Russian Lyrics Part 6

How, by mere homely speaking, can I E'en hope to captivate thine ears?

I swear it would be food for laughter-- If it were not more fit for tears!

LERMONTOFF.

A SONG

Dry leaf trembling on the branches Before the blast, Poor heart quaking in the bosom For woe thou hast; Ah what matter if the wind then, Withered leaf from blooming linden Should scatter wide?

Would for this the twig or branches Have wailing sighed?

And should the lad his fate upbraid, Although he ignominious fade-- And in an alien country die?

Will for him the beauteous maid Complaining cry?

LERMONTOFF.

FROM "DeMON"

Sailless and without a rudder, On the ocean of the air-- Float the choirs of stars harmonious, 'Mid the mists eternal there; Fleecy flocks of clouds elusive Drift across immensity, Leaving ne'er a track behind them, Following their destiny.

Hour of parting, hour of meeting They know not,--nor grief, nor rest-- Theirs no longing for the future, Theirs no sorrow for the past.

By thy day of anguish broken, Think of them and calm thy woe-- Be indifferent as they are To the pangs of earth below!

LERMONTOFF.

THE PRAYER

When faints the heart for sorrow, In life's hard, darkened hour, My spirit breathes a wondrous prayer Full of love's inward power.

There is a might inspiring Each consecrated word, That speaks the inconceivable And holy will of G.o.d.

The heavy load slips from my heart-- Oppressing doubt takes flight, The soul believes, the tears break forth-- And all is light, so light!

LERMONTOFF.

THE PALM BRANCH OF PALESTINE

Palm branch of Palestine, oh tell me, In that far distant home-land fair, Wast rooted in the mountain gravel Or sprung from some vale garden rare?

Once o'er the Jordan's silver billows Fond kissed with thee the Eastern sun?

Have the grim gales 'neath starry heavens Swept over thee from Lebanon?

And was a trembling prayer soft whispered, A father's song sung over thee-- When from the parent stem dis-severed By some poor aborigine?

And is the palm tree ever standing, Amid the fierce glare beating down, The pilgrim in the desert luring To shelter 'neath her shadow crown?

Perhaps the leaves ancestral s.h.i.+ver In unappeased parting pain, The branch conceals a homesick longing For desert wilderness again?

Was it a pilgrim who first brought thee To the cold North, with pious hand?

Who mused upon his home in sadness, And dost thou bear his tear's hot brand?

Was it Jehovah's favored warrior, His gleaming head transfigured bright, For G.o.d and man true-sworn, devoted Unto the victory of light?

Before the wonder-working image Thou stand'st as heaven's defence divine, O branch from out that holy country, The sanctuary's s.h.i.+eld and sign!

It darkens, golden lamp light splendors Enveil the cross, the sacred shrine-- The peace of G.o.d is wafted o'er us From thee, oh branch of Palestine!

LERMONTOFF.

THE DISPUTE

Once 'mid group of native mountains Hot dispute arose, Elbrus, angry, did with Kasbek Argument propose.

"Now beware!" the h.o.a.ry Elbrus, Warning did exclaim-- "To enslave thee and enthrall thee Is man's evil aim!

Smoking huts he will be building On thy mountain side, Loudly through thy clefts resounding Ring his hatchet wide!

The swift swinging iron shovel Breast of stone will part, Of thy bronze and stone will rob thee-- Pierce thee to the heart.

Caravans, e'en now, are pa.s.sing Through thy rocks afar, Where before the fogs were swimming-- And the Eagle Tsar.

Ah, mankind is bold and fearless!

Dreads no lifted hand, Guard thee! populous and mighty Is the morning land!"

"Threatens me the East?" then queried Kasbek with disdain, "There eight centuries already Sleeping, man has lain.

See, in shadow the Grusine Gloats in l.u.s.tful greed, On his many coloured raiment Glints the winey bead!

Drugged with fumes of his nargileh, Dreams the Mussulman-- By the fountains on his divan Slumbers Teheran.

See! Jerusalem is lying At his feet o'erthrown-- Deathly dumb and lifeless staring As an earthly tomb.

And beyond the Nile is was.h.i.+ng O'er the burning steps Of the Kingly mausoleums, Yellow, shadowless.

In his tent, the hunt forgotten-- Now the Bedouin lies, Sings the old ancestral legends, Scans the starry skies.

See! far as the eye can venture, All sleeps as before-- No, the threat of dreaming Orient Frights me nevermore!"

"Laugh thou not too early, Kasbek,"

Elbrus did persist-- "Look! What vast ma.s.s is it turning Northward, through the mist?"

Secretly the heart of Kasbek Faltered,--as amazed, Silent and with dark foreboding To the North he gazed: Full of woe stared in the distance; What a thronging swarm!

Hark! there rings the clash of weapons!

Battle-cry alarm!

From the Don unto the Ural What a human sea!

Regiments that wave and glitter Past all counting be!

Feathers white like sedge of ocean, Waving in a gust-- Many coloured Uhlans storming Through the blowing dust.

The imperial battalions Densely packed proceed, Trumpets flaring, banners flying In the victor's lead.

Batteries with bra.s.ses rattling Conquering advance, With their blood-red splendor flas.h.i.+ng Cannon matches glance.

And a battle-proved commander Leads the army there-- From whose eyes the lightning flashes, 'Neath his snowy hair.

Swells the host until as Griesbach's Billows roaring loud, From the Eastward nears the army As a thunder cloud.

Kasbek peered with sinister boding Through the clouds,--would fain Count his enemies approaching-- Found it was in vain: Threw one glance unto the mountains-- Anguished, overcome, O'er his brow drew close the vapours, Was forever dumb.