In the Worldly Steppe

In the worldly steppe, so mournful and endless, Three springs mysteriously fought through withered earth: The spring of youth is speedy and rebellious, It boils and runs, and ripples in a blaze. Castalian spring, in worldly steppe, enlivens Exiles, whose fate is doleful and hard. The last of them -- the cold spring of oblivion -- Will always help to quench the thirst of hearts. Translated by Yevgeny Bonver Three Springs Three springs in life's unbroken joyless desert Mysteriously issue from the sands: The spring of youth, uneven and rebellious, Bears swift its sparkling stream through sunny lands; Life's exiles drink the wave of inspiration That swells the limpid fount of Castaly; But 'tis the deep, cold wellspring of oblivion That slakes most sweetly thirst and ecstasy. Translated by Avrahm Yarmolinsky