Это самоперевод стихотворения "Дед". Написала и сама удивилась, как вместе с языком совершенно изменились стилистика и окраска стихотворения. Хотя, собственно, удивляться-то нечему! А тема, судя по возрасту живописной иллюстрации, вечная...
The kids would flock to Grandpa’s chair
To hear him spin another tale.
His best performance, to be fair,
Would come after a pint of ale.
And Grandma, though mumbling “Liar…”
Would stop her fussing at the stove
When he would settle by the fire
And open his treasure trove.
He’d tell them of a poisoned apple,
Of beautiful but evil queens,
About a haunted ruined chapel,
And Jack who got the magic beans.
About the horrid cackling witches
And their most secret brew
From magic herbs that bring the riches;
Of maidens fair and lovers true.
He’d talk of lieges and their vassals,
Of gold that pirates hide ashore,
Of wizards and enchanted castles…
He never talked about the war.
Художник Ferdinand G. Waldmuller. Old Veteran with Children.1827