Прихорошиться,- там, где смерть
в убранство хлад внесёт
пристрастью, лишь о чьём радеть,-
столь нелегко, но всё ж
не столь, чем косу сплесть, и взор
привлечь к корсажу смочь,-
где он, ласкавший, отведён
под заповедью - прочь...
(Прист вам в помощь.)
[David Preest:
‘After’ in line 1 is not a preposition governing ‘Death’
but a conjunction governing ‘has made.’ Emily is saying,
‘It will be difficult enough to make my toilette, after
death has cooled me down from caring to please my lover
still left alive, but even that is easier than to make
my toilette now when my loved one is still alive, but when
we are prevented from consummating our love by the ‘Decalogues’
or Ten Commandments.’
The loved one is Samuel Bowles, who incidentally seems
to have appreciated Emily’ figure as well as her hair.]
***********************************************
To make One's Toilette -- after Death by Emily Dickinson
To make One's Toilette -- after Death
Has made the Toilette cool
Of only Taste we cared to please
Is difficult, and still --
That's easier -- than Braid the Hair --
And make the Bodice gay --
When eyes that fondled it are wrenched
By Decalogues -- away --