Mikhail Lermontov

For all, for all! I thank you, o my dear:
For passions' deeply hidden pledge,
For poison of a kiss, and stinging of a tear,
Abuse by friends, and enemies' revenge;
For soul's light, extinguished in a prison,
For things by which I was deceived before.
But do not give me any real reason
To give you thanks from now any more.


Translated by Yevgeny Bonver, October, 2000
Edited by Dmitry Karshtedt, May, 2001