Баллада о любви
Vladimir Semënovič Vysotskij / Владимир Семёнович Высоцкий| English Translation by Viacheslav Chetin. | |
| BALLADA O LJUBVI Kogda voda vsemirnogo potopa Vernulas' vnov' v granicy begerov, Iz peny uxodjašćego potoka Na sušu tixo vybralas' Ljubov', I rastvorilas' v vozduxe do sroka, A srok bylo sorok sorokov... I čudaki ešće takie est': Vdyxajut polnoj grud'ju ətu smes', I ni nagrad ne ždut, ni nakazan'ja, I, dumaja, čto dyšat prosto tak, Oni vnezapno popadajut v takt Takogo že nerovnogo dyxan'ja. Tol'ko čuvstvuju, slovno korablju Dolgo ostavat'sja na plavu, Prežde čem uznat', čto ja ljublju, To že, čto dyšu ili živu. I vdovol' budet stranstvij i skitanij: Strana ljubvi — velikaja strana! I s rycarej svoix dlja ispytanij Vse strože stanet sprašivat' ona: Po trebuet razluk i rasstojanij. Lišit pokoja, otdyxa i sna... Po vspjat' bezumcev ne povorotit'. Oni uže soglasny zaplatit' Ljuboj cenoj. I žizn'ju by risknuli, Čtoby ne dat' porvat', čtob soxranit' Volšebnuju nevidimuju nit', Kotoruju mež nimi protjanuli. Svežij veter izbrannyx p'janil, S nog sbival, iz mërtvyx voskrešal, Potomu čto, esli ne ljubil, Značit, i ne žil, i ne dyšal! No mnogix zaxlebnuvšixsja ljubov'ju Ne dokričiš'sja, skol'ko ne zovi. Im sčët vedut molva i pustoslov'e, No ətot sčët zamešan na krovi. A my postavim sveči v izgolov'e Pogibšix ot nevidannoj ljubvi... Ix golosam vsegda slivat'sja v takt I dušam ix dano brodit' v cvetax, I večnost'ju dyšat' v odno dyxan'e, Na xrupkix perepravax i mostax, Na uzkix perekrestkax mirozdan'ja. Ja pol'ja vljublënnym postel'ju - Pust' pojut vo sne i najavu!... Ja dyšu, i značit ja ljublju! Ja ljublju, i značit, ja živu! | BALLAD OF LOVE As soon as it was time for the Deluge current To back away, at last, to former grounds, From hissing foam of a receding torrent, Upon dry land, Love quietly crawled out, And, in the air, dissolved till time was proper, The proper time being forty, forty rounds... Besides, around, there always are odd fellows, Inhaling rashly all this stuff full breath, Expecting no reward, disdaining failures. And thinking they are breathing for no reason, All of a sudden, they fall in the rhythm of A similar faltering breathing... Only there's a feeling that my ship Has to remain long afloat, Prior to cognizing that 'I love' Is equal to 'I breathe' or else 'I live'. There'll be a lot of pilgrimage and travels: The Realm of Love is an extensive realm. From chivalry of hers for the ordeals Ever more will she expect, Demanding distances and separation, Depriving of repose, of sleep and rest... But there's no way to lead the guys astray Because, by now, they will agree to pay Whatever price. They'd even risk their lives In order to keep whole and to retain A fairy unnoticeable thread, Extending to the hearts of the beloved. Fresh breeze makes the chosen feel drunk, Knocks off feet and raises from the dead, Insomuch as if you haven't loved, Then you haven't lived, nor have you breathed. But plenty who are breathless out of love Will never hear, call them as you will. Their count is kept by hearsay and twaddle. On blood, however, this count is often mixed. Be candles put to decorate the head bed Of victims of unprecedented feeling... Blend their voices, always keeping time. Roam their souls perennially in flowers. Breathe they eternity together in one breath. Come they across each other with a sigh, On fragile bridges and on brittle gangways, At narrow crossroads of space and time. For lovers, the fields will I lay - Sing they in a sleep and in a wake. I breathe therefore I love, I love therefore I live. |
