Of the motionless still stream the banks Are levelled and covered with fluffy down; The frost twinkles, and we all give thanks, And welcome mother winter's pranks. But Tanya's heart is not moved at all. To greet the winter she cannot go, Nor breathe the flaky and frosty air, Nor from the bath house take down the first snow To wash her face, her breast, her shoulder, For winter's arrival has unnerved her. XXXI. The day of departure is long postponed, But the crucial time is now at hand. The carriage which had been long forgotten Is new upholstered, strengthened, cleaned. The three kibitkas in a procession Are loaded with household possessions, The saucepans, chairs and suitcases, Preserves in jars, and mattresses, The feather beds, roosters in cages, Pots, basins, jugs, the kitchen sink, And everything useful that you might think. Then in the surrounding huts the servants Say their farewells, they weep and shout, And eighteen old nags are then led out. XXXII. Some are harnessed to the master's wagon, The cooks a meal or two prepare; They heap the carts up and then drag on Still more, women and coachmen swear. A bearded outrider takes his seat On a worn out nag, shaggy and ill. The servants run out to the gate to greet Their lords and masters with a last farewell. Then all are seated, the worthy carriage Moves clumsily out but it clears the gate. "Goodbye, you scenes of my peaceful rest! Goodbye, my lonely, sheltering nest! Shall I see you again?" And then appears The stream of Tanya's abundant tears. XXXIII. When, thanks to noble enlightenment, We advance the limits of the human race, In time, (by the exact proportionment Of the latest philosophical calculus, Five hundred years), the roads, no doubt Will be improved immeasurably. And Russia will be one large highway
Of the motionless still stream the banks Are levelled and covered with fluffy down; The frost twinkles, and we all give thanks, And welcome mother winter's pranks. But Tanya's heart is not moved at all. To greet the winter she cannot go, Nor breathe the flaky and frosty air, Nor from the bath house take down the first snow To wash her face, her breast, her shoulder, For winter's arrival has unnerved her. XXXI. The day of departure is long postponed, But the crucial time is now at hand. The carriage which had been long forgotten Is new upholstered, strengthened, cleaned. The three kibitkas in a procession Are loaded with household possessions, The saucepans, chairs and suitcases, Preserves in jars, and mattresses, The feather beds, roosters in cages, Pots, basins, jugs, the kitchen sink, And everything useful that you might think. Then in the surrounding huts the servants Say their farewells, they weep and shout, And eighteen old nags are then led out. XXXII. Some are harnessed to the master's wagon, The cooks a meal or two prepare; They heap the carts up and then drag on Still more, women and coachmen swear. A bearded outrider takes his seat On a worn out nag, shaggy and ill. The servants run out to the gate to greet Their lords and masters with a last farewell. Then all are seated, the worthy carriage Moves clumsily out but it clears the gate. "Goodbye, you scenes of my peaceful rest! Goodbye, my lonely, sheltering nest! Shall I see you again?" And then appears The stream of Tanya's abundant tears. XXXIII. When, thanks to noble enlightenment, We advance the limits of the human race, In time, (by the exact proportionment Of the latest philosophical calculus, Five hundred years), the roads, no doubt Will be improved immeasurably. And Russia will be one large highway