It seems the sea, that scourge of ages,
contrives your genius to inspire?
You laud upon your golden lyre
old Neptune’s trident as he rages.
Don’t waste your praise. These days you’ll find
that sea and land have no division.
On any element mankind
is tyrant, traitor, or in prison.
Так море, древний душегубец,
Воспламеняет гений твой?
Ты славишь лирой золотой
Нептуна грозного трезубец.
Не славь его. В наш гнусный век
Седой Нептун земли союзник.
На всех стихиях человек —
Тиран, предатель или узник.
«Skald-harp, long ago your poet-master / left you to oblivion in this dusty room, / but as soon as the moon, enchanting the gloom, / splashes a ray in your corner, / then your strings perform a magic tune, / like troubled souls in delirious swoon. When it breathes on you, what life sw...»
«Seal thou thy lips, to none impart / The secret dreams that fill thy heart. / Within it let them blaze and die / As do the silent stars on high / When o’er the earth night’s shadows stray – / Delight in them – and silent stay. Thy sentiments to none confide; / From those about t...»
«Stay silent, out of sight and hide / your feelings and your dreams inside. / Within your soul’s deep centre let / them silently rise, let them set / like stars in the night. Don’t be heard. / Admire them, Don’t say a word. How can your heart itself express? / Can others understand...»
«My little almond tree / Is gay with gleaming bloom, / My heart unwillingly / Puts forth its buds of gloom. The bloom will leave the tree, / The fruit, unbidden, grow. / And the green boughs will be / By bitter loads brought low.»