Bulat Okudzhava
The Roman empire

The Roman empire in its period of decline
retained the appearance of firm order.
The chief was in place, his comrades-in-arms by his side,
life was fine, judging by the reports.

But critics will say that the word “comrades-in-arms” isn’t a Roman item,
that this mistake deprives the whole song of sense.
Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps it isn’t Roman, I’m not sorry,
this doesn’t hinder me at all, and even lifts me up.

The youths of the empire in its period of decline
dreamed constantly of rolled-up capes and combat.
First they’d be on the attack, then in the trenches,
Now in the Pamirs, and then suddenly in Europe.

But critics will say that the word “capes,” imagine, isn’t a Roman item,
that this mistake deprives the whole song of sense.
Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps it isn’t Roman, I’m not sorry,
this doesn’t hinder me at all, and even lifts me op.

The peasants of the empire in its period of decline
ate what they could gel hold of, and got vilely drunk.
And as a cure for their hangovers each one was partial to rassol –
They evidently didn’t know there was a decline.

But critics will say that the word “rassol” isn’t a Roman item,
that this mistake deprives the whole song of sense.
Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps it isn’t Roman, I’m not sorry,
this doesn’t hinder me at all,
and even lifts me op.

The women of the empire in its period of decline
They were the only ones, those beauties, whose lot was sweet.
All paths were open before their gaze,
if they wanted they went to work, if they didn’t they went lo the forum.

And the critics in chorus: Oh, the forum, oh, the forum, there’s a Roman item!
Just one little word, But how it improves the song!
Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps it’s Roman, But I’m sorry,
it hinders me a bit
and destroys my idea.

Translated by Gerald S. Smith