Demon

Now, on the rocky mountain slope above the valley of Koyshaur,

an ancient ruin's standing still, a broken-fanged, stony tower.

All has run wild, no trace is left of bygone years; The hand of time...

cautiously, carefully has swept them all away: The glorious prime...

of Gudal, vanished without token. His daughter's name no longer spoken!

Only the sullen mountain bent above them vigilance does keep:

That man's eternal discontent might not break in upon their slumber.

His way above the sinful earth the melancholy Demon winged...

and memories of happier days about his exiled spirit thronged;

Of Caucasus-and all about God's world lay wonderful and wild...

But the proud Spirit looked with doubt and cool contempt on God's creation,

his brow unruffled and serene admitting no participation.

Accursed world!

Despicable world!

Unhappy,

hateful to me world!

Before me, of fruitless centuries the sad row is passing by.

Wielding power over the earth has wearied me,

without enjoying it I sow evil.

Nowhere do I find opposition to it,

and everyone obeys my wish...

or my command.

Accursed world!

Despicable world!

Unhappy,

hateful to me world!

In what way is it good?!

Just as people, I find it insignificant.

Everywhere it is exactly the same;

Everywhere weak and hopeless.

I wish it-

and destroyed are woods and forests by a hurricane,

by waters flooded are the plains...

and darkened are the skies by fog.

With underground fires I melt mountains, cliffs...

and the plains with burning lava I overflow!

All...

that before me I see-

All...

I curse,

all I hate!

All...

that before me I see-

All I do curse,

all I do hate!

Touched of no other sentiment than envy, hatred, cold contempt.

Right high the house, right wide the court grey-haired Gudal has builded him...

in tears and labour dearly bought by slaves submissive to his whim.

In austere silence heretofore the house has looked across the valleys;

But now wide open stands the door, Gudal holds feast to mark the marriage...

of his Tamara: Now the wine flows freely and the zurna skirts;

Nor had mortal fingers ever caressed a forehead so divine,

to loose such splendid curls;

Indeed, since Eve was first undone and man from Eden forth must fare,

no beauty such as this, I swear, had bloomed beneath the Southern sun.

That, had the Demon soaring high above looked down and chanced to see...

Then, mindful of his former race, he had turned from her with a sigh...

The Demon did see... For one second it seemed to him that Heaven beckoned...

to make his arid soul resound with glorious, grace-bestowing sound-

and once again his thought embraced the sacrosanct significance...

of Goodness, Beauty and of Love!

Love me!

To another will I yield you not.

The free son of the ether, I shall take you...

to the space beyond the stars.

The free son of the ether, I shall take you...

to the space beyond the stars;

And you will be Queen of the Universe,

my eternal friend,

and you will be Queen of the Universe,

my eternal friend!

Meanwhile, his galant steed all lathered, hastening to join his kin forgathered...

to celebrate his wedding day, the bridegroom made his urgent way...

Dispatch a messenger to my bride.

Let him gallop to her at the soonest!

He shall carry my respects,

and tell that I shall be at midday by her side!

My heart beats with forebodings.

Our caravan was delayed,

and in vain today for us has been waiting Prince Gudal.

In frustration, from the roofs our road...

the sad Princess will have been watching.

The thud of hoofs is heard beyond the mountain-

“It is him coming!” will she cry out.

But vainly will she strain her eyes;

Your Prince is delayed.

His road through the faraway gorge...

was blocked by a landslide!

Exhausted were our horses;

Their racing was slowed down.

The faithful servants got tired,

needing a night's rest.

Ah,

to see each other with Tamara!

To embrace her soon!

I should abandon the caravan-

yes-and gallop to her!

Transformed into a falcon,

towards you,

my fearful dove,

I would fly.

I would fly,

I would plane over the air.

In your proximity...

I would admire...

the little dove,

my own little dove.

While you wait, impatiently,

I am, alas, still far away;

As if broken...

were my wings.

I am, alas, still far away.

Broken are my wings.

Ah!

The hour is late. The sunset glow is fading on the peaks of snow.

Dark, little...

night,

soon will be over.

Tomorrow...

at dawn...

we shall be on the road again.

The bright sun will appear in the sky,

lighting up our little path.

Mounting our swift horses, we shall show off,

like weapons glittering under the sun.

With songs,

with dances,

with resounding...

tambourines,

tomorrow the maidens...

will come to meet us.

Dark, little...

night,

soon will be over.

Tomorrow...

at dawn...

we shall be on the road again.

Through the dark, little night,

obedient winds,

when you pass through the loved one's chamber;

All that I tell you,

how I do love her,

by the dear one's bedside...

pour in singing!

Dark, little...

night...

Sleep my beloved...

Soon...

will be over...

For a fortifying sleep,

your faithful one, to the Lord...

prays in this silence:

Creator of the world,

give her peace,

O God!

Oh, my darling! Oh, my darling!

I see through the night; You I see.

I see, my beautiful one,

I see your form!

I shall caress you, I shall kiss you!

Tomorrow, yes, tomorrow...

you will be mine,

you will be mine.

Mine! Mine! Mine!

God,

what is happening with me!

What is happening with me!

Tamara...

Tamara...

He, while intent in his prayers...

with sweet dreams I lulled to sleep.

In his thoughts, by the dark night,

the lips of his bride he kissed.

Sleep!

Sleep!

You shall not see Tamara!

The hours fly, they fly...

The darkness of night is fraught with trouble,

and your enemy...

here awaits!

Carefully, carefully crawl forward!

Carefully, carefully crawl forward!

The guard...

The guard is fast asleep!

The guard...

The guard is fast asleep!

Carefully...

crawl forward!

Carefully...

crawl forward!

Prince! Prince!

Get up! Defend your caravan! What? Tamara!

Who is here?

Strike down the infidels! Strike them!

Strike down the infidels! Strike them!

Prince, save yourself! For us there is no escape!

Carry everything! Pull down and sack!

Carry everything! Pull down and sack!

Hey!

Hey!