Russian Lyrics Part 14

And throughout these days of my sorrow and toil, Through these nights of my loneliness, darkness and rain-- Stars wondrous and radiant, I give back to you, Your ethereal fancies again!

FOFANOW.

ONE DEAREST PAIR OF EYES I LOVE

One dearest pair of eyes I love!

Entranced my heart beneath their spell-- Clearer than clearest ray they are, But where they are--I will not tell!

Through silk of wondrous lashes soft, Their burning beams are flas.h.i.+ng bright, Upon my knees, a slave I kneel-- Before those miracles of light.

The storm is growing in my soul, Tempest of pain and happiness-- I love one dearest pair of eyes, But whose they are--I'll not confess!

GIPSY SONG.

A GIPSY SONG

Pile of embers in the darkness, Sparks expire as they fly-- Night conceals us from the pa.s.sing, On the bridge we'll say good-by!

At the parting, shawl of crimson Cross my shoulders thou shalt lace, At an end the days swift pa.s.sing, Met within this shaded place.

In the morning, with first splendour, All my life compelled to rove-- I shall leave with other gipsies Seeking happiness and love.

How does fate foretell my future?

Who, to-morrow by my side, O'er my heart will loose with kisses Knots by thy dear hand fast tied?

Flash of embers in the darkness, Sparks expire as they fly-- Night conceals us from the pa.s.sing, On the bridge we'll kiss good-by!

POLONSKY.

AT LAST

No word,--not e'en a sigh, my darling!

Together now the silence keeping; In truth as o'er some grave stone leaning The silent willows low are weeping, And drooping o'er it so are reading-- I read in thy tired heart at last, That days of happiness existed, And that this happiness is past.

PLESTCHEEFF.

BY AN OPEN WINDOW

So sultry is the hour I throw the cas.e.m.e.nt wide, Fall on my knees beside it in the gloom, And cowering before me lies the balmy night, Wafted aloft the breath of lilac bloom.

The nightingale her plaint from a near thicket sobs, I listen to the singer, share the woe-- With a longing for my home within me waking, The home I looked on last so long ago!

And the nightingales of home with their familiar song!

And lilacs in my childhood gardens fair!

How the languors of the night possess my being, Restoring my lost youth on perfumed air!

THE GRAND DUKE CONSTANTINE.

WITH THE GREATNESS OF G.o.d

With the greatness of G.o.d all my heart is on fire!

Such a beauty to earth does He lend-- He created eternity for our desire, To our torment has given an end.

NADSON.

THE POET

Ne'er have I sung in idle hours of dreaming, With verse harmonious and sweet-voiced rhyme, I have sung only when in tempest raging My soul was shaken by a power sublime!

For each thought I have suffered and been troubled, No dream creation painless from me torn, The blessed lot of Poet not seldom seeming A cross intolerable to be borne!

Oft have I sworn to evermore keep silence, To mingle and be lost among the crowd, But when the winds once more their strings are sweeping-- Aeolian harps must ever cry aloud; And in the Spring the flooding streams on-rus.h.i.+ng Must downward plunge into the vale below, When from the rocky peaks' high towering summits The sun's warm rays have melted off the snow.

NADSON.

TO THE MUSE

Take from thy brow the laurel--cast it forth!

May it in dust lie 'neath thy feet; The blood-flecked thorn crown hurl away-- As witness of thy pain alone 'tis meet!

NADSON.

A FRAGMENT

Hark! The storm petrel shrieks!

Reef the sail canvas fast!

See, the Spirit of Storm with wildest commotion Has to heaven's arched vaulting his coronal pressed, While his heels dam the flood gates of ocean!

Furious storm-cloud his undulent drapery, Girded round with the lightning wide flas.h.i.+ng; O'er the sea's leaden billows from his threatening hand The thunderbolts are sent cras.h.i.+ng!