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

Similar dames ye may have seen.

[Note 38: A Russian annotator complains that the poet has mutilated Dante's famous line.]

XXIII.

Amid submissive herds of men

Virgins miraculous I see,

Who selfishly unmoved remain

Alike by sighs and flattery.

But what astonished do I find

When harsh demeanour hath consigned

A timid love to banishment? -

On fresh allurements they are bent,

At least by show of sympathy;

At least their accents and their words

Appear attuned to softer chords;

And then with blind credulity

The youthful lover once again

Pursues phantasmagoria vain.

XXIV.

Why is Tattiana guiltier deemed? -

Because in singleness of thought

She never of deception dreamed

But trusted the ideal she wrought? -

Because her passion wanted art,

Obeyed the impulses of heart? -

Because she was so innocent,