Chapter 20 No.20

Resplendent sight! Behold the coxcomb Czar,[316]

The Autocrat of waltzes[317] and of war!

As eager for a plaudit as a realm,

And just as fit for flirting as the helm;

A Calmuck beauty with a Cossack wit,

And generous spirit, when 'tis not frost-bit;

Now half dissolving to a liberal thaw,[em]440

But hardened back whene'er the mo