Russian Lyrics Part 5

Since all eternity, a turban Snow white, thy glorious brow has veiled, The peace sublime about thy glacier The strife of man has ne'er a.s.sailed.

Accept my humble supplication, Hear thy submissive faithful son, To starry heights lift his entreaty To Allah's everlasting throne.

I do implore--spice breathing coolness Through sultry sun-glow in the vale, A stone for rest unto the pilgrim In whirling dust of desert gale.

Turn, I implore, the storm's hot hatred, The deadly thunderous lightning's course-- In Dariel's wild pa.s.s protect me And my distracted, trembling horse.

Yet one prayer more my heart audacious, Weeping, lifts up in bodeful stress, What if my native land forget me In my sad exile's loneliness?

Will, greeting me by name familiar, My friend then open wide his arms?

Will e'en my brothers recognise me, So changed by many griefs and harms?

Perchance my foot will fall profaning Dust of those loved in youth's far day, The pure and n.o.ble, deeply trusted-- Withered as Autumn leaves in May.

O Kasbek, then with earth o'erwhelm me!

Snow o'er thy weary wanderer back, And blow away my dust and scatter Along thy rock-ridged clefts lone track!

LERMONTOFF.

THE ANGEL

Soft singing at midnight through heaven's high blue A beautiful angel once flew; The moon and the stars and the clouds in a throng Attended his wonderful song!

He sang of the bliss of those gardens and coasts Where live and exult the pure ghosts, Their songs glad extolling Almighty's grace Repeated from race unto race.

In his arms he was bearing a young soul below, To leave in this world of our woe, The strains of his singing within her soul beat-- A wordless song, living and sweet!

Long languished her soul in its earthly abode, With a heavenly longing o'erflowed, For ne'er were those holy, pure strains of her birth, Effaced by the songs of the earth.

LERMONTOFF.

A PRAYER

Faithful before thee, Mother of G.o.d, now kneeling, Image miraculous and merciful--of thee Not for my soul's health nor battles waged, beseeching, Nor yet with thanks or penitence o'erwhelming me!

Not for myself,--my heart with guilt o'erflowing-- Who in my home land e'er a stranger has remained, No, a sinless child upon thy mercy throwing, That thou protect her innocence unstained!

Worthy the highest bliss, with happiness...o...b..ess her!

Grant her a friend to stand unchanging at her side, A youth of suns.h.i.+ne and an old age tranquil, A spirit where together peace and hope abide.

Then, when strikes the hour her way from earth for wending, Let her heart break at dawning or at dead of night-- From out thy highest heaven, thy fairest angel sending The fairest of all souls sustain in heavenward flight!

LERMONTOFF.

THE SAIL

A single sail is bleaching brightly Upon the waves caressing bland, What seeks it in a stranger country?

Why did it leave its native strand?

When winds pipe high, load roar the billows And with a cras.h.i.+ng bends the mast, It does not shun its luckless fortune, Nor haste to port before the blast.

To-day the sea is clear as azure, The sun s.h.i.+nes gaily, faint the wind-- But it revolting, looks for tempest, And dreams in storms its peace to find!

LERMONTOFF.

_Lermontoff, being reproached by the critics of his time for imitation of Byron in this poem, defended himself by the following, "I am not Byron!"_

I AM NOT BYRON

I am not Byron--yet I am One fore-elected, yet one more Unknown, world-hunted wanderer, A Russian in my mood and mind.

Scant from my seed the corn was ripe, My mouth spoke young, was early hushed; In depths of my own soul, the wreck Of hope lies as in deep-sea sunk.

Who shall the counsels of the sea, Its awe sublime unloose? Who shall Read clear my spirit and my soul?

Unless it be a Poet--no man!

LERMONTOFF.

LIKE AN EVIL SPIRIT

Like an evil spirit hast thou Shocked my heart from out its rest, If thou'lt take it quite away now-- Thou wilt win my healing blest!

My heart thy temple evermore!

Thy face,--the altar's G.o.dhead sign!

Not heaven's grace,--thy smiles, restore, Grant absolution, joy divine!

LERMONTOFF.

TO A.C.S.

Afar--I fain, so much would tell thee!

List to thee o'er and o'er when near; Yet pa.s.sioned glances thou dost silence-- My words bind to my lips in fear.