to Valentina Serova
Above our submarine's black nose she rises —
That Venus, which is like no other star!
We men, long missing out on girls' caresses,
Await her like a woman from afar.
Like you, each day she rises slightly later,
And as the heavenly bodies rise and sink,
Some unexpected stars may rise beside her,
Much nearer to her than I like to think.
Their shameful glow betrays their cowardice;
Among such stars I never shall be found.
But they are there beside you in the heavens,
And I am here, forgotten on the ground.
I'll never bid farewell to earthly danger
To freeze in peace, as they do, in the sky.
Be like a shooting star — fall down from heaven!
Stretch out your arms to me on earth and fly!
In heaven they love women from ennui
And let them go in peace, without much woe.
Just fall into these earthly arms to me!
I'm not a star. I'll never let you go...
Над черным носом нашей субмарины
Взошла Венера — странная звезда.
От женских ласк отвыкшие мужчины,
Как женщину, мы ждем ее сюда.
Она, как ты, восходит все позднее,
И, нарушая ход небесных тел,
Другие звезды всходят рядом с нею,
Гораздо ближе, чем бы я хотел.
Они горят трусливо и бесстыже.
Я никогда не буду в их числе,
Пускай они к тебе на небе ближе,
Чем я, тобой забытый на земле.
Я не прощусь с опасностью земною,
Чтоб в мирном небе мерзнуть, как они,
Стань лучше ты падучею звездою,
Ко мне на землю руки протяни.
На небе любят женщину от скуки
И отпускают с миром, не скорбя...
Ты упадешь ко мне в земные руки,
Я не звезда. Я удержу тебя.
«I swore I’d never fall in love, / I’ll keep my word as I‘ve declared. / You want to know the truth, my dove? / Well I’m... already feeling scared!»
«Fatigued and worn, life in my frozen chest is fading / And that’s the end of strife, the end of everything! / Kyprid and Eros, torments to my heart you bring! / Just listen to my dismal voice before its ending. I’m fading, and I’m bearing the pain: / I’m half alive but I am burning,...»
«Now in the wake of our separation / It seems, my life has been the twinkle of an eye; / I will no longer breathe in love, and I / Won't hear the words of love and adoration. / I`ve lost my love and everything I had; / I fell asleep.. my dreams dissolved that instant! / My happiness now s...»
«Believe me, dear, you are more than fame to me, / Or should I say, I'm bored with inspiration : / For it impedes me, with its stir and agitation, / To take the air of love in silence and be free! / I give my heart to our cordial relation: / Disperse my dreams, my dear friend, / Caress me...»