To a Beauty Who Took Snuff

What it is

This is the original Russian text of a short poem by Alexander Pushkin, written to a beauty who took up the habit of taking snuff instead of smelling flowers. The text is preserved as a readable primary source.

Why it matters

The poem shows Pushkin's lighter, witty side as a poet, using playful comparisons and classical allusions to tease a woman's unusual habit. It reflects the fashionable social customs and humor of the Russian elite in his time.

Look closer

• What images does Pushkin use to compare flowers and snuff?
• What does the poem suggest about fashionable behavior among women of his time?
• How does Pushkin's playful tone differ from more serious poems he wrote?