Lint-covered, in his visored cap
(As you, of course, well know the chap);
And former couns'lor, old man Flynov,
A rogue and gossip night and noon,
A glutton, grafter, and buffoon.
27
The Harlikvs were feeling mellow
And brought along Monsieur Triquet,
Late from Tambv, a witty fellow
In russet wig and fine pince-nez.
True Gaul, Triquet in pocket carried
A verse to warn that Tanya tarried,
Set to a children's melody:
The printed verse had lain neglected
In some old tattered almanac
Until Triquet, who had a knack
For rhyme, saw fit to resurrect it
And boldly put for 'belle Nina'
The charming line: 'belle Tatyan.'*
28
And now from nearby quarters, brothers,
That idol whom ripe misses cheer,
The joy and hope of district mothers
The company commander's here!
He's brought some news to set them cheering:
The regimental band's appearing!
'The colonel's sending it tonight.'
There'll be a ball! What sheer delight!
The girls all jump and grow excited.
But dinner's served. And so by pairs,
And arm in arm, they seek their chairs:
The girls near Tanya; men delighted
To face them; and amid the din,
All cross themselves and dig right in.
29
Then for a moment chatter ceases
As mouths start chewing.
All around
The clink of plates and forks increases,
The glasses jingle and resound.
But soon the guests are somewhat sated;
The hubbub grows more animated . . .
But no one hears his neighbour out;
All laugh and argue, squeal and shout.
The doors fly back; two figures enter
It's Lensky . . . with Eugene! 'Oh dear!'
The hostess cries, 'At last you're here!'
The guests all squeeze toward the centre,
Each moves his setting, shifts his chair,
