Three balls a year he gave ye duly,

At last became a ruined man.

But Eugene was by fate preserved,

For first "madame" his wants observed,

And then "monsieur" supplied her place;(3)

The boy was wild but full of grace.

"Monsieur l'Abbe," a starving Gaul,

Fearing his pupil to annoy,

Instructed jestingly the boy,

Morality taught scarce at all;

Gently for pranks he would reprove

And in the Summer Garden rove.

[Note 3: In Russia foreign tutors and governesses are commonly styled "monsieur" or "madame."]

IV.

When youth's rebellious hour drew near

And my Eugene the path must trace -

The path of hope and tender fear -

Monsieur clean out of doors they chase.

Lo! my Oneguine free as air,

Cropped in the latest style his hair,

Dressed like a London dandy he

The giddy world at last shall see.

He wrote and spoke, so all allowed,

In the French language perfectly,

Danced the mazurka gracefully,

Without the least constraint he bowed.

What more's required? The world replies,

He is a charming youth and wise.

V.

We all of us of education

A something somehow have obtained,

Thus, praised be God! a reputation

With us is easily attained.

Oneguine was - so many deemed

[Unerring critics self-esteemed],

Pedantic although scholar like,