Russian Lyrics | Page 8

My spirit breathes a wondrous prayer Full of love's inward power.
There is a might inspiring Each consecrated word, That speaks the inconceivable And holy will of God.
The heavy load slips from my heart-- Oppressing doubt takes flight, The soul believes, the tears break forth-- And all is light, so light!
LERMONTOFF.

THE PALM BRANCH OF PALESTINE
Palm branch of Palestine, oh tell me, In that far distant home-land fair, Wast rooted in the mountain gravel Or sprung from some vale garden rare?
Once o'er the Jordan's silver billows Fond kissed with thee the Eastern sun? Have the grim gales 'neath starry heavens Swept over thee from Lebanon?
And was a trembling prayer soft whispered, A father's song sung over thee-- When from the parent stem dis-severed By some poor aborigine?
And is the palm tree ever standing, Amid the fierce glare beating down, The pilgrim in the desert luring To shelter 'neath her shadow crown?
Perhaps the leaves ancestral shiver In unappeaséd parting pain, The branch conceals a homesick longing For desert wilderness again?
Was it a pilgrim who first brought thee To the cold North, with pious hand? Who mused upon his home in sadness, And dost thou bear his tear's hot brand?
Was it Jehovah's favored warrior, His gleaming head transfigured bright, For God and man true-sworn, devoted Unto the victory of light?
Before the wonder-working image Thou stand'st as heaven's defence divine, O branch from out that holy country, The sanctuary's shield and sign!
It darkens, golden lamp light splendors Enveil the cross, the sacred shrine-- The peace of God is wafted o'er us From thee, oh branch of Palestine!
LERMONTOFF.

THE DISPUTE
Once 'mid group of native mountains Hot dispute arose, Elbrus, angry, did with Kasbek Argument propose. "Now beware!" the hoary Elbrus, Warning did exclaim-- "To enslave thee and enthrall thee Is man's evil aim! Smoking huts he will be building On thy mountain side, Loudly through thy clefts resounding Ring his hatchet wide! The swift swinging iron shovel Breast of stone will part, Of thy bronze and stone will rob thee-- Pierce thee to the heart. Caravans, e'en now, are passing Through thy rocks afar, Where before the fogs were swimming-- And the Eagle Tsar. Ah, mankind is bold and fearless! Dreads no lifted hand, Guard thee! populous and mighty Is the morning land!" "Threatens me the East?" then queried Kasbek with disdain, "There eight centuries already Sleeping, man has lain. See, in shadow the Grusine Gloats in lustful greed, On his many coloured raiment Glints the winey bead! Drugged with fumes of his nargileh, Dreams the Mussulman-- By the fountains on his divan Slumbers Teheran. See! Jerusalem is lying At his feet o'erthrown-- Deathly dumb and lifeless staring As an earthly tomb. And beyond the Nile is washing O'er the burning steps Of the Kingly mausoleums, Yellow, shadowless. In his tent, the hunt forgotten-- Now the Bedouin lies, Sings the old ancestral legends, Scans the starry skies. See! far as the eye can venture, All sleeps as before-- No, the threat of dreaming Orient Frights me nevermore!" "Laugh thou not too early, Kasbek," Elbrus did persist-- "Look! What vast mass is it turning Northward, through the mist?" Secretly the heart of Kasbek Faltered,--as amazed, Silent and with dark foreboding To the North he gazed: Full of woe stared in the distance; What a thronging swarm! Hark! there rings the clash of weapons! Battle-cry alarm! From the Don unto the Ural What a human sea! Regiments that wave and glitter Past all counting be! Feathers white like sedge of ocean, Waving in a gust-- Many coloured Uhlans storming Through the blowing dust. The imperial battalions Densely packed proceed, Trumpets flaring, banners flying In the victor's lead. Batteries with brasses rattling Conquering advance, With their blood-red splendor flashing Cannon matches glance. And a battle-proved commander Leads the army there-- From whose eyes the lightning flashes, 'Neath his snowy hair. Swells the host until as Griesbach's Billows roaring loud, From the Eastward nears the army As a thunder cloud. Kasbek peered with sinister boding Through the clouds,--would fain Count his enemies approaching-- Found it was in vain: Threw one glance unto the mountains-- Anguished, overcome, O'er his brow drew close the vapours, Was forever dumb.
LERMONTOFF.

HEAVEN AND THE STARS
Brilliant heavens of evening, Distant stars clearly shining, Bright as the rapture of childhood, O why dare I send you nevermore greeting-- Stars, who are shining as clear as my joy? What is thy sorrow? Mortals make question. This is my sorrow; The heavens and the stars are--heaven and stars ever, I am alas! but a perishing man! Forever mortal Envies his neighbor; I envy rather Ye in your freedom, ye stars ever radiant, And only would be in your places!
LERMONTOFF.

ON NAPOLEON'S DEATH
Cold hears thy soul the praise or cursing of posterity. Quit of the human race, thou man of destiny! They only