Loved this. I for one would enjoy more poetry translations. Also, bold call to name Hero of Our Time as the best Russian novel! Do you have a particular translation you’d recommend?
I believe the last 2 stanzas of “sleep” refer to the Dagestani girl dreaming of the dying soldier. The girl is sitting alone deep in thought, and she is dreaming of the dying soldier, as he dreams of her.
This was fascinating. Thanks very much for the introduction, which is always helpful for laymen like me! Was Lermontov's ancestor affiliated with the Muscovy Company?
I actually few books saved on my computer about this, "The Discovery of Muscovy" by Richard Hakluyt & "Travel to Tartary" by Anthony Jenkins, you might be interested
One of my favorite Substacks brings back one of my fondest childhood memory: swimming in the River Terek with my grandparents. It was both beautiful and thrilling. This stunning, lesser-known region is vividly captured in Lermontov's poetry, thank you for sharing such a well documented post.
Loved this. I for one would enjoy more poetry translations. Also, bold call to name Hero of Our Time as the best Russian novel! Do you have a particular translation you’d recommend?
Thank you! Just the penguin one is good from my experience
"Sleep" is usually translated as "The Dream" in English.
In noon's heat, in a dale of Dagestan
With lead inside my breast, stirless I lay;
The deep wound still smoked on; my blood
Kept trickling drop by drop away.
On the dale's sand alone I lay. The cliffs
Crowded around in ledges steep,
And the sun scorched their tawny tops
And scorched me — but I slept death's sleep.
And in a dream I saw an evening feast
That in my native land with bright lights shone;
Among young women crowned with flowers,
A merry talk concerning me went on.
But in the merry talk not joining,
One of them sat there lost in thought,
And in a melancholy dream
Her young soul was immersed — God knows by what.
And of a dale in Dagestan she dreamt;
In that dale lay the corpse of one she knew;
Within his breast a smoking wound showed black,
And blood ran in a stream that colder grew.
One of my favourite poems. No idea Lermontov was a painter as well, thanks for putting together this piece.
Thank you, I will make the corrections
I believe the last 2 stanzas of “sleep” refer to the Dagestani girl dreaming of the dying soldier. The girl is sitting alone deep in thought, and she is dreaming of the dying soldier, as he dreams of her.
Thank you
This was fascinating. Thanks very much for the introduction, which is always helpful for laymen like me! Was Lermontov's ancestor affiliated with the Muscovy Company?
I think he came to Russia from Sweden, but I am not sure, its something I need to research
Got it. I read this a few months ago; despite the subtitle, the early chapters are about the Muscovy Company and very interesting:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/new-world-inc-simon-targett/1137181828?ean=9780316307888
Thank you! I check this is out
I have been meaning to read more about this topic
I actually few books saved on my computer about this, "The Discovery of Muscovy" by Richard Hakluyt & "Travel to Tartary" by Anthony Jenkins, you might be interested
Sweet! Thanks v much for recommending, I will check these out. I still need to read the Hopkirk book but am adding them to my list!
One of my favorite Substacks brings back one of my fondest childhood memory: swimming in the River Terek with my grandparents. It was both beautiful and thrilling. This stunning, lesser-known region is vividly captured in Lermontov's poetry, thank you for sharing such a well documented post.