Eugene Onegin ( without commentary )

XLVII

amidst the crafty, the fainthearted, crazy, spoiled children, villains both ludicrous and dull, 4 obtuse, caviling judges; amidst devout coquettes; amidst the voluntary lackeys; amidst the daily modish scenes, 8 courtly, affectionate betrayals; amidst hardhearted vanity's cold verdicts; amidst the vexing emptiness 12 of schemes, of thoughts and conversations; in that slough where with you I bathe, dear friends! [Six: XLVI: var. 13-14.] 41. Lyovshin, author of numerous works on rural econ omy. [Seven: iv: 4.] 42. Our roads are for the eyes a garden: trees, ditches, and a turfy bank; much toil, much glory, but, sad to say, no passage now and then. The trees that stand like sentries bring little profit to the travelers; the road, you'll say, is fine, but you'll recall the verse: "for passers-by!" )29 Eugene Onegin Driving in Russia is unhampered on two occasions only: when our McAdam-or McEve-winteraccomplishes, crackling with wrath, its devastating raid and with ice's cast-iron armors roads while powder snow betimes as if with fluffy sand covers the tracks; or when the fields are permeated with such a torrid drought that with eyes closed a fly can ford a puddle. (The Station, by Prince Vyazemski) [Seven: xxxiv: 1.] 43. A simile borrowed from K., so well known for the playfulness of his fancy. K. related that, being one day sent as courier by Prince Potyomkin to the Empress, he drove so fast that his????, one end of which stuck out of his carriage, rattled against the verstposts as along a palisade. [Seven: xxxv: 7-8.] 44. Rout [Eng.], an evening assembly without dances; means properly crowd [tolpa]. [Eight: VI: 2.]