Marina Tsvetaeva
Chevalier de Grieux, Sir, vainly...

Chevalier de Grieux, Sir, vainly
Do you dream of your lovely, insanely
Capricious (not controlling self mainly),
Your voluptuous Manon.

We leave your rooms like a procession,
A free, langorous line, for possession.
We’re forgot after one evening’s session.
SUBMIT is the law we must own.

We come from the night with snow blowing,
Needing nothing from you — but the bestowing
Of supper... and pearls for showing.
And a small bit of soul now and then.

Duty and honor, Sir, is a convention.
God give you regiments of mistresses. I mention
Herewith my readiness to give you attention.
Passionately loving you.

M.

Translated by Vladimir Markov and Merrill Sparks