Perfection s light

Perfection’s light

In madness of strength’s wasteful flight,
At the last crossing’s fateful hour,
The Lord revealed an angel bright,
Whose grace displayed a solemn power.
How stern the gaze from worlds apart,
Obedient to the highest call!
He knew not hunger, pain, nor smart,
Nor doubted ever, not at all.

And I prefer the pain, the dust,
And rare, sad moments of delight,
To endless bondage, flawless trust,
Of ready-made perfection’s light!

I am a man, so weak, so frail,
Trapped in the prison of my clay. But
Perfection will not prevail,
If not through labour won one day.
Through heart and mind’s unceasing toil,
Through sorrow, error, humble strain —
Thus the bitterness of the soil
In soul gives birth to fire again.

And I prefer the pain, the dust,
And rare, sad moments of delight,
To endless bondage, flawless trust,
Of ready-made perfection’s light!

And I prefer the pain, the dust,
And rare, sad moments of delight,
To endless bondage, flawless trust,
Of ready-made perfection’s light!


Перевод стиха Сергея Лукьяненко «В безумии расточения сил..»