If the foolish, call them flowers by Emily Dickins

Коль глупы, зови "цветами" -
надо ль мудреней?
раз окрестит тем же самым
в "Видах" корифей!

Кто читает "Откровенья" -
им не критикан,
взгляд, что занят схожим чтеньем,
застит ли туман!

Мы ль не примем с Моисеем
"Ханаан" в дары,
край обетованный смерив
со своей горы...

Мы, скорей, сочтём излишним
множество наук,-
их в надмирности не ищет
серафимов круг!

Мал, средь искр-изысков речи,
дар нам, чтоб мерцать
звёздами, средь глубей Млечных -
при "Деснице" Царств!




(Эмили - к Сэму Боулзу, написавшему о её стихах
в своей газете, что они "сродни цветочкам".
Подробности - ниже, у Рут Миллер.)
  [Ruth Miller again provides a valuable clue for the
understanding of this poem, namely the fact that
Samuel Bowles had written in the Springfield Republican
the following words:
Now in the flower season, let us welcome the kindred flowers
of poetry and romance, and never idly fancy the time is lost
that is spent in their enjoyment.
  This poem could well be Emily’s reply to such a statement.
She says in effect, ‘If foolish Savants like Bowles want
to classify amateur poems and call them ‘flowers,’
that’s all right, as those who appreciate great literature
mustn’t complain about those who are blind to it.
After all, if we had a proper vision of great literature
as Moses once had a proper vision of the Promised Land,
no doubt we should deem superfluous the information in
the columns of newspapers as being ‘not pursued by learned
Angels in scholastic skies.’ I myself would like to win
at least a low place as a star among the Galaxies of
great writers at the right hand of God.’
In Deuteronomy 34:1-4 God shows Moses all the land
of Canaan from the top of mount Pisgah, but says of it,
‘I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou
shalt not go over thither.’ Poems 112 and 597 also refer
to Moses’ sight of the Promised Land.]

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If the foolish, call them "flowers" by Emily Dickinson

If the foolish, call them "flowers" --            
Need the wiser, tell?               
If the Savants "Classify" them               
It is just as well!               

Those who read the "Revelations"            
Must not criticize               
Those who read the same Edition --         
With beclouded Eyes!               

Could we stand with that Old "Moses" -- 
"Canaan" denied --               
Scan like him, the stately landscape       
On the other side —               

Doubtless, we should deem superfluous   
Many Sciences,               
Not pursued by learned Angels               
In scholastic skies!               

Low amid that glad Belles lettres            
Grant that we may stand,               
Stars, amid profound Galaxies --            
At that grand "Right hand"!