FEBRUARY 26 (MARCH 11)
I
There on a mountain beyond the Dnipro
banners are happily shouting:
honor to him, glory, and praise!
Orchestras play, and the churches
hail his portrait in flowers –
there, on a hill, beyond the Dnipro
The singing rolls into the steppes,
moving from village to village:
honor to him, glory, and praise!
Let’s rise, little brothers,
let’s welcome our prophet.
There on a hill beyond the Dnipro
honor to him, glory, and praise!
1920
II
The preacher men and dictators came (oh shame!), –
just the ones You could not abide.
And someone erected Your bust
between the monastery and the cathedral.
You stand. You stare into the distance with reproach...
What fire was burning in your soul
when you awakened and summoned the blind bards,
to fight the violence, kingdoms and terror!
Well, what of it, Taras! If you’re happy about it or not –
look how things are here these days,
in one great family, in a society free.
Look. Keep silent. Even if you get hungry –
say nothing to the First-Enthroned-One. –
Otherwise they’ll even label You a chauvinist.
1920