.	8	···/˘···
Time was, in style magniloquent	8	····˘/˘˘
Authors replete with sacred fire	9	/˘˘/·/˘/˘
Their heroes used to represent	8	·/˘···˘/
All that perfection could desire;	9	··˘/˘·˘/˘
Ever by adverse fate oppressed,	8	/˘·˘/·˘/
Their idols they were wont to invest	9	·/˘····˘/
With intellect, a taste refined,	8	·/˘···˘/
And handsome countenance combined,	8	·/˘/˘˘˘/
A heart wherein pure passion burnt;	8	·····/˘·
The excited hero in a trice	9	·˘/˘/˘···
Was ready for self-sacrifice,	8	·/˘··/˘·
And in the final tome we learnt,	8	···/˘···
Vice had due punishment awarded,	9	···/˘˘˘/˘
Virtue was with a bride rewarded.	9	/˘····˘/˘
But now our minds are mystified	8	··/··/˘·
And Virtue acts as a narcotic,	9	·/˘···˘/˘
Vice in romance is glorified	8	··˘/·/˘·
And triumphs in career erotic.	9	·/˘·˘/˘/˘
The monsters of the British Muse	8	·/˘··/˘·
Deprive our schoolgirls of repose,	8	˘//···˘/
The idols of their adoration	9	·/˘···˘/˘
A Vampire fond of meditation,	9	·/˘···˘/˘
Or Melmoth, gloomy wanderer he,	8	···/˘/˘·
The Eternal Jew or the Corsair	9	·˘/˘···/˘
Or the mysterious Sbogar.	8	··˘/˘˘··
Byron’s capricious phantasy	8	/˘˘/˘/˘˘
Could in romantic mantle drape	8	··˘/˘/˘·
E’en hopeless egoism’s dark shape.	9	·/˘/˘·˘··
My friends, what means this odd digression?	9	······˘/˘
May be that I by heaven’s decrees	9	·····/˘˘/
Shall abdicate the bard’s profession,	9	·/˘···˘/˘
And shall adopt some new caprice.	8	··˘/··˘/
Thus having braved Apollo’s rage	8	·/˘·˘/˘·
With humble prose I’ll fill my page	8	·/˘·····
And a romance in ancient style	8	··˘/·/˘·
Shall my declining years beguile;	8	··˘/˘·˘/
Nor shall my pen paint terribly	8	·····/˘˘
The torment born of crime unseen,	8	·/····˘/
But shall depict the touching scene	8	··˘/·/˘·
Of Russian domesticity;	8	·/˘··/˘˘
I will descant on love’s sweet dream,	8	··/˘····
The olden time shall be my theme.	8	·/˘·····
Old people’s simple conversations	9	·/˘/˘·˘/˘
My unpretending page shall fill,	8	········
Their offspring’s innocent flirtations	9	·/·/˘˘˘/˘
By the old lime-tree or the rill,	8	········
Their Jealousy and separation	9	·/˘˘··˘/˘
And tears of reconciliation:	9	····˘·˘/˘
Fresh cause of quarrel then I’ll find,	8	···/˘···
But finally in wedlock bind.	8	·/˘˘·/··
The passionate speeches I’ll repeat,	8	·/˘/˘·˘/
Accents of rapture or despair	8	/˘·/˘·˘/
I uttered to my lady fair	8	·/˘··/˘·
Long ago, prostrate at her feet.	8	·˘//˘···
Then they came easily enow,	8	···/˘˘˘/
My tongue is somewhat rusty now.	8	···///˘·
Tattiana! sweet Tattiana, see!	8	········
What bitter tears with thee I shed!	8	·/˘·····
Thou hast resigned thy destiny	8	··˘/·/˘˘
Unto a ruthless tyrant dread.	8	···/˘/˘·
Thou’lt suffer, dearest, but before,	8	·/˘/˘···
Hope with her fascinating power	9	···/˘·˘/˘
To dire contentment shall give birth	8	··˘/˘···
And thou shalt taste the joys of earth.	8	········
Thou’lt quaff love’s sweet envenomed stream,	8	········
Fantastic images shall swarm	8	˘/˘/˘˘··
In thy imagination warm,	8	··˘·˘/˘·
Of happy meetings thou shalt dream,	8	·/˘/˘···
And wheresoe’er thy footsteps err,	8	·····/··
Confront thy fated torturer!	8	˘/·/˘/˘˘
Love’s pangs Tattiana agonize.	8	·····/˘·
She seeks the garden in her need—	8	···/˘···
Sudden she stops, casts down her eyes	8	/˘······
And cares not farther to proceed;	8	···/˘·˘/
Her bosom heaves whilst crimson hues	8	·/˘··/˘·
With sudden flush her cheeks suffuse,	8	·/˘···˘/
Barely to draw her breath she seems,	8	/˘······
Her eye with fire unwonted gleams.	8	···/˘/˘·
And now ’tis night, the guardian moon	8	·····/˘·
Sails her allotted course on high,	8	··˘/˘···
And from the misty woodland nigh	8	···/˘/··
The nightingale trills forth her tune;	8	·/˘˘····
Restless Tattiana sleepless lay	8	/˘···/˘·
And thus unto her nurse did say:	8	········
“Nurse, ’tis so close I cannot rest.	8	·····/˘·
Open the window—sit by me.”	8	/˘·/˘···
“What ails thee, dear?”—“I feel depressed.	8	······˘/
Relate some ancient history.”	8	˘/·/˘/˘˘
“But which, my dear?—In days of yore	8	········
Within my memory I bore	8	···/˘˘··
Many an ancient legend which	8	/˘·/˘/˘·
In monsters and fair dames was rich;	8	·/˘·····
But now my mind is desolate,	8	·····/˘·
What once I knew is clean forgot—	8	······˘/
Alas! how wretched now my lot!”	8	˘/·/˘···
“But tell me, nurse, can you relate	8	······˘/
The days which to your youth belong?	8	······˘/
Were you in love when you were young?”—	8	········
“Alack! Tattiana,” she replied,	8	˘/····˘/
“We never loved in days of old,	8	·/˘·····
My mother-in-law who lately died	9	·/˘···/˘·
Had killed me had the like been told.”	8	········
“How came you then to wed a man?”—	8	········
“Why, as God ordered! My Ivan	8	···/˘·/˘
Was younger than myself, my light,	8	·/˘··/··
For I myself was thirteen quite;	8	···/·//·
The matchmaker a fortnight sped,	8	·/·˘·/··
Her suit before my parents pressing:	9	·····/˘/˘
At last my father gave his blessing,	9	···/˘··/˘
And bitter tears of fright I shed.	8	·/˘·····
Weeping they loosed my tresses long	8	/˘···/˘·
And led me off to church with song.”	8	········
“Then amongst strangers I was left—	8	···/˘···
But I perceive thou dost not heed—”	8	··˘/····
“Alas! dear nurse, my heart is cleft,	8	˘/······
Mortally sick I am indeed.	8	/˘˘···˘/
Behold, my sobs I scarce restrain—”	8	˘/····˘/
“My darling child, thou art in pain.—	8	·/˘·····
The Lord deliver her and save!	8	··˘/˘···
Tell me at once what wilt thou have?	8	········
I’ll sprinkle thee with holy water.—	9	·/˘··/˘/˘
How thy hands burn!”—“Dear nurse, I’m well.	8	········
I am—in love—you know—don’t tell!”	8	········
“The Lord be with thee, O my daughter!”—	9	·······/˘
And the old nurse a brief prayer said	8	········
And crossed with trembling hand the maid.	8	···/˘···
“I am in love,” her whispers tell	8	·····/˘·
The aged woman in her woe:	7	··/˘···
“My heart’s delight, thou art not well.”—	8	··˘/····
“I am in love, nurse! leave me now.”	8	········
Behold! the moon was shining bright	8	˘/···/˘·
And showed with an uncertain light	8	····˘/˘·
Tattiana’s beauty, pale with care,	8	···/˘···
Her tears and her dishevelled hair;	8	····˘/˘·
And on the footstool sitting down	8	···/˘/˘·
Beside our youthful heroine fair,	8	˘///˘/˘·
A kerchief round her silver hair	8	·/˘··/˘·
The aged nurse in ample gown,	7	····/˘·
Whilst all creation seemed to dream	8	··˘/˘···
Enchanted by the moon’s pale beam.	8	˘/˘·····
garment not known, so far as I am aware, to Western Europe.	16	/˘·······˘/·/˘/˘
It is called by the natives “doushegreika,” that is to say,	15	·····/˘········
“warmer of the soul”—in French, chaufferette de l’âme. It	13	/˘···········
is a species of thick pelisse worn over the “sarafan,” or	15	··/˘··˘/·······
But borne in spirit far away	8	···/˘·˘/
Tattiana gazes on the moon,	8	···/˘···
And starting suddenly doth say:	8	·/˘/˘˘··
“Nurse, leave me. I would be alone.	8	······˘/
Pen, paper bring: the table too	8	·/˘··/˘·
Draw near. I soon to sleep shall go—	8	········
Good-night.” Behold! she is alone!	8	··˘/··˘/
’Tis silent—on her shines the moon—	8	·/˘·····
Upon her elbow she reclines,	8	···/··˘/
And Eugene ever in her soul	8	·/˘/˘···
Indites an inconsiderate scroll	9	˘/·······
Wherein love innocently pines.	8	···/˘˘˘·
Now it is ready to be sent—	8	···/˘···
For whom, Tattiana, is it meant?	8	········
I have known beauties cold and raw	8	···/˘···
As Winter in their purity,	8	·/˘··/˘˘
Striking the intellect with awe	8	/˘·/˘···
By dull insensibility,	4	····
And I admired their common sense	8	··˘/·/˘·
And natural benevolence,	8	·/˘˘˘/˘˘
But, I acknowledge, from them fled;	8	··˘/˘···
For on their brows I trembling read	8	·····/˘·
The inscription o’er the gates of Hell	9	·˘/˘·····
“Abandon hope for ever here!”	8	˘/˘··/˘·
Love to inspire doth woe appear	8	··˘/··˘/
To such—delightful to repel.	8	··˘/˘·˘/
Perchance upon the Neva e’en	8	˘/···/˘·
Similar dames ye may have seen.	8	/˘˘·····
Amid submissive herds of men	8	˘/˘/˘···
Virgins miraculous I see,	8	/˘˘/˘˘··
Who selfishly unmoved remain	8	·/˘˘˘/˘/
Alike by sighs and flattery.	8	˘/···/˘˘
But what astonished do I find	8	··˘/˘···
When harsh demeanour hath consigned	8	··˘/˘·˘/
A timid love to banishment?—	8	·/˘··/˘˘
On fresh allurements they are bent,	9	·········
At least by show of sympathy;	8	·····/˘˘
At least their accents and their words	8	···/˘···
Appear attuned to softer chords;	8	˘/˘/·/˘·
And then with blind credulity	8	····˘/˘˘
The youthful lover once again	8	·/˘/˘·˘/
Pursues phantasmagoria vain.	8	˘/˘·˘/˘·
Why is Tattiana guiltier deemed?—	8	········
Because in singleness of thought	8	···/˘˘··
She never of deception dreamed	8	·/˘·˘/˘·
But trusted the ideal she wrought?—	8	·/˘·˘/··
Because her passion wanted art,	8	···/˘/˘·
Obeyed the impulses of heart?—	8	˘/·/˘˘··
Because she was so innocent,	8	·····/˘˘
That Heaven her character had blent	8	·/·/˘˘··
With an imagination wild,	8	··˘·˘/˘·
With intellect and strong volition	9	·/˘···˘/˘
And a determined disposition,	9	··˘/˘·˘/˘
An ardent heart and yet so mild?—	8	·/˘·····
Doth love’s incautiousness in her	8	········
So irremissible appear?	8	······˘/
O ye whom tender love hath pained	8	···/˘···
Without the ken of parents both,	8	·····/˘·
Whose hearts responsive have remained	8	··˘/˘·˘/
To the impressions of our youth,	8	··˘/˘·/·
The all-entrancing joys of love—	8	··/˘˘···
Young ladies, if ye ever strove	8	·/˘··/˘·
The mystic lines to tear away	8	·/˘···˘/
A lover’s letter might convey,	8	·/˘/˘·˘/
Or into bold hands anxiously	8	·····/˘˘
Have e’er a precious tress consigned,	8	···/˘·˘/
Or even, silent and resigned,	8	·/˘/˘·˘/
When separation’s hour drew nigh,	8	··˘/˘/··
Have felt love’s agitated kiss	8	···/˘·˘·
With tears, confused emotions, bliss,—	8	··˘/˘/˘·
With unanimity complete,	8	··˘/˘˘˘/
Condemn not weak Tattiana mine;	8	˘/······
Do not cold-bloodedly repeat	8	······˘/
The sneers of critics superfine;	8	···/˘/˘˘
And you, O maids immaculate,	8	····˘/˘˘
Whom vice, if named, doth agitate	8	·····/˘·
E’en as the presence of a snake,	8	···/˘···
I the same admonition make.	8	····˘/˘·
Who knows? with love’s consuming flame	8	····˘/˘·
Perchance you also soon may burn,	8	˘/·/˘···
Then to some gallant in your turn	8	···/˘···
Will be ascribed by treacherous Fame	8	··˘/·/˘·
The triumph of a conquest new.	8	·/˘··/˘·
The God of Love is after you!	8	········
A coquette loves by calculation,	9	·˘/···˘/˘
Tattiana’s love was quite sincere,	8	······˘/
A love which knew no limitation,	9	······˘/˘
Even as the love of children dear.	8	/····/˘·
She did not think “procrastination	9	····˘·˘/˘
Enhances love in estimation	9	˘/˘···˘/˘
And thus secures the prey we seek.	8	··˘/····
His vanity first let us pique	8	·/˘˘····
With hope and then perplexity,	8	····˘/˘˘
Excruciate the heart and late	8	˘/˘˘····
With jealous fire resuscitate,	8	·/˘/˘/˘·
Lest jaded with satiety,	8	·/˘·˘/˘˘
The artful prisoner should seek	8	·/˘/˘˘··
Incessantly his chains to break.”	8	˘/˘˘····
I still a complication view,	8	····˘/˘·
My country’s honour and repute	8	·/˘/˘·˘/
Demands that I translate for you	8	˘/··˘/··
The letter which Tattiana wrote.	8	·/˘·····
At Russ she was by no means clever	9	·······/˘
And read our newspapers scarce ever,	9	··//·˘·/˘
And in her native language she	8	···/˘/˘·
Possessed nor ease nor fluency,	8	˘/···/˘˘
So she in French herself expressed.	8	····˘/˘/
I cannot help it I declare,	8	·/˘···˘/
Though hitherto a lady ne’er	8	·/·/·/˘·
In Russ her love made manifest,	8	·····/˘·
And never hath our language proud	8	·/·/˘/˘·
In correspondence been allowed.	8	··˘/˘·˘/
They wish that ladies should, I hear,	8	···/˘···
Learn Russian, but the Lord defend!	8	·/˘···˘/
I can’t conceive a little dear	8	··˘/·/˘·
With the “Well-Wisher” in her hand!	8	···/˘···

The first 400 of 707 lines; the reader marks them all.

The reader shows the same poem with its rhymes coloured and a stress row above each line, the notes beside their stanzas, and any word's definition on a tap; the analysis page takes the whole book apart. How every part of this site was made.

More by Alexander Pushkin

Eugene Onegin