A Naive Zealot

A naive zealot of the alien countries And of his own – an accuser, tireless, I was proclaiming: in the land of mine, Where can we find a genius, a right mind? Where is a citizen with soul high-elated, The noble one and with flamed freedom sated, Where is a woman, which beauty’s not cold But charming, living, fire-like and bold? Where can I find the easy conversation? The brilliant, convivial, educational? With whom not cold and empty can I be? My fatherland I almost could not bear – But yesterday Galitsina was there – And there’s a peace between my land and me. Translated by Yevgeny Bonver