Like blood and sweat it is simple:
To people — tsar, to tsar — people.
Like mystery of two it is clear:
The third is the spirit, the two are near.
From the sky tsar is placed on the throne:
That is clear like dream and snow.
To the throne tsar will come again yet:
It is holy like blood and sweat.
Это просто, как кровь и пот:
Царь — народу, царю — народ.
Это ясно, как тайна двух:
Двое рядом, а третий — Дух.
Царь с небес на престол взведён:
Это чисто, как снег и сон.
Царь опять на престол взойдёт —
Это свято, как кровь и пот.
«A day of heat. The woods burning. Time / Hanging heavy. From a neighboring plot / A cock was crowing. I went through the gate. / There, on the bench, his back against the fence, / A wandering Serb, dark-skinned and lean, sat dozing. / A heavy silver crucifix hung down / Among the rolling...»
«The snow has drifted. Quietness descends. / Blind walls beside the alley here, and empty ground. / Here comes a man. To take the knife and stab him now! / — Without a sound he’ll lean against the fence, / Then slowly sink onto his knees, and lie face down. / The snowy breath that stirs...»
«I I had lots of fun today: / First the thief who pinched a pullet / From that hag across the way; / Then the horse — they tried to pull it — / Jumped and bolted like a bullet; / And the kite has flown away. But — the thief is no more free, / They have locked him in a cell; / Fo...»
«Twilight was turning to darkness outside. / Under the eaves a window banged wide. A curtain was lifted, a light briefly shone, / A swift shadow fell down the wall and was gone. Happy the man who falls head first to death: / At least for a moment his viewpoint is fresh.»