Alexander By Thebes by Anna Akhmatova

Alexander By Thebes

Anna Akhmatova

(From "The Little Antic Poems")
1961

I think, the king was fierce, though young,

When he proclaimed, “You’ll level Thebes with ground.”

And the old chief perceived this city proud,

He’d seen in times that are in sagas sung.

Set all to fire! The king listed else

The towers, the gates, the temples – rich and thriving…

But sank in thoughts, and said with lighted face,

“You just provide the Bard Home’s surviving.”

Translated by Tanya Karshtedt, 1998

Edited by Dmitry Karshtedt, January, 2002

http://www.poetryloverspage.com/yevgeny/akhmatova/all_in_moscow.html