«O, my heart is torn apart
Of tenderness ... O, yes, I loved my life
Without measuring, without quenching passion,
— But by the age of thirty, I have no strength enough».
Over a poet, leaning with a smile,
Unknown surgeon then
With lancet will cut his tired chest,
Instead of heart a piece of ice he'll place.
«О, сердце разрывается на части
От нежности... О да, я жизнь любил,
Не меряя, не утоляя страсти,
— Но к тридцати годам нет больше сил».
И, наклоняясь с усмешкой над поэтом,
Ему хирург неведомый тогда
Разрежет грудь усталую ланцетом
И вместо сердца даст осколок льда.
«How can you bear to view the Neva, / How can you bear to cross its bridges?.. / No surprise I’m marked for sadness, / Since that vision of you appeared. / Sharp, the black angels’ wings, / Soon, the judgement day; / And raspberry-coloured bonfires blossom / Like roses, in the snow.»
«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...»