Aleksandr Pushkin

My talisman, pray, be my guard,
In days of strongest agitation,
Of prosecution, lamentation:
The day, I've owned you, was hard.

When the ocean will ride,
Around me the rolls in ire,
When clouds will be set in fire,
My talisman, pray, be my guard.

In life with homeland apart,
In peaceful being's boring rattle,
In trouble of a flame of battle,
My talisman, pray, be my guard.

Illusion, sanctified and bright,
My soul's light and consolation
It chanced to be adulteration --
My talisman, pray, be my guard.

So, let the wounds of my poor heart
Will not be touched be recollection,
Farewell my hope, sleep attraction,
My talisman, pray, be my guard.


Translated by Yevgeny Bonver, October, 2000
Edited by Dmitry Karshtedt, August, 2000