Alexander Blok
On The Field of Kulikovo. 3. That night, when Mamai went to ground...

3

That night, when Mamai went to ground
        on the steppe, by the bridges,
we were in the dark plain together, You and I —
        Did you know this?

Before the Don, ominous and shadowed,
        my prophetic heart
heard your voice in the plain at night
        in the crying of the swans.

At midnight the prince’s host rose
        like a cloud,
while far, far the mother wailed
        and beat the stirrup.

And night birds were circling,
        far away,
while, over Russia, summer’s silent lightning
        guards the prince.

The eagles’ cries above the Tartar camp
        foretold disaster,
while the Nepryadva veiled herself
        a princess in the mist.

And in the mist that lay above
        the sleeping Nepryadva,
You came to me, in a radiant garment,
        not even startling my horse.

Like a ripple of silver You flashed
        along Your friend’s steel sword,
You lightened the dust-drenched armour
        on my shoulders.

And when, at dawn, the horde moved in
        like a darkened cloud,
Your image, no human hand ever made,
        shone brightly on my shield.

Translated by A. S. Kline