All silently hung down his head.

Jealousy and vexation took

To flight before her radiant look,

Before such fond simplicity

And mental elasticity.

He eyed her with a fond concern,

Perceived that he was still beloved,

Already by repentance moved

To ask forgiveness seemed to yearn;

But trembles, words he cannot find,

Delighted, almost sane in mind.

XV.

But once more pensive and distressed

Beside his Olga doth he grieve,

Nor enough strength of mind possessed

To mention the foregoing eve,

He mused: "I will her saviour be!

With ardent sighs and flattery

The vile seducer shall not dare

The freshness of her heart impair,

Nor shall the caterpillar come

The lily's stem to eat away,

Nor shall the bud of yesterday

Perish when half disclosed its bloom!" -

All this, my friends, translate aright:

"I with my friend intend to fight!"

XVI.

If he had only known the wound

Which rankled in Tattiana's breast,

And if Tattiana mine had found -

If the poor maiden could have guessed

That the two friends with morning's light

Above the yawning grave would fight, -

Ah! it may be, affection true