Versos English Taras Shevchenko Death Of The Soul

English poem

Death Of The Soul

by (1814–1861)

Listen in the reader

As the nights pass, so pass the days, The year itself passes. Again I hear the rustling of autumn leaves. The light of the eyes is fading, Memory is in the heart asleep. Everything sleeps, and I know not If I live or am already dead. For so, aimless I wander in the world No longer weep nor laugh.

Fate, where art thou? Fate, where art thou? There’s none of any sort! Dost grudge me good fate, Oh God, Then send it bad, as bad. Leave me not to a walking sleep. With heart like bears’ in wintry den, Nor yet like rotten log on earth to lie; But give me to live, with the heart to live, And love the people. If you won’t Let me curse them and burn up the world.

Terrible it is to fall into dungeons Yet much worse—to sleep And sleep and sleep in freedom; To slumber for an eternity And leave not a footprint behind. All alike— whether one lives or dies.

Fate where art thou? Fate where art thou? There’s none of any sort! Dost grudge me good fate, Oh God, Then give me bad, as bad.