Был юн, не думал ни шиша,
И плотью лютовал.
Бирманка, чудо хороша,
Сразила наповал.
Смугла, и волос смоляной,
Улыбки белизна.
«Двадцатку дам – ложись со мной;
Достойная цена».
Её прекрасней не сыскать –
Тиха, грустна, чиста.
Промолвила: «За двадцать пять
Имей во все места».
ROMANCE
When I was young and had no sense
In far-off Mandalay
I lost my heart to a Burmese girl
As lovely as the day.
Her skin was gold, her hair was jet,
Her teeth were ivory;
I said: «For twenty silver pieces,
Maiden, sleep with me».
She looked at me, so pure, so sad,
The loveliest thing alive,
And in her lisping, virgin voice
Stood out for twenty-five.