In 1811 he entered the Lyceum, an aristocratic educational establishment at Tsarskoe Selo, near St. Petersburg, where he was the friend and schoolmate of Prince Gortchakoff the Russian Chancellor3. As a scholar he displayed no remarkable4 amount of capacity, but was fond of general reading and much given to versification. Whilst yet a schoolboy he wrote many lyrical compositions and commenced Ruslan and Liudmila, his first poem of any magnitude, and, it is asserted, the first readable one ever produced in the Russian language. During his boyhood he came much into contact with the poets Dmitrieff and Joukovski, who were intimate with his father, and his uncle, Vassili Pushkin, himself an author of no mean repute. The friendship of the historian Karamzine must have exercised a still more beneficial influence upon him.
In 1817 he quitted the Lyceum and obtained an appointment in the Foreign Office at St. Petersburg. Three years of reckless dissipation in the capital, where his lyrical talent made him universally popular, resulted in 1818 in a putrid6 fever which was near carrying him off. At this period of his life he scarcely slept at all; worked all day and dissipated at night. Society was open to him from the palace of the prince to the officers’ quarters of the Imperial Guard. The reflection of this mode of life may be noted7 in the first canto8 of Eugene Oneguine and the early dissipations of the “Philosopher just turned eighteen,”— the exact age of Pushkin when he commenced his career in the Russian capital.
In 1820 he was transferred to the bureau of Lieutenant–General Inzoff, at Kishineff in Bessarabia. This event was probably due to his composing and privately9 circulating an “Ode to Liberty,” though the attendant circumstances have never yet been thoroughly10 brought to light. An indiscreet admiration11 for Byron most likely involved the young poet in this scrape. The tenor12 of this production, especially its audacious allusion13 to the murder of the emperor Paul, father of the then reigning14 Tsar, assuredly deserved, according to aristocratic ideas, the deportation15 to Siberia which was said to have been prepared for the author. The intercession of Karamzine and Joukovski procured16 a commutation of his sentence. Strangely enough, Pushkin appeared anxious to deceive the public as to the real cause of his sudden disappearance17 from the capital; for in an Ode to Ovid composed about this time he styles himself a “voluntary exile.” (See Note 4 to this volume.)
During the four succeeding years he made numerous excursions amid the beautiful countries which from the basin of the Euxine — and amongst these the Crimea and the Caucasus. A nomad18 life passed amid the beauties of nature acted powerfully in developing his poetical19 genius. To this period he refers in the final canto of Eugene Oneguine (st. v.), when enumerating21 the various influences which had contributed to the formation of his Muse22:
Then, the far capital forgot,
Its splendour and its blandishments,
In poor Moldavia cast her lot,
She visited the humble23 tents
Of migratory24 gipsy hordes25.
During these pleasant years of youth he penned some of his most delightful26 poetical works: amongst these, The Prisoner of the Caucasus, The Fountain of Baktchiserai, and the Gipsies. Of the two former it may be said that they are in the true style of the Giaour and the Corsair. In fact, just at that point of time Byron’s fame — like the setting sun — shone out with dazzling lustre27 and irresistibly28 charmed the mind of Pushkin amongst many others. The Gipsies is more original; indeed the poet himself has been identified with Aleko, the hero of the tale, which may well be founded on his own personal adventures without involving the guilt29 of a double murder. His undisguised admiration for Byron doubtless exposed him to imputations similar to those commonly levelled against that poet. But Pushkin’s talent was too genuine for him to remain long subservient30 to that of another, and in a later period of his career he broke loose from all trammels and selected a line peculiarly his own. Before leaving this stage in our narrative31 we may point out the fact that during the whole of this period of comparative seclusion32 the poet was indefatigably33 occupied in study. Not only were the standard works of European literature perused34, but two more languages — namely Italian and Spanish — were added to his original stock: French, English, Latin and German having been acquired at the Lyceum. To this happy union of literary research with the study of nature we must attribute the sudden bound by which he soon afterwards attained35 the pinnacle36 of poetic20 fame amongst his own countrymen.
In 1824 he once more fell under the imperial displeasure. A letter seized in the post, and expressive37 of atheistical38 sentiments (possibly but a transient vagary39 of his youth) was the ostensible40 cause of his banishment41 from Odessa to his paternal42 estate of Mikhailovskoe in the province of Pskoff. Some, however, aver43 that personal pique44 on the part of Count Vorontsoff, the Governor of Odessa, played a part in the transaction. Be this as it may, the consequences were serious for the poet, who was not only placed under the surveillance of the police, but expelled from the Foreign Office by express order of the Tsar “for bad conduct.” A letter on this subject, addressed by Count Vorontsoff to Count Nesselrode, is an amusing instance of the arrogance45 with which stolid46 mediocrity frequently passes judgment47 on rising genius. I transcribe48 a portion thereof:
Odessa, 28th March (7th April) 1824
Count — Your Excellency is aware of the reasons for which, some time ago, young Pushkin was sent with a letter from Count Capo d’Istria to General Inzoff. I found him already here when I arrived, the General having placed him at my disposal, though he himself was at Kishineff. I have no reason to complain about him. On the contrary, he is much steadier than formerly49. But a desire for the welfare of the young man himself, who is not wanting in ability, and whose faults proceed more from the head than from the heart, impels50 me to urge upon you his removal from Odessa. Pushkin’s chief failing is ambition. He spent the bathing season here, and has gathered round him a crowd of adulators who praise his genius. This maintains in him a baneful51 delusion52 which seems to turn his head — namely, that he is a “distinguished53 writer;” whereas, in reality he is but a feeble imitator of an author in whose favour very little can be said (Byron). This it is which keeps him from a serious study of the great classical poets, which might exercise a beneficial effect upon his talents — which cannot be denied him — and which might make of him in course of time a “distinguished writer.”
The best thing that can be done for him is to remove him hence. . . .
The Emperor Nicholas on his accession pardoned Pushkin and received him once more into favour. During an interview which took place it is said that the Tsar promised the poet that he alone would in future be the censor54 of his productions. Pushkin was restored to his position in the Foreign Office and received the appointment of Court Historian. In 1828 he published one of his finest poems, Poltava, which is founded on incidents familiar to English readers in Byron’s Mazeppa. In 1829 the hardy55 poet accompanied the Russian army which under Paskevitch captured Erzeroum. In 1831 he married a beautiful lady of the Gontchareff family and settled in the neighbourhood of St. Petersburg, where he remained for the remainder of his life, only occasionally visiting Moscow and Mikhailovskoe. During this period his chief occupation consisted in collecting and investigating materials for a projected history of Peter the Great, which was undertaken at the express desire of the Emperor. He likewise completed a history of the revolt of Pougatchoff, which occurred in the reign5 of Catherine II. [Note: this individual having personated Peter III, the deceased husband of the Empress, raised the Orenburg Cossacks in revolt. This revolt was not suppressed without extensive destruction of life and property.] In 1833 the poet visited Orenburg, the scene of the dreadful excesses he recorded; the fruit of his journey being one of the most charming tales ever written, The Captain’s Daughter. [Note: Translated in Russian Romance, by Mrs. Telfer, 1875.]
The remaining years of Pushkin’s life, spent in the midst of domestic bliss56 and grateful literary occupation, were what lookers-on style “years of unclouded happiness.” They were, however, drawing rapidly to a close. Unrivalled distinction rarely fails to arouse bitter animosity amongst the envious57, and Pushkin’s existence had latterly been embittered58 by groundless insinuations against his wife’s reputation in the shape of anonymous59 letters addressed to himself and couched in very insulting language. He fancied he had traced them to one Georges d’Anthes, a Frenchman in the Cavalier Guard, who had been adopted by the Dutch envoy60 Heeckeren. D’Anthes, though he had espoused61 Madame Pushkin’s sister, had conducted himself with impropriety towards the former lady. The poet displayed in this affair a fierce hostility62 quite characteristic of his African origin but which drove him to his destruction. D’Anthes, it was subsequently admitted, was not the author of the anonymous letters; but as usual when a duel63 is proposed, an appeal to reason was thought to smack64 of cowardice65. The encounter took place in February 1837 on one of the islands of the Neva. The weapons used were pistols, and the combat was of a determined66, nay67 ferocious68 character. Pushkin was shot before he had time to fire, and, in his fall, the barrel of his pistol became clogged69 with snow which lay deep upon the ground at the time. Raising himself on his elbow, the wounded man called for another pistol, crying, “I’ve strength left to fire my shot!” He fired, and slightly wounded his opponent, shouting “Bravo!” when he heard him exclaim that he was hit. D’Anthes was, however, but slightly contused whilst Pushkin was shot through the abdomen70. He was transported to his residence and expired after several days passed in extreme agony. Thus perished in the thirty-eighth year of his age this distinguished poet, in a manner and amid surroundings which make the duel scene in the sixth canto of this poem seem almost prophetic. His reflections on the premature71 death of Lenski appear indeed strangely applicable to his own fate, as generally to the premature extinction72 of genius.
Pushkin was endowed with a powerful physical organisation73. He was fond of long walks, unlike the generality of his countrymen, and at one time of his career used daily to foot it into St. Petersburg and back, from his residence in the suburbs, to conduct his investigations74 in the Government archives when employed on the History of Peter the Great. He was a good swordsman, rode well, and at one time aspired75 to enter the cavalry76; but his father not being able to furnish the necessary funds he declined serving in the less romantic infantry77. Latterly he was regular in his habits; rose early, retired78 late, and managed to get along with but very little sleep. On rising he betook himself forthwith to his literary occupations, which were continued till afternoon, when they gave place to physical exercise. Strange as it will appear to many, he preferred the autumn months, especially when rainy, chill and misty80, for the production of his literary compositions, and was proportionally depressed81 by the approach of spring. (Cf. Canto VII st. ii.)
Mournful is thine approach to me,
O Spring, thou chosen time of love
He usually left St. Petersburg about the middle of September and remained in the country till December. In this space of time it was his custom to develop and perfect the inspirations of the remaining portion of the year. He was of an impetuous yet affectionate nature and much beloved by a numerous circle of friends. An attractive feature in his character was his unalterable attachment82 to his aged79 nurse, a sentiment which we find reflected in the pages of Eugene Oneguine and elsewhere.
The preponderating83 influence which Byron exercised in the formation of his genius has already been noticed. It is indeed probable that we owe Oneguine to the combined impressions of Childe Harold and Don Juan upon his mind. Yet the Russian poem excels these masterpieces of Byron in a single particular — namely, in completeness of narrative, the plots of the latter being mere84 vehicles for the development of the poet’s general reflections. There is ground for believing that Pushkin likewise made this poem the record of his own experience. This has doubtless been the practice of many distinguished authors of fiction whose names will readily occur to the reader. Indeed, as we are never cognizant of the real motives85 which actuate others, it follows that nowhere can the secret springs of human action be studied to such advantage as within our own breasts. Thus romance is sometimes but the reflection of the writer’s own individuality, and he adopts the counsel of the American poet:
Look then into thine heart and write!
But a further consideration of this subject would here be out of place. Perhaps I cannot more suitably conclude this sketch86 than by quoting from his Ode to the Sea the poet’s tribute of admiration to the genius of Napoleon and Byron, who of all contemporaries seem the most to have swayed his imagination.
Farewell, thou pathway of the free,
For the last time thy waves I view
Before me roll disdainfully,
Brilliantly beautiful and blue.
Why vain regret? Wherever now
My heedless course I may pursue
One object on thy desert brow
I everlastingly87 shall view —
A rock, the sepulchre of Fame!
The poor remains88 of greatness gone
A cold remembrance there became,
There perished great Napoleon.
In torment89 dire90 to sleep he lay;
Then, as a tempest echoing rolls,
Another genius whirled away,
Another sovereign of our souls.
He perished. Freedom wept her child,
He left the world his garland bright.
Wail91, Ocean, surge in tumult92 wild,
To sing of thee was his delight.
Impressed upon him was thy mark,
His genius moulded was by thee;
Like thee, he was unfathomed, dark
And untamed in his majesty93.
Note: It may interest some to know that Georges d’Anthes was tried by court-martial for his participation94 in the duel in which Pushkin fell, found guilty, and reduced to the ranks; but, not being a Russian subject, he was conducted by a gendarme95 across the frontier and then set at liberty.
Eugene Oneguine
Petri de vanite, il avait encore plus de cette espece d’orgueil, qui fait avouer avec la meme indifference96 les bonnes comme les mauvaises actions, suite97 d’un sentiment de superiorite, peut-etre imaginaire. — Tire d’une lettre particuliere.
[Written in 1823 at Kishineff and Odessa.]
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
scion
|
|
| n.嫩芽，子孙 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
affixed
|
|
| adj.[医]附着的，附着的v.附加( affix的过去式和过去分词 )；粘贴；加以；盖（印章） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
chancellor
|
|
| n.(英)大臣；法官；(德、奥)总理；大学校长 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
remarkable
|
|
| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
reign
|
|
| n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
putrid
|
|
| adj.腐臭的；有毒的；已腐烂的；卑劣的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
noted
|
|
| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
canto
|
|
| n.长篇诗的章 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
privately
|
|
| adv.以私人的身份，悄悄地，私下地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
thoroughly
|
|
| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
admiration
|
|
| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
tenor
|
|
| n.男高音（歌手），次中音（乐器），要旨，大意 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
allusion
|
|
| n.暗示，间接提示 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
reigning
|
|
| adj.统治的，起支配作用的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
deportation
|
|
| n.驱逐，放逐 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
procured
|
|
| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
disappearance
|
|
| n.消失，消散，失踪 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
nomad
|
|
| n.游牧部落的人，流浪者，游牧民 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
poetical
|
|
| adj.似诗人的；诗一般的；韵文的；富有诗意的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
poetic
|
|
| adj.富有诗意的，有诗人气质的，善于抒情的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
enumerating
|
|
| v.列举，枚举，数( enumerate的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
muse
|
|
| n.缪斯（希腊神话中的女神），创作灵感 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
humble
|
|
| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
migratory
|
|
| n.候鸟，迁移 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
hordes
|
|
| n.移动着的一大群( horde的名词复数 )；部落 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
delightful
|
|
| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
lustre
|
|
| n.光亮，光泽；荣誉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
irresistibly
|
|
| adv.无法抵抗地，不能自持地；极为诱惑人地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
guilt
|
|
| n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
subservient
|
|
| adj.卑屈的，阿谀的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
narrative
|
|
| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
seclusion
|
|
| n.隐遁，隔离 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
indefatigably
|
|
| adv.不厌倦地，不屈不挠地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
perused
|
|
| v.读（某篇文字）( peruse的过去式和过去分词 )；（尤指）细阅；审阅；匆匆读或心不在焉地浏览（某篇文字） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
attained
|
|
| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
pinnacle
|
|
| n.尖塔，尖顶，山峰；(喻)顶峰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
expressive
|
|
| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
atheistical
|
|
| adj.无神论（者）的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
39
vagary
|
|
| n.妄想，不可测之事，异想天开 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
ostensible
|
|
| adj.(指理由)表面的，假装的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
banishment
|
|
| n.放逐，驱逐 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
paternal
|
|
| adj.父亲的，像父亲的，父系的，父方的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
aver
|
|
| v.极力声明；断言；确证 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
pique
|
|
| v.伤害…的自尊心，使生气 n.不满，生气 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
arrogance
|
|
| n.傲慢，自大 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
stolid
|
|
| adj.无动于衷的，感情麻木的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
judgment
|
|
| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
transcribe
|
|
| v.抄写，誉写；改编(乐曲)；复制，转录 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
formerly
|
|
| adv.从前，以前 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
impels
|
|
| v.推动、推进或敦促某人做某事( impel的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
baneful
|
|
| adj.有害的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
delusion
|
|
| n.谬见，欺骗，幻觉，迷惑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
distinguished
|
|
| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
censor
|
|
| n./vt.审查，审查员；删改 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
hardy
|
|
| adj.勇敢的，果断的，吃苦的；耐寒的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
bliss
|
|
| n.狂喜，福佑，天赐的福 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
envious
|
|
| adj.嫉妒的，羡慕的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
embittered
|
|
| v.使怨恨，激怒( embitter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
anonymous
|
|
| adj.无名的；匿名的；无特色的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
envoy
|
|
| n.使节，使者，代表，公使 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
espoused
|
|
| v.（决定）支持，拥护（目标、主张等）( espouse的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
hostility
|
|
| n.敌对，敌意；抵制［pl.］交战，战争 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
duel
|
|
| n./v.决斗；(双方的)斗争 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
smack
|
|
| vt.拍，打，掴；咂嘴；vi.含有…意味；n.拍 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
cowardice
|
|
| n.胆小，怯懦 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
determined
|
|
| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
nay
|
|
| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
ferocious
|
|
| adj.凶猛的，残暴的，极度的，十分强烈的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
clogged
|
|
| （使）阻碍( clog的过去式和过去分词 )； 淤滞 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
abdomen
|
|
| n.腹，下腹(胸部到腿部的部分) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
premature
|
|
| adj.比预期时间早的；不成熟的，仓促的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
extinction
|
|
| n.熄灭，消亡，消灭，灭绝，绝种 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
organisation
|
|
| n.组织，安排，团体，有机休 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
investigations
|
|
| （正式的）调查( investigation的名词复数 )； 侦查； 科学研究； 学术研究 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
aspired
|
|
| v.渴望，追求( aspire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
cavalry
|
|
| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
infantry
|
|
| n.[总称]步兵(部队) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
retired
|
|
| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
aged
|
|
| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
misty
|
|
| adj.雾蒙蒙的，有雾的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
depressed
|
|
| adj.沮丧的，抑郁的，不景气的，萧条的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
attachment
|
|
| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
preponderating
|
|
| v.超过，胜过( preponderate的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
84
mere
|
|
| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
85
motives
|
|
| n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
86
sketch
|
|
| n.草图；梗概；素描；v.素描；概述 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
87
everlastingly
|
|
| 永久地，持久地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
88
remains
|
|
| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
89
torment
|
|
| n.折磨；令人痛苦的东西(人)；vt.折磨；纠缠 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
90
dire
|
|
| adj.可怕的，悲惨的，阴惨的，极端的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
91
wail
|
|
| vt./vi.大声哀号，恸哭；呼啸，尖啸 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
92
tumult
|
|
| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
93
majesty
|
|
| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
94
participation
|
|
| n.参与，参加，分享 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
95
gendarme
|
|
| n.宪兵 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
96
indifference
|
|
| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
97
suite
|
|
| n.一套(家具)；套房；随从人员 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |