Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Deutsch and Yarmolinsky, comps. Modern Russian Poetry. 1921.

Benediction

Valery Brusov (b. 1873)

Que tes mains soient bénies, car elles sont impures.

CHARLES BAUDELAIRE.

THE SHINING of your golden eyes I bless!

That broke my dark delirium with light.

The smile that wavers on your lips I bless!

It kindled me like wine, it rent my night.

The poison in your kisses hid, I bless!

All thoughts, all dreams are poisoned by your kiss.

The scythe that sings in your embrace I bless!

All my past years you have mown down with this.

The fire of your awful love I bless!

I wrapped its flame about me joyfully.

The darkness of your spirit, lo, I bless!

For that its wings were outstretched over me.

Blessed all you gave, blessed what your soul denies:

I bless you for the grief, the dread, the pain;

That after you I strove toward Paradise;

That here without its gates, I stand in vain.