Nikolay Gumilev
War

The machine gun barks behind the thicket
Like a dog upon a heavy chain,
And the shrapnel buzzes like bees, busy,
Bringing bright red honey home again.

Far off the hurrahing is like singing
Reapers whose hard daily work is done.
You must say that it’s a peaceful village
As the most becalming night’s begun.

And, O, verily war, this majestic
Enterprise, is sacred and all light;
Winged seraphim behind the warriors’
Shoulders can be witnessed shining bright.

And O, dear Lord grant your gracious blessing
To the workers slowly walking there
On the fields that blood has sprinkled, sowing
Heroes’ deeds, reaping a glory rare,

As you would to those whose necks are bending
Over plows and those who mourn and pray;
Their hearts come and kneel and burn before you
Like candles of wax which melt away.

But, O, Lord, give victory and vigor
To him who at the light armistice
Will say to the one he’s just defeated:
Dear friend, please accept your brother’s kiss.

Translated by Vladimir Markov and Merrill Sparks