Page:Poems, Alexander Pushkin, 1888.djvu/169

Rh [INSANITY.]

grant I grow not insane:

No, better the stick and beggar's bag;

No, better toil and hunger bear.

Not that I upon my reason

Such value place; not that I

Would fain not lose it.

If freedom to me they would leave

How I would lasciviously

For the gloomy forest rush!

In hot delirium I would sing

And unconscious would remain

With ravings wondrous and chaotic.

And listen would I to the waves

And gaze I would full of bliss

Into the empty heavens.