Translation of Poem by A.A. Fet, "Еще весны душистой нега," Афанасий Фет, "In rapture steeped, sweet fragrant spring "

 

Афанасий Фет

(1820-1892)

 

Еще весны душистой нега
К нам не успела низойти,
Еще овраги полны снега,
Еще зарей гремит телега
На замороженном пути.

Едва лишь в полдень солнце греет,
Краснеет липа в высоте,
Сквозя, березник чуть желтеет,
И соловей еще не смеет
Запеть в смородинном кусте.

Но возрожденья весть живая
Уж есть в пролетных журавлях,
И, их глазами провожая,
Стоит красавица степная
С румянцем сизым на щеках.

1854

 

Literal Translation

Still the fragrant beatitude of spring

Has not managed to descend upon us,

Still the ravines are full of snow,

Still at dawn the cart clatters along

On the frozen roadway.

Barely by noon does the sun warm things,

The linden shows red at its crown,

Translucent, the birch grove is faintly yellowing,

And the nightingale still does not dare

To sing out in the black currant bush.

But living tidings of rebirth

Are now there in the cranes that fly over,

And, following them with her eyes,

A steppe-land beauty stands,

With a dove-blue flush on her cheeks.

 

 

d

 

Literary Translation/Adaptation by U.R. Bowie

 

In rapture steeped, sweet fragrant spring 

Had yet her charms o’er earth to spatter;

Still packed with snow the gullies lay,

And still each dawn the cart spread clatter

Along the frozen dirt roadway.

 

The sun’s rays, warm at last by noon,

Swept red tint through the linden crown,

The birch grove breathed a yellow sigh,  

And nightingale dared not yet sound

In currant bush his vernal cry.

 

But tidings of rebirth were borne

On wings of passing cranes in flight,

While watching them intently, hushed,

Stood steppe-land lass with rapt eyes bright

And on her cheeks a dove-blue flush.