tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53824256725173400152024-03-08T00:04:20.323-08:00Eugene Onegin in English TranslationSelected stanzas from existing English translations reprinted for easy comparisonStephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16524368948187746248noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382425672517340015.post-1268123019538466672022-10-03T10:46:00.004-07:002022-10-03T10:46:34.375-07:00Chapter One, Stanza One: Anthony Briggs (2016)“Uncle, a man of purest probity,<br>
Has fallen ill, beyond a joke.<br>
Respected now, and scorned by nobody,<br>
He has achieved his masterstroke<br>
With this exemplary behaviour,<br>
But it would try the Holy Saviour<br>
To tend a sickbed night and day,<br>
And never stir a step away,<br>
Employing shameful histrionics<br>
To bring a half-dead man some cheer,<br>
Plump pillows and draw sadly near,<br>
Indulging him with pills and tonics,<br>
Heaving deep sighs, but thinking, ‘Ooh!<br>
When will the devil come for you?’”Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16524368948187746248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382425672517340015.post-49235884901023928352022-10-03T10:13:00.006-07:002022-10-03T10:13:54.686-07:00Chapter One, Stanza One: Mary Hobson (2011)My uncle, honest fellow, seeing<Br>
That he was now a dying man,<Br>
Required my last respects, this being<Br>
His best, indeed, his only plan.<Br>
The plan may be worth imitating;<Br>
The boredom is excruciating.<Br>
Sit by a sick-bed night and day<Br>
And never move a step away.<Br>
With what low cunning one tries madly<Br>
To amuse a man who’s half alive,<Br>
Adjust his pillows, and contrive<Br>
To bring his medicine to him sadly,<Br>
Then sigh, while proffering the spoon,<Br>
‘Let’s hope the devil takes you soon.Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16524368948187746248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382425672517340015.post-78965328831290536282022-10-03T10:09:00.004-07:002022-10-03T10:12:45.796-07:00Chapter One, Stanza One: A. S. Kline (2009) ‘My uncle, what a worthy man,<br>
Falling ill like that, and dying;<br>
It summons up respect, one can<br>
Admire it, as if he were trying.<br>
Let us all follow his example!<br>
But, God, what tedium to sample<br>
That sitting by the bed all day,<br>
All night, barely a foot away!<br>
And the hypocrisy, demeaning,<br>
Of cosseting one who’s half alive;<br>
Puffing the pillows, you contrive<br>
To bring his medicine unsmiling,<br>
Thinking with a mournful sigh,<br>
“Why the devil can’t you die?”’<Br>
<br>
(This translation is <a href="https://www.poetryintranslation.com/PITBR/Russian/Pushkinhome.php">available to read online</a>.)Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16524368948187746248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382425672517340015.post-60424047393128007272009-02-28T20:04:00.001-08:002009-03-01T01:03:22.684-08:00Chapter One, Stanza One: Stanley Mitchell (2008)My uncle is a man of honour,<br />When in good earnest he fell ill,<br />He won respect by his demeanour<br />And found the role he best could fill.<br />Let others profit by his lesson,<br />But, oh my God, what desolation<br />To tend a sick many day and night<br />And not to venture form his sight!<br />What shameful cunning to be cheerful<br />With someone who is halfway dead,<br />To prop up pillows by his head,<br />To bring him medicine, looking tearful,<br />To sigh -- while inwardly you think:<br />When will the devil let him sink?Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16524368948187746248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382425672517340015.post-44723152658598572082009-02-28T19:59:00.001-08:002009-03-01T01:03:11.520-08:00Chapter One, Stanza One: Tom Beck (2004)'My uncle's acted very wisely,<br />to seek his bed when he's so sick;<br />his family's reacted nicely<br />and he's most happy with his trick.<br />He's set the world a good example,<br />which others would do well to sample,<br />but it's a bore, when night and day<br />the sick man forces you to stay!<br />To keep him sweet, as if he's dying,<br />give him his daily medicine<br />and make quite sure that it goes in,<br />adjust the pillows while one's sighing:<br />'Don't even think of getting well,<br />The devil take you, go to hell!'"Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16524368948187746248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382425672517340015.post-89434089376764517022009-02-28T19:56:00.000-08:002009-03-01T01:03:01.736-08:00Chapter One, Stanza One: Douglas Hofstadter (1999)"My uncle, matchless moral model,<br />When deathly ill, learned how to make<br />His friends respect him, bow and coddle --<br />Of all his ploys, that takes the cake.<br />To others, this might teach a lesson;<br />But Lord above, I'd feel such stress in<br />Having to sit there night and day,<br />Daring not once to step away.<br />Plus, I'd say, it's hypocritical<br />To keep the half-dead's spirits bright,<br />To plump his pillows till tehy're right,<br />Fetch his pills with tears veridical --<br />Yet in secret to wish and sigh,<br />'Hurry, dear Uncle, up and die!'"Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16524368948187746248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382425672517340015.post-75624773719365800162009-02-28T19:53:00.000-08:002009-03-01T01:02:50.944-08:00Chapter One, Stanza One: James Falen (1990)'My uncle, man of firm convictions...<br />By falling gravely ill, he's won<br />A due respect for his afflictions --<br />The only clever thing he's done.<br />May his example profit others;<br />But God, what deadly boredom, brothers,<br />To tend a sick man night and day,<br />Not daring once to steal away!<br />And, oh, how base to pamper grossly<br />And entertain the nearly dead,<br />To fluff the pillows for his head,<br />And pass him medicines morosely --<br />While thinking under every sigh:<br />The devil take you, Uncle. Die!'Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16524368948187746248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382425672517340015.post-14770852996096240642009-02-28T19:48:00.000-08:002009-08-12T11:42:40.390-07:00Chapter One, Stanza One: Charles Johnston (1977)'My uncle -- high ideals inspire him;<br />but when past joking he fell sick,<br />he really forced one to admire him --<br />and never played a shrewder trick.<br />Let others learn from his example!<br />But God, how deadly dull to sample<br />sickroom attendance night and day<br />and never stir a foot away!<br />And the sly baseness, fit to throttle,<br />of entertaining the half-dead:<br />one smooths the pillows down in bed,<br />and glumly serves the medicine bottle,<br />and sighs, and asks oneself all through:<br />"When will the devil come for you"'Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16524368948187746248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382425672517340015.post-87085453124314298212009-02-28T19:44:00.001-08:002009-03-01T01:02:25.508-08:00Chapter One, Stanza One: Walter Arendt's Literal Translation (1972)"My uncle of most honest principles,<br />When in good earnest he fell ill,<br />Compelled [others] to respect him,<br />And could not have contrived [a] better [way].<br />His example [is] a lesson to others;<br />But, oh my goodness, what a bore<br />With a sick man to sit both day and night,<br />Not going [off] even a step away!<br />What low cunning<br />To amuse one half alive,<br />Adjust the pillows for him,<br />Sadly bring up to him his medicine,<br />To sigh and think in private:<br />Come, when will the Devil take you?"Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16524368948187746248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382425672517340015.post-88708243862188265742009-02-28T19:41:00.000-08:002009-03-01T01:01:44.561-08:00Chapter One, Stanza One: Vladimir Nabokov (1964, rev. 1975)"My uncle has most honest principles:<br />when taken ill in earnest,<br />he has made one respect him<br />and nothing better could invent.<br />To others his example is a lesson;<br />but, good God, what a bore<br />to sti by a sick man both day and night,<br />without moving a step away!<br />What base perfidiousness<br />the half-alive one to amuse,<br />adjust for him the pillows,<br />sadly present the medicine,<br />sigh -- and think inwardly<br />when <span style="font-style: italic;">will</span> the devil take you?"Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16524368948187746248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382425672517340015.post-38873580067479691242009-02-28T19:35:00.000-08:002009-03-01T01:01:35.630-08:00Chapter One, Stanza One: Walter Arendt (1963, rev. 1978)"Now that he is in grave condition,<br />My uncle, decorous old dunce,<br />Has won respectful recognition;<br />And done the perfect thing for once.<br />His action be a guide to others;<br />But what a bore, I ask you, brothers,<br />To tend a patient night and day<br />And venture not a step away:<br />Is there hypocracy more glaring<br />Than to amuse one all but dead,<br />Shake up the pillow for his head,<br />Dose him with melancholy bearing,<br />And think behind a public sigh:<br />'Duce take you, step on it and die!'"Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16524368948187746248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382425672517340015.post-45970163693007838972009-02-28T19:31:00.000-08:002009-03-01T01:01:21.671-08:00Chapter One, Stanza One: Babette Deutsch (1936, rev. 1964)'My uncle always was respected <br />But his grave illness, I confess,<br />Is more than could have been expected:<br />A stroke of genius, nothing less!<br />He offers all a fine example.<br />But, God, such boredom who would sample<br />As day and night to have to sit<br />Beside a sick-bed -- think of it!<br />Low cunning must assist devotion<br />To one who is but half-alive;<br />You puff his pillow and contrive<br />Amusement while you mix his potion;<br />You sigh and think with furrowed brow:<br />"Why can't the devil take you now?"'Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16524368948187746248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382425672517340015.post-44943390100469368322009-02-28T19:30:00.000-08:002009-08-12T11:32:03.013-07:00Chapter One, Stanza One: Henry Spalding (1881)"My uncle's goodness is extreme,<br />If seriously he hath disease;<br />He hath acquired the world's esteem<br />And nothing more important sees;<br />A paragon of virtue he!<br />But what a nuisance it will be,<br />Chained to his bedside night and day<br />Without a chance to slip away.<br />Ye need dissimulation base<br />A dying man with art to soothe,<br />Beneath his head the pillow smooth,<br />And physic bring with mournful face,<br />To sigh and meditate alone:<br />When will the devil take his own!"Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16524368948187746248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382425672517340015.post-53369340942071076052009-02-28T19:29:00.000-08:002009-03-01T08:55:31.405-08:00Chapter One, Stanza One: Original Russian<div class="poem"> <span class="line" id="L1_1_1">«Мой дядя самых честных правил,</span><br /><span class="line" id="L1_1_2">Когда не в шутку занемог,</span><br /><span class="line" id="L1_1_3">Он уважать себя заставил</span><br /><span class="line" id="L1_1_4">И лучше выдумать не мог.</span><br /><span class="line" id="L1_1_5">Его пример другим наука;</span><br /><span class="line" id="L1_1_6">Но, боже мой, какая скука</span><br /><span class="line" id="L1_1_7">С больным сидеть и день и ночь,</span><br /><span class="line" id="L1_1_8">Не отходя ни шагу прочь!</span><br /><span class="line" id="L1_1_9">Какое низкое коварство</span><br /><span class="line" id="L1_1_10">Полуживого забавлять,</span><br /><span class="line" id="L1_1_11">Ему подушки поправлять,</span><br /><span class="line" id="L1_1_12">Печально подносить лекарство,</span><br /><span class="line" id="L1_1_13">Вздыхать и думать про себя:</span><br /><span class="line" id="L1_1_14">Когда же черт возьмет тебя!»</span></div>Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16524368948187746248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382425672517340015.post-84387280603648651482009-02-28T19:22:00.000-08:002022-10-03T10:48:25.820-07:00Chapter One, Stanza Sixty, Final Couplet: Lightning Round<span class="line" id="L1_60_13">И заслужи мне славы дань:</span><br>
<span class="line" id="L1_60_14">Кривые толки, шум и брань!</span><br>
<br>
-- original Russian text<br>
<br>
Enjoy the meed which Fame bestows--<br>
Misunderstanding, words and blows.<br>
<br>
-- Henry Spalding<br>
<br>
[...Go, my dear creation:]<br>
Be sentenced by a crooked jury<br>
And earn me fame and sound and fury.<br>
<br>
-- Babette Deutsch<br>
<br>
You'll earn me the rewards of fame:<br>
Distorted judgments, noise and blame!<br>
<br>
-- Walter Arendt, trans.<br>
<br>
And deserve for me fame's tribute,<br>
false interpretations, noise and abuse!<br>
<br>
-- Vladimir Nabokov, trans.<br>
<br>
earn for me the rewards of fame --<br>
misunderstanding, noise, and blame!<br>
<br>
-- Charles Johnston, trans.<br>
<br>
And earn me tribute paid to fame:<br>
Distorted readings, noise and blame!<br>
<br>
-- James Fallen, trans.<br>
<br>
And earn me glory's just deserts:<br>
Hot air, vain noise, faint praise that hurts.<br>
<br>
-- Douglas Hofstadter, trans.<br>
<br>
[...and earn for me the tributes, plaudits,]<br>
which I deserve, though you induce<br>
bewilderment, alarm, abuse.<br>
<br>
-- Tom Beck<br>
<br>
And earn for me the prize of fame:<br>
Falsification, noise and blame!<br>
<br>
-- Stanley Mitchell, trans.<br>
<br>
Earn me the first fruits of fame,<br>
Noise, incomprehension, blame!<br>
<br>
-- A. S. Kline<br>
<br>
[...win]<br>
For me the homage of their views:<br>
Warped thinking, uproar and abuse.<br>
<br>
-- Mary Hobson<br>
<br>
Earn me the fame that will induce<br>
Skewed comments shrilling with abuse.<Br>
<br>
-- Anthony Briggs
<span class="line" id="L1_60_13"></span>Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16524368948187746248noreply@blogger.com