I never took revenge and never will avenge myself —
One is not forgiven nor forgives
From the day I opened my eyes — till the coffin of oak
I will not lower myself — and God knows
Not overlook the great decline of this century ...
— But if a man is worthy?..
— No. I never fight in vain: not with anyone.
One is not forgiven: anything.
Никому не отмстила и не отмщу —
Одному не простила и не прощу
С дня как очи раскрыла — по гроб дубов
Ничего не спустила — и видит Бог
Не спущу до великого спуска век…
— Но достоин ли человек?..
— Нет. Впустую дерусь: ни с кем.
Одному не простила: всем.
«Don’t weep for me — I’ll live on / as a happy beggar, a convict with goodwill, / as a southerner frozen in the north, / as a consumptive and ill-tempered Petershurger / in the malarial south I’ll live on. Don’t weep for me — I’ll live on / as that lame girl who came out on t...»
«Along my street, these steady steps resound / Year after year: my friends are slowly leaving. / The all-absorbing lightlessness around / Finds ease in seeing me alone and grieving. Sad, unattended are my friends’ affairs; / Their homes are dull; no song or music sounding; / Degas’ y...»
«And in conclusion I will say, / Farewell, don’t pledge your love in vanity. / My mind’s away, or on its way / Towards the higher loss of sanity. How loved was I? — You toyed with my / Mortality — that does not matter. / How loved was I? — You made me die, / But you could mak...»
«(From "Who Can Live Happily in Russia?") God's will be done! / No food he'll try, / The youngest son— / Look, he will die. A crust I got, / Another bit— / He touched it not: / "Put salt on it!" Of salt no shred, / No pinch I see! / "Take flour, instead," / God whispered me. ...»