The Russian Review/Volume 1/March 1916/The Sea and the Heart

1554332The Sea and the HeartAleksey Konstantinovich Tolstoy

The Sea and the Heart.

By Count Alexis Tolstoy.

Translated for "The Russian Review."

When ebbs the tide, think not the sea inconstant,
It will return again back to the shore;
Believe it not, my friend, when in excess of anguish,
I say my love for thee exists no more!

Already back the dashing waves are rolling,
Back from afar to the beloved strand;
Again, again I long, full of that self-same passion,
To place once more my freedom in thy hand!