Tatyana - Thalarion

Tatyana, in her heart obeying

The simple folkways of the past

Believed in dreams and in soothsaying

And heeded what the moon forecast

Weird apparitions would distress her

And any object could impress her

With some occult significance

Or dire foreboding of mischance

A preening pussycat, relaxing

Upon the stove with lick and purr

Was an unfailing sign to her

That guests were coming, or a waxing

Twin-horned young moon that she saw ride

Across the sky on her left side

Would make her tremble and change color

Each time a shooting star might flash

In the dark firmament, grow duller

And burst asunder into ash

All flustered, Tatyana would be seeking

While yet the fiery spark was streaking

To whisper it her heart’s desire

But if she met a black-robed friar

At any place or any season

Or if from out the meadow swath

A fleeing hare should cross her path

She would be frightened out of reason

And filled with supertitious dread

See some calamity ahead