‘Lyre of mollitude’ translates ‘iznezhennuyu liru’ – ‘iznezhennyi’ is an adjective, here modifying and agree in gender and case with the feminine noun ‘lira’ (lyre) in the accusative b/c it is the direct object of ‘break’ (‘razbei’ – 2^nd-person imperative, singular).

 

‘Iznezhennyi’ has been translated as effeminate, although there is no direct reference to the feminine in the morphology of the word itself. It literally means something like, excessively pampered or coddled, as it is the past passive participle of the verb ‘iznezhit’,’ which carries those meanings. ‘Iznezhennyi’ acquired the cultural overtones of effeminacy, effete, sissified, etc., and can only be applied to boys or men in colloquial usage.

 

The lyre stands here as a metonymy for poetry and the poet, both seen as masculine pursuits, and which serve as the real target of the critique: poetry has ceased to enjoin the battle for freedom and justice. Lermontov used it a well-known to apply to his entire age: ‘nash vek iznezhennyi’: ‘our sissified/effeminate/pampered age.’ Or, as VN might have it, “our age of mollitude.”

 

I hope this is helpful. I’m sure others will correct my errors and omissions.

 

Cheers,

David Powelstock

 

 

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