Classic Poem

(Fragment)

I

O N Ivan-Kupalo
Ivan was bathing.
And he fell into the water
On the Day of Kupalo.

II

Hai! On the Day of Ivan-Kupalo
A beautiful maid her fortune sought.
She plucked the flowers to make her garlands —
The Malva-flower and Lewbistok —
She strewed them on the river's breast.

" Float, my wreath, with the wave's swift flowing,
Straight to the window of my love —
Float to the heart of the one I love,
And bring good fortune with thee! "

The wreath is floating,
Carrying with it
The heart of the maid.
At the bend of the river,
'Tis swamped by the wave —
Kupalo, Kupalo,
No fortune gave!

That night the maiden
Trezilie sought.
In the midnight hour
She dug them up.

She made a brew
In the dead of night,
And ere the dawn
The poison drank.