Contemplate her sad reverie.

We Russians, friends from distant parts

Ever receive with kindly hearts

And exclamations and good cheer.

"How Tania grows! Doth it appear"

"Long since I held thee at the font -

Since in these arms I thee did bear -

And since I pulled thee by the ear -

And I to give thee cakes was wont?" -

Then the old dames in chorus sing,

"Oh! how our years are vanishing!"

XLII.

But nothing changed in them is seen,

All in the good old style appears,

Our dear old aunt, Princess Helene,

Her cap of tulle still ever wears:

Luceria Lvovna paint applies,

Amy Petrovna utters lies,

Ivan Petrovitch still a gaby,

Simeon Petrovitch just as shabby;

Pelagie Nikolavna has

Her friend Monsieur Finemouche the same,

Her wolf-dog and her husband tame;

Still of his club he member was -

As deaf and silly doth remain,

Still eats and drinks enough for twain.

XLIII.

Their daughters kiss Tattiana fair.

In the beginning, cold and mute,

Moscow's young Graces at her stare,

Examine her from head to foot.

They deem her somewhat finical,

Outlandish and provincial,

A trifle pale, a trifle lean,