Mikhail Lermontov

Waves roll in columns on their usual route – 
    Splashing and humming, they run; 
People, too, stride in a lousy crowd – 
    Every one trails everyone.     
Waves favor cold of their slavery more
    Than heat of midday sunny rays,
People take care of their souls… But lo! – 
    Their souls are colder than waves!              


Translated by Yevgeny Bonver, November, 2000
Edited by Dmitry Karshtedt, June, 2001