Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Deutsch and Yarmolinsky, comps. Modern Russian Poetry. 1921.

Messengers

Andrey Bely (Pseudonym of Boris Bugayev) (b. 1880)

IN fields hopeless and dumb

Droops the pale-bladed grain;

It is dozing and numb

Amid dreams that are vain….

With a high sudden hum

The field tosses its mane:

“Unto us Christ is come!”

The wild news shakes the plain.

Like a wind-beaten drum

Shouts the quivering grain.

The bells ring soft and slow,

There is clamor and pain

In the church, and a low

Voice is lifted again

That reiterates: “Woe!”

To the poor folk and plain

Are brought candles aglow:

“Christ is coming again!”

But with voices of woe

They file doorward, in pain.