| Deutsch and Yarmolinsky, comps. Modern Russian Poetry. 1921. | | | | The Dragon | | By Fyodor Sologub (Pseudonym of Fyodor Teternikov) (b. 1863) |
| | | EVIL dragon in the zenith fiercely glowing, | |
| Filaments of flame across the heavens throwing, | |
| Singeing all the valley with a heat that scorches,— | |
| From the deep, dark quiver I will pluck an arrow | |
| Tipped with subtle poison that shall find thy marrow: | 5 |
| All too early flourish thy triumphal torches. | |
| I shall draw my bow in valiant retribution, | |
| I, executor of ruthless execution, | |
| And thy groaning answer my glad ears shall cherish | |
| As I speed the sudden doom long overhanging, | 10 |
| And the arrow whizzes with a brazen twanging. | |
| Thou shalt fade, thou evil dragon, thou shalt perish. | | | | |
|
|
