XL + 

He who hath lived and living, thinks, + 

Must e’en despise his kind at last; + 

He who hath suffered ofttimes shrinks + 

From shades of the relentless past. + 

No fond illusions live to soothe, + 

But memory like a serpent’s tooth + 

With late repentance gnaws and stings. + 

All this in many cases brings + 

A charm with it in conversation. + 

Onegin’s speeches I abhorred + 

At first, but soon became inured + 

To the sarcastic observation, + 

To witticisms and taunts half-vicious + 

And gloomy epigrams malicious. + 