Why, pretty gal, are you hexing about
With eyes and shoulders, in turn?
Thus you'll excite even me, no doubt,
Though, I don't feel concern.
Yet, for this dangerous game men stay ready,
Many you will captivate
Until you turn from a passionate lady
Into good mother and mate.
And after all ups and downs of th' roam,
Losses, wins, odds of the game,
You'll reappear, Aphrodite, from pink foam,
As you are now, the same.
Милая девушка, что ты колдуешь
Черным зрачком и плечом?
Так и меня ты, пожалуй, взволнуешь,
Только — я здесь ни при чем.
Знаю, что этой игрою опасной
Будешь ты многих пленять,
Что превратишься из женщины страстной
В умную нежную мать.
Но, испытавши судьбы перемены, —
Сколько блаженств и потерь! —
Вновь ты родишься из розовой пены
Точно такой, как теперь.
«2 I lift the hands that I let fall / So long ago. / Into a black and empty window / Empty hands / I fling into mid-nocturnal striking / Clocks — I want / To go home! — Like this: head first / — From the tower! — Homeward! Not onto the cobbled square: / Into rustle and wh...»
«3 Harder and harder / Start wringing my hands! / Between us not earthly / Versts — but divisive / Celestial rivers, azure nations, / Where my friend is forever already — / Inalienable. The high road races / In silvery harness. / I don’t wring my hands! / I only extend them ...»
«4 Cover the bedstead / In swarthy olive. / The gods are jealous / Toward mortal love. Each rustle to them / Is distinct, each swish. / Know, this young man is dear / Not to you alone. Some one is incensed / With his luscious May-day. / Mind you, be wary / Of sharp-eyed heaven. ...»
«5 Ever so softly / With a hand slim and careful / I loosen the trammels: / Little hands — and obedient / To the neighing, the Amazon rustles / Off on the ringing, empty steps of parting. In the radiant flyway / The winged one tramples / And neighs. — Dawn’s flare in the eyes. ...»