European Elegies/Spring/A night in May
64.A NIGHT IN MAY
Across the clearing sky the soft clouds go,Slow-fading; thusThe sickle moon reaps their last sheaves of snowDiaphanous.
They pass, and from the stars strange powers of springBreathe down to blessMy heart in this vain earth with whisperingOf happiness.
But still the shades of time such visions blight:As clouds, alas,Into the vacant vastness of the nightWe too shall pass.
From the Russian of Afanasi Fet.