Evgeny Baratynsky

Poison, we drink in love – the sweetest one,
   But that’s the poison, what we drink,  
And always pay for joy, that’s briefest one, 
   With sadness of the long days’ link.
“The flames of love are flames of happiness”,
   Everyone says; but what’s a fact?                  
It empties, in its fierce craziness,
   The every soul, it attracts!
Who will be able to stifle the memories,  
Of days of suffering and happiness,
   Of your enchanting days, oh love?
Then I’d return to life, to joy and fun, 
And put my soul before your bright one
   For golden dreams my youth above. 


Translated by Yevgeny Bonver, January, 2001