Count Aleksey Tolstoy

That was amidst the early spring,
The grass was slightly grown,
The heat was mild, and fast were springs,
And light through groves was shone.

The shepherd’s horn, in early morn,
Was not yet singing loud,
The frugal fern, still in curls woven,
Was standing on wood’s ground.

That was amidst the early spring,
Were birches’ shades around,
When with a smile just before me,
You put your lashes down.

It was your answer to my love,
That were put down your glances –
O wood! O sun! O youth! O life!
O what a hope rises!

And before you, I poured my tears,
At your face gazing, dear,
It was the early spring amidst,
And birches' shades were here.


Translated by Yevgeny Bonver, March, 2001