Waves roll in columns on their usual route —
Splashing and humming, they run;
People, too, stride in a lousy crowd —
Every one trails everyone.
Waves favor cold of their slavery more
Than heat of midday sunny rays,
People take care of their souls… But lo! —
Their souls are colder than waves!
Волны катя́тся одна за другою
С плеском и шумом глухим,
Люди проходят ничтожной толпою
Также один за другим.
5 Волнам их неволя и холод дороже
Знойных полудня лучей;
Люди хотят иметь души… и что же? —
Души в них волн холодней!
«In a strange house, in a far away land, / her portrait hangs on the wall; / she herself is dying like a beggar woman, / lying on straw, in pain that can’t be told. But here she looks as she always did look — / she is young, rich and draped / in the luxurious green cloak / in which s...»
«Men’s thoughts and deeds will pass like dreams, / The heroes soon effaced, / The mausoleums will turn to dust, / All things end up erased. / / The wisdom, justice, faith and love / By some Unknown Hand, / Like needless words on someone's slate, / Will soon be swept away. Afar fr...»
«You should be all-understanding, / flexible, unsteady, changing, / as a running ocean wave, / unfastidious and suave , — / Welcome all that come to pass, / Leaning, touching, encompass / whether you accept or not. Be impassive, apathetic, / all-departing, anaesthetic / As a runni...»
«It’s not in wise man’s recollections, / Not in a poet’s sweet refrain, / Not in a hero’s daring action, / Not in a hermit’s silent strain. But contrary to grievance tending / To cover all divine with slime, / Behold: it’s in the sun ascending / On golden canvases of sky. Ea...»