Sonnets from the Crimea/Alushta by Day

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Alushta by Day  (1917)  by Adam Mickiewicz, translated by Edna W. Underwood

Alushta by Night→

ALUSHTA BY DAY

The mighty mountain flings its mist-veil down;  With little flowers the gracious fields are bright, And from the forest colors flash to sight  Like gems that drop from off a Calif's crown. Upon the meadows settles shimmering down  A band of butterflies in rainbow flight; Cicadas call and call in day's delight,  And bees are dreaming in a blossom's crown. The waves beneath the cliff are thunder-pale,  Now upward, upward in their rage they rise And tawny are their crests as tigers' eyes.  The sun is focused on one white, far sail And on blue, shining deeps as smooth as glass  Wherein slim cranes are shadowed as they pass.