Konstantin Balmont

I’m a troubling phantom, I’m a natural genius,
I’m condemned to living in the world of dreams,
Soaring midst the breathing of the fairy lilies,
Seeing how the breathless ocean’s bottom sleeps.

Just Vesper is lighted, and a moon comes out, 
Just the night lies down a spring’s landscape on - 
Heart craves for a wonder; yet, night will beguile it,
Heart is always dying when the moon had gone.

Once more whitens morning, melts the mob of spirits,
Every sigh of verdure whispers me a pray:
“Oh, rebellious phantom; oh, our natural genius,
Let’s crave for the wonder, wait the end of day!” 


Translated by Yevgeny Bonver, October, 2002