Alexander Blok
On the Snowy Stake

And a bonfire high was soaring
Over him upon the cross.
Frigid stars are him ignoring,
Inky night disdains his loss.

Spinners of the snowy winters,
Maidens of the night, pass by,
Eyes just open, tight like splinters,
See them twist the smoke’s thread high.

And the height is gently gazing
Lofty eyes are borne by wings.
Spin, O wraith, and spin, flame’s blazing,
Wrap around the cross your strings!

Sweet the knight, his face concealing
See behind snow’s mask it burns!
Sang I not with loving feeling,
Were my kisses not your healing
As one dawn to new dawn turns?

Oh, that you’d become my lover,
Sweet my knight, I’m slender-made,
Sweet my knight, now come, discover
Snow-blood’s love will never fade.

Three nights long my faith persisted,
Wrapped myself around and cried,
Let his gaze go unresisted,
Yes, with feather wings, I lied.

Burn, and see, ravine will glitter,
I with feather hand will trace
Feathered dust with gleeful flitter
On this level, snowy place.

Translated by Rupert Moreton