Eugene Onegin

by Alexander Pushkin

With carefree charm and winsome air She took a seat beside the chair Of brilliant Nina Voronskáya,* That Cleopatra of the North; But even Nina, shining forth With all her marble beauty’s fire— However dazzling to the sight— Could not eclipse her neighbour’s light. 17 ’Can it be true?’ Eugene reflected. ’Can that be she? … It seems … and yet… From those backwoods!’ And he directed A curious and keen lorgnette For several minutes in succession Upon the lady whose expression Called up a face from long ago. ’But tell me, Prince, you wouldn’t know Who’s standing there in conversation Beside the Spanish envoy, pray … That lady in the red beret?’ ’You have been out of circulation. But I’ll present you now with joy.’ ’Who is she, though?’ ‘My wife, old boy.’