Vladimir Vysotsky
The Friend
If your friend had become not friend,
Not asquaintance, not foe as well.
If you couldn't define him true,
Whether bad he or good.
Take the guy to the top of alps,
And don't leave him alone, by chance.
He will be in one bunch with you,
You will see - who is who.
If the guy seemed to go bad,
Got entirely rusty downward.
While stepping to glacier - dread,
By the stumble - he yelled.
So the alien together with you.
Don't abuse him, the better - slue.
Such a guy couldn't get uphill,
Couldn't be praised for the skill.
If the guy didn't whine and moan,
He was angry but tried to go.
When you falled from the rock, with groan
He was able to hold.
If he followed you with dash,
Felt on top the entire success.
So as you're assured of self,
Do rely on himself.
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Владимир Высоцкий
ПЕСНЯ О ДРУГЕ
Если друг оказался вдруг
И не друг и не враг, а так.
Если сразу не разберешь,
Плох он или хорош.
Парня в горы тяни - рискни,
Не бросай одного его.
Пусть он в связке одной с тобой.
Там поймешь, кто такой.
Если парень в горах не ах,
Если сразу раскис и вниз,
Шаг ступил на ледник и сник,
Оступился - и в крик.
Значит, рядом с тобой чужой.
Ты его не брани - гони.
Вверх таких не берут, и тут
Про таких не поют.
Если ж он не скулил, не ныл,
Если хмур был и зол, но шел,
А когда ты упал со скал,
Он стонал, но держал,
Если шел он с тобой, как в бой,
На вершине стоял, хмельной,
Значит, как на себя самого,
Положись на него.
1966
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см. также
A song about a friend
If your friend just became a man,
Not a friend, not a foe,- just so,
If you really can't tell from the start,
If he's strong in his heart, -
To the peaks take this man - don't fret!
Do not leave him alone, on his own,
Let him share the same view with you-
Then you'll know if he's true.
If the guy on the peak got weak,
If he lost all his care - got scared,
Took a step on the frost - got lost,
Tripped and screamed in exhaust, -
Then the one you held close is false,
Do not bother to yell- expel, -
We can't take such aboard, and in short
We don't sing of his sort.
If the guy didn't whine nor pine,
He was dull and upset, but went,
When you slipped from the cliff,
He heaved, holding you in his grip;
If he walked right along, seemed strong,
On the top stood like he belonged, -
Then, whenever the chances are slim
You can count on him!
Translated by Andrey Kneller