Chapter 2
Beyond compare the monument I have erected, And to this spirit column well-worn the people's path,-- Its head defiant will out-soar that famous pillar The Emperor Alexander hath!
I shall not vanish wholly,--No! but young forever My spirit will live on, within my lyre will ring, And men within this world shall hold me in remembrance While yet one Singer lives to sing.
My glory shall in future fly through distant Russia, Each race in its own tongue shall name me far and wide, The Slav, the Finn, the Kalmyk, all shall know me-- The Tungoose in his reindeer hide.
Among my people I shall be long loved and cherished, Because their noblest instincts I have e'er inflamed, In evil hours I lit their hearts with fires of freedom, And never for their pleasures blamed.
O Muse, pursue the calling of thy Gods forever! Strive not for the garland, nor look upon the pain-- Unmoved support the voice of scorn or of laudation, And argument with Fools disdain!
PUSHKIN.
_The Alexander column, standing before the Winter Palace at St. Petersburg, is a monolith eighty feet high; with the pedestal measuring one hundred and fifty feet_.
TAMARA
Where waves of the Terek are waltzing In Dariel's wickedest pass, There rises from bleakest of storm crags An ancient grey towering mass.
In this tower by mad winds assaulted, Sat ever Tamara, the Queen-- A heavenly angel of beauty, With a spirit of hell's own demesne.
Through the mist of the night her gold fires Gleamed down through the valley below, A welcome they threw to the pilgrim, In their streaming and beckoning glow.
How clear rang the voice of Tamara! How amorous did it invite! The heart of the stranger enticing, Seducing with magic delight!
The warrior was snared by her singing, Nor noble, nor herd could withstand-- Then noiseless her portal was opened By eunuchs of shadowy hand.
With pearls rare adorned and strange jewels, Reposed on a billowy nest, A prey to voluptuous longing, Tamara awaited her guest.
With passioned and thrilling embracement, With straining of breast unto breast, With sighing and trembling and transport-- In lust's unrestrained, giddy zest--
So revelled 'mid desolate ruins, Of Lovers,--past counting at least! In their bridal night's wild distraction, And in truth at their own death feast.
For when from the peaks of the mountains The sun tore the night's veiling soft, There reigned anew only the silence On turret and casement aloft.
And only the Terek bewailing With fury broke in on the hush, As dashing her billows on billows Her writhing floods onward did rush.
A youth's form her currents are bearing, Ah vainly they murmur and swell! A woman, a pale and a fair one-- Cries down from her tower "Farewell!"
Her voice has the sound of faint weeping, So amorous, tender and sweet-- As if she in love's holy rapture Did promise of meeting repeat!
LERMONTOFF.
[_Tamara is the Russian Lorelei. The ruins of her castle are still shown in the pass of Darjal on the famous Georgian Road_.]
THE GIFT OF THE TEREK
Through the rocks in wildest courses Seethes the Terek grim of mood, Tempest howling its bewailing, Pearled with foam its tearful flood.
At the mountain's feet soft streaming, Gentler grown its murmurs be, And with greeting full of fawning Speaks to the Caspian Sea:
"Hospitable part thy billows, Give me room, oh Ocean grave! From a distance drawing thither-- Scarce my weary currents wave.
Born upon the edge of Kasbek, By the breast of clouds renewed, Hatred have I sworn to mankind, Who with us, the free, make feud.
See, by rage of my own fury Lies despoiled my Darjal home, And as playthings for thy children, Pebbles bearing now I come."
Yet upon her strands a'dreaming, Mute the grey Sea did remain, And the Terek, silver foaming, Spoke caressingly again.
"Grey Sea I would serve thee only, Have a present borne to-day-- See, 'tis a young Carabineer Who has fallen in the fray.
How his coat of mail is gleaming Silver on the billows' span! Golden on his trappings shining Blessing of the Alcoran!
Menacing the one who slew him Scowls the brow's relentless feud, By his noble life blood crimsoned O'er his lips his hair is glued.
Through the half-closed eyelids glancing Still the lust of quarrel mocks, From his head deep underneath him Flow the matted raven locks."
Motionless upon her beaches Did the grey Sea still remain, And the Terek foaming yellow In displeasure spoke again.
"So then, take him as a present, As I nothing fairer know On this round earth,--for thee only This rare prize I've guarded so!
'Tis a mountain Cossack's body Wafted 'mid my billows' dance, See his hair,--no silk is softer-- See his shoulder's gold expanse!
See how o'er his red lips speechless Now the seated eyes find rest; Trickling yet the purple life blood From the small wound on his breast.
For a young and holy maiden, Weeps lamenting, every heart! One sole Cossack in the village, In this mourning takes no part.
From the confines of his country Rode he forth with boding grey, 'Neath the dagger of the Tscherkes He has breathed his soul away."
And the Terek paused; behold now In the gleaming foam flood drowned, Silvered in the spraying billows Dips a head with rushes crowned.
And the hoary one's lips whisper Haughty words of youthful fire, And the eyes lit with love lustre Flame with passionate desire.
Foaming, rushing on swift longing, Seethed he up in youthful zest-- And the Terek flood was wedded With him in embraces blest.
LERMONTOFF.
ON DEPARTURE FOR THE CAUCAS
Farewell my hateful Russian country! People of lord and serf you are-- Farewell, salute, bent knee and hand-kiss, Three-masters, uniform and star!
Soon will the Caucas now conceal me, There I shall not discovered be By eyes and ears of paid, false sergeants-- Who all do hear and all do see!
LERMONTOFF.
TO THE CLOUDS
Clouds--ye eternal wanderers in hunting grounds of air, High o'er the verdant Steppes, wide through the blue of heaven-- Coursing fraternal,--say, must ye exiled as I From the beloved North to the far South be driven?
O tell me, were ye outlawed thus by Fate's behest? Drives ye forth open hate, or secret grudge flee ye? Follows ye unappeased an evil-doer's curse? Are ye pursued by poisonous words of calumny?
Ah no! Only from the unfruitful earth ye fly; Free are your sufferings, your blessedness is free, Ye know not wretchedness that holds us here in chains, Know not the joy of home or exile's misery!
LERMONTOFF.
TO MY COUNTRY
With love of my own race I cling unto my country, Whatever dubious reason may protesting cry; The shame alone of all her blood bought glory, Her haughty self-assurance, conscious pride, And the ancestral faith's traditions dark, With woe have penetrated all my heart.
And yet I love it! Why, I cannot say; The endless snowy Steppes so silent brooding, In the pine forests Autumn winds pursuing-- The flood's high water on all sides in May. By peasant cart I fain would haste in nightly darkness, Through the lone wilderness and village desolate, How hospitable shines the sole beam sparkling To me from each poor hut! Filled with content so great, The smell of stubble burnt, delights. Piled high The wagons silent standing take their nightly rest, On distant hills the silver birches I descry, Framed gold by fertile fields the sacred picture blest. Then with a joy unshared save by the vagrant, I see the threshing floor well filled and fragrant, The sloping straw-thatched cottage roofs again, The window panels carved, of varied stain.
Nightly could I, till morning grey arrested, Gaze on the dancing, stamping, whistling crowd, Watching the villager,--young, happy, festive-- And hearing drunken peasants glad carouse!
LERMONTOFF.
TO KASBEK
With wingéd footsteps now I hasten Unto the far cold North away, Kasbek,--thou watchman of the East, To thee, my farewell greetings say!
Since all eternity, a turban Snow white, thy glorious brow has veiled, The peace sublime about thy glacier The strife of man has ne'er assailed.
Accept my humble supplication, Hear thy submissive faithful son, To starry heights lift his entreaty To Allah's everlasting throne.
I do implore--spice breathing coolness Through sultry sun-glow in the vale, A stone for rest unto the pilgrim In whirling dust of desert gale.
Turn, I implore, the storm's hot hatred, The deadly thunderous lightning's course-- In Dariel's wild pass protect me And my distracted, trembling horse.
Yet one prayer more my heart audacious, Weeping, lifts up in bodeful stress, What if my native land forget me In my sad exile's loneliness?
Will, greeting me by name familiar, My friend then open wide his arms? Will e'en my brothers recognise me, So changed by many griefs and harms?
Perchance my foot will fall profaning Dust of those loved in youth's far day, The pure and noble, deeply trusted-- Withered as Autumn leaves in May.
O Kasbek, then with earth o'erwhelm me! Snow o'er thy weary wanderer back, And blow away my dust and scatter Along thy rock-ridged clefts lone track!
LERMONTOFF.
THE ANGEL
Soft singing at midnight through heaven's high blue A beautiful angel once flew; The moon and the stars and the clouds in a throng Attended his wonderful song!
He sang of the bliss of those gardens and coasts Where live and exult the pure ghosts, Their songs glad extolling Almighty's grace Repeated from race unto race.
In his arms he was bearing a young soul below, To leave in this world of our woe, The strains of his singing within her soul beat-- A wordless song, living and sweet!
Long languished her soul in its earthly abode, With a heavenly longing o'erflowed, For ne'er were those holy, pure strains of her birth, Effaced by the songs of the earth.
LERMONTOFF.
A PRAYER
Faithful before thee, Mother of God, now kneeling, Image miraculous and merciful--of thee Not for my soul's health nor battles waged, beseeching, Nor yet with thanks or penitence o'erwhelming me!
Not for myself,--my heart with guilt o'erflowing-- Who in my home land e'er a stranger has remained, No, a sinless child upon thy mercy throwing, That thou protect her innocence unstained!
Worthy the highest bliss, with happiness O bless her! Grant her a friend to stand unchanging at her side, A youth of sunshine and an old age tranquil, A spirit where together peace and hope abide.
Then, when strikes the hour her way from earth for wending, Let her heart break at dawning or at dead of night-- From out thy highest heaven, thy fairest angel sending The fairest of all souls sustain in heavenward flight!
LERMONTOFF.
THE SAIL
A single sail is bleaching brightly Upon the waves caressing bland, What seeks it in a stranger country? Why did it leave its native strand? When winds pipe high, load roar the billows And with a crashing bends the mast, It does not shun its luckless fortune, Nor haste to port before the blast. To-day the sea is clear as azure, The sun shines gaily, faint the wind-- But it revolting, looks for tempest, And dreams in storms its peace to find!
LERMONTOFF.
_Lermontoff, being reproached by the critics of his time for imitation of Byron in this poem, defended himself by the following, "I am not Byron!"_
I AM NOT BYRON
I am not Byron--yet I am One fore-elected, yet one more Unknown, world-hunted wanderer, A Russian in my mood and mind.
Scant from my seed the corn was ripe, My mouth spoke young, was early hushed; In depths of my own soul, the wreck Of hope lies as in deep-sea sunk.
Who shall the counsels of the sea, Its awe sublime unloose? Who shall Read clear my spirit and my soul? Unless it be a Poet--no man!
LERMONTOFF.
LIKE AN EVIL SPIRIT
Like an evil spirit hast thou Shocked my heart from out its rest, If thou'lt take it quite away now-- Thou wilt win my healing blest!
My heart thy temple evermore! Thy face,--the altar's Godhead sign! Not heaven's grace,--thy smiles, restore, Grant absolution, joy divine!
LERMONTOFF.
TO A.C.S.
Afar--I fain, so much would tell thee! List to thee o'er and o'er when near; Yet passioned glances thou dost silence-- My words bind to my lips in fear. How, by mere homely speaking, can I E'en hope to captivate thine ears? I swear it would be food for laughter-- If it were not more fit for tears!
LERMONTOFF.
A SONG
Dry leaf trembling on the branches Before the blast, Poor heart quaking in the bosom For woe thou hast; Ah what matter if the wind then, Withered leaf from blooming linden Should scatter wide? Would for this the twig or branches Have wailing sighed? And should the lad his fate upbraid, Although he ignominious fade-- And in an alien country die? Will for him the beauteous maid Complaining cry?
LERMONTOFF.
FROM "DÉMON"
Sailless and without a rudder, On the ocean of the air-- Float the choirs of stars harmonious, 'Mid the mists eternal there; Fleecy flocks of clouds elusive Drift across immensity, Leaving ne'er a track behind them, Following their destiny. Hour of parting, hour of meeting They know not,--nor grief, nor rest-- Theirs no longing for the future, Theirs no sorrow for the past. By thy day of anguish broken, Think of them and calm thy woe-- Be indifferent as they are To the pangs of earth below!
LERMONTOFF.
THE PRAYER
When faints the heart for sorrow, In life's hard, darkened hour, My spirit breathes a wondrous prayer Full of love's inward power.
There is a might inspiring Each consecrated word, That speaks the inconceivable And holy will of God.
The heavy load slips from my heart-- Oppressing doubt takes flight, The soul believes, the tears break forth-- And all is light, so light!
LERMONTOFF.
THE PALM BRANCH OF PALESTINE
Palm branch of Palestine, oh tell me, In that far distant home-land fair, Wast rooted in the mountain gravel Or sprung from some vale garden rare?
Once o'er the Jordan's silver billows Fond kissed with thee the Eastern sun? Have the grim gales 'neath starry heavens Swept over thee from Lebanon?
And was a trembling prayer soft whispered, A father's song sung over thee-- When from the parent stem dis-severed By some poor aborigine?
And is the palm tree ever standing, Amid the fierce glare beating down, The pilgrim in the desert luring To shelter 'neath her shadow crown?
Perhaps the leaves ancestral shiver In unappeaséd parting pain, The branch conceals a homesick longing For desert wilderness again?
Was it a pilgrim who first brought thee To the cold North, with pious hand? Who mused upon his home in sadness, And dost thou bear his tear's hot brand?
Was it Jehovah's favored warrior, His gleaming head transfigured bright, For God and man true-sworn, devoted Unto the victory of light?
Before the wonder-working image Thou stand'st as heaven's defence divine, O branch from out that holy country, The sanctuary's shield and sign!
It darkens, golden lamp light splendors Enveil the cross, the sacred shrine-- The peace of God is wafted o'er us From thee, oh branch of Palestine!
LERMONTOFF.
THE DISPUTE
Once 'mid group of native mountains Hot dispute arose, Elbrus, angry, did with Kasbek Argument propose. "Now beware!" the hoary Elbrus, Warning did exclaim-- "To enslave thee and enthrall thee Is man's evil aim! Smoking huts he will be building On thy mountain side, Loudly through thy clefts resounding Ring his hatchet wide! The swift swinging iron shovel Breast of stone will part, Of thy bronze and stone will rob thee-- Pierce thee to the heart. Caravans, e'en now, are passing Through thy rocks afar, Where before the fogs were swimming-- And the Eagle Tsar. Ah, mankind is bold and fearless! Dreads no lifted hand, Guard thee! populous and mighty Is the morning land!" "Threatens me the East?" then queried Kasbek with disdain, "There eight centuries already Sleeping, man has lain. See, in shadow the Grusine Gloats in lustful greed, On his many coloured raiment Glints the winey bead! Drugged with fumes of his nargileh, Dreams the Mussulman-- By the fountains on his divan Slumbers Teheran. See! Jerusalem is lying At his feet o'erthrown-- Deathly dumb and lifeless staring As an earthly tomb. And beyond the Nile is washing O'er the burning steps Of the Kingly mausoleums, Yellow, shadowless. In his tent, the hunt forgotten-- Now the Bedouin lies, Sings the old ancestral legends, Scans the starry skies. See! far as the eye can venture, All sleeps as before-- No, the threat of dreaming Orient Frights me nevermore!" "Laugh thou not too early, Kasbek," Elbrus did persist-- "Look! What vast mass is it turning Northward, through the mist?" Secretly the heart of Kasbek Faltered,--as amazed, Silent and with dark foreboding To the North he gazed: Full of woe stared in the distance; What a thronging swarm! Hark! there rings the clash of weapons! Battle-cry alarm! From the Don unto the Ural What a human sea! Regiments that wave and glitter Past all counting be! Feathers white like sedge of ocean, Waving in a gust-- Many coloured Uhlans storming Through the blowing dust. The imperial battalions Densely packed proceed, Trumpets flaring, banners flying In the victor's lead. Batteries with brasses rattling Conquering advance, With their blood-red splendor flashing Cannon matches glance. And a battle-proved commander Leads the army there-- From whose eyes the lightning flashes, 'Neath his snowy hair. Swells the host until as Griesbach's Billows roaring loud, From the Eastward nears the army As a thunder cloud. Kasbek peered with sinister boding Through the clouds,--would fain Count his enemies approaching-- Found it was in vain: Threw one glance unto the mountains-- Anguished, overcome, O'er his brow drew close the vapours, Was forever dumb.
LERMONTOFF.
HEAVEN AND THE STARS
Brilliant heavens of evening, Distant stars clearly shining, Bright as the rapture of childhood, O why dare I send you nevermore greeting-- Stars, who are shining as clear as my joy? What is thy sorrow? Mortals make question. This is my sorrow; The heavens and the stars are--heaven and stars ever, I am alas! but a perishing man! Forever mortal Envies his neighbor; I envy rather Ye in your freedom, ye stars ever radiant, And only would be in your places!
LERMONTOFF.
ON NAPOLEON'S DEATH
Cold hears thy soul the praise or cursing of posterity. Quit of the human race, thou man of destiny! They only could o'erthrow, who thee did elevate-- Forever thus remains thy greatness great!
LERMONTOFF.
ON THE DEATH OF PUSHKIN
He fell, a slave of tinsel-honour, A sacrifice to slander's lust; The haughty Poet's head, the noblest, Bowed on his wounded breast in dust. No longer could his free soul suffer The vulgar world's low infamy; He rose against the world's opinion, And as a hero, lone fell he. He fell! To what avail the sobbing-- The useless choir of tears and praise? Wretched the stammering excuses! The Fates have spoke,--no power allays! Have ye not at all times together His sacred genius baited sore, The silent fury fanned to flaming, Delighted in your work before? O be triumphant! Earthly torment The Poet soul did fully bear, Extinguished are the lights inspired, The laurel crown lies leafless there! The murderer contemptuous gazing Did stedfastly his weapon aim, No swifter beat his heart, Assassin! Nor shook his lifted hand for shame. No wonder; from a distance came he As an adventurer unknown, For worthy title, star of order-- Stood but his mad desire alone. Sneering and self-complacent mocked he The rights and customs of our land, He could not understand our glory, Against which he has raised his hand.
"Hence is he, hence! His song out-rung, The Singer even as the song he sung; Who of a hot, heroic mood, In death disgraceful shed his blood!"[1]
Why did he leave his home life tranquil, To seek the envious market place, Where each free flame is suffocated, Expose him to the assassin base? The human breed, who had known better Since earliest years of youth, than he-- Why did he trust the false pretending Of malice and hypocrisy? Ah, of his laurel wreath you robbed him, Gave him a martyr's crown instead, And now the cruel thorns have pierced him E'en to the blood of his proud head! His last days were for him envenomed-- Through senseless fools' contempt aggrieved, He died revenge a'thirst, accusing That every hope his heart deceived!
Mute evermore the magic echoes, That ne'er shall wonders more reveal, The Poet's home is dark and narrow-- Upon the Singer's lips a seal.
But ye, sons insolent and shameless-- Defamers, faithless fathers, ye! Who trod the pure soul of another Beneath your feet, who zealously Press to the Tsar's throne with your driveling For fame and freedom, hatred steeled! Well may you sneer at truth and justice, The law provides you screen and shield, Only a higher law shall sentence! A mighty Judge beyond assail Avenge the Poet's death on his slayers, The Highest Judge who does not fail! So then calumniate with brazen courage, Your hatred's fury nought restrains-- Since your dark blood could ne'er atone for One drop within the Poet's pure veins.
LERMONTOFF. [1] _These four lines are from Pushkin's own romantic poem, "Onegin."_
RUSSIA, O MY RUSSIA, HAIL!
Russia, O my Russia, hail! Steeds as tempests flying, Howling of the distant wolves, Eagles high, shrill crying! Hail, my Russia, hail! Hail high! Hail thy green forests proud, Hail thy silvery nightingales, Hail Steppes and wind and cloud!
TOLSTOY.
THE WOLVES
When the church-village slumbers And the last songs are sung, When the grey mist arising, Is o'er the marshes hung, 'Tis then the woods forsaking, Their way cross country taking, Nine howling wolves come hungering for food.
Behind the first,--the grey one,-- Trot seven more of black, Close on their hoary leader; As rearguard of the pack The red wolf limps, all bloody, His paws with gore still ruddy As after his companions grim he pants.
When through the village lurking Nought gives them check or fright, No watch dog dares to bellow, The peasant ghastly white, His breath can scarce be taking, His limbs withhold from shaking-- While prayers of terror freeze upon his lips!
About the church they circle And softly slink away To prowl about the priest's farm, Then of a sudden they Are round the drink shop turning, Fain some bad word be learning-- From peasants drinking noisily within.
With fully thirteen bullets Thy weapon must be armed, And with a wad of goat's hair; Then thou wilt fight unharmed. Fire calmly,--and before all Will the leader, the grey, fall, The rest will surely follow one by one.
When the cock wakes the village From out its morning dream, Thou wilt behold the corpses-- Nine she-wolves by the stream! On the right lies the grey one, To left in frost the lame one-- All bloody,--God pardon us sinners!
TOLSTOY.
AUTUMN
Autumn 'tis! Our garden stands Flowerless and bare, Dizzy whirling yellow leaves Fill the wind swept air. Yet the distant mountain ash In the vale below, With our favorite berries red Now begins to glow. While with rapture and with pain Throbbing in my breast, Pressing hot thy hands in mine, Silent, unexpressed-- Fondly gazing in thine eyes, Through my tears I see-- That I can never tell thee How dear thou art to me!
TOLSTOY.
BURNT OUT IS NOW MY MISERY
Burnt out is now my misery-- love's yearning No more unspeakably torments my heart, Yet bearable alone through thee, my being-- All thou art not is idle, stale and dying, Colourless, withered, dead,--save where thou art!