To Chaadayev

Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin*


Not long did youth's vain hopes delude us,
Its dreams of love and prideful fame.
They briefly, fleetingly persued us,
Then passed like mist and no more came.
But still we chafe, our hearts afire,
Under the yoke of tyranny,
And, heedful of our country's plea,
Her true deliverance desire.
We freedom wait with all the fever,
The hidden ache and eagerness
That 'fore the hour of promised bliss
Comsume the young and ardent lover.
While freedom's flame within us lives,
While we by honour's voice are guided,
To Russia, comrade, let us give
Our spirits whole and undivided.
Dear friend, have faith: the wakeful skies
Presage a dawn of wonder--Russia
Shall from her age-old sleep arise,
And despotism, impatient, crushing,
Upon its ruins our names incise!


*Translated from Russian by Irina Zheleznova