Dead Cow Farm An ancient saga tells us how In the beginning the First Cow (For nothing living yet had birth But Elemental Cow on earth) Began to lick cold stones and mud: Under her warm tongue flesh and blood Blossomed, a miracle to believe: And so was Adam born, and Eve. Here now is chaos once again, Primeval mud, cold stones and rain. Here flesh decays and blood drips red, And the Cow’s dead, the old Cow’s dead. Robert Graves (1895–1985) Ферма мертвой коровы Внимая древней саги слову, Мы снова верим в Пракорову — Земли и неба первый плод, … Читать далее →

Dew-drop and Diamond The difference between you and her (whom I to you did once prefer) Is clear enough to settle: She like a diamond shone, but you Shine like an early drop of dew Poised on a red rose petal. The dew-drop carries in its eye Mountain and forest, sea and sky, With every change of weather; Contrariwise, a diamond splits The prospect into idle bits That none can piece together. Robert Graves (1895-1985) Росинка и брильянт Меж вами разница видна (Хоть мне была милей она, Теперь ты мне дороже): Она брильянт, росинка ты, Ей — кольца, а тебе … Читать далее →

Sick Love O Love, be fed with apples while you may, And feel the sun and go in royal array, A smiling innocent on the heavenly causeway, Though in what listening horror for the cry That soars in outer blackness dismally, The dumb blind beast, the paranoiac fury: Be warm, enjoy the season, lift your head, Exquisite in the pulse of tainted blood, That shivering glory not to be despised. Take your delight in momentariness, Walk between dark and dark—a shining space With the grave’s narrowness, though not its peace. Robert Graves (1895-1985) Любовь, дерзи и яблоко грызи Любовь, дерзи … Читать далее →