Marina Tsvetaeva
The Prague knight

Blanch — faced
Guardian of the age-old lapping —
Knight, knight,
Keeping watch on the river.

(O could I find peace
In it from arms and mouths?!)
Sen — ti — nel
Set at your post of partings.

The oaths, the rings...
Yes, like stones into the river
How many — of us
Over four centuries!

Admission into the waters
Is free. As are roses — in bloom!
He's thrown me over — I'll throw myself over!
That's vengeance for you!

We never tire of this
— So long as passion exists!
Taking our vengeance off bridges.
Making short but wide work of us,

My wings! Into the slime,
Into the scum — like brocade!
No lament for the moment
Over the bridge — toll!

— "Off a fatal bridge
Down — I dare myself!"
I, at a level with you,
Prague Knight.

Whether it's sweetness or sadness
In it — is clearer to you,
Knight, watching over
The river — of days.

Translated by Mary Jane White