W.H. Аudеn. Translation by Shlomo Krol

Also in Translations:

Hadrians_wall
Hadrian's Wall. Photo: Velella/Wikimedia Commons
W.H. Аudеn. Translation by Shlomo Krol

Rоman Wаll Bluеs

Over the heather the wet wind blows,
I’ve lice in my tunic and a cold in my nose.

The rain comes pattering out of the sky,
I’m a Wall soldier, I don’t know why.

The mist creeps over the hard grey stone,
My girl’s in Tungria; I sleep alone.

Aulus goes hanging around her place,
I don’t like his manners, I don’t like his face.

Piso’s a Christian, he worships a fish;
There’d be no kissing if he had his wish.|

She gave me a ring but I diced it away;
I want my girl and I want my pay.

When I’m a veteran with only one eye
I shall do nothing but look at the sky.

 

“Блюз Римской Стены”

Ветер сырой кусты теребит,
Вши в моей тунике, нос мой забит,

Ливень стучит. Предо мной — стена.
Я ее сторожу, пропади она.

Туман ползет по камням опять.
Моя девушка в Тунгрии, не с кем спать.

Вокруг нее ошивается Авл,
По харе поганой я б гаду дал.

Пизон — христианин. Им рыба — бог.
Он ласки вообще б отменил, кабы мог.

Колечко ее просадил я когда-то.
Хочу свою девку, хочу свою плату.

В отставке я буду валять дурака,
Да оставшимся глазом глядеть в облака.

About the Author:

WHA-1956_press_photo
W.H. Аudеn
UK/US

W.H. Аudеn (1907 – 1973) was an Anglo-American poet. He was born in Great Britain, and in 1939 moved to the United States and became an American citizen. Aiden is considered one of the greatest poets of the English language.

About the Translator:

Shlomo-Krol-translator-photo
Shlomo Krol
Tel Aviv, Israel

Shlomo Krol translates poetry from Hebrew, English, Italian, Latin. In his early years, he lived in St. Petersburg. He moved to Israel in 1992. Currently, he lives in Tel Aviv.

W.H. Аudеn Shlomo Krol У.Х. Оден Шломо Кроль
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