Alexander Blok
Shadows on the Wall

There a king once went in dancing
Jagged diadem crowned.

Jester went in winged cloak, prancing
With his bells around,

Dames with pages and long trains
In the roses’ shade,

Knight-at-arms, whose gloomy chains
On his steel limbs played.

Ah, for thy proud bearing, knight,
A long sword was meet!

Soft, beneath thy visor, knight,
Looks of love would greet!

Ah, a great cock’s comb, my knight,
Made thy helmet gay!

Ah, but tell me, my sweet knight,
How thou cam’st this way?

To my stories, my sweet knight,
Thy attention lend...

See these roses, my sweet knight,
Given by a friend.

For she sent these roses, knight,
My sweet friend to me.

Ah, thou art a story, knight!
What’s a rose to thee?

Translated by Cecil Maurice Bowra