All perished, all! The sun, in flame and brilliance,
As did it long before, the years’ circle fulfils.
A sorrow grave deplores the past existence —
That was so beautiful — under the solemn hills.
And in the black night a white specter-mist
Waits other shades, the silent one and grievous.
Oh, whitening shade, again you will obtain
Crowds of others, lost of past, entire.
A night will pass, come a long day again —
Again will rise, in its self-scorching mire,
Sun of the day, the sun of golden fire,
And will again burn the sad hills and plain.
Погибло всё. Палящее светило
По-прежнему вершит годов круговорот.
Под холмами тоскливая могила
О прежнем бытии прекрасном вопиет.
И черной ночью белый призрак ждет
Других теней безмолвно и уныло.
Ты обретешь, белеющая тень,
Толпы других, утративших былое.
Минует мочь, проснется долгий день —
Опять взойдет в своем палящем зное
Светило дня, светило огневое,
И будет жечь тоскующую сень.
«“Come, Children! / Who is the bravest in the world?” / They knew—and answered in one singing voice: / “The lion!” / “The lion? Ha ha...It’s easy to be brave / If your paws are as wide as mops. / No, it’s neither the lion, nor the elephant, / But the littlest one—The m...»
«The woods have turned green, / The pond has turned green. / And green frogs / Croak their songs. / / A fir-tree--a sheaf of green candles, / Moss--a green carpet. / And a green grasshopper / Conducts the song... / / Above a house's green roof / A green oak sleeps, / And two...»
«Farewell, dirty, unwashed Russia, / Country of masters, land of slaves, / And you, you sky-blue uniforms, / And you, people by them betrayed. Perhaps beyond the Caucasus' wall / I'll be hidden from your overlords, / Shielded from their all-seeing eyes, / Screened from their all-hearing...»
«In my exile I observe the sacred, / Congenial custom of antiquity / And release a bird into freedom / On the bright holiday of spring. / I become capable of serenity; / For what reason do I curse God / When just to one of his creatures / I’m empowered freedom to grant!»