I remember a marvellous instant, Unto me bending down from above, Thy radiant vision appearing As an angel of beauty and love. 'Mid the torments of desperate sadness, In the torture of bondage and sighs, To me rang thy voice so beloved-- And I dreamed thy miraculous eyes. But the years rolled along--and life's tempests My illusions, my youth overcame, I forgot that sweet voice full of music-- And thy glance like a heavenly flame. In the covert and grief of my exile, The days stretched unchanged in their flight, Bereft inspiration or power, Bereft both of love and of light. To my soul now approaches awakening, To me thou art come from above, As a radiant and wonderful vision-- As an angel of beauty and love. As before my heart throbs with emotion, Life looks to me worthy and bright, And I feel inspiration and power-- And again love and tears and the light! PUSHKIN. I LOVED THEE I loved thee; and perchance until this moment Within my breast is smouldering still the fire! Yet I would spare thy pain the least renewal, Nothing shall rouse again the old desire! I loved thee with a silent desperation-- Now timid, now with jealousy brought low, I loved devoutly,--with such deep devotion-- Ah may God grant another love thee so! PUSHKIN. A SERENADE I watch Inesilla Thy window beneath, Deep slumbers the villa In night's dusky sheath. Enamoured I linger, Close mantled, for thee-- With sword and with guitar, O look once on me! Art sleeping? Wilt wake thee Guitar tones so light? The argus-eyed greybeard My swift sword shall smite. The ladder of ropes Throw me fearlessly now! Dost falter? Hast thou, Sweet, Been false to thy vow? I watch Inesilla Thy window beneath, Deep slumbers the villa In night's dusky sheath! PUSHKIN. A WINTER EVENING Sable clouds by tempest driven, Snowflakes whirling in the gales, Hark--it sounds like grim wolves howling, Hark--now like a child it wails! Creeping through the rustling straw thatch, Rattling on the mortared walls, Like some weary wanderer knocking-- On the lowly pane it falls. Fearsome darkness fills the kitchen, Drear and lonely our retreat, Speak a word and break the silence, Dearest little Mother, sweet! Has the moaning of the tempest Closed thine eyelids wearily? Has the spinning wheel's soft whirring Hummed a cradle song to thee? Sweetheart of my youthful Springtime, Thou true-souled companion dear-- Let us drink! Away with sadness! Wine will fill our hearts with cheer. Sing the song how free and careless Birds live in a distant land-- Sing the song of maids at morning Meeting by the brook's clear strand! Sable clouds by tempest driven, Snowflakes whirling in the gales, Hark--it sounds like grim wolves howling, Hark--now like a child it wails! Sweetheart of my youthful Springtime, Thou true-souled companion dear, Let us drink! Away with sadness! Wine will fill our hearts with cheer! PUSHKIN. THE LAST FLOWER