Michail Lermontov - Alone, to the open road

Виктор Постников
Alone, to the open road I’m driven,
A flinty path shines from afar.
The nightly desert heeds to Heaven,
And a star speaks to a star.    

The skies are wonderful and solemn,
The Earth dreams in the bluish minaret…
Why then my heart feels so much sorrow? 
Or do I wait for something? Or regret?

I wait no more from my endeavour,
And neither am regretful of the past,   
I seek deliverance from labour,
I want oblivion to last.

But not sepulchral sleep I’m after,
I wish I had eternal blissful rest,
With living forces ever after
Still breathing lightly in my breast, 

I wish a sweet voice, never ending,
Would sing for me about delight,
And dark-green oak, forever rustling,   
Bow over me all day and night. 
   

1841/2012
VP

*  *  *
М.Ю. Лермонтов
Выхожу один я на дорогу