My Monument

IV. 23.

A monument not hand-made I have for me erected;

The path to it well-trodden will not overgrow;

Risen higher has it with unbending head

Than the monument of Alexander.

No! not all of me shall die! my soul in hallowed lyre

Shall my dust survive, and escape destruction--

And famous be I shall, as long as on earth sublunar

One bard at least living shall remain.

My name will travel over the whole of Russia great,

And there pronounce my name shall every living tongue:

The Slav's proud scion, and the Finn, and the savage yet

Tungus, and the Calmuck, lover of the steppe.

And long to the nation I shall be dear:

For rousing with my lyre its noble feelings.

For extolling freedom in a cruel age,

For calling mercy upon the fallen.

The bidding of God, O Muse, obey.

Fear not insult, ask not crown:

Praise and blame take with indifference

And dispute not with the fool!

August, 1836.