The Demon / Демон. Книга для чтения на английском языке

Then, suddenly, emotion spoke

In accents once familiar;

Could this yet be regeneration?

The subtle promptings of temptation

Had gone as though they had not been…

Oblivion? – God gave this not yet: —

Nor would he, if he could, forget!..

…

X

Meanwhile, his gallant steed all lathered

Hastening to join his kin forgathered

To celebrate his wedding day

The bridegroom made his urgent way…

Good fortune yet attended him

To bright Aragva's verdant bank.

A line of camels after him

So weighted down with costly gifts

They scarce from hoof to hoof could shift

Wound down the pathway, rank on rank,

Now clear to view, now lost to sight,

Bells chiming softly as they plod.

Their master rode on in the van

To guide his laden caravan

That followed where his horse had trod…

Erect, the lithe waist girdled tight;

Sabre and dagger-hilts shine bright

Beneath the sun; and on his back

A gleaming rifle, notched in black.

The wind is fluttering the sleeve

Of his chukhá[5 - Chukha (chokha) – a part of the traditional male dress of the peoples of the Caucasus. – Ed.] – all bravely braided

His saddle-cloth of richest weave,

The saddle with gay silks is broidered

The reigns are tasseled – and his steed

Is of a priceless, golden breed.

Nostrils dilated, twitching ears

He glances down and snorts his fears

Of the deep drop, the flying foam

That crests the rapids' leaping waves.

How perilous the path they follow,

The cliff o'erhangs the way so narrow,

The deep ravine the torrent paves.

The hour is late. – The sunset glow

Is fading on the peaks of snow.

The caravan makes haste for home.

XI

But see – a chapel by the way…

Here now has rested many a day

Some prince, now canonized, but then

By vengeful hand untimely slain. —

And here the traveller must stay

Whether he hastes to fight, or whether

To join the feast, here he must ever

Rein in his horse and humbly pray

The good saint to protect his life

Against the lurking Moslem's knife.