Lads and lasses gathering,
Willow-boughs and tapers bring,
That they homeward bear.
Warmly do the flamelets glow,
Wayfarers cross them as they go;
Spring-tide scents the air.
Little breeze from far away,
Rain, O rain, with tiny spray,
Quench ye not the flame.
For Palm Sunday earliest,
I to-morrow stir from rest,
Holy-day to acclaim.
___
Note: It is almost impossible to reproduce in English' rhyme the delicate simplicity of the original, with its diminutives and the tripping melody of its metre.
Мальчики да девочки
Свечечки да вербочки
Понесли домой.
Огонечки теплятся,
Прохожие крестятся,
И пахнет весной.
Ветерок удаленький,
Дождик, дождик маленький,
Не задуй огня!
В Воскресенье Вербное
Завтра встану первая
Для святого дня.
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