Alexander Blok
I know your face so well, my fair...

I know your face so well, my fair,
It feels like you have lived with me.
At home, at parties, — everywhere
Your dainty look is what I see.

Your footsteps follow me wherever
I go or happen to be in.
Somebody chases me as ever
Isn"t it you, — the one I mean?

It's you who flashes by, my fair,
The moment I am at the door,
Invisible, and light as air,
Like an amazing dream I saw.

I saw you in the graveyard, dear,
You sat in silence, looking blue,
A maid in cotton kerchief here,
I wonder, was it really you?

I came up closer, you were sitting,
As I approached you went away.
When by the river you were singing
The bells responded with a play.

The sound of ringing filled the air,
I waited humbly and I cried...
Behind the sound of chimes, however,
Your voice had faded out and died...

And in a while I hear no answer.
The kerchief flashes up ahead...
I sadly hope there is a chance that
We"ll see each other somewhere yet.

Translated by Alec Vagapov