Translated by Vladimir Nabokov
- Speak not, lie hidden, and conceal
- the way you dream, the things you feel.
- Deep in your spirit let them rise
- akin to stars in crystal skies
- that set before the night is blurred:
- delight in them and speak no word.
- How can a heart expression find?
- How should another know your mind?
- Will he discern what quickens you?
- A thought once uttered is untrue.
- Dimmed is the fountainhead when stirred:
- drink at the source and speak no word.
- Live in your inner self alone
- within your soul a world has grown,
- the magic of veiled thoughts that might
- be blinded by the outer light,
- drowned in the noise of day, unheard…
- take in their song and speak no word.
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Mmm. I always liked that poem.
Aww, you know that’s my favorite.
It’s really a tribute to how fantastic this poem is, considering that the English translation (no hard feelings, dead and bitter spirit of Nabokov) is really a dim reflection of the Russian original. The Russian is my #1. The English isn’t even in the top ten.
Oh well.
I don’t know how I missed that one, but it is beautiful! 🙂