“Eugene Onegin”

Characters

Larina (lady of the manor) — Mezzo-soprano Tatyana (her daughter) — Soprano Olga (her daughter) — Contralto Filipyevna (a nanny) — Mezzo-soprano Eugene Onegin — Baritone Lensky (Vladimir Lensky) — Tenor Prince Gremin — Bass Captain (Company Commander) — Bass Zaretsky — Bass Triquet (a Frenchman) — Tenor Guillot (Onegin’s valet) — Silent role Peasants, peasant women, landowners and ladies of the manor, officers, guests at the ball.

ACT ONE

Scene One 1. Duet and Quartet. The Larin country estate — the house and adjoining garden. It is evening. Larina and the nurse are making jam. The voices of Tatyana and Olga singing a duet are heard from within the house. TATYANA, OLGA (offstage): Have you not heard, from beyond the grove at night, the voice that sings of love and sings of sorrow? When, at the morning hour, the fields lay silent, the music of the pipe, simple and sad — have you not heard? LARINA (to the nurse): They are singing, and I, too, used to sing that song in days gone by. Do you remember? I used to sing it too. FILIPYEVNA: You were young then! TATYANA, OLGA (offstage): Have you not sighed, hearing that gentle voice, the singer of love, the singer of his sorrow? When in the forest you once saw a youth and met the gaze of his sunken eyes — did you not sigh? Did you not sigh? LARINA: How I loved Richardson! FILIPYEVNA: You were young then. LARINA: Not because I had read him. But in the old days Princess Alina, my cousin in Moscow, kept on to me about him. FILIPYEVNA: Yes, I remember. LARINA: Ah, Grandison! Ah, Grandison!

FILIPYEVNA: Yes, I remember. At that time your husband was still courting you, but against your will; you were dreaming of another, one who pleased you much more in heart and mind! LARINA: Why, he was a fine dandy, a gambler and an ensign in the Guards! FILIPYEVNA: Years long gone by! LARINA: How well I always used to dress! FILIPYEVNA: Always in the latest fashion! LARINA: Always in the fashion and becomingly! FILIPYEVNA: Always in the fashion and becomingly! LARINA: But suddenly, without even asking me... FILIPYEVNA: They married you off without further ado! Then, to relieve your unhappiness... LARINA: Oh, how I cried to begin with! I nearly left my husband! FILIPYEVNA: ...the master came here soon after, you busied yourself with the household, became resigned and settled down. LARINA: I busied myself with the household, became resigned and settled down. FILIPYEVNA: And God be thanked! LARINA, FILIPYEVNA: Habit is sent us from above in place of happiness. Yes, that is how it is: Habit is sent us from above, in place of happiness.

LARINA: Corset, album, Princess Pauline, the book of sentimental verse — I forgot them all. FILIPYEVNA: You began to call the maid Akulka instead of "Céline" and restored at last... LARINA: Ah... LARINA, FILIPYEVNA: ...the quilted dressing gown and mob cap! Habit is sent us from above, in place of happiness. Yes, that is how it is: Habit is sent us from above, in place of happiness. LARINA: But my husband loved me truly... FILIPYEVNA: Yes, the master loved you truly. LARINA: ...and trusted me unreservedly in all things. FILIPYEVNA: ...and trusted you unreservedly in all things. LARINA, FILIPYEVNA: Habit is sent us from above, in place of happiness.

2. Chorus and Peasant Dance. The sound of a peasant song is heard in the distance. PEASANT LEADER (offstage): My swift little feet ache from walking. PEASANTS (offstage): ...Ache from walking. LEADER: My white hands ache from working. PEASANTS: ...Ache from working. My ardent heart aches from caring. I don't know what to do, how to forget my sweetheart. My swift little feet ache from walking. My white hands ache from working, ache from working.

The peasant band enters, the leaders bearing a decorated sheaf. PEASANTS: Greetings, your ladyship, greetings, benefactress! We come before your Grace bearing the decorated sheaf! The harvest is all gathered in! LARINA: So, that's excellent. Now make merry! I'm pleased to see you all. Sing us something jolly! PEASANTS: If that's what you'd like, little mother! Come, let's entertain the lady. Now, girls, stand in a ring! Come along now, all get ready! The young folk form a circle and dance around the sheaf; the others sing. Tatyana, book in hand, and Olga come out onto the balcony. One day across the bridge, the little bridge, along the hazel planks, Vayinu, vayinu, vayinu, vayinu, along the hazel planks, came a fine young fellow, fresh and ruddy as a raspberry, Vayinu, vayinu, vayinu, vayinu, fresh and ruddy as a raspberry. Over his shoulder he carries a cudgel, under one coat-skirt he carries bagpipes, Vayinu, vayinu, vayinu, vayinu, under the other is a fiddle. Now just you guess, my dearest, Vayinu, vayinu, vayinu, vayinu, now just you guess, my dearest. The sun has set — aren't you asleep? Come out yourself or else send out, Vayinu, vayinu, vayinu, vayinu, come out yourself or else send out,

Sasha or Masha or dear little Parasha, Vayinu, vayinu, vayinu, vayinu, send dear little Parasha, Sasha or Masha or dear little Parasha. Parashenka came out and had a talk with her sweetheart: Vayinu, vayinu, vayinu, vayinu, had a talk with her sweetheart: "Don't grumble at me, my dearest, I've come out just as I was, in my shabby little blouse and my short skirt. Vayinu, vayinu, vayinu, vayinu, in my shabby little blouse and my short skirt! Vayinu!

3. Scene and Olga's Aria. TATYANA: How I love to dream when I hear these songs, and float away somewhere, somewhere far off! OLGA: Ah, Tanya, Tanya! You're always dreaming! But I am quite unlike you — I feel merry when I hear singing. (Dancing a few steps.) "Across the bridge, the little bridge, along the hazel planks..." I was not made for melancholy sighing, I do not like to dream in silence, nor, on the balcony in the dark night, to sigh, to sigh, to sigh from the depths of my soul. Why should I sigh, when full of happiness my youthful days flow gently by? I am carefree and full of fun, and everyone calls me a child! For me life will always, always be sweet, and I shall remain, as I always have, like a light-hearted hope — playful, carefree, merry! I was not made for melancholy sighing, I do not like to dream in silence, nor, on the balcony in the dark night, to sigh, to sigh, to sigh from the depths of my soul. Why should I sigh, when full of happiness my youthful days flow gently by? I am carefree and full of fun, and everyone calls me a child!

4. Scene. LARINA: Well, my frolicsome one, merry and playful little bird that you are — I expect you're ready to dance right now, isn't that so? FILIPYEVNA (to Tatyana): Tanyusha! Hey, Tanyusha! What's the matter? You're not ill, are you? TATYANA: No, nurse — I'm quite well. LARINA (to the peasants): Well, my dears, thank you for the songs. Go over to the annexe. (To Filipyevna.) Filipyevna, see that they have some wine. Goodbye, my friends! PEASANTS: Goodbye, little mother! The peasants leave. The nurse goes with them. Tatyana sits down on the steps of the terrace and becomes engrossed in her book. OLGA: Mama, just look at Tanya! LARINA: What is it? (Looking at Tatyana.) Indeed, my dear, you're very pale. TATYANA: I always am; don't worry, Mama! It's very interesting, this book I'm reading. LARINA (laughing): Is that why you're so pale? TATYANA: Why yes, of course, Mama! The account of the torments suffered by these two true lovers moves me so. I'm so sorry for them, poor things! Oh, how they suffer, how they suffer! LARINA: That's enough, Tanya. I used to get upset, just like you, when I read such books. It's only fiction. As the years went by, I came to see that there are no heroes in real life. Now I take things calmly.

OLGA: You shouldn't take things quite so calmly! Look, you've forgotten to take off your apron! Supposing Lensky should arrive, what then? Mme Larina hastily removes her apron. Olga laughs. The noise of an approaching carriage and the jingling of bells is heard. OLGA: Listen! Someone's coming. It's him! LARINA: It is indeed! TATYANA (looking down from the terrace): He's not alone... LARINA: Who could it be? FILIPYEVNA (hurrying in): Madam, the young gentleman Lensky has arrived. Mr. Onegin is with him! TATYANA: Oh, quick, I'll run away! LARINA (restraining her): Where are you off to, Tanya? People will talk! Gracious, my cap's on crooked! OLGA (to Larina): Have them shown in, then! LARINA (to the footboy): Quick, ask them to come in, quickly! The footboy runs off. Everyone prepares in great excitement to receive the guests. The nurse tidies Tatyana up, then leaves, making a sign to her not to be frightened.

5. Scene and Quartet Lensky and Onegin enter. Lensky kisses Mme Larina's hand and bows politely to the girls. LENSKY: Mesdames! I've taken the liberty of bringing a friend along. May I introduce Onegin, my neighbour. ONEGIN (bowing): I'm very honoured. LARINA (rather flustered): Oh please — we're delighted to see you. Do sit down! These are my daughters. ONEGIN: I'm very, very happy to meet you! LARINA: Come into the house! Or perhaps you'd prefer to stay out of doors? I beg you, don't stand on ceremony; we're neighbours, so there's no need for formality! LENSKY: It's delightful here! I love this garden, so shady and secluded — one is so comfortable here! LARINA: That's splendid! (To the girls.) I'll go and see to things in the house. You entertain our guests. I won't be long. Onegin walks over to Lensky and speaks quietly with him. Tatyana and Olga stand apart, lost in thought. ONEGIN (to Lensky): Tell me, which is Tatyana? LENSKY: Why, the one who is sad and silent, like Svetlana! ONEGIN: I'm very curious to know. Can you really be in love with the younger one? LENSKY: Why? ONEGIN: I should have chosen the other, had I been, like you, a poet!

TATYANA (aside): My waiting is over, my eyes have been opened! I know, I know that this is he! OLGA: Oh, I knew, I knew that the appearance of Onegin would make a great impression on everyone and give the neighbours plenty to talk about! There will be no end to the conjectures... LENSKY: Ah, my dear friend... ONEGIN: There's no life in Olga's features — she's just like a Van Dyck Madonna. Her face is as round and rosy... as that stupid moon on that dull horizon! LENSKY: ...Wave and rock, poetry and prose, ice and flame, are not as different from each other as we are in our contrasting natures! TATYANA: Now, alas, my days and nights and my burning, solitary dreams will always be filled with his dear image! OLGA: Everyone will start to whisper, joke, judge — not without malice! There will be no end to the conjectures. TATYANA: Ceaselessly, with magical power, everything will speak to me of him, and my soul will be seared with the fire of love. OLGA: Joke, and judge — not without malice — and appoint him Tanya's suitor! TATYANA: Everything will speak to me of him, and my soul will be seared by love's fire!

6. Scene and Lensky's Arioso.

LENSKY: How happy, how happy I am! I see you once again! OLGA: We saw each other yesterday, I think. LENSKY: Oh yes! But all the same, a whole long day — a long day — has gone by since we were last together. An eternity! OLGA: Eternity! What a dreadful word! LENSKY: Perhaps... But it is not dreadful for my love! Lensky and Olga stroll off into the garden. ONEGIN (to Tatyana): Tell me, is it not dreadfully boring for you here in the depths of the country, which, though lovely, is so far away? I don't suppose you get much amusement. TATYANA: I read a great deal. ONEGIN: It's true that reading provides abundant food for thought and feeling, but one can't sit over a book the whole time! TATYANA: I daydream sometimes, strolling in the garden. ONEGIN: What do you dream about? TATYANA: Pensiveness has been my companion since my earliest days. ONEGIN: I see you're a terrible dreamer — I used to be the same at one time. Onegin and Tatyana continue their conversation as they stroll away along the garden path. Lensky and Olga return.

LENSKY: I love you, I love you, Olga, as only a poet's frantic heart can still be fated to love. Always, everywhere, one dream alone, one constant longing, one insistent sadness! As a boy I was captivated by you, when heartache was still unknown; I witnessed, with tender emotion, your childish games. Beneath the grove's protecting boughs I shared those games. I love you, I love you, with that love known only to a poet's heart. For you alone I dream, for you alone I long; you are my joy and my suffering. I love you, I love you — eternally —and nothing: not the chilling distance, not the hour of parting, not pleasure's clamour, can quench that heart aflame with love's virgin fire! OLGA: In the shelter of rural tranquillity... we grew up together... LENSKY: I love you!... OLGA: And do you remember how our fathers destined us for each other even in early childhood? LENSKY: I love you, I love you!

7. Closing Scene. LARINA: Ah, there you are! But wherever has Tanya got to? FILIPYEVNA: She must be strolling by the lake with our guest; I'll go and call her. LARINA: And tell her from me it's time to come indoors and let our hungry guests take pot-luck at table! (Filipyevna leaves.) (To Lensky.) Please, do come in! LENSKY: We're right behind you. Mme Larina enters the house. Olga and Lensky follow close behind. Tatyana and Onegin walk slowly from the pond toward the house; the nurse follows at a distance. ONEGIN (to Tatyana): My uncle was a man of the highest principles; when he finally took to his bed he forced the respect of all, and it was the best thing he could do. May others profit from his example! (Already on the terrace.) But, my God, what a bore it was, sitting by an invalid day and night, never daring to move a step away! (Tatyana and Onegin enter the house.) FILIPYEVNA (to herself): There goes my little dove, with meekly drooping head and downcast eyes — she's dreadfully shy! I wonder — could she have taken a fancy to this new young man? (She enters the house, thoughtfully shaking her head.)

Scene Two 8. Entr'acte and Scene with the Nurse. FILIPYEVNA: Well, I've let my tongue run on! It's time for bed, Tanya. I'll wake you early for mass; go to sleep quickly. TATYANA: I'm not sleepy, nurse, it's so stuffy in here! Open the window and come and sit by me. FILIPYEVNA: Why, Tanya, what's the matter with you? TATYANA: I'm bored. Let's talk about the old days. FILIPYEVNA: But what about them, Tanya? I used to know any number of old tales and fairy stories about evil spirits and beautiful maidens, but now my memory's gone — I've forgotten all I knew, that's a fact! I'm getting old. It's all gone! TATYANA: Tell me, nurse, about your past: were you in love when you were young? FILIPYEVNA: Get along with you, Tanya! In those days one didn't talk of love, or my late mother-in-law would have chased me from the face of the earth! TATYANA: Then how did you get married, nurse? FILIPYEVNA: It was God's will, I suppose! My Vanya was even younger than me, my love, and I was only thirteen! For a week or two the marriage broker kept calling on my parents, and finally my father gave his consent. I cried bitterly with fright; they wept as they undid my maiden plait and led me with songs to the church, and I found myself installed in a strange family... But you're not listening to me!

TATYANA: Oh nurse, nurse, I'm consumed with longing, I'm all upset, my dear; I'm ready to burst into tears. FILIPYEVNA: You're not well, my child; Lord have mercy on us! Let me sprinkle you with holy water. You're feverish. TATYANA: I'm not ill, I... Do you know, nurse... I'm... in love... Leave me, leave me... I'm in love... FILIPYEVNA: But of course... TATYANA: Go, leave me alone! Give me a pen and some paper, nurse, and move the table up; I'll soon go to bed. Good night... FILIPYEVNA: Sleep well, Tanya! (She goes out.)

9. The Letter Scene. TATYANA: Let me perish, but first let me summon, in dazzling hope, bliss as yet unknown. Life's sweetness is mine to taste! I drink the magic potion of desire! I am beset by visions! Everywhere, everywhere I look, I see my fatal tempter! Wherever I look, I see him! (She goes quickly to the writing table and begins to write, then immediately tears it up.) No, that's all wrong! I'll begin again! Ah, what's the matter with me! I'm all on fire! I don't know how to begin... (She pauses in thought, then begins to write again.) "I write to you — and then? What more is there to say? Now I know, it is within your power to punish me with disdain! But if you nourish one grain of pity for my unhappy lot, you will not abandon me. At first I wished to remain silent; then, believe me, you would never have known my shame — never!" (She puts the letter aside.) O yes, I swore to lock within my breast this avowal of a mad and ardent passion. Alas, I have not the strength to subdue my heart! Come what may, I am prepared! I will confess all! Courage! He shall know all!

(She continues writing.) "Why, oh why did you visit us? Buried in this remote countryside, I should never have known you, nor should I have known this torment. The turbulence of a youthful heart, calmed by time — who knows? — most likely I would have found another, have proved a faithful wife and virtuous mother..." Another! No, not to any other in the world would I have given my heart! It is decreed on high, it is the will of heaven: I am yours! My whole life has been a pledge of this inevitable encounter; I know this: God sent you to me, you are my keeper till the grave! You appeared before me in my dreams; as yet unseen, you were already dear, your wondrous gaze filled me with longing, your voice resounded in my heart — long ago... no, it was no dream! As soon as you arrived, I recognized you, I almost swooned, began to blaze with passion, and to myself I said: 'Tis he! 'Tis he! I know it! I have heard you... Have you not spoken to me in the silence when I visited the poor or sought in prayer some solace for the anguish of my soul? And just this very moment, was it not you, dear vision, that flamed in the limpid darkness, stooped gently at my bedside and with joy and love whispered words of hope? Who are you — my guardian angel or a wily tempter? Put my doubts at rest. Maybe this is all an empty dream, the self-deception of an inexperienced soul, and something quite different is to be...

But so be it! My fate henceforth I entrust to you; in tears before you, your protection I implore, I implore! Imagine: I am all alone here! No one understands me! I can think no more, and must perish in silence! I wait for you, I wait for you! Speak the word to revive my heart's fondest hopes or shatter this oppressive dream with, alas, the scorn I have deserved! Finished! It's too frightening to read over — I swoon from shame and fear, but his honour is my guarantee and in that I put my trust! The sun rises. Tatyana opens the window.

10. Scene and Duet. TATYANA: Ah, night is past, everything is awake and the sun is rising. The shepherd is playing his pipe... Everything is peaceful. While I... I...! (Tatyana is lost in thought. Filipyevna enters.) FILIPYEVNA: It's time, my child! Get up! Why, you're up already, my pretty one! My little early bird! I was so anxious last night... Well, my child, thank God you're well! Not a trace of last night's upset. Your cheeks are red as poppies!

TATYANA: Oh, nurse, be a darling... FILIPYEVNA: Of course, pet — tell me what you want. TATYANA: Don't think... truly... don't suspect... but you see... oh, don't say no! FILIPYEVNA: My dearest, as God's my witness! TATYANA: Then, send your grandson, on the quiet, with this note to O... to that... to our neighbour, and tell him not to breathe a word, not to mention my name. FILIPYEVNA: To whom, my dear? I'm not as bright as I was! We've lots of neighbours round about — do you want me to go through them all? Which one do you mean? Talk sense! TATYANA: How dense you are, nurse! FILIPYEVNA: Dear heart, I'm getting old! I'm old; my wits are dull, Tanya; but in the old days I was bright enough. In the old days, one word from the master... TATYANA: Oh, nurse, nurse, none of that matters! What do I want with your wits? You see, nurse, it's about a letter... FILIPYEVNA: Well, all right, all right! Don't be angry, dear heart! You know how slow I am. TATYANA: ...To Onegin! FILIPYEVNA: All right, all right: I understand! TATYANA: To Onegin! Send your grandson with a letter to Onegin, nurse! FILIPYEVNA: Well, well, don't be angry, dear heart! You know I'm slow!... The nurse takes the letter. Tatyana turns pale. FILIPYEVNA: Gracious, why have you turned pale again? TATYANA: It's nothing, nurse, really nothing! Go and send your grandson! The nurse leaves. Tatyana sits at the table and sinks into thought once more.

Scene Three 11. Chorus of Servant Girls. A secluded corner of the Larin garden. Servant girls pick berries, singing as they work. SERVANT GIRLS: Pretty maidens, dear companions, come on out to play, girls! Trip merrily, my friends, and sing a song, a favourite song, to lure a handsome lad to join our dance! When the handsome lad is lured, when he approaches us, let's run away, my friends, pelting him with cherries, with cherries, with berries, with redcurrants! Don't you come eavesdropping on our favourite songs, don't you come spying on our girlish play! The servant girls move off into the garden. Tatyana enters running and sinks exhausted onto the bench. TATYANA: He's here! He's here, Eugene! Dear God! Dear God, what must he have thought? What will he say? Oh, why did I obey my aching heart alone, and, lacking all self-control, write him that letter! Indeed, my heart now tells me that my fatal tempter will only laugh at me! Oh my God! How miserable I am, how contemptible! (Footsteps are heard, drawing nearer. Tatyana listens.) Footsteps... drawing closer... Yes, it is he, it is he! (Onegin enters.)

12. Scene and Onegin's Aria. ONEGIN: You wrote to me. Don't deny it. I have read the avowal of a trusting heart, the outpouring of an innocent love; your candour touched me deeply. It has stirred feelings long since dormant. I won't commend you for this, but I will repay you with an equally guileless avowal. Hear my confession, then judge me as you will! TATYANA (aside): O God! How humiliating and how painful! ONEGIN: If I wished to pass my life within the confines of the family circle, and a kindly fate had decreed for me the role of husband and father, then most likely I would not choose any other bride than you. But I was not made for wedded bliss — it is foreign to my soul; your perfections are wasted on me, I am quite unworthy of them. Believe me, I give you my word, marriage would be a torment for us. No matter how much I loved you, habit would kill that love. Judge what a thorny bed of roses Hymen would prepare for us — and perhaps to be endured at length! One cannot return to dreams and youth — I cannot renew my soul! I love you with a brother's love, a brother's love, or, perhaps, even more tenderly than that! Listen to me without getting angry — more than once will a young girl exchange one passing fancy for another. SERVANT GIRLS (in the distance): Pretty maidens, dear companions! Come on out to play, girls, trip it merrily, my friends. ONEGIN: Learn to control your feelings;... not everyone will understand you as I do. Inexperience leads to disaster! Onegin offers his hand to Tatyana and they walk toward the house.

ACT TWO

Scene Four 13. Entr'acte, Waltz, Scene and Chorus. A ball at the Larins' house. The young people are dancing; the older guests sit in groups, watching and conversing. GUESTS: Well, what a surprise! We never expected a military band! Revelry — and to spare! A long time has passed since we were so well entertained! A marvellous party, would you not agree? A long time has passed since we were so well entertained! A marvellous party, would you not agree? Bravo, bravo, bravo, bravo! What a lovely surprise! Bravo, bravo, bravo, bravo! A splendid surprise for us all! ELDERLY GENTLEMEN: On our estates we don't often meet with the merry sparkle of a jolly ball. The hunt is our only amusement, dear to us is its hubbub and stir. ELDERLY LADIES: Amusement indeed! The whole day they dash over hill and dale, marshland and scrub! They tire themselves out, then collapse into bed — and that's all the amusement we poor women get! The regimental captain appears. The young ladies surround him. YOUNG GIRLS: Oh, Trifon Petrovich, how kind you are, really! We're so grateful to you! CAPTAIN: Not at all — the pleasure is all mine! YOUNG GIRLS: We'll enjoy the dancing so much! CAPTAIN: I mean to enjoy it too. Let's begin, then!

Dancing resumes. Tatyana and Onegin are among the couples, attracting the attention of the ladies. GROUP OF LADIES: Just look there! Just look there! The lovebirds are dancing together! ANOTHER GROUP: High time, too... FIRST GROUP: What a bridegroom! SECOND GROUP: How sorry one is for Tanya! FIRST GROUP: He'll marry her... TOGETHER: ...and then play the tyrant! They say he's a gambler! Onegin, finishing his dance, strolls slowly through the ballroom listening to the conversations around him. LADIES: He's dreadfully uncouth, his behaviour's quite mad, he won't kiss the ladies' hands, he's a freemason, he drinks only red wine — by the tumblerful! ONEGIN (aside): There's public opinion for you! I've heard more than enough of this repulsive tittle-tattle! It serves me right, all of it! Why did I ever come to this stupid ball? Why? I won't forgive Vladimir this service! I'll flirt with Olga... That'll make him good and angry! Here she is! Onegin approaches Olga. Lensky comes over to her at the same time. ONEGIN (to Olga): May I have the pleasure? LENSKY (to Olga): You promised me this one! ONEGIN (to Lensky): You must have made a mistake! (Olga dances with Onegin.) LENSKY (aside): Why, what's this! I can't believe my eyes! Olga! Heavens, what's happening to me!

14. Scene and Triquet's Couplets. As soon as the dance ends, Lensky approaches Olga. Onegin watches from a distance. LENSKY (to Olga): Have I deserved such ridicule from you? Oh, Olga, how cruelly you treat me! What have I done? OLGA: I can't see that I've done anything wrong! LENSKY: Every écossaise, every waltz you have danced with Onegin! I asked you, but was refused! OLGA: Vladimir, this is ridiculous — you're angry over nothing at all! LENSKY: What! Over nothing! How could I be indifferent while you laughed and flirted with him? He was leaning over you and squeezing your hand! I saw it all! OLGA: That's all stuff and nonsense! You have no reason to be jealous — we were only chatting; he's very nice! LENSKY: Nice, even! Oh, Olga, you don't love me! OLGA: How strange you are! LENSKY: You don't love me! Will you dance the cotillon with me? ONEGIN: No, with me. You promised me, didn't you? OLGA (to Onegin): And I'll keep my promise! (Lensky makes an imploring gesture.) OLGA (to Lensky): That's your punishment for being jealous! LENSKY: Olga! OLGA: Not for the world!

Olga and Onegin move away from Lensky. An animated group of young ladies approaches. OLGA: Look there! All the young ladies are coming this way with Triquet. ONEGIN: Who is he? OLGA: A Frenchman, he lives at the Kharlikov's. YOUNG GIRLS: Monsieur Triquet, Monsieur Triquet, please sing us some verses! TRIQUET: I 'as ze verses wiz me. But where, I ask, is Mademoiselle? 'E must be 'ere in front of me! GUESTS: Here she is! Here she is! TRIQUET: You 'ere. Aha! 'Ere is ze queen zis day. Mesdames, I will begin. Please to not interrupt me. As guests, let us pay tribute to the charm and beauty of the one whose name-day we celebrate. Her sweet, enchanting countenance sheds radiance all around. What a pleasure, what a joy to see her! May destiny fulfil her every wish, may joy, amusement and pleasure ever wreathe her lips in smiles! May she be like a star in our country's sky, ever shining and casting light, illuminating our days and nights. You are a rose, you are a rose, you are a rose, belle Tatiana! You are a rose, you are a rose, you are a rose, belle Tatiana! GUESTS: Bravo, bravo, bravo, Monsieur Triquet! Your verses are wonderful and very, very nicely sung!

TRIQUET: What a fine day this is, when beautiful Tatyana awakened in this rural shade! And we have all come here, ladies, young ladies and gentlemen, to watch her bloom! We wish her lasting happiness, to be forever the fairy of these shores, never to be bored or unwell! And may she, amid all her joys, not forget her serviteur and all her dear companions. You are a rose, you are a rose, you are a rose, belle Tatyana! You are a rose, you are a rose, you are a rose, belle Tatyana! GUESTS: Bravo, bravo, bravo, Monsieur Triquet! Your verses are wonderful and very, very nicely sung!

15. Mazurka and Scene. CAPTAIN: Ladies and gentlemen, take your places, please! The cotillon is about to begin! If you please! The mazurka begins. Onegin dances with Olga. Lensky watches them jealously. When the dance is over, Onegin approaches Lensky. ONEGIN: Aren't you dancing, Lensky? You're standing around like some Childe Harold! What's up with you? LENSKY: With me? Nothing. I'm admiring you — what a fine friend you are! ONEGIN: Well, well! I didn't expect such an avowal! What are you sulking about?

LENSKY: Me, sulking? Not at all! I'm admiring how, with artful words and man-of-the-world chatter, you turn heads and disturb the peace of mind of all the young girls! Obviously, Tatyana alone is not enough for you. Out of love for me you evidently want to ruin Olga, upset her peace of mind, and then have a good laugh at her expense! Oh, how admirable! ONEGIN: What?! You must be mad! LENSKY: Excellent! You insult me, and then you call me a madman! GUESTS (surrounding them): What's up? What's going on there? What's the matter? LENSKY: Onegin! You're no longer my friend! I no longer wish to be on close terms with you! I... despise you! GUESTS: Here's an unexpected turn of events! What a quarrel has blown up! This is no laughing matter! ONEGIN (drawing Lensky to one side): Listen, Lensky, you're wrong, you're wrong! We've attracted enough attention with our quarrel! I haven't disturbed anyone's peace of mind yet, and, I confess, I have no intention of doing so! LENSKY: Then why were you squeezing her hand, whispering to her? She laughed and blushed! What were you saying to her? ONEGIN: Listen — this is absurd! Everyone's crowding round us... LENSKY: What do I care? You've insulted me and I demand satisfaction!

16. Finale. GUESTS: What's it all about? Tell us, tell us what has happened! LENSKY: I have simply asked Mr. Onegin to explain his behaviour to me! He does not wish to do so, so I ask him to accept my challenge. LARINA: Dear God! In our house! Spare us, spare us! LENSKY: In your house! In your house! In your house, as in a golden dream, my childhood years flowed gently by! In your house I first tasted the joys of a pure, serene love! But today I have learnt something different, I have learnt that life is no romantic novel, that honour is but a sound, friendship an empty word — a humiliating, pathetic lie. ONEGIN (aside): In the depths of my heart I am displeased with myself. With this shy and tender passion I've trifled too thoughtlessly! Loving the youth with all my heart, I should have shown myself impervious to vulgar prejudice — a man of honour and good sense. TATYANA (aside): I am stunned; I cannot understand Eugene. I am tormented by pangs of jealousy! Oh, my heart is torn with anguish! Like an ice-cold hand it clutches at my heart — painfully, cruelly! LARINA, OLGA (aside): I fear that after all our revelry, the night may end with a duel! GUESTS: Poor Lensky! Poor young man!

ONEGIN (aside): I've trifled too thoughtlessly. LENSKY: I have learnt here that a young girl may be beautiful as an angel, sweet and lovely as the day, but in her heart — in her heart — as wicked and sly as a fiend! TATYANA (aside): Ah, I am lost, I am lost! I feel it in my heart, but destruction by him is dear to me! I am doomed, I am doomed — my heart told me as much, I dare not, I cannot complain! Ah, why complain, why complain? He cannot, he cannot make me happy! OLGA (aside): Oh, men are so hot-blooded, they always act on impulse; they can't avoid quarrelling... His heart is consumed with jealousy, but I'm not in the least to blame, not in the least! LARINA (aside): Ah, young men are so hot-blooded! They always act on impulse; they can't avoid quarrelling. I'm afraid that after all the revelry, the night will end in a duel! Young men are so hot-blooded! OLGA, LARINA (each aside): They argue, they quarrel — and straightaway they're ready to fight! Well, so much for the celebration. What a scandal. ONEGIN (aside): In the depths of my heart I am displeased with myself. With this shy and tender passion I've trifled too thoughtlessly! Loving the youth with all my heart, I should have shown myself impervious to vulgar prejudice — not an excitable boy, but a mature man. I am to blame! Like an impulsive boy or a fighter. But there's nothing to be done now — I must answer the insult!

GUESTS: Can it be that after such revelry, their quarrel will end in a duel? Young men are so hot-blooded, they always act on impulse; they can't avoid quarrelling — they are ready to fight this very moment! So much for the celebration! What a scandal! LENSKY: Oh no! You are innocent, my angel, you are innocent, innocent, my angel! He is a vile, crafty, heartless betrayer — he shall be punished! You are innocent, my angel. He is your despicable seducer, but I will be your saviour! I will not stand by while this villain, with fire of sighs and flattery, tempts a young and tender heart, while the vile and poisonous worm gnaws at the lily's stem, while the tender flower of two mornings withers before it has even opened! Oh, traitor! Dishonourable seducer! ONEGIN (approaching Lensky): I am at your service. Enough! I have heard you out — you're mad, you're mad! And you shall be taught a lesson! LENSKY: Till tomorrow, then! We shall see who will teach whom a lesson! All right, I'm mad, but you, you are a dishonourable seducer! ONEGIN: Hold your tongue, or I'll kill you! GUESTS: What a scandal! We won't allow this duel to happen, ever! We simply won't let them leave the house! Hold them, hold them, hold them! We simply won't let them leave! Not leave! OLGA: Vladimir, calm down, I implore you! LENSKY: Oh Olga, Olga! Farewell for ever! (He rushes out.) GUESTS: There'll be a duel!

Scene Five 17. Introduction, Scene and Lensky's Aria. An old abandoned mill — the place appointed for the duel. Early winter morning. Lensky and his second, Zaretsky, await Onegin. ZARETSKY: What's this? It seems your opponent hasn't appeared. LENSKY: He'll be here any minute. ZARETSKY: Even so, it strikes me as rather strange that he isn't here — it's seven o'clock! I thought he'd be waiting for us! Zaretsky goes over to the mill. Lensky sits lost in thought. LENSKY: Where, oh where have you gone, golden days of my youth? What does the coming day hold for me? My gaze searches for it in vain — all is shrouded in deep darkness! No matter: Fate's law is just. Should I fall, pierced by the arrow, or should it fly wide, 'tis all one; both sleeping and waking have their appointed hour. Blessed is the day of care, blessed, too, the coming of darkness! Early in the morning the dawn-light gleams and the bright day begins to play, while I, perhaps, will descend into the mysterious shadow of the grave! And the memory of a young poet will be engulfed by Lethe's sluggish stream. The world will forget me; but you, you, Olga... Say, will you come, maid of beauty, to shed a tear on the untimely urn and think: he loved me! To me alone he devoted the sad dawn of his storm-tossed life! Oh, Olga, I loved you, to you alone I devoted the sad dawn of my storm-tossed life! Oh, Olga, I loved you!

My heart's beloved, my desired one, come, oh come! My desired one, come — I am your betrothed, come, come! I wait for you, my desired one, come, come; I am your betrothed! Where, where, where have you gone, golden days, golden days of my youth? Onegin appears with his manservant Guillot. Zaretsky, on seeing them, walks over to Lensky.

18. The Duel Scene. ZARETSKY: Ah, here they are! But who's your friend with? I can't make it out! ONEGIN: I beg your pardon. I'm a little late. ZARETSKY: Forgive me! Where's your second? Where duelling is concerned, I am a classicist, a stickler; I heartily approve of method and I won't allow a man to be stretched out cold just anyhow, but according to the strict rules of the art, following the old tradition. ONEGIN: For which we must praise you! My second? This is he: Monsieur Guillot! I don't envisage any objection to my choice; although he's not a well-known figure, he's a decent fellow, of course. Well? Shall we begin? LENSKY: Let's begin, if you please! Zaretsky and Guillot begin their preparations for the duel. Lensky and Onegin stand with their backs to each other, lost in thought.

LENSKY, ONEGIN (each aside): Enemies! Is it long since the thirst for blood drove us apart? Is it so long since we shared everything, our meals, our thoughts, our leisure, as friends together? Now in anger, like hereditary enemies, we silently and cold-bloodedly prepare to destroy each other. Oh, should we not burst out laughing before we stain our hands with blood, and should we not part as friends? No! No! No! No! Zaretsky separates the principals and hands them their pistols. Guillot hides behind a tree. ZARETSKY: Now advance! Zaretsky claps his hands three times. The adversaries take four steps forward and begin to take aim. Onegin fires. Lensky falls. Zaretsky and Onegin rush to him. ONEGIN: Dead? ZARETSKY: Dead! Onegin clutches his head in horror.

ACT THREE

Scene Six 19. Polonaise. 20. Scene, Écossaise and Prince Gremin's Aria. A ball at the house of a St. Petersburg nobleman. Guests dance the polonaise. Onegin watches. ONEGIN (aside): I'm bored here too. The brilliance and bustle of society cannot dispel my constant world-weariness! Having killed my best friend in a duel, having no aim, no work, I have reached the age of twenty-six wearied by the idleness of leisure; without employment, wife or occupation, I've found nothing to which I could devote myself! Restlessness held me in thrall, the desire for constant change of scene, an extremely vexing trait, a cross that few would choose! I left my country estates, the solitude of woods and fields, where a bloodstained ghost confronted me every day! I began to travel, aimlessly, going where fancy led me... And what happened? I found, to my disgust, that travel was boring too! I returned and went, like Chatsky, straight from a ship to a ball! The guests dance an écossaise. Onegin steps to one side. People take notice of him. Prince Gremin enters with Tatyana on his arm. GUESTS: Princess Gremina! Look! Look! The guests respectfully make way for Gremin and Tatyana.

GROUP OF MEN: Which is she? ANOTHER GROUP: Over there, look! LADIES: The one who's just sat down by that table. MEN: Her serene beauty is delightful! ONEGIN (examining Tatyana intently through his lorgnette, aside): Can that be Tatyana? Surely... no! What? From the backwoods of that village in the steppes? It's impossible! And how unaffected, how dignified, how perfectly at ease! She bears herself like a queen! (Onegin moves over toward Gremin.) TATYANA (to the guests): Tell me, who is that... over there with my husband? I can't quite make him out. GUESTS: One who affects eccentricity, a strange, extravagant melancholic. He's been travelling abroad... And now, here's Onegin back with us! TATYANA: Eugene? GUESTS: Do you know him? TATYANA: He's a neighbour of ours in the country. (Aside.) O God, help me to hide the dreadful tumult in my heart!... ONEGIN (to Prince Gremin): Tell me, prince, do you happen to know who that is over there in the scarlet turban talking to the Spanish ambassador? GREMIN: Ah! It's some time since you were last in society! Wait a moment, and I'll present you. ONEGIN: But who is she? GREMIN: My wife! ONEGIN: So you're married? I didn't know! Have you been married long? GREMIN: About two years. ONEGIN: To whom? GREMIN: To Larin's daughter... ONEGIN: Tatyana! GREMIN: Have you met? ONEGIN: I'm a neighbour of theirs!

GREMIN: Love is no respecter of age — its transports bless alike those in the bloom of youth yet unacquainted with the world, and the grey-headed warrior tempered by fate's experience! Onegin, I shan't disguise the fact that I love Tatyana to distraction! My life was slipping drearily away; she appeared and brightened it like a ray of sunlight in a stormy sky, and brought me life and youth — yes, youth, yes, youth and happiness! Among these sly, poor-spirited, foolish, pampered children, these scoundrels both absurd and boring, dull, fractious arbiters, among the cold verdicts, the cruel-hearted vanity, amid the vexing vacuity of calculation, thought and conversation, she shines like a star in the night's darkest hour, in a pure, clear sky, and to me she always appears in the radiant, radiant nimbus of an angel. Come, I'll present you to her. Gremin leads Onegin over to Tatyana.

21. Scene and Onegin's Arioso, Écossaise. GREMIN (to Tatyana): My dear, allow me to introduce an old friend and relation of mine, Onegin. Onegin bows. TATYANA (to Onegin): I'm delighted. We've met before. ONEGIN: In the country, yes... a long time ago. TATYANA: Where have you come from? From our parts, perhaps? ONEGIN: Oh, no! I've been on distant travels. TATYANA: And long have you been back? ONEGIN: Only today. TATYANA (to Prince Gremin): My dear, I'm tired. Tatyana leaves on Prince Gremin's arm. Onegin follows her with his eyes. ONEGIN (aside): Can this really be the same Tatyana to whom, in private, in the depths of a distant countryside, I, in a fine moral outburst, once read a lecture on principles? The same girl, whom in her humble station I disdained? Was this really her, so poised, so self-possessed? But what's the matter with me? I must be dreaming! What is stirring in the depths of my cold and slothful heart? Vexation, vanity, or once again, that preoccupation of youth — love? Alas, there's no doubt, I'm in love, in love like a boy, a passionate youth! Let me perish, but first let me summon, in dazzling hope, I drink the magic potion of desire, intoxicate myself with impossible dreams! Everywhere, everywhere I look, I see that beloved, desired image! Wherever I look, I see her! Onegin rushes out. The guests dance an écossaise.

Scene Seven 22. Final Scene. The drawing room of Prince Gremin's house. Tatyana is reading Onegin's letter. TATYANA (weeping): O, how distressed I am! Once more Onegin has crossed my path like a relentless apparition! His burning glance has troubled my heart and so vividly reawakened my dormant passion that I feel like a young girl again, as if nothing had ever parted us! Onegin appears at the door. Seeing Tatyana, he rushes to her and falls to his knees at her feet. Enough, get up. I must talk to you frankly. Onegin, do you remember that time when, in the avenue of our garden, fate brought us together and I listened so meekly to your lecture? ONEGIN: O spare me, have pity on me! I was so mistaken; I have been cruelly punished! TATYANA: Onegin, I was younger then, and a better person, I think! And I loved you — but what, then, what response did I find in your heart? Only severity! Am I not right in thinking that a simple young girl's love was no novelty to you? And now... Dear God, my blood runs cold whenever I recall that cold look, that sermon! But I do not blame you... In that dreadful moment you behaved honourably, you acted correctly towards me.

At that time, I suppose, in the back of beyond, far from the frivolity of social gossip, you didn't find me attractive. Why, then, do you pursue me now? Why am I the object of such attentions? Could it be because I now frequent the highest circles, because I am rich and of the nobility, because my husband, wounded in battle, enjoys, on that account, the favour of the court? Could it not be that my disgrace would now be generally remarked and would confer upon you the reputation of a seducer? ONEGIN: Oh! My God! Is it possible that in my humble pleading your cold look sees nothing but the wiles of despicable cunning? Your reproach torments me! If you only knew how terrible it is to suffer love's torments, to endure and constantly to check the fever in the blood by reason, to long to clasp your knees and, weeping at your feet, pour out prayers, avowals, reproaches — all, all that words can express! TATYANA: I am weeping! ONEGIN: Weep on — those tears are dearer than all the treasures in the world! TATYANA: Ah! Happiness was within our reach, so close! So close! TATYANA, ONEGIN: Happiness was within our reach, so close! So close!

TATYANA: But my fate has already been decided, and irrevocably. I am married; you must — I beg you — leave me! ONEGIN: Leave you? Leave you! What!... Leave you? No! No! To see you hourly, to follow your every smile, movement and glance with loving eyes, to listen to you for hours, to understand in my heart all your perfection, to swoon before you in passionate torment, turn pale and fade away — this is bliss, this is bliss, this is my only dream, my only happiness! TATYANA: Onegin, your heart knows both pride and true honour! ONEGIN: I cannot leave you! TATYANA: Eugene! You must. I beg you to leave me. ONEGIN: Oh, have pity! TATYANA: Why hide it, why pretend? I love you! ONEGIN: What do I hear? What was that word you spoke? O joy! Oh, my life! You are again the Tatyana of former days! TATYANA: No! No! You cannot bring back the past! I am another's now, my fate is already decided. I shall always be true to him.

ONEGIN: Oh, do not drive me away; you love me! And I will not leave you! You will ruin your life for nothing! This is the will of Heaven: you are mine! All your life has been a pledge of our union! And be assured: I was sent to you by God — I am your protector to the grave! You cannot refuse me. For me you must forsake this hateful house, the clamour of society — you have no other path! TATYANA: Onegin, I shall remain firm... ONEGIN: No, you cannot... refuse me... TATYANA: ...By fate, to another... have I been given; with him will I live and never leave him; ONEGIN: For me... you must forsake all, all — hateful house and social clamour! You have no other path! Oh, do not drive me from you, I implore! You love me; you will ruin your life for nothing! You are mine, mine for ever! TATYANA: ...No, I must remember my vows! (Aside.) Deep in my heart his desperate appeal strikes an answering chord, but having stifled the sinful flame, honour's severe and sacred duty will triumph over passion!

TATYANA: I am leaving! ONEGIN: No! No! No! No! TATYANA: Enough! ONEGIN: Oh, I implore you: do not go! TATYANA: No, I am resolved! ONEGIN: I love you! I love you! TATYANA: Leave me! ONEGIN: I love you! TATYANA: Farewell for ever! Tatyana leaves. ONEGIN: Ignominy!... Anguish!... Oh, my pitiable fate! End of the opera.