Galaktion Tabidze The Moon over Mtatsminda

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Galaktion Tabidze The Moon over Mtatsminda (park) My eyes have never seen the moon so lovely as tonight; In silence wrapt it is the breathless music of the night. Moonbeams embroider shadows with fine thread of silver light; O, eyes have never seen the sky so lovely as tonight! The moon adorned in beams of pearls seems like a queen divine; The stars like fire-flies tangled in a web about her shine. The Mtkvari flows a silver stream of lambent beauty bright; O, eyes have never seen the sky so lovely as tonight! Here in immortal calm and peace the great and noble sleep Beneath the soft and dewy turf in many a mouldering heap. Here Baratashvili came with wild desires to madness wrought, Oppressed by raging fires of passion, and perplexing thought. O, could I like the swan pour forth my sould in melody That melts the mortal heart and breathes of immortality! Let my free song fly far beyond this world to regions high Where on the wings of poesy it will glorify the sky. If death approaching makes the fragrance of the roses sweeter, Attunes the soul to melodies that make all sadness dearer, And if that swan's song thus becomes a denizen of heaven, If in that song she feels that death will be but ecstasy, then, - Let me like her sing one last song, and in death find delight. So breathless still and lovely I have never seen the night! O, mighty dead, let me die here beside you as I sing. I am a poet, and to eternity my song I fling, And let it be the fire that warms and lights the spirit's flight. O, eyes have never seen the sky so lovely as tonight! Without Love Without love There lives no sun high in the Heavens, Breeze never blows, woods never quiver For beloved... Without love there even exists No beauty, No immortality ever lives. Without love. But the last love is totally Different, Like an autumn flower oft better Than the one, That's first and yields to aimless passions, Youthful whims, Tireless and fervent, known for wild darts... In autumnal coldness it's grown, In valleys, And is never like a spring flower, Gentle and smart... Is never caressed by breeze but by Whirling winds, Instead of desire by endearment Voiceless balmed. And the last love is being withered, Being withered, In grief and sorrow, though tender, But all glum. No immortality ever lives In the world, No immortality ever lives Without love! Let the Banners Wave on High! The day has dawned: A sun of fire glides up… Let the banners wave on high! The soul's athirst for Liberty and Right As wounded deer that seek a streamlet bright. Let the banners wave on high! Glory to those with souls devoid of fear, Who for the people's cause did bravely die… Their names shine bright like torches in the night… Let the banners wave on high! Glory to him who fills our hearts with hope, Braves foes with matchless worth and fearless eye! The day has dawned! United let us fight! Let Freedom's banner over us wave on high!

Galaktion Tabidze

The Moon over Mtatsminda (park)

My eyes have never seen the moon so lovely as tonight;
In silence wrapt it is the breathless music of the night.
Moonbeams embroider shadows with fine thread of silver light;
O, eyes have never seen the sky so lovely as tonight!

The moon adorned in beams of pearls seems like a queen divine;
The stars like fire-flies tangled in a web about her shine.
The Mtkvari flows a silver stream of lambent beauty bright;
O, eyes have never seen the sky so lovely as tonight!

Here in immortal calm and peace the great and noble sleep
Beneath the soft and dewy turf in many a mouldering heap.
Here Baratashvili came with wild desires to madness wrought,
Oppressed by raging fires of passion, and perplexing thought.

O, could I like the swan pour forth my sould in melody
That melts the mortal heart and breathes of immortality!
Let my free song fly far beyond this world to regions high
Where on the wings of poesy it will glorify the sky.

If death approaching makes the fragrance of the roses sweeter,
Attunes the soul to melodies that make all sadness dearer,
And if that swan's song thus becomes a denizen of heaven,
If in that song she feels that death will be but ecstasy, then, -
Let me like her sing one last song, and in death find delight.
So breathless still and lovely I have never seen the night!

O, mighty dead, let me die here beside you as I sing.
I am a poet, and to eternity my song I fling,
And let it be the fire that warms and lights the spirit's flight.
O, eyes have never seen the sky so lovely as tonight!

Without Love

Without love
There lives no sun high in the Heavens,
Breeze never blows, woods never quiver
For beloved...
Without love there even exists
No beauty,
No immortality ever lives.
Without love.
But the last love is totally
Different,
Like an autumn flower oft better
Than the one,
That's first and yields to aimless passions,
Youthful whims,
Tireless and fervent,
known for wild darts...
In autumnal coldness it's grown,
In valleys,
And is never like a spring flower,
Gentle and smart...
Is never caressed by breeze but by
Whirling winds,
Instead of desire by endearment
Voiceless balmed.
And the last love is being withered,
Being withered,
In grief and sorrow, though tender,
But all glum.
No immortality ever lives
In the world,
No immortality ever lives
Without love!

Let the Banners Wave on High!

The day has dawned: A sun of fire glides up…
Let the banners wave on high!
The soul's athirst for Liberty and Right
As wounded deer that seek a streamlet bright.
Let the banners wave on high!

Glory to those with souls devoid of fear,
Who for the people's cause did bravely die…
Their names shine bright like torches in the night…
Let the banners wave on high!

Glory to him who fills our hearts with hope,
Braves foes with matchless worth and fearless eye!
The day has dawned! United let us fight!
Let Freedom's banner over us wave on high!