| Deutsch and Yarmolinsky, comps. Modern Russian Poetry. 1921. | | | | Silentium | By Fyodor Tyutchev (1803–1873)
(Trans. Avrahm Yarmolinsky) |
| | | BE silent, hidden, and conceal | |
| Whate’er you dream, whate’er you feel. | |
| Oh, let your visions rise and die | |
| Within your heart’s unfathomed sky, | |
| Like stars that take night’s darkened route. | 5 |
| Admire and scan them and be mute. | |
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| The heart was born dumb; who can sense | |
| Its tremors, recondite and tense? | |
| And who can hear its silent cry? | |
| A thought when spoken is a lie. | 10 |
| Uncovered springs men will pollute,— | |
| Drink hidden waters, and be mute. | |
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| Your art shall inner living be. | |
| The world within your fantasy | |
| A kingdom is that waits its Saul. | 15 |
| The outer din shall still its call, | |
| Day’s glare its secret suns confute. | |
| Oh, quaff its singing, and be mute. | | | | |
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