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IV
Alone amid his wealth and holdings
In order to occupy the time
Yevgeny thought out a new scheme
To establish change in the order of things.
A prophet in the wilderness,
The burden of serf-labour he abolished
And changed it for quit-rent, no less;
The serf blessed his fortune and his fate.
On the other hand, in another corner,
Seeing in this matter a tragedy,
His over-calculating neighbour
Sulked. Another sneered craftily.
In unison they all agreed
He was a dangerous crank of a nasty breed.
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V
At first they all came visiting,
But since in the courtyard at the rear
At the very moment was brought to the door
His thoroughbred stallion saddled and waiting,
As soon as, along the open highway,
The sound of the home made carriage was heard - Being much offended by this
whim
They all cut short acquaintance with him.
"He's an ignoramus, and a lunatic,
A freemason, and he drinks alone,
Red wine by the tumblerful, and what is more
He will not kiss women's hands in greeting,
He says 'Yes' or 'No', but never politely"
Such was their opinion, and it was not held
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VI
To his estate at this same time
A new landowner had just arrived,
And just as much cause for stern rebuke
Among his neighbours he provoked.
Vladimir Lensky was his name,
In his soul he hailed from Göttingen,
Had good looks, was in the flower of youth,
A poet, believed in Kant and truth.
From the heart of misty Germany
He brought the fruits of all his study:
Dreams that were linked to freedom's road,
An ardent spirit that was somewhat odd,
And speech that was inspired and soaring,
And black curls down to his shoulder falling.
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