Afanasy Fet (1820-1892) is regarded as one of the greatest lyric poets of Russia. Fet’s poetry is sensual and melancholic, imbued with tints of sadness and tragedy. Fet believed in “art for art’s sake” and felt that poetry should reflect only itself. The author contemplated the beauty of the world from two sides - the outer one, inspired by the charms of nature; and the inner one with love as its major incentive.
Information about the poet and poem
Afanasy Fet (1820-1892) is regarded as one of the greatest lyric poets of Russia. Fet’s poetry is sensual and melancholic, imbued with tints of sadness and tragedy. Fet believed in “art for art’s sake” and felt that poetry should reflect only itself. The author contemplated the beauty of the world from two sides - the outer one, inspired by the charms of nature; and the inner one with love as its major incentive.
The Original Poem
Я тебе́ ничего́ не скажу́,
И тебя́ не встрево́жу ничу́ть,
И о том, что я мо́лча твержу́,
Не решу́сь ни за что намекну́ть.
Це́лый день спят ночны́е цветы́,
Но лишь со́лнце за ро́щу зайдёт,
Раскрыва́ются ти́хо листы́
И я слы́шу, как се́рдце цветёт.
И в больну́ю, уста́лую грудь
Ве́ет вла́гой ночно́й… я дрожу́,
Я тебя́ не встрево́жу ничу́ть,
Я тебе́ ничего́ не скажу́.
A Literal Translation
I won't tell you anything,
And I won't trouble you at all,
And about the thing that I silently repeat
I won't dare for anything to hint.
All day the night flowers sleep,
But a soon as the sun sets behind the grove,
The petals open quietly, slowly
And I hear my heart bloom.
And to my aching tired breast,
It's blowing with night moisture … I tremble.
I won't disturb you at all,
I won’t tell you anything.
A More "Poetic" Translation
An Audio Link
A Video Link
A Picture to Display