Castles in air I build! Man's spirit opes
To many ways to frustrate all my hopes.
Though serfdom's sad conditions left behind,
Yet there be countless snares of varied kind!—
Well! Although the people soon may rend thee,
Let me, oh Freedom, a welcome send thee!
NEKRASSOW.
Written shortly after the freeing of the serfs.
A FAREWELL
Farewell! Forget the days of trial,
Of grudge, ill humor, misery—
Tempests of heart and floods of weeping,
And the revengeful jealousy.
Ah, but the days whereon the sun rose
To light love's wonder, and begot
In us the power of aspiration,—
bless them and forget them not!
NEKRASSOW.
THE LOVE LETTER
Letter of love so strangely thrilling
With all your countless wonder yet,
Though Time our heart's hot fires have mastered,
Bringing a pang of pained regret!
The while your blest receiver holds you,
His banished passions still rebel,
No longer reason sacrifices
His sentiment,—so then farewell!
Destroyed be this love-token treasured!
For if 'tis read when time has flown,
Deep in the buried soul 'twill waken
The torment vanished days have known.
At first but a light scorn arousing
For silly childishness,—at last
With fiery yearning overwhelming,
And jealousy for all the past.