I walked out of the deal, such a deal as could never be better! I have not gained a thing, leaving just as the day I was born. Not because that I had to - the time had arrived, it was settled, From beyond the blue mountain it came with new chores of concern. The books are here to help us comprehend, The truth by word of mouth would make us wiser: "There are no prophets in your fatherland, In other lands there are not many either." I have not betrayed friends, someone even won big in my absence. I have failed only one, not for long, but we’ll settle the score. I pulled out of the deal, and my blood, sweat and tears were not wasted, And it simply went on without me, the same way as before. No one is irreplaceable, my friend, A requiem for the departed brothers. There are no prophets in your fatherland, In other lands there are not many either. I’ve been broken apart, but I’m glad the lion’s share only Went to those to whom I would have given it all anyway. Rosin covers my heels, on the slippery floor I am walking, And I’m climbing the stairs, to the attic I’m making my way. There are no prophets, they’re in high demand; Mohammed, Zarathustra left for aether. There are no prophets in your fatherland, In other lands there are not many either. I can hear down below them say, whether from good or from evil: "Well, it’s good that he’s gone - without him our advance won’t be hard!" In the corner my icons in cobwebs, I rub them in fever, with my nails, for the horse now is saddled for me in the yard. A saint appeared and I took a stand, And luminous but sad was my adviser: "There are no prophets in your fatherland, In other lands there are not many either." I soar up in the saddle, we’re sharing one body together; If my horse comes down, I, with the bit between teeth, will be gone! I walked out of the deal, such a deal as could never be better; From beyond the blue mountain it came with new chores of concern. I ride my horse, but I can understand Of what the trampled wheat now speaks beneath her: "There are no prophets in your fatherland, In other lands there are not many either."
© Kirill Tolmachev. Translation, 2023