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“Wherefore” by Mikhail Lermontov 🇷🇺 (15 Oct 181427 Jul 1841)
Translated from the Russian by Eugene Mark Kayden
I grieve because I love, and loving you,
I know their crafty rumors will pursue
Your youth in flower, lying out of spite.
For every shining hour and true delight
Fate will demand in ache and tears its pay.
I grieve—because you are so free and gay.