Aleksey Koltsov
The Peasant’s Musing

At my cheerless table 
I a-musing sit:
How is one to be
In the world alone?
I, a stalwart youth,
Have no wife, no mate;
I, a stalwart youth,
Want a loving friend.
Want a harrow, share;
Want a kindly hearth;
Want a barn well-stocked,
And a good plough-horse.
One small heritage,
Joined with poverty,
My good father left, —
’Tis my lusty strength.
Even that how soon
Bitter need lays low,
Among strangers spent
In unfruitful toil.
At my cheerless table
I a-musing sit:
How is one to be
In the world alone?

Translated by Eugene Mark Kayden