Alexander Pushkin

Lyric Poems

Translated from the Russian by Irina Zheleznova and Avril Pyman 1974

CO T! T" To Chaadayev# Translated by Irina Zheleznova $%i&ht 'anes( in sudden haste retreatin&###$Translated by Irina Zheleznova )The flyin& 'ra*+ of *louds &ro's flimsier far###$ Translated by Avril Pyman The Ca,tive# Translated by Irina Zheleznova i&ht# Translated by Irina Zheleznova -are'ell to the "ea# Translated by Irina Zheleznova To the -ountain of .a+h*hisarai# Translated by Irina Zheleznova To / / / Translated by Irina Zheleznova 0inter !venin&# Translated by Irina Zheleznova .a**hanal "on&# Translated by Irina Zheleznova The Pro,het# Translated by Irina Zheleznova 0intry Road# Translated by Irina Zheleznova To 1y anny# Translated by Avril Pyman $2ee, in "iberia)s mines( let nau&ht###$ Translated by Irina Zheleznova Arion# Translated by Irina Zheleznova $"in&( lovely one( I be&( no more###$ Translated by Irina Zheleznova Antiar# Translated by Irina Zheleznova $3,on the hills of 4eor&ia lies the haze of ni&ht###$ Translated by Irina Zheleznova 0inter 1ornin&# Translated by Irina Zheleznova $I loved you( and that love###$ Translated by Irina Zheleznova $0hether the streets I roam###$ Translated by Irina Zheleznova

The Cau*asus# Translated by Irina Zheleznova $0hen in my arms your slender form###$ Translated by Irina Zheleznova $0hat means my name to you5###$ Translated by Irina Zheleznova 2emons# Translated by Irina Zheleznova !le&y# Translated by Irina Zheleznova The !*ho# Translated by Avril Pyman Autumn 6An !7*er,t8# Translated by Irina Zheleznova $Tis time( my friend( )tis time9 ###$ Translated by Avril Pyman "torm:Cloud# Translated by Irina Zheleznova $0hen( lost in thou&ht( I 'ander from the to'n###$ Translated by Avril Pyman $A monument I)ve raised not built 'ith hands###$ Translated by Avril Pyman

Lyric Poems

TO C;AA2A<!= ot lon& did youth)s vain ho,es delude us( Its dreams of love and ,rideful fame# They briefly( fleetin&ly ,ursued us( Then ,assed li+e mist and no more *ame# .ut still 'e *hafe( our hearts afire( 3nder the yo+e of tyranny( And( heedful of our *ountry)s ,lea( ;er true deliveran*e desire# 0e freedom 'ait 'ith all the fever( The hidden a*he and ea&erness That )fore the hour of ,romised bliss Consume the youn& and ardent lover# 0hile freedom)s flame 'ithin us lives( 0hile 'e by honour)s voi*e are &uided( To Russia( *omrade( let us &ive Our s,irits 'hole and undivided# 2ear friend( have faith> the 'a+eful s+ies Presa&e a da'n of 'onder:Russia "hall from her a&e:old slee, arise( And des,otism im,atient *rushin&( 3,on its ruins our names in*ise9 1?1?

Translated by Irina Zheleznova

/// %i&ht 'anes( in sudden haste retreatin&( And dar+ness *lothes in haze the blue of s+y and sea# .lo'( 'inds9 -ill( sails( their *har&e obedient meetin&( Roll( &loomy 'aves( and ,lay in furtive( fitful &lee9 A southern land( a land en*hanted( 1y heart 'ith lon&in& filled( I see before me lie@ I &aze on it( enthralled( by 'ay'ard memory To shores left far behind trans,lanted#### Ane' am I aflame@ from out my eyes 'ell tears@ 1y heart no' sin+s( no' soars in ra,ture@ Past dreams and fan*ies hover round me@ I re*a,ture The mad( tem,estuous love of half:for&otten years 0ith all its sufferin&s( its Aoys( ho'ever fleetin&( Its forfeited desires and ho,es illusory#### .lo'( 'inds9 -ill( sails( their *har&e obedient meetin&( Roll( &loomy 'aves( and ,lay in furtive( fitful &lee9 ### -ly( shi,( and *arry me to shores in distan*e shrouded 0herever fro'nin& seas *a,ri*iously *ommand( .ut shun( I be&( the sorro':*louded( 2im rea*hes of my native land( 0here my heart)s smoulderin& flames 'ere fanned To ,assion( 'here the muses tender 3,on me smiled( 'here early did its bloom surrender( .y storms in*essant buffeted( 1y 'asted youth( 'here Aoy li&ht:'in&ed .etrayed my ea&er heart and brou&ht distress that lin&ered And(*ruel( 'ould not ,ass#### )T'as then from you I fled( O( homeland mine( in des,eration@ And you( of transient youth the transient friends( 0ooers of deli&ht( hi Buest of ne' sensation -ar from your side I 'ent#### 0herever fortune sends( There 'illin& no' I fly( reAe*tin& the tem,tation ;eld li&htly out by those 'ith 'hom I shared )thout love "in)s most deli*ious ,leasures and 'ho robbed me of -ame( freedom( *alm and ,ea*e@ 'ith you my bonds I sever( C faithless ,laymates mine( and leave behind for ever Our froli*s#### .ut of ,ain my heart is still not free@ Its 'ounds remain unhealed( my fondest ho,es defeatin&#### .lo'( 'inds9 -ill( sails( their *har&e obedient meetin&( Roll( &loomy 'aves( and ,lay in furtive( fitful &lee9### 1?DC

Translated by Irina Zheleznova

/// The flyin& 'ra*+ of *louds &ro's flimsier far# C lim,id star of sorro's( evenin& star9 <our rays have tou*hed the autumn ,lains to silver( The bla*+ hei&hts of the ro*+s( the dreamin& river# <our feeble &leam in the ni&ht s+y I love# It ,rom,ts lon&:slee,in& thou&hts to stir and move( As I re*all( familiar Orb( your risin& Above that ,ea*eful land( all Aoys *om,risin&( 0here slender ,o,lar in the valley &ro's( 0here tender myrtle and dar+ *y,ress doze( And lan&uorously the "outhern seas are brea+in&# There on*e strolled I( lan&uidly *o&itatin&( ;i&h in the mountains( far above the sea# Till( as the dus+ flo'ed over vale and lea( A maiden throu&h the mur+ to see+ you *ame And told her fair friends ho' you bear her name# 1?DC Translated by Avril Pyman

T;! CAPTI=! A *a,tive( alone in a dun&eon I d'ell( !ntombed in the stillness and mur+ of a *ell# Outside( in the *ourtyard( in 'ild( frenzied ,lay( 1y *omrade( an ea&le( has ,oun*ed on his ,rey# Then( leavin& it( at me he loo+s as if he In thou&ht and in ,ur,ose at one 'ere 'ith me# ;e loo+s at me so( and he utters a *ry# )$Tis time($ he is sayin&( $from here let us fly9 $0e)re both 'ed to freedom( so let us a'ay To 'here lonely storm *louds *oura&eously stray( 0here turbulent seas rush to mer&e 'ith the s+y( 0here only the 'inds dare to venture and I9###$

1?DD Translated by Irina Zheleznova

I4;T 1y voi*e( to 'hi*h love lends a tenderness and yearnin&( 2isturbs ni&ht)s dreamy *alm#### Pale at my bedside burnin&( A ta,er 'astes a'ay#### -rom out my heart there sur&e "'ift verses( streams of love( that hum and sin& and mer&e And( full of you( rush on( 'ith ,assion overflo'in&# I seem to see your eyes that( in the dar+ness &lo'in&( 1eet mine#### I see your smile#### <ou s,ea+ to me alone> 1y friend( my dearest friend ### I love ### I)m yours### your o'n# 1?DE Translated by Irina Zheleznova

-AR!0!%% TO T;! "!A -are'ell( ye ,roudly rollin& 'aters( -are'ell( thou &litterin&( *har&in& sea( The blue e7,anse that +no's no fetters( The beauty full of maAesty# o more 'ill I thy friendly murmur( Thy loud yet 'istful summons hear( Thy voi*e)s lilt( its mournful tremor That no'( in ,artin&( haunts my ear# C realm that held my heart *ontented9 ;o' oft( by se*ret dreams enthralled And va&ue and misty thou&hts tormented( Thy shores I 'al+ed for hours untold# I loved thy rau*ous voi*e( the mello' Play of thy 'aves( their darts and lea,s( Thy evenin& *alm( thy fitful slee,( Thy ,assionate and 'rathful bello'9

A humble fishin& boat doth &lide O)er thy 'aves easily( obeyin& Their 'him( but( 'ith the 'ind allied( 4reat shi,s en&ulfest thou( dis,layin& 3n&overned ra&e and sava&e ,ride9 ;o' futile ,roved my ho,e this lan&uid And tor,id shore to leave fore)er( To drin+ thy beauty in and sin& it And fly a'ay over thy 'in&ed( Thy soarin& ,ea+s and rea*hes bare9 I strove( thy ea&er summons hearin&( To burst my *hains( but strove in vain# .y ,assion held( my heart ensnarin&( ;ere on these shores did I remain# Ah( 'ell( 'hat use re&ret and 'hither "hall I ,ursue my *arefree 'ay5### One s,e*+ u,on these 'astes of 'ater "till holds my an7ious heart in s'ay: One *liff( one isle( a tomb of &lory( 0here ebbed of lofty memories The tide( and 'here a,oleon)s 'eary And tortured heart at last found ,ea*e# ;e died( and li+e a tem,est s'ee,in& -rom si&ht( so did another bold And mi&hty &enius leave us( +ee,in& On our hearts an eternal hold# ;is laurel 'reath behind him leavin&( ;e vanished( mourned by freedom#### 0ee, -or him 'ho 'as thy bard( relievin& Thy ,ain in storm( F mi&hty dee,9 .y thee his s,irit 'as en*hanted( .y thee )t'as sou&ht( by thee )t'as *laimed# %i+e thine( )t'as fier*e( li+G thine( undaunted( %i+e thine( rebellious and untamed# The 'orld)s a void#### 0here 'ouldst thou labour H sea( to *arry me5### .ehold9 1an)s fate is uniform all over> 0here &ood s,routs forth( *hild of endeavour( There either des,ots rule or &old# -are'ell( fare'ell9 -or&et I)ll never Thy solemn beauty( ,rideful sea9 0here)er I &o( my heart aBuiver(

I)ll hear thee softly s,ea+ to me# A'ay 'ith me into the silen*e Of flo'erin& fields and shady &roves I)ll ta+e thy voi*e)s ma&i* *aden*e( Thy shimmerin& 'aves and ro*+y *oves# 1?D4 Translated by Irina Zheleznova

TO T;! -O3 TAI O- .AI;C;I"ARAI T'o roses do I brin& to thee( C fount of love that )fore me dan*es# Thy tears ,oeti* *omfort me( Thy tender voi*e my soul entran*es# Thou &reetest me as I dra' near( 1y fa*e 'ith silvered de' dro,s s,rayin&# -lo'( flo'( H fount( and( *easeless ,layin&( ",ea+( s,ea+ thy story in my ear# C fount of love( C fount of sadness( -rom thy stone li,s lon& tales I heard Of far:off ,arts( of 'oe and &ladness( .ut of 1aria ne)er a 'ord#### %i+e ,oor and lon& for&ot Zarema( Is she( the harem)s ,allid sun( -ormed of the mists of idle dreamin& And of the stuff of visions s,un5 The s,irit)s dim and va&ue ideal 2ra'n by the hand of fantasy( Is she a thin& remote( unreal( A ,hantom that must *ease to be5### 1?D4

Translated by Irina Zheleznova

TO### C 'ondrous moment9 There before me( A radiant( fleetin& dream( you stood( A vision fan*y fashioned for me( A &lim,se of ,erfe*t 'omanhood# Throu&h all life)s sadness( all its 'onted And ho,eless flurry and unrest <our lovely fa*e my s,irit haunted( <our tender voi*e my ear *aressed# "'ift storms stru*+@ o)er me 'rathful brea+in&( They fast dis,elled the dreams of yore# <our ima&e blurred( my heart forsa+in&( <our voi*e *aressed my ear no more# In *old and &loomy isolation The years s,ed by( the lonely years( )Thout deity( )thout ins,iration( .ereft of life and love and tears# And then:O bliss l:time)s fli&ht defeatin&( <ou *ame a&ain and )fore me stood( A vision radiant and fleetin&( A &lim,se of ,erfe*t 'omanhood# 1y heart is filled 'ith s'eet elation( Ane' it *raves( ane' reveres( And is a'a+e to ins,iration( A'a+e to life and love and tears# 1?DJ

Translated by Irina Zheleznova

0I T!R !=! I 4 O)er the earth a storm is ,ro'lin&( .rin&in& 'hirlin&( blindin& sno'# %i+e a beast I hear it ho'lin&( %i+e an infant 'ailin& lo'# o' the that*h it rustles( ,layin&

On our roof@ no' at our ,ane Ra,s li+e someone home'ard strayin& And beni&hted in the ,lain# Old our hut is( dar+ and dreary( .y a *andle dimly lit#### 0hy so sad( my dear( and 'eary At the 'indo' do you sit5 Is)t be*ause the storm is moanin& That so very still you +ee,5 2oes your s,indle)s mournful dronin& Put you Buietly to slee,5 Come( C *omrade solitary Of this *heerless youth of mine( Ta+e a *u,( and let us bury All our many 'oes in 'ine9 Of a maid ,ut by a river "in& a little son& to me Or a tomtit( one that never %eaves its home beyond the sea# O)er the earth a storm is ,ro'lin&( .rin&in& 'hirlin&( blindin& sno'# %i+e a beast I hear it ho'lin&( %i+e an infant 'ailin& lo'# Come( C *omrade solitary Of this *heerless youth of mine( Ta+e a *u, and let us bury All our many 'oes in 'ine9 1?DJ Translated by Irina Zheleznova

.ACC;A A% "O 4 0hy( revelry)s voi*e( are you still5 Rin& out( son&s of .a**hus( our ,atron9 %on& life to you( maiden and matron( <e fair ones 'ho &ave of your love 'ith a 'ill9 2rin+( friend( drin+ 'ith &usto and relish9 As I do in mine(

In your &lass of 'ine -lin& li&htly the rin& that you *herish9 Come( let)s *lin+ our &lasses and hi&h let us raise them9 ;ail( muses9 ;ail( reason9 In son& let us ,raise them9 Thou( bri&ht sun of &enius( shine on9 %i+e this an*ient lam, that &ro's dimmer And fades 'ith the *omin& of da'n( "o false 'isdom ,ales at the first flash and &limmer Of true 'isdom)s ne)er:fadin& li&ht#### %ive( radiant day9 Perish( dar+ness and ni&ht9 1?DJ Translated by Irina Zheleznova

T;! PROP;!T 1y lonely heart athirst( I trod A barren 'aste 'hen( so )t'as fated( A 'in&ed sera,h )fore me stood> 0here *rossed the desert roads he 'aited# 3,on my orbs of si&htless *lay ;is fin&ers li&htly he did lay# And li+e a startled ea&le round me I &azed and sa' the earth surrounded( ;emmed in by s+y#### ;e tou*hed my ear( Then t)other( and( most mar+ed and *lear( There *ame to me the &entle flutter Of an&els) 'in&s( I heard the vine Push throu&h the earth and s+y'ard *limb( The dee,:sea monsters in the 'ater %i+e tiny fishes &lide#### And o)er 1e *alm he bent and out he tore 1y sinful ton&ue#### ot on*e 'ithdra'in& ;is &aze from mine( he ,ushed( unseen( A ser,ent)s deadly stin& bet'een 1y i*e:*old li,s#### Then( s'iftly dra'in& ;is shinin& s'ord( he *love my breast( Plu*+ed out my Buiverin& heart( and( sombre And &rim of as,e*t( *oolly thrust Into the &a,in& hole an ember That ran 'ith flame#### I lay there( dead( And 4od( 4od s,a+e( and this ;e said> $Arise( C sa&e9 1y summons hearin&( 2o as I bid( by nau&ht deterred@ "tride o)er the earth( a ,ro,het( searin& The hearts of men 'ith ri&hteous 'ord#$

1?DK Translated by Irina Zheleznova

0I TR< ROA2 "lo' the moon( embra*ed by shado'( Climbs the hilly *louds of ni&ht And u,on the *heerless meado' "adly ,ours its ,allid li&ht# 2o'n the road( as 'hite and eerie As the 'intry( boundless lea( Runs my troi+a( and the 'eary "lei&h:bell Aan&les dro'sily# In the driver)s son& unendin& 1u*h is there that s,ea+s to me( o' a ,laint( my s,irit rendin&( o' a re*+less &aiety#### All around is sno'( and nothin&( ot a li&ht to *heer the eye@ 1ile,osts rush to meet me( noddin& As they ,ass indifferent by# .ut( my ina( on the morro'( .y the fire)s unsteady blaze( I 'ill dro'n my &loom( my sorro' And my dullness in your &aze# %et the *lo*+( its ,assa&e *harted( 1idni&ht stri+e@ 'e)ll not( my o'n( On*e the others leave( be ,arted( .ut stay on:stay on alone# "ad am I#### The ni&ht en*loses -ield and 'ood#### The moon looms 'an# In his seat the driver dozes( Throu&h the sno' the road dra&s on# 1?DK Translated by Irina Zheleznova

TO 1< A

<

2ear dotin& s'eetheart of my *hildhood( Com,anion of my austere fate9 In the lone house dee, in the 'ild 'ood ;o' ,atiently for me you 'ait# Alone beside your 'indo' sittin& <ou 'ait for me and blame the *lo*+( 0hile( in your 'rin+led hands( your +nittin& -itfully falters to a sto,# .eyond the *rumblin& &ates the ,inetrees "hado' the road you 'at*h so 'ell# ameless forebodin&s( dar+ an7ieties( O,,ress your heart# <ou *annot tell 0hat visions haunt you> o' you seem to "ee### 1?DK Translated by Avril Pyman

/// 2ee, in "iberia)s mines( let nau&ht "ubdue your ,roud and ,atient s,irit# <our *rushin& toil and lofty thou&ht "hall not be 'asted:do not fear it# 1isfortune)s sister( ho,e sublime( -rom sombre dun&eon ,ain 'ill banish@ Loy 'ill a'a+e and sorro' vanish#### )T'ill *ome( the ,romised( lon&ed:for time@ The heavy lo*+s 'ill burst:reAoi*e9 : And love and friendshi, )thout delusion 0ill rea*h you in your &rim se*lusion As does my freedom:lovin& voi*e# The ,rison 'alls 'ill *rash#### Content( At door 'ill freedom 'ait to meet you@ <our brothers( hastenin& to &reet you( To you the s'ord 'ill &lad ,resent#

1?D7 Translated by Irina Zheleznova

ARIO 0e many 'ere 'ho filled the boat> "ome held the sails aloft and flyin&( "ome ,lied the oars( and thus( defyin& The 'ay'ard 'inds( +e,t us afloat# Our helmsman steered the vessel( loaded -ull as she 'as( and on'ard sent@ And I( to them I san&( *ontent And un*on*erned#### A violent 4ale overtoo+ the boat and &oaded The seas to fury#### All 'ere lost .ut I 'ho out the dee, 'as tossed .y sur&in& 'aves@ my body flin&in& On to the sands( they fled#### o' I "it dryin& in the sun and my Old( 'ell loved son&s in relish sin&in&# 1?D7 Translated by Irina Zheleznova

/// "in&( lovely one( I be&( no more The son&s of 4eor&ia in my ,resen*e( -or of a distant life and shore Their mournful sound *alls u, remembran*e@ -or of a moonlit ste,,e( and ni&ht They *ruelly( ven&efully remind me( And of a fa*e lon& lost to si&ht( 0ell loved( but left( alas( behind me# 0hen you are ni&h( I &aze at you( And lo9 o fatal shado' haunts me# .ut at your son&)s first note( ane'

It rea,,ears( and ,la&ues and taunts me# "in&( lovely one( I be&( no more The son&s of 4eor&ia in my ,resen*e( -or of a distant life and shore Their mournful sound *alls u, remembran*e# 1?D? Translated by Irina Zheleznova

A TIAR On sands 'here sunshine is a *urse( Antiar( a sentry &rim and dreaded( Alone in all the universe( "tands( to the arid stillness 'edded# The thirstin& ste,,es &ave birth to him( The sun above them &leamin& redly( And( s,iteful( fed his roots and limbs 0ith ,oisons s'ift to a*t and deadly# The venom( see,in& throu&h his bar+( 1elts in the blaze and heat of mornin&( .ut thi*+ens at the fall of dar+( 0ith *rystal dro,s the tree adornin&# o birds( no beasts dare venture near# .la*+ 'inds alone( not li&htly daunted( Rush u,( but fly a'ay in fear( .y his mali&nant va,ours tainted# And 'hen a rain:*loud s,rays his *ro'n And leaves the heavy bran*hes sodden( The dro,s that from the tree stream do'n 0ith ,oisons are already laden# .ut man bade man to see+ Antiar: One loo+ suffi*ed#### The slave( ,ast *arin&( "et out( and thou&h the 'ay 'as far( Returned at da'n( the ,oison bearin&# A bran*h and resin )fore his lord ;e ,la*ed in silent su,,li*ation( And do'n his ashen bro' there ,oured Cold( leaden dro,s of ,ers,iration#

And( fallin& 'ea+ly on a mat( ;is fa*e a mas+ of si*+ly ,allor( ;e died( a humble bondsman( at The feet of an almi&hty ruler# 0ith ,oison did his hen*hmen smear The ,rin*e)s arro's at his orders( And to his nei&hbours far and near 2eath sent he forth a*ross the borders# 1?D? Translated by Irina Zheleznova

/// 3,on the hills of 4eor&ia lies the haze of ni&ht#### .elo'( Ara&va foams#### The sadness That fills the void of days is( stran&ely( half deli&ht( )Tis both s'eet ,ain and s'eeter &ladness# .e*ause you haunt my heart( it *annot be at rest( And yet )tis li&ht( and untormented .y morbid thou&hts#### It loves#### It loves be*ause it must( ReAoi*in& in the love by fortune sent it# 1?D9 Translated by Irina Zheleznova

0I T!R 1OR I 4 "no'( frost and sunshine> lovely mornin&9 <et you( dear love( its ma&i* s*ornin&( Are still abed#### A'a+e( my s'eet9### Cast slee, a'ay( I be&( and( risin&( <ourself a northern star( the blazin& Aurora( northern beauty( meet# %ast ni&ht( a sno':storm ra&ed( remember@ A turbid haze s'am in the sombre( 0ind:rava&ed s+y( and throu&h the &rey

1ur+ of the *louds the moon shone dully( And you sat listless( melan*holy#### .ut no':loo+ out the 'indo'( ,ray: ) eath lu*id s+ies of *learest azure( 4reat sno'y *ar,ets( 'inter)s treasure( A ri*h and dazzlin& si&ht( lie s,read# The 'ood is et*hed a&ainst them dar+ly( The firs( rime:starred( are &reen and s,ar+lin&( In shiny mail the stream is *lad# A mello' &lo' li+e that of amber Illumes the room#### )Tis &ood to lin&er .eside the &aily *ra*+lin& stove( And thin+ and dream#### .ut let our honest .ro'n mare 'ithout delay be harnessed That 'e may ta+e a sled&e ride( love# 0e)ll &ive free rein to her( and li&htly( The sno' of mornin& &leamin& bri&htly( "+im over it( and( full of &lee( Cross em,ty fields and em,ty meado's( A on*e &reen 'ood 'ith trees li+e shado's( A stream and ban+ lon& dear to me# 1?D9 Translated by Irina Zheleznova

/ / /MNAM I loved you( and that love( to die refusin&( 1ay still:'ho +no's9:be smoulderin& in my breast Pray be not ,ained:believe me( of my *hoosin& I)d never have you troubled or distressed# I loved you mutely( ho,elessly and truly( 0ith shy yet fervent tenderness a&lo'@ 1ine 'as a Aealous ,assion and unruly#### 1ay 4od &rant that another 'ill love you so9 1?D9 Translated by Irina Zheleznova

/// 0hether the streets I roam( a *ro'ded Chur*h enter( or dro'n *are 'ith friends( It matters not> e)er am I hounded .y thou&ht of life and of its end# This do I thin+> s'ift is life)s ,assa&e( And all of us no' &athered here 0ill &lim,se ere lon& 2eath)s dreaded visa&e@ Already someone)s hour dra's near# 3,on an an*ient oa+:tree &azin&( I 'his,er( a'ed> $0hen I am &one It 'ill be here( the 'oodland &ra*in&@ 1y fathers 'ent:the tree &ro's on9 $ And ,layin& 'ith a *hild( I murmur> $-are'ell9### 1y ,la*e I *ede#### The hour Is *lose at hand:1y life is over: -or me to rot( for you to flo'er#$ !a*h day( ea*h year that ,asses( transient( I follo' mute to its de*line( The moment of my doom( im,atient( In vain attem,tin& to divine# 0ill I be *laimed by death in 'arfare( 0hilst on my travels5 1id the 'aves5 Or 'ill a nei&hbourin& valley offer 1y *old remains a Buiet &rave5 0here to be laid in slee, eternal Is all the same to lifeless *lay# <et )tis beneath the s+ies maternal That I 'ould rest#### 2ay u,on day Over my tomb let %ife( e)er youthful( A fountain( flo' in sheer deli&ht( And ature( beautiful and 'istful( "hed u,on all its dazzlin& li&ht# 1?D9 Translated by Irina Zheleznova

T;! CA3CA"3" .elo' me the silver:*a,,ed Cau*asus lies#### earby an abyss ya'ns( and( far do'n( a roarin& "tream s'ift rushes ,ast@ o)er the ,ea+s *almly soarin&( An ea&le seems motionless( ,inned to the s+ies# ;ere rivers are born that mid ro*+s( &rumblin&( 'ander And landslides be&in 'ith a *rash of thunder# ;ere float solemn storm:*louds( and throu&h them *as*ade "'ift torrents of 'ater@ they ,lun&e o)er the ed&es Of &reat( na+ed *liffs and s,ill do'n to the led&es That ,at*hes of moss and dry brush'ood invade# .eneath s,read &reen &roves( lush 'ith herbs and s'eet:s*ented( 0here birds trill and *hir, and 'here deer ,lay( *ontented# %o'er still( in the hills( nestle men@ flo*+s of shee, The ,asturelands roam@ to the &ay( flo'ery meado' 0here flo's the Ara&va( its ban+s *lothed in shado'( A she,herd des*ends# In a narro' and dee, Ravine a ,oor horseman lur+s( tense and unslee,in&( And( lau&h:*razed( the Tere+ &oes tumblin& and lea,in&# It lashes about li+e a beast in a *a&e 0ith food out of rea*h( full of hun&er and *ravin&( And li*+s at the boulders( and ho'lin& and ravin&( "tri+es out at the shore in a frenzy and ra&e# Alas9 it is th'arted> the mountains surround it@ 1ute( threatenin& &iants( they ,ress dar+ly round it# 1?D9 Translated by Irina Zheleznova

/// 0hen in my arms your slender form I ta+e( ,erha,s a shade too boldly( And 'ords of love( im,etuous( 'arm( Pour out to you( in silen*e( *oldly -rom my unas+ed:for( rash embra*e <ou free yourself( and for an instant A smile a,,ears u,on your fa*e( At on*e mistrustful( 'an and distant#

Too ,rom,tly has your memory stored Of all my errant 'ays the rumour : I s,ea+( and you are out of humour( I ,lead my *ause( and you are bored#### C ho' I *urse the s'eet diversions And ,leasures of my 'i*+ed youth( %ove)s ni&htly meetin&s and e7*ursions To some dar+ &arden noo+ or ,ath( The verses born to stimulate And stir the blood( the fond *aresses .esto'ed too soon by trustin& lasses( And their laments that *ame too late# 1?EC Translated by Irina Zheleznova

/// 0hat means my name to you5### )T'ill die As does the melan*holy rumour Of distant 'aves or( of a summer( The forest)s hushed no*turnal si&h# -ound on a fadin& album ,a&e( 2im 'ill it seem and eni&mati*( %i+e 'ords tra*ed on a tomb( a reli* Of some lon& dead and vanished a&e# 0hat)s in my name5### %on& sin*e for&ot( !rased by ne'( tem,estuous ,assion( Of tenderness )t'ill leave you not The lin&erin& and s'eet im,ression# .ut in an hour of a&ony( Pray( s,ea+ it( and re*all my ima&e( And say( $;e still remembers me( ;is heart alone still ,ays me homa&e#$ 1?EC Translated by Irina Zheleznova

2!1O " ",innin& storm:*louds( rushin& storm:*louds( ;azy s+ies( a hazy ni&ht( And a furtive moon that slyly "ets the flyin& sno' ali&ht# On 'e drive#### The 'aste is boundless( ameless ,lains s+im ,ast( and hills# 4ri,,ed by fear( I sit unmovin&#### Tin+:tin+:tin+le &o the bells# $Coa*hman( *ome( 'a+e u,9###$ $The horses They are 'eary( sir( and slo'@ As for me( I)m nearly blinded .y this blasted 'ind and sno'9 There)s no road in si&ht( so hel, me@ 0hat to do5### 0e)ve lost our 'ay# It)s the demon that has &ot us And is leadin& us astray# $%oo+9 ;e)s *lose@ he ,lays and teases( .lo's and s,its( and( all unseen( 0ith a lau&h our horses ,ushes To the ed&e of a ravine# o' he)ll rise( a &iant mile,ost( "trai&ht before me@ no'( a s,ar+( -lash and &leam( and( sin+in&( vanish Of a sudden in the dar+#$ ",innin& storm:*louds( rushin& storm:*louds( ;azy s+ies( a hazy ni&ht( And a furtive moon that slyly "ets the flyin& sno' ali&ht# ",ent from *ir*lin& round( the horses Ler+ and sto,#### The bells &o dead# $That a stum, or 'olf5$ $<er ;onour( I don)t ri&htly see ahead#$ %oud the sno':storm 'ee,s and ra&es( And the horses snort in fri&ht# O)er the ,lain the demon ,ran*es( In the mur+ his eyes &lo' bri&ht# Off the horses start a)shudder( And the bells &o tin&:a:lin&#### 2emons( demons 'ithout number 4ather round us in a rin&# In the eerie ,lay of moonli&ht They &rima*e( they 'ail and *all( 0hirlin&( lea,in&( dan*in& madly %i+e the 'inds'e,t leaves of fall#

0hy are they so 'ild( so restless5 0hy so 'eird the sounds they ma+e5 Could this be a 'it*h)s 'eddin&5 Could this be a &oblin)s 'a+e5 ",innin& storm:*louds( rushin& storm:*louds( ;azy s+ies( a hazy ni&ht( And a furtive moon that slyly "ets the flyin& sno' ali&ht# "+y'ard soar the 'hirlin& demons( "hrouded by the fallin& sno'( And their ,laintive( a'ful ho'lin& -ills my heart 'ith dread and 'oe# 1?EC Translated by Irina Zheleznova

!%!4< Of my mad years the vanished mirth and lau&hter Affe*t me li+e a fume:filled mornin&:after# ot so ,ast ,ain:li+e 'ine is it to me That as the years &o by &ains ,oten*y# "ad is the ,ath before me> toil and sorro' %ie on the restless sea'ays of the morro'# And yet from thou&ht of death( my friends( I shrin+@ I 'ant to live:to suffer and to thin+( And amid *are and &rief and tribulation( Taste of s'eet ra,ture and e7hilaration@ .e drun+ 'ith harmony@ tou*h fan*y)s strin&s And freely 'ee, o)er its ima&inin&s#### And love)s last flash( its smile of fare'ell tender 1y sad de*line may yet less mournful render# 1?EC Translated by Irina Zheleznova

T;! !C;O

0hen thunder beats its dreadful &on& Or 'ild beasts *ry the 'oods amon&( At sound of horn or maiden)s son&: <our ans'er *lear To every sound *omes shar, and stron& -rom em,ty air# <ou hear the thunder)s &rindin& sho*+ The roarin& storm( the fallin& ro*+( The she,herd *allin& to his flo*+ And ans'er send Re*eivin& none a&ain#### <our lot: 1y ,oet friend9 1?E1 Translated by Avril Pyman

A3T31 A !OC!RPT Then does a host of thou&hts my slumberin& brain invade#### 2erzhavin I O*tober has arrived@ the &rove the last remainin& 4old:s,e*+led leaves sheds fast@ the bou&hs han& bro'n and bare@ A broo+ beyond the mill 'inds &ay and un*om,lainin&( .ut i*e sheathes ,ond and road:a ni, is in the air@ Off( ea&er( to the *hase my nei&hbour rides( restrainin& ;is *hafin& horse no more 'hile horns e7,e*tant blare( And by the boisterous s,ort the distant fields lie sha+en( And bayin&( hoarse:voi*ed ,a*+s the slee,in& 'oods a'a+en# II )Tis autumn that I love@ by s,rin& am I laid lo'@ A tha' de,resses me@ I find my senses reelin&( A fever in my veins#### The mud( the smells#### A slo' 4loom on my heart des*ends#### Contrari'ise( ho' healin& Is 'inter 'ith its frosts and sled&e:rides o)er the sno'( <our love beside you( *lose( her tremblin& fin&ers stealin& .eneath the sil+y furs to *url around your o'n(

Their hot( their burnin& tou*h desi&ned for you alone9 III To don s'ift steel and &lide o)er &lassy streams:a merry And ,leasin& 'ay is this the 'intry morn to s,end9 Or else ta+e 'inter)s fetes:ho' s,ar+lin& they( ho' very .lithe and ,a*+ed full of thrills9 And yet *onfess( dear friend( That e)en the slee,y bear 'ould find it dull to bury ;imself amid the sno's for half a year on end# To slei&h:ride 'ith youn& nym,hs or by a fire sit mo,in&: That this 'on)t ,all in time is( I insist( ,ast ho,in&9 I= C beauteous summertime9 I)d love you 'ell 'ithout The heat( the *louds of dust( the &nats and flies besettin& 1an+ind in buzzin& s'arms#### %i+e fields 'e die of drou&ht#### All our ,er*e,tions numbed( for la*+ of *ool shade frettin& And of refreshin& drin+( 'e only thin+ about These sim,le needs( and 'inter)s sure demise re&rettin&( The an*ient dame send off 'ith ,an*a+es( and ,arta+e Of Buantities of i*e and i*es at her 'a+e# = %ate fall is vie'ed by most 'ith un*on*ealed disfavour( .ut I am s,ellbound held( dear readers( by its mild And tranBuil loveliness#### o season is there braver( 1ore s,lendid in its 'ay# Thus 'ill an unloved *hild 1y 'arm affe*tions dra'# ay( friends( I do not 'aver 0hen I admit to it> my fan*y is be&uiled .y autumn)s mello' *harm# o vain or boastful lover( The ma&i* hid in it I 'ay'ardly dis*over# =I I love it as one mi&ht:ho' shall I best e7,lain5 : %ove a *onsum,tive maid 'ho( thou&h too early fated To die( meets her de*line )thout murmur( to *om,lain 3n'illin&#### On her li,s a smile still ,lays#### 2eath)s hated( 4rim visa&e is in si&ht( and yet her eye( )tis ,lain( Turns from 1s ya'nin& Aa's@ he)ll *laim his lon& a'aited( %on& sou&ht:for ,rize( unseen#### ;er *hee+s are flushed and red# Today she is alive( and on the morro'( dead# =II C drear and *heerless time( you *harm the eye and tender Contentment to the heart# ;o' 'ondrous to behold <our dyin& beauty is( the lush and sum,tuous s,lendour Of nature)s fare'ell bloom> the forests *lad in &old@

The 'ind)s refreshin& breath@ the azure s+y)s surrender To &reyish( ,early haze@ the ,in*h of early *old@ The fitful rays of sun that &reet us for an instant( And hoary 'inter)s threats still undefined and distant# =III 0hen &ra*ious autumn *omes( my heart feels &ay and li&ht( I am alive on*e more#### .eni&n and salutary Our Russian *old is( friends# 1y slee,( my a,,etite It benefits( I vo'# 1y very ste, &ro's airy@ The daily round of life brin&s me rene'ed deli&ht@ 2esires 'ithin me seethe#### I)m youn& a&ain and merry# "o am I built( so made( for 'hi*h dull turns of s,ee*h <our ,ardon( readers mine( here'ith do I besee*h# IO 1y horse is brou&ht to me( and off he ra*es( 'in&in& A*ross the boundless 'astes of o,en field and 'ay# .eneath his flashin& hoofs the frozen &round is rin&in& And *ra*+in& here and there#### .ut briefs the li&ht of day( It 'anes@ and in the &rate a fire is li&hted( brin&in& A *heery 'armth 'ith it#### 2ra'n by the frea+ish ,lay Of lea,in&( dartin& flames( I loll nearby( ,erusin& A boo+( or( 'ra,,ed in thou&ht( of many thin&s sit musin&# O Then( all the 'orld for&ot( in dul*et Buietude I fall beneath the s,ell of dul*et fan*y)s dreamin&( And ,oetry is born 'ithin me( and a mood Of lyri* restlessness o)er'helms my s,irit( seemin& To ma+e it Buiver( sin&( and see+( no more subdued( To ,our out free at last and *hainless#### To'ard me streamin&( Come *allers by the s*ore( u,on me fast they &ain@ Old friends they are of mine( the offs,rin& of my brain# OI Thou&hts flo*+ to me in droves@ they dan*e about and *a,er@ "'ift rhymes to meet them rush@ my fin&ers restive &ro'( They boldly see+ a ,en@ the ,en( a sheet of ,a,er#### A moment( and the verse 'ill smoothly( freely flo'# "o does a vessel doze till on her de*+ the da,,er( Pui*+:movin& hands a,,ear@ u,( do'n they *ree,( and lo9: The 'inds fills out the sails( and( on her travels leavin&( The shi, be&ins to move( the s'ellin& 'aters *leavin&# OII "he)s off9### 0here are 'e bound( for 'hat mist:*overed shores5###

################################################################################# ################################################################################# 1?EE Translated by Irina Zheleznova

/// )Tis time( my friend( )tis time9 The heart to ,ea*e as,ires> 2ay follo's day@ the rollin& stream of hours Crumbles the ban+s of bein&( and you and I ;ad thou&ht to live( and yet( behold( 'e die# Thou&h Aoy for ever flees( ,ea*e stays and *on*entration# -or lon& no' has it been my *onsolation( ;ard:driven slave( to ,lan rebellious fli&ht To some far san*tuary of 'or+ and *haste deli&ht# 1?E4 Translated by Avril Pyman

"TOR1:C%O32 C storm:*loud( the tem,est)s survival( alone %i+e mad do you rush o)er the heavenly dome@ Alone do you *ast as you drift on your 'ay A dar+( broodin& shade on the Aubilant day# A short 'hile a&o you lay *loa+in& the s+y( And &reat for+s of li&htnin& flared round you on hi&h# <ou thundered and roared over forest and ,lain And fed thirstin& earth 'ith a bounty of rain# !nou&h9 1a+e you haste9 2o not tarry#### .e&one9 The earth is refreshed( and the rain:storm has flo'n( And tame thou&h the 'ind is( it stubbornly tries To ma+e you desert the no' radiant s+ies#

1?EJ Translated by Irina Zheleznova

/// 0hen( lost in thou&ht( I 'ander from the to'n And to the ,ubli* *emetery *ome: The railin&s( ,illars( tombstones neat and ,retty( .eneath 'hi*h rot the dead of all the *ity( Pa*+ed side by side 'ithin the s,on&y s'ard %i+e &reedy &uests about a s,arse:set board( The mausoleums of men of solid station( The u&ly ornament of third:rate masons( And the ins*ri,tions( &raved in ,rose and verse( 0hi*h all their virtues( servi*e( ran+s rehearse( The dotin& *u*+old mar+ed by mournin& *u,ids( Pillars( robbed of their urns( forlornly fluted 2am, &raves( a'aitin& 'ith a 'eary ya'n( The tenants s*heduled for tomorro')s morn: I)m troubled by su*h thou&hts of human folly That I fall ,rey to s,leen and melan*holy And 'ant to s,it and run#### <et ho' I love On autumn evenin&s( 'hen the s+y above "lee,s li+e the dead in solemn Buietude( To 'al+ in the an*estral solitude Of our ,oor villa&e &raveyard( 'here there)s s,a*e -or sim,le tombstones( and the thief s 'hey fa*e 2oes not intrude to rob 'hen ni&ht is drear( .ut the &ood villa&er a ,assin& ,rayer 1urmurs( and si&hs as he &oes by these stones( An*ient and ,lain( 'ith li*hen over&ro'n( And( in the ,la*e of urns and ,yramids Of noseless 1uses( un+em,t *aryatids( An oa+:tree s,reads o)er venerable &raves And rustles flutterin& leaves#### 1?EK Translated by Avril Pyman

/// !7e&i monumentum A monument I)ve raised not built 'ith hands( And *ommon fol+ shall +ee, the ,ath 'ell trodden To 'here it unsubdued and to'erin& stands ;i&her than Ale7ander)s Column# I shall not 'holly die:for in my sa*red lyre 1y s,irit shall outlive my dust)s *orru,tion: And honour shall I have( so lon& the &lorious fire Of ,oesy flames on one sin&le s*ut*heon# Rumour of me shall then my 'hole vast *ountry fill( In every ton&ue she o'ns my name she)ll s,ea+# Proud "lave)s ,osterity( -inn( and:unlettered still: The Tun&us( and the ste,,e:lovin& Ialmy+# And lon& the ,eo,le yet 'ill honour me .e*ause my lyre 'as tuned to lovin&:+indness And( in a *ruel A&e( I san& of %iberty And mer*y be&&ed of Lusti*e in her blindness# Indifferent ali+e to ,raise or blame 4ive heed( F 1use( but to the voi*e 2ivine -earin& not inAury( nor see+in& fame( or *astin& ,earls to s'ine# 1?EK

Translated by Avril Pyman

Russica Miscellanea