Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
Russia: Vol. XX. 1876–79. | | | | Introductory | | The Cossack | | From the Ukranian |
| | Anonymous translation
FROM the Danube was I riding, | |
| When she crossed my path to-day; | |
| Straight my spur the war-horse chiding, | |
| “Speed,” I cried, “away!” | |
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| “Ah!” she said, “your steed detaining, | 5 |
| Stay and hear your love’s complaining, | |
| See how tears my cheeks are staining; | |
| Dear Cossack, O stay!” | |
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| “Well thou knowest when last we parted, | |
| Liskà, what distress was mine; | 10 |
| Almost was I broken-hearted, | |
| Now the turn is thine!” | |
| |
| “Dear Cossack, forbear to grieve me, | |
| Must I lose thee, canst thou leave me? | |
| Grief will sure of life bereave me, | 15 |
| If I thee resign!” | |
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| “Break not thus your hands with wringing; | |
| Hush the sob, and dry the tear! | |
| Soon from battle laurels bringing, | |
| Love, expect me here.” | 20 |
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| “Laurels bought with blood alarm me, | |
| Glory cannot tempt nor charm me, | |
| Ah, there ’s naught on earth could harm me, | |
| Wert thou safe, my dear!” | |
| |
| Vain were prayers, and vain was sorrow, | 25 |
| Swiftly from her sight I flew, | |
| Crying, “If I live to-morrow, | |
| I ’ll return to you.” | |
| |
| Then with folded arms and sighing, | |
| Home she hastened, almost dying, | 30 |
| How to find her way for crying, | |
| Scarce, poor girl, she knew. | | | | |
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