Anna Akhmatova

Oh, if I�ve known, when, in dress of whiteness,
Muse was just coming to my living place,
That to the lyre, stoned in the timeless,
My hands� warm flesh will be forever pressed.

Oh, if I�ve known, when was flying fierce
And playful tempest of my love, the last,
That to the best of youths, in bitter tears,
I�ll close his, like eagle�s, dear eyes.

Oh, if I�ve known, when, by my successes
Pined, I was tempting destiny, discreet,
That soon with laugh, so scornful one and merciless,
Will people answer to my last entreat.

Translated by Yevgeny Bonver, January, 2002