Don't you look at me so reproachfully.
I do not bear malice to you,
But I like your appearance awfully
And your seeming modesty, too
Yes, you seem to be openhearted,
And I'd rather be glad to see
How a fox pretending departed
Catches crows like you want to catch me.
Try to catch me, I won't be daunted
Mind, you don't have your ardour restrained!
Many girls of your kind have haunted
Stumbling over my heart that waned.
It's not you that I love, my dearie,
You're only an echo, a shade,
I imagine a different girlie,
Oh so beautiful blue-eyed maid!
Though she isn't so humble-looking
And appears to be rather cool,
Her majestic manner of walking
Has rekindled the depth of my soul.
She's a girl that cannot be cheated,
Notwithstanding your will she'll entice,
Whereas you can't be possibly fitted
In my heart with embellished lies.
Though I scorn you, yet like a layman
I will shyly and openly say:
If there weren't any hell and heaven
Man would think something up anyway.
Не гляди на меня с упрёком,
Я презренья к тебе не таю,
Но люблю я твой взор с поволокой
И лукавую кротость твою.
Да, ты кажешься мне распростёртой,
И, пожалуй, увидеть я рад,
Как лиса, притворившись мёртвой,
Ловит воронов и воронят.
Ну и что же, лови, я не струшу,
Только как бы твой пыл не погас, —
На мою охладевшую душу
Натыкались такие не раз.
Не тебя я люблю, дорогая,
Ты — лишь отзвук, лишь только тень.
Мне в лице твоём снится другая,
У которой глаза — голубень.
Пусть она и не выглядит кроткой
И, пожалуй, на вид холодна,
Но она величавой походкой
Всколыхнула мне душу до дна.
Вот такую едва ль отуманишь,
И не хочешь пойти, да пойдёшь,
Ну, а ты даже в сердце не вранишь
Напоённую ласкою ложь.
Но и всё же, тебя презирая,
Я смущённо откроюсь навек:
Если б не было ада и рая,
Их бы выдумал сам человек.
«No, I can’t ever forget / your child’s mouth, your girl’s glance, / bold — I dream of you, / I speak, I think of you — always — like rhythm. I feel vast oceans / heaving as the moon yaws, / and whole galaxies, burning, / swinging as they have always swung, will always swing....»
«Being drawn into earthly passions, / I vision as from gloom to light / Once, dressed in black, Dark Angel rushes / To cry: "Salvation is a lie!" Yet, unassuming and lighthearted, / Delightful as a noble deed, / Comes angel from the white department / To add that hope is true indeed.»
«To Vl. Motyl As a child, I was convinced / that from all conditions / Potion of the Danish Prince / is the most efficient. / And that faith is burning since / brighter every year... / Potion of the Danish Prince / Savor, cavalier! Potion of this Prince or King / is as sweet as cand...»
«They're yet to be fitted, your veil and your gown, / And chanters to bless us for life, / But hurries time — dare-driver renowned! — / And horses are eager to fly. If only the ding-bells were angels safeguarding, / The sleigh were by tracks to abide! / Two buddies forever, devotion an...»