Haikus from The Idiot, by Fyodor Dostoyevsky


From a book categorized as and 526 pages follows a description and a number of hidden haikus found in the book:

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No, I don’t long to see
 _him_ so much. Look here, dear prince,
_be_ so kind, will you?

In a word, the whole
 place was confined, and a “tight
fit” for the party.

Rogojin’s troop, who were only
 waiting for an excuse, set
up a howl at this.

Have you noticed, prince,
 how many adventurers
there are nowadays?

Her eyes were blazing,
 and her cheeks showed two bright red
spots against the white.

Nine years and three months’
 captivity is enough
for anybody.

“A hundred thousand,”
 replied the latter, almost
in a whisper. “Oh!

You laughed at these words,
 and others around us laughed
as well; I heard them.

She stood by the fire
 and waited, with her intent
gaze fixed upon him.

Such a woman could
 make anyone forget all
reason--everything!

They passed through the same
 rooms which the prince had traversed
on his arrival.

You call such conduct
 estimable and natural?
The ‘woman question’?

And after all this,
 that shameless creature will go
and beg their pardon!

“But you know I get
 so many queer ideas,
lying there in bed.

God will forgive you,
 because you knew no better.
Come now, be a man!

“Yes, I brought him down
 from town just after you had
left the house.” “There now!

So it all depends
 upon you now, prince, You see!
Ha, ha!” “That’s all madness.

Come and sit down, prince,
 we are all waiting for you,
we want you with us.

Tomorrow I shall
 not see them either, because
I shall be in town.

As for your remarks
 about friendship with me--thanks,
very much indeed.

“It is shameful--though
 what does it matter to me
if it is shameful?

They began to think
 something strange might really be
about to happen.

If I were to be
 put on the rack now, I should
certainly cry out.

You are very--Well,
 how did she appear to you?
What did she look like?

He opened the door
 into the room, but it, too,
was dark and empty.

He awaited next
 morning’s interview with the general
most impatiently.

She is head over
 ears in love, that’s what she is,” put
in Alexandra.

There was no hatred
 in her expression, and no
anger whatever.

You will not believe
 how happy I am to be
able to think so.

You are not angry
 that a mere boy should say such
words to you, are you?

The same thing happened
 in the park and in the street,
wherever he went.

But no one came out.
 He passed under the gateway
and into the street.