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Open Poetry #7

The tenth commandment

Master
Senior Member

since 1999-08-18

Posts 1867
Boston, MA

0 posted 2000-05-06 05:19 PM

*Another one of my translations, again it's a poem from Aleksander Pushkin.

Don’t covet goods of other beings --
My Goodness, You’ve commanded so;
The limits of my will You know --
Am I to manage tender feelings?!
I wish not to offend my friend,
His village I do not desire,
And for his steer I don’t aspire,
I’m gazing at it with a content:
His men, his house and his cattle,
I’m tempted not, though all is great.
But let’s imagine that his maid
Is beautiful... I’ve lost the battle!
And if by chance his lady’s pretty
And gifted with an angel’s skin
Then God forgive me for my sin
Of being envious and greedy!
Who can command a heart like this?
Who is a slave to feeble effort?
Not love a person who is revered?--
Who can resist the heaven’s bliss?
I sigh from sadness and perceive,
But I must honor my conviction,
Afraid to flatter heart’s ambition,
I’m silent... and alone I grieve.

< !signature-->

"I will not whole die, my soul in sacred lyre,
will outlive my dust and will escape decay,
And in the moonlit sphere, my glory will not tire
As long as poets still remain" A. Pushkin

[This message has been edited by Master (edited 05-07-2000).]

brian madden
Member Elite

since 2000-05-06

Posts 4374
ireland

1 posted 2000-05-06 05:53 PM

the forbidden fruit is always the sweetest,
maybe it is time for you to find a new religion or perhaps a new hobby. Great poem, I loved the last bit.

netswan
Senior Member

since 2000-03-28

Posts 1369
Washington

2 posted 2000-05-06 08:37 PM

master - these poems that you translate
from others are very interesting.
You really do a great job.

netswan

Denise

Moderator

Member Seraphic

since 1999-08-22

Posts 22648

3 posted 2000-05-06 08:44 PM

Another well done, Master!!

Denise

Master
Senior Member

since 1999-08-18

Posts 1867
Boston, MA

4 posted 2000-05-07 12:29 PM

Thank you for responding everyone, it means a lot to me.

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