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The Kobzar of the Ukraine/Hymn of Exile

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The Kobzar of the Ukraine: Being Select Poems of Taras Shevchenko (1922)

by Taras Shevchenko, translated by Alexander Jardine Hunter
Hymn of Exile
3936558The Kobzar of the Ukraine: Being Select Poems of Taras Shevchenko (1922)
— Hymn of Exile
Alexander Jardine HunterTaras Shevchenko

Hymn of Exile


THE sun goes down beyond the hill,
The shadows darken, birds are still;
From fields no more come toiler's voices
In blissful rest the world rejoices.
With lifted heart I, gazing stand,
Seek shady grove in Ukraine's land.
Uplifted thus, 'mid memories fond
My heart finds rest, o'er the hills beyond.
On fields and woods the darkness falls
From heaven blue a bright star calls.
The tears fall down. Oh, evening star!
Hast thou appeared in Ukraine far?
In that fair land do sweet eyes seek thee
Dear eyes that once were wont to greet me?
Have eyes forgotten their tryst to keep?
Oh then, in slumber let them sleep
No longer o'er my fate to weep.