Georgy Ivanov
On Palace Square again, commanding...

On Palace Square again, commanding,
The column gleams with silver glow.
And, on the echoing bridge top landing,
An icy carpet starts to grow.

Come sleighs in sleigh-tracks, sleighs pursuing.
The horses’ breathing, swirling, steams,
Beneath their dashing hooves’ ice-chewing
Resound the frozen pavement’s themes.

The careless laughter… lively faces…
The jolly flames of bonfires please —
The city on the Neva’s graces
Can only charm on days like these.

You walk and breathe it all in deeply,
You stroll upon the Neva’s ice,
Hear in the air above you, steeply,
Expansive sunny wind-flight’s splice.

And heart with joy begins to shiver,
And life is bright again and free,
And in the pallid sky gleams quiver
Of needle of the Admiralty.

Translated by Rupert Moreton