Page:Modern Russian Poetry.djvu/48

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Silent I sit by the prison's high window, Where through the bars the blue heavens are breaking. Flecks in the azure, the free birds are playing; Watching them fly there, my shamed heart is aching.

But on my sinful lips never a prayer, Never a song in the praise of my charmer; All I recall are far fights and old battles, My heavy sword and my old iron armor.

Now in stone armor I hopelessly languish, And a stone helmet my hot head encases, This shield is proof against arrows and sword-play, And without whip, without spur, my horse races.

Time is my horse, the swift-galloping charger, And for a visor this bleak prison grating, Walls of my prison are heavy stone armor; Shielded by cast-iron doors, I am waiting.

Hurry, oh fast-flying Time, fly more quickly! In my new armor I faint, I am choking. I shall alight, with Death holding my stirrup, Then my cold face from this visor uncloaking.