I am—in love—you know—don't tell!'
'The Lord be with thee, O my daughter!'—
And the old nurse a brief prayer said
And crossed with trembling hand the maid.
XX
'I am in love,' her whispers tell
The 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 bright
And showed with an uncertain light
Tattiana's beauty, pale with care,
Her tears and her dishevelled hair;
And on the footstool sitting down
Beside our youthful heroine fair,
A kerchief round her silver hair
The aged nurse in ample gown,(37)
Whilst all creation seemed to dream
Enchanted by the moon's pale beam.
[Note 37: It is thus that I am compelled to render a female 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'ame. It is a species of thick pelisse worn over the 'sarafan,' or gown.]
XXI
But borne in spirit far away
Tattiana gazes on the moon,
And starting suddenly doth say:
'Nurse, leave me. I would be alone.
Pen, paper bring: the table too
Draw 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 soul
Indites an inconsiderate scroll
Wherein love innocently pines.
Now it is ready to be sent—
For whom, Tattiana, is it meant?
XXII
I have known beauties cold and raw
As Winter in their purity,
Striking the intellect with awe
By dull insensibility,
And I admired their common sense
And natural benevolence,
But, I acknowledge, from them fled;
For on their brows I trembling read
The inscription o'er the gates of Hell
'Abandon hope for ever here!'(38)
Love to inspire doth woe appear
To such—delightful to repel.
Perchance upon the Neva e'en
