TATITERA — Я думал, что любовь погасла навсегда!

Love, poison of our days, Flee with the throng of deceitful dreams. Do not burn my soul, Fire of tormenting desires.

I thought that love had died forever, That in my heart the rebel voice of wicked passions fell silent, That friendship’s consoling star at last Had brought the sufferer to a harbor of hope.

I dreamed of resting by faithful shores, Already watching from afar, pointing with my hand At the doomed sail of swimmers Carried by a furious storm.

And I said: “A hundredfold blessed Is he whose life, free and fair, Rushed by like a clear springtime And was not darkened by passion, Who never suffered in vain love, To whom sad captivity is unknown.

Blessed! but I am more blessed still. I have broken the chain of torment, Again I belong to friendship… I am free — And life’s gloomy field Has been enchanted by a cheerful gleam!”

But what was I saying… unhappy one! For a moment I fell asleep in false quiet, But dark love was hiding within me, My passionate flame had not gone out.

Called by merriment into the crowd of my friends, I wanted to tune my playful lyre to the old strain, I wanted once more to sing of young beauties, Of revelry, Bacchus and Delphira.

In vain!.. I was silent; my weary hand Lay, languid, on the disobedient lyre, I was still burning — and in indifferent sadness I watched the games of youth from afar.

Love, poison of our days, Flee with the throng of deceitful dreams. Do not burn my soul, Fire of tormenting desires.

Fly away, phantoms… Cupid, I am yours no more, Give me back joys, give me back my peace… Leave me alone in unfeeling nature Or let me still fly on the wings of hope, Allow me still to sleep and, in heavy chains, Dream of sweet freedom.

Allow me still to sleep and, in heavy chains, Dream of sweet freedom. Allow me still to sleep and, in heavy chains, Dream of sweet freedom