RHYMES FROM THE RUSSIAN RHYMES FROM THE RUSSIAN BEING _FAITHFUL TRANSLATIONS OF SELECTIONS_ FROM THE BEST RUSSIAN POETS PUSHKIN, LERMONTOF, NADSON, NEKRASOF, COUNT A. TOLSTOI, TYOUTCHEF, MAIKOF, LEBEDEF, FET, K. R., ETC. BY JOHN POLLEN, LL.D., T.C.D. INDIAN CIVIL SERVICE LONDON KEGAN PAUL, TRENCH, TRÜBNER & CO., LTᴰ. 1891 (_The rights of translation and of reproduction are reserved._) TO THE MARQUESS OF DUFFERIN AND AVA, TO WHOSE EXAMPLE AND KIND WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT THE AUTHOR TRACES THE SOURCE OF HIS RUSSIAN STUDIES, THIS LITTLE EFFORT IS GRATEFULLY DEDICATED. PREFACE. The chief merit the Translator claims for this little effort is “faithfulness of translation.” He has endeavoured to translate every word and every thought of the Russian writer, and to avoid additions. Most of the poems selected for translation are popular, not only amongst the higher classes of Russian society, but also with the Russian soldiery and peasantry, who are very fond of poetry, and amongst whom education has spread, and continues to spread, with marvellous rapidity. The Translator trusts that this little volume may not only prove interesting to ordinary English readers wishing to get a general idea of Russian poetry, but may also be found of some service to Englishmen studying Russian, and Russians studying English. J. POLLEN. SEBASTOPOL, _March 21, 1891_. CONTENTS. FROM VLADIMIR VLADISLAVLEF. PAGE RHYMES AND REASON 1 FROM LERMONTOF. THE ANGEL 3 THE VOYAGE 5 PRAYER 6 THANKSGIVING 7 ON DEATH OF PUSHKIN 8 DREAM 9 CLOUDS 11 PRAYER 12