Лермонтов - Я не унижусь пред тобою... - Перевод

To * (I shall not bow myself before you..)
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I shall not bow myself before you;
Not in your favour nor your scorn
My servile soul shall hence ignore you.
Know:  We are strangers from now on.

You have forgotten: I, my freedom,
For idle fantasies won't trade;
Yet I have sacrificed these seasons
To have your laughter and your gaze.

For far too long I had envisioned,
In you, the hope of youthful days
And viewed the world with such derision,
Just to love you in greater ways.

Who knows, what moments were required,
That you had passing at your feet,
I snatched them from all that inspired!
But what did you supplant them with?

Be it by divine inspirations
Or strength of spirit, t'was assured,
I'd share this wondrous gift for nations
And get posterity in return?

Why did you promise, gently willing,
To be the stand-in for this crown.
Why were you not from the beginning,
The same that you have become now!

I'm proud! - But still, go love another,
Hope to find love with some one else;
Whatever earthly joys uncover
I shall not subjugate myself.

The alien peaks on the horizon,
I may still travel to them yet;
But you and I are much too wise, in
Matters private, to forget.

So from this moment I shall savour
Impassioned speech to all avow;
All those in laughter I will favour,
But those in sobbing not allow;

I shall deceive without misgivings,
To find no love as I once made, -
How can I respect other women
When I, by Angel, been betrayed?

I was prepared for death and agony
To call this entire world to war,
To hold your youthful hand upon me -
Crazed! - if only but once more!

Not realizing stark betrayal,
To you my soul I would bestow;
Did you know the value of such sale?
You knew - but you, I did not know!