Song of Harald and Yaroslavna, перетолмачил

                This poetic translation is
                dedicated to Viktor Nielsson.



Song of Harald and Yaroslavna
(by A. K. Tolstoy)


1
Harald in the saddle on his battle horse
Left capital Kiev. Like lava
His passion for Princess. Gets the message across
His sighting, “My star, Yaroslavna!

2
I have heard you verdict, my fair Princess.
The hope is gone, and with it shall be I …
They will get to know the weight of my ax
From the edge to the edge of the roaring seaside!"

3
Harald left Rus’ behind. At once
He sailed to wash in blood his grief
To where Arabs fight Normans
On land and sea - to get relief.

4
In Messina he caused them a wreck:
He cut Arabs like halva.
His battle-cry while raising his ax
Was “My star, Yaroslavna!”

5
He made himself known to Greeks,
Who he fought, and to Genoa freemen.
He fights on The Sea, going boat on boat,
But his thoughts are in capital Kiev.

6
Like an eagle he flies across The Sea in all ends,
He feasts in storms like a seagull.
Ships go crack under his ax,
But his heart, it yearns for Kiev.

7
It is merry time for the Harald’s squad.
In glory with Harald no one equals.
Calm waters of Dnepr are in his thought.
In his heart - Yaroslavna the Princess.

8
No, - he cannot forget her - it seems.
No happiness, even if he can …
That’s why he sharply turned his ships
And sent them running North again.

9
He went ashore and mounted a horse.
“Let’s see if you will love me. Ah??"
He mumbles riding midst green oaks,
“My star, Yaroslavna! My star, Yarosla …”

10
In capital Kiev with triumph he enters.
The monarch comes out to welcome the guests.
His star Yaroslavna, the maiden Princess,
Is next to her father and crosses her breasts.

11
“Greeting, my Harald! Long time, no see!
Returned you to Rus’. We’ve been waiting …
Do tell us what kept you at lands past The Sea.
Pursuit of what luck was so tempting?”

12
"I, Konungur, left from misfortune in love.
I was then unknown and poor.
I now come back, Konungur Yaroslav,
With glory and riches from Europe.

13
The city Messina I ruined to ruin,
I plundered the seaside of Bosporus,
My longboats filled I with pearls to the brim,
Can’t count or measure fine cloths.

14
To ancient Athens rumors went
Ahead of packs of my longboats,
My trusty sword had carved my name
On marble of the Piraeus Lion’s paws.

15
My black banner rustled at many seacoasts:
Sicilia, Hellas, and kingdom Pontus …
My deeds … they will always remember of those
Of Harald Hardrada of Kievan Rus’!

16
Like a whirl-wind I swept the margins of The Sea,
In glory with me who is equal? Ah? – None!
Agree you be now belonging to me,
My star, Yaroslavna? Oh, my star, Yarosla …."

17
In Norway fun feast rages awesome.
It is Spring! Folks hailed their best.
Midst scarlet wild roses in blossom,
Prince Harald came home from his quest.

18
With garlands of flowers his longboats are entwined,
Varangians rest from the battles.
Their red shields had covered the entire shoreside
With pitch black ravens on the banners.

19
In boats from all ends to his tall brocade tents
Eloquent skalds came and moored at the rings.
They’re praising on harps, next when previous ends,
Return of the daring Harald the Prince.

20
He himself sits elected with the cheer on his face
In the mantle and shiny light crown
On the throne of the king of the Norwegians race
At the high place by the sea that is splashing about.

21
The swarm of selected of the finest of lads
Serve the Ruler with honor and bow,
And Quinn Yaroslavna in the Constantinople’s dress
Sits next to him in the golden crown.

22
Addressing her, Harald says with love
In his blue shining eyes, “To thee
Whatever blooms and glitters above
And under the sun on land and sea,

23
Those ships adorned with flowers,
And the stronghold castles you can see,
And the crowding folk of the Norwegian land
That toils like a working bee,

24
And glory and fame that I struggled and gained,
And my very sovereign crown,
All, all that I owe to the changeble fate,
Is only the gift for the wedding I made
To you, oh my star, Yaroslavna!”

Русский текст стихотворения А.К. Толстого "ПЕСНЯ О ГАРАЛЬДЕ И ЯРОСЛАВНЕ" по ссылке