Oak-Grove, Darkly-Shadowed Spinney

Translated by Vera Rich

Oak-grove, darkly-shadowed spinney,
         Thrice in the year’s course
A new robe you wear... A rich
         Father must be yours!
Firstly in a cloak of green
         He adorns you richly,
And himself in all amazed
        To look upon his spinney.
Looks his fill upon his darling,
        Well-beloved and young,
Takes her then and robes her newly
        In a golden gown;
Wraps her in a costly mantle
        Of the purest white,
Then, all weary from his labours,
        Lies down for the night.

            1860, St. Petersburg