XXXV + 

Lo! compassed by his grove of oaks, + 

Petrovski Palace! Gloomily + 

His recent glory he invokes. + 

Here, drunk with his late victory, + 

Napoleon tarried till it please + 

Moscow approach on bended knees, + 

Time-honoured Kremlin’s keys present. + 

Not so! My Moscow never went + 

To seek him out with bended head. + 

No gift she bears, no feast proclaims, + 

But lights incendiary flames + 

For the impatient chief instead. + 

From hence engrossed in thought profound + 

He on the conflagration frowned. + 