...In the gloom of the trees, hidden from view,
Someone rustled the leaves and begun:
“What has your lover done to you,
What has your lover done;
Your eyelids are heavy as if outlined
In the India Ink, dark and gruff.
In stifling torment, he left you behind
In the hands of the poisoner-love.
You no longer count the stabs of the needle —
And your breast cannot be revived,
It’s in vain that you try to always act gleeful —
You are better off buried alive!..”
I told the offender: “You’re cunning and shady,
A devil with no sense of shame.
He’s quiet, he’s gentle, and always obeys me,
And loves me, always the same!”
…И кто-то, во мраке дерев незримый,
Зашуршал опавшей листвой
И крикнул: «Что сделал с тобой любимый,
Что сделал любимый твой;
Словно тронуты черной, густою тушью
Тяжелые веки твои.
Он предал тебя тоске и удушью
Отравительницы-любви.
Ты давно перестала считать уколы —
Грудь мертва под острой иглой.
И напрасно стараешься быть веселой —
Легче в гроб тебе лечь живой!..»
Я сказала обидчику: «Хитрый, черный,
Верно, нет у тебя стыда.
Он тихий, он нежный, он мне покорный,
Влюбленный в меня навсегда!»
«I love your eyes, dear, / their fiery-playful games, / their sudden upward glances / slowly looking all around / like lightning-flames. There’s a more potent spell: / eyes lower. / A mouth hungers. / Lids almost close. / Sullen arousal glows.»
«Slender are you as a candle. Your eyes are / Swords that pierce mine. No, my sweet, you mistake: / I do not long for a tryst and its wonders — / Just let me burn like a monk at the stake! Your love? Oh, no! — I don't seek it. Nor dare I / Offer unwanted caresses. Apart / From you I st...»
«Tips of blue flame are dancing about, / Home expanses are being neglected. / It's the first time that I’m singing love, / For the first time refusing to racket. I was all like a desolate garden, / I was greedy for women and potions. / Now, I don’t want to sing and to dance, / And t...»
«Azure space is aflame up above, / I've forgotten my home destination... / For the first time I'm singing of love, / For the first time I give up contention. / / I was all like a desolate grove / Loving women and heavily drinking. / I don"t drink any more and don't love / Like I did...»