Alexander Blok
The way she did before, she wanted...

The way she did before, she wanted
To breathe her life into my heart,
Into my body, all exhausted,
Into my chilly habitat.

She came along like welkin,
I couldn't rise from bed to go,
Nor could I stir my arm to welcome
And tell her I had missed her so!...

I watched her with my eyes dim, hollow,
Whatever was she grieving for?..
There weren't any words, nor sorrow,
Nor joy between us any more.

The earthly heart was tired and wasted.
So many days and years have past!..
The earthly happiness, belated,
Came riding in a cab so fast!

Now, deathly sick and broken down,
I'm yearning for the change of tide,
I'm content with the sundown
And unafraid of endless night.

I had eternity's sensation
With peace and quiet in my heart,
It quenched the fire of vexation
With chilly dampness of the night...

Translated by Alec Vagapov