There’s hick protected forest near Murom’s merky place Where evil spirits flourish at an everlasting pace. Everyone has safety lack being frail and pale. And a nickname for main thugs is a nightingale. It’s scary as hell. It’s a land of bewitched marshes with kikimaras inside, Who will smear in the ashes, take to depths where’s no light. Everybody’s just a catch that is factual. And wood-goblins are unmatched. It’s still actual. It’s scary as hell. To the death each gets a ticket both the noble or the pawn If he walked into this thicket for a reason or with none. Everyone got disappeared unexceptionally. Folks just whisper tales in ears confidentially. It’s scary as hell. From a foreign beastly woodland which is outrightly hell Visited another brute band who would torture humans well. To discuss and to share experience They’d define first and square expedience. It’s scary as hell. Disregarding misconceptions that surround creepy pests, Russian Nightingale the Robber gave reception to those guests. They used skulls for potions’ drinks with the fresh squeezed blood Then spelled on each other jinx lying drugged in mud. It’s scary as hell. Dragon climbed upon a tree peak and yelled at the top his lungs: Hey, Chief Robber, bring some strippers. I am ready for wild pranks. Let ’em dance in underwear, let ’em sing. Otherwise, you’ll lay - I swear - in the zinc. It’s scary as hell. Everybody roared like crazy we’ve endured for too long. You do not deserve the praising and ‘ll be easily dethroned. You already took our stuff, greedy Harvest Bug. No free hookers. That’s enough! Scram, the ugly thug! It’s scary as hell. And head Nightingale the Robber wasn’t borne just yesterday He in turn began to clobber in a violent display: Get away, triple drunk, go instantly. Or if not you’ll be hung on that Christmas tree. It’s scary as hell. Only old grey-haired people can remember ancient dread When the evil spirits crippled their own and dropped dead. Outrage has gone for good. It’s a history. Everyone walks into woods free of mystery. It ain’t scary as all.
© Edward Leitman. Translation, 2011