Valery Bryusov
To a young poet

Pallid young man with an ardent expression,
Listen, today I will give you three precepts.
Here is the first one: don’t live in the present,
Only the future is the sphere of the poet.

Remember the second: have a feeling for no one,
Just for yourself nurture love which is boundless.
Remember the third: it is art you must worship,
Alone is it aimless, alone unreflecting.

Pallid young man with a troubled expression!
If you abide by all these my three precepts,
I’ll fall down in silence, a warrior vanquished,
Knowing I’ll leave in the world a true poet.

Translated by April FitzLyon