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And, Say, Who Goes There?

by Yanka Kupala

Translated into English by Vera Rich in Like Water, Like Fire (1971) and in And, Say, Who Goes There? (1983)

And, say, who goes there? And, say, who goes there?
In such a mighty throng assembled, O declare?

Byelorussians!




And what do those lean shoulders bear as load,
Those hands stained dark with blood, those feet bast-sandal shod?

All their grievance!




And to what place do they this grievance bear,
And whither do they take it to declare?

To the whole world!




And who schooled them thus, many million strong,
Bear their grievance forth, roused them from slumbers long?

Want and suffering!




And what is it, then, for which so long they pined,
Scorned throughout the years, they, the deaf, the blind?

To be called human!




[1905 - 1907]

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Original content and overall form ©1996-2004 by Peter Kasaty : All Rights Reserved. Last Updated:  1999/06/26
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