VOLGA AND DON
(AUGUST, 1942.)
Far away I heard across a hundred Miles when skies were blazing overhead, Mother Volga to the Blue Don speaking: This is what she said :— " Hail to you, 0 Don, my ancient comrade, Bitter are these days for you my dear.
Grief fills both your banks : the kites are flying O'er your billows cleat.
Only this I say to you, old comrade, Say it to your banks so fresh and green: Russian rivers yielding to a foeman No man yet has seen."
Flashing like a Cossack sword, to Volga Don replied, " Ah, heavy is the strain Of these hours to me, but I'll obey your Bidding nor complain.
Russian rivers' fame we'll not dishonour ; We have sent our sons out to the strife. On two sides the accursed foe enclosing, We'll crush out his life."
Gruffly then to Don the Volga answered, " From the noose let not one foeman go. Here it shall rie said was the beginning Of his overthrow."
Darkly swelled with anger those great rivers. Rivers hymncd in many a famous song, Songs so many that to read them ages Would not he too long.
So, like men, I heard the rivers speaking While the people rolled to war like waves.
In the land between these rivers countless Germans found their graves.
Never for a moment ceased the battle, Always overhead blazed that fierce sky.
Volga spoke to Don, and Don's blue waters Thundered in reply.
Translated by V. de S. Pinto from the Russian of Evgeny Dolmatovsky.
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