With winged footsteps now I hasten <br />Unto the far cold North away, <br />Kasbek,--thou watchman of the East, <br />To thee, my farewell greetings say! <br /> <br />Since all eternity, a turban <br />Snow white, thy glorious brow has veiled, <br />The peace sublime about thy glacier <br />The strife of man has ne'er assailed. <br /> <br />Accept my humble supplication, <br />Hear thy submissive faithful son, <br />To starry heights lift his entreaty <br />To Allah's everlasting throne. <br /> <br />I do implore--spice breathing coolness <br />Through sultry sun-glow in the vale, <br />A stone for rest unto the pilgrim <br />In whirling dust of desert gale. <br /> <br />Turn, I implore, the storm's hot hatred, <br />The deadly thunderous lightning's course-- <br />In Dariel's wild pass protect me <br />And my distracted, trembling horse. <br /> <br />Yet one prayer more my heart audacious, <br />Weeping, lifts up in bodeful stress, <br />What if my native land forget me <br />In my sad exile's loneliness? <br /> <br />Will, greeting me by name familiar, <br />My friend then open wide his arms? <br />Will e'en my brothers recognise me, <br />So changed by many griefs and harms? <br /> <br />Perchance my foot will fall profaning <br />Dust of those loved in youth's far day, <br />The pure and noble, deeply trusted-- <br />Withered as Autumn leaves in May. <br /> <br />O Kasbek, then with earth o'erwhelm me! <br />Snow o'er thy weary wanderer back, <br />And blow away my dust and scatter <br />Along thy rock-ridged clefts lone track!<br /><br />Mikhail Yuryevich Lermontov<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/to-kasbek/
