Our court nightingale,
beak open wide,
can let out the loudest
trills in the world.
The creature is stunning
by what pours from his throat –
but it was he who spurred
Derzhavin to write
that praise and flattery
are by no means the same:
a slave can flatter
but he can’t do praise.
Придворный соловей
Раскроет клюв пошире,
Бросая трель с ветвей,
Крикливейшую в мире.
Не помнит божья тварь
Себя от изумленья,
Долбит, как пономарь,
Хваленья и моленья.
Свистит что было сил,
По всей гремя державе,
О нем и говорил
Язвительный Державин,
Что раб и похвалить
Кого-либо не может.
Он может только льстить,
Что не одно и то же.
«Today I can tell that your gaze is especially sad / And your arms are especially thin as they clasp round your knee. / Listen, I’ll tell you how far, far away, on the shores of Lake Chad, / An exquisite giraffe wanders free. He has been created so languid and graceful and slim / With dapp...»
«Today I see your gaze is especially sad, / And your hands embracing your knees, especially thin. / Listen: far, far away on Lake Chad* / A slender giraffe is grazing. Bestowed with the luxury of harmonious grace, / Its skin is decorated in patterns, so magical / That only the shadow patte...»
«Today, I see your glance is especially sad, / Your hands – especially thin, holding your knees. / Listen: far, far away, on Lake Chad, / Roams an exquisite giraffe. A slender, blissful grace is given him, / A magical design adorns his hide, / Which only the moon dares to rival, / Shat...»
«Today, I see, you look especially sad, / your arms embracing your knees and especially thin. / Listen: far, far away round Lake Chad / wanders an elegant giraffe. / He is graceful, shapely and languid, / divine gifts — a magical pattern for his skin / that only the moon dares to compet...»