“Nay, Theodora, let me go! And keep thy whim’s reward For nobles of the Bosphorus! For slaves----” “Enough! Ho, Guard!” FROM H. _THE LIE’S EXCUSE._ I lie, whene’er as if by chance I fix on thee my gaze; I lie, whene’er my saddened glance Upon another strays. I lie, whene’er I strive to speak To thee with unconcern; For while to laugh and joke I seek, My heavy heart doth burn. I lie, whene’er I feign to shun The meeting I have sought; While hanging on each word of thine I strive to seem distraught. ’Tis all a lie! Yet for the lie I scarce reproached can be, When I declare, ’fore God I swear, How great my love for thee. FROM DERJAVIN. _THE STREAM OF TIME._ The stream of time, with onward sweep, Bears off men’s works, all human things, And plunges o’er Oblivion’s steep Peoples and kingdoms with their kings. If for a space amidst the swirl The lyre or trumpet some sustain, They’re swept at last in ceaseless whirl, And none escape Fate’s common main. NATIONAL SONGS. _MARRIAGE._ No frost, and the flowers would bloom Even in wintry weather. No fret would be mine, if I And grief did not dwell together; Ne’er should I sit, as I sit Here, with a sob in my bosom, Gazing on open fields-- Fields with never a blossom! Then to my father said I, “Marry me, sir, to my equal; Don’t think of splendours for me: What meaneth rank in the sequel? Don’t look for spacious abodes; I have no wish to be wealthy. Give me a husband that’s true; Give me a husband that’s healthy.” _THE GRAIN._ A grain adown the velvet strolled--glory! No purer pearl could be--glory! The pearl against a ruby rolled--glory! Most beautiful to see--glory! Big is the pearl by ruby’s side--glory! Well for the bridegroom with his bride--glory! _WEDDING GEAR._ The blacksmith from the forge comes he-- Glory! And carries with him hammers three-- Glory! Oh, blacksmith, blacksmith, forge for me-- Glory! A wedding crown of gold,[13] bran-new!-- Glory! A golden ring, oh, make me, do!-- Glory! With what is left a gold pin too!-- Glory! The crown on wedding day I’ll wear-- Glory! On golden ring my troth I’ll swear-- Glory! The pin will bind my veil to hair-- Glory! FOOTNOTES: [13] During the wedding ceremony in Russia, the bride and bridegroom wear metal crowns. FROM DOROSHKEVICH. _SEBASTOPOL._