Original (Russian)
Когда сжимает свой обруч осада,
Как щупальца осьминог,
Я знаю, в запасе всегда есть Масада,
Мой выход и жизни итог.
Свобода, ты больше семьи и планиды,
И даже жизни самой.
Смертью себя одаряют провидцы,
Цепи влачит слепой.
И я перед смертью на камень присяду,
К сердцу примерю клинок…
С Мёртвого моря не видно Масады,
С Масады виден пророк.
Взгляну на него — ни следа, ни надсады,
На сердце сойдёт благодать…
В песочке играют дети Масады —
Из праха восстала рать.
English translation
When the siege tightens its hoop,
As an octopus its tentacles,
I know there is always Masada in reserve,
My way out and the sum of my life.
Freedom, you are greater than family and fate,
And even than life itself.
Seers bestow death on themselves,
The blind man drags his chains.
And before death I will sit down on a stone,
I will try the blade against my heart…
From the Dead Sea Masada cannot be seen,
From Masada the prophet can be seen.
I will look at him — not a trace, no strain,
Grace will descend upon my heart…
In the sand the children of Masada are playing —
An army has risen from the dust.
The English is a literal, line-by-line translation, given so that readers can follow the original.
About the poem
Images:
- Masada: Used as a symbol of resistance and freedom.
- The octopus: Creates a feeling of suffocation and of having no way out.
- The prophet: Probably a symbol of spiritual strength and steadfastness.
- The children: Symbolize the future and hope.
- The Dead Sea: Underlines the hopelessness of the situation.
Style:
- The poem is written in iambs, which gives it solemnity and pathos.
- It uses metaphors (“the octopus’s tentacles”, “the ring of the siege”) and epithets (“blind”, “seers”).
- The repetition of the word “Masada” creates a rhythm and underlines its meaning.
Themes:
- Freedom: The central theme of the poem.
- Death: Seen as a way of gaining freedom.
- Patriotism: A feeling of love for one’s homeland and a readiness for self-sacrifice.
- Faith: Faith in a higher power and in the immortality of the soul.
On the whole, the poem “Masada” makes a strong impression.
It is full of vivid images, deep thoughts and strong emotions.
