Aleksandr Pushkin

So the sea, an ancient killer,
Ignites your genius bold and soon?
You hail the trident of Neptune
With sounds of your golden lyre.

Don’t sing him fame. In our vile days,
Grey Neptune – Earth’s ally and debtor.
In every element, man stays
A tyrant, prisoner or traitor.


Translated by Yevgeny Bonver, September 28, 2003