2021.09.30.
The Hero's Way
Through a dusty steppe, a wide field, he yodeNot knowing the way, not knowing the road,
Through a harsh night and misty mass
Of fog, his path a ribbon, winding far,
Through sagebrush and wild grass
To the light of a distant star.
What will lead him to distant lands?
There, on a high mountain, a tower stands.
In its gardens birds of great
Wonder sing sweet songs in mirth,
On branches aureate
Meadapples flourish forth.
Your way, O hero, is hard
But go, go forward to
Your long cherished dream,
The light that summons you.
Far away, O hero, shines that light,
Don't stray from the way of the gods,
With light we'll illuminate the way
With the heart in your bosom - fear not.
Along a long way, how can't he deviate?
He's all alone and awaits no aid.
Many a time he needed to beat down
Threeheaded serpents full of guile,
To experience the charms of mermaids,
And share friendship with Leshy1 a while.
For long versts, in her homeland, waiting
She divined in water, saying:
'Tell me destiny, Mokosh2,
Spin our threads into one, I pray,
Shine in the darkness, and lead him forth,
Don't let him perish on his way!'
The way was long, hero,
But you fared, fared forth to
Your long-cherished dream,
The light that summons you.
That light far away, hero,
Became close in the flight of an arrow
That unfamiliar light became close,
That shone as a star from afar.
Ah, the hero knew not,
That that light burns in his breast,
By her, who, never sleeps
Who casts bewitchment on his quest.
Ah, the hero knew not,
That that lofty magical tower
Is her home, where at a window,
She awaits him hour after hour.