The Russian Review/Volume 1/May 1916/Before the Grave

by Semyon Nadson

Before the Grave.

By S. J. Nadson.

Translated for "The Russian Review."

Again alone, again the gloom,
The night and darkness spread around,
And, contemplating man's drear doom,
I stand before the fresh-heaped mound.

Why live and strive? What prize above
The common, can there be in store?
There's no one now for me to love,
No one to pray to, and adore.