The Insane Priest
A priest insane went many days without repose or sleep, “My visions are a shadow world but love is real and deep.”
He, like a prophet, staff in hand, sought out a distant shrine.
“As sacred ash are all my dreams, and fateful love is mine.”
Long, long he knelt and prayed alone, his tears fell unrestrained.
“My visions are the snow-crowned heights, my love the flood unchained.”
A sacrifice he laid upon that altar far away.
“My visions are a dream of dawn, my love the radiant day.”
A knife he thrust into his heart, to seal the holy rite.
“My visions all resplendent glow, my love is like the night.”
And on the altar falling prone, he then gave up his soul.
“My visions are the lightning’s flash, my love the thunder’s roll.”
Upon the altar poured his blood, it formed a crimson pall.
“As his deliriums are my dreams, as death my love my all.”
Sergey Makowsky
Translation by Constance Purdy
Note: To this poem Mr. Reinhold Gliere has composed a magnificent musical setting with piano and orchestra accompaniment and dedicated it to a prominent Russian revolutionist.