Alexander Blok
The evening shades have yet to sink...

The evening shades have yet to sink,
But moonlight’s shining in the lake.
The heart, the soul — and everything
Feels superstitious and opaque...

This superstition leads to yearning,
And in the mist that glows opaque,
Foreseeing bliss, the heart is burning,
The pale moon shines in the lake...

Somebody’s whispering and singing,
And barely breathing, I await, —
I’m sensing greatness in this gleaming,
I’ve lost the greatness, I’m afraid...

And now, without a hesitation,
As evening shades sink in the haze,
I recollect the inspirations
Of superstitious bygone days...

Translated by Andrey Kneller