TAMARA
Mikhail Iu. Lermontov
In the deep ravine of the Daryal,
Where the Terek (River) burrows in the darkness,
An ancient tower stood,
Showing black against the black cliff.
In that tower tall and narrow,
The Princess Tamara lived:
Beautiful as a heavenly angel,
Sly and evil as a demon.
There through the midnight fog ,
A golden light gleamed,
It threw itself into a traveler’s eyes,
Beckoned him for a night’s rest.
And the voice of Tamara was heard:
It was all desire sad passion,
In it were all-powerful charms,
Its power was incomprehensible,
To the voice of the Invisible peril ,
Went the warrior, the merchant and the shepherds;
Before him the doors opened,
He was met by a gloomy eunuch.
On a soft down bed
Bedecked in brocade and pearls,
She awaited her guest. There fizzed
Before her two goblets of wine.
The burning hands intertwined,
Lips stuck to lips,
And strange, wild sounds
Resounded there all night.
As if at that empty tower
One hundred fiery youths and their wives
Gathered at their nocturnal wedding,
At the feast of a great funeral.
But as soon as the glow of the morning
Threw its ray on the mountains,
Suddenly both darkness and silence
Again reigned there.
Only the Terek in the Daryal ravine,
Thundering, broke the silence;
Wave dashed upon wave,
Wave chased wave;
And with a lament the voiceless body
They hurried to carry away;
At that moment something showed white in the window,
Thence sounded: farewell.
And the farewell was so tender,
So sweetly sounded that voice,
As if it promised the raptures
Of meeting and the caresses of love.
(1841)