Poesia russa - ‘Sin miedo'

If you’re a poet, and want the power

to live for ever in human minds,

strike hearts with imagination’s music

temper your thoughts in passion’s fire.



Have you seen old Toledan daggers?

They’re the best wherever you go.

The motto on the blade’s: ‘Sin miedo’:

‘Be without fear’ – tempered by fire.



When they fashion the red-hot steel

they inlay the gold design, with niello,

and the twin mated metals, once separate,

gleam, living beauty, down the years.



So that your dreams will always glow,

so that your soul will live for ever,

inlay the steel in your poems with gold,

pour molten fire into words that echo.



    — Konstantín Bál´mont (1867-1943)

Translated by A. S. Kline © Copyright 2002-2011 All Rights Reserved