Спросили они: ,,Как в летучих челнах
Нам белою чайкой скользить на волнах,
Чтоб нас сторожа недогнали?``
,,Гребите!`` они отвечали.
Спросили они: ,,Как забыть, навсегда,
Что в мире юдольном есть бедность, беда,
Что есть в нём гроза и печали?``
,,Засните!`` они отвечали.
Спросили они: ,,Как красавиц привлечь
Без чары: чтоб сами на страстную речь
Они нам в объятия пали?``
,,Любите!`` они отвечали.
About the headline (FAQ)
Show a transliteration: Default | DIN | GOST
Note on TransliterationsText Authorship:
Based on:
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Sergey Rybin) , "They answered", copyright © 2026, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2025, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [
Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2003-11-16
Line count: 12
Word count: 61
The men asked: “How, in our flying boats,
Might we glide like a white seagull on the waves,
So that the watchmen will not catch us?”
“Row!” — the women replied.
The men asked: “How can we forget forever
That in this earthly world there is poverty, sorrow,
That there are storms and griefs within it?”
“Sleep!” — the women replied.
The men asked: “How can we draw fair maidens,
Without magic, so that to our passionate words
They fall into our arms willingly?”
“Love!” — the women replied.
