Taras Shevchenko. Farm in Ukraine. Pencil, watercolor. 1845-1846.
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Taras Shevchenko
TESTAMENT
("Zapovit" / "Jak umru, to pokhovajte"
"Заповіт" / "Як умру, то поховайте")
Translated by Vera Rich
When I die, then make my grave
High on an ancient mound,
In my own beloved Ukraine,
In steppeland without bound :
Whence one may see wide-skirted wheatland,
Dnipro’s steep-cliffed shore,
There whence one may hear the blustering
River wildly roar.
Till from Ukraine to the blue sea
It bears in fierce endeavour
The blood of foemen — then I’ll leave
Wheatland and hills forever:
Leave all behind, soar up until
Before the throne of God
I’ll make my prayer.
For till that hour
I shall know naught of God.
Make my grave there — and arise,
Sundering your chains,
Bless your freedom with the blood
Of foemen’s evil veins!
Then in that great family,
A family new and free,
Do not forget, with good intent
Speak quietly of me.
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Taras Shevchenko's poem "Testament"
"Zapovit" / "Jak umru, to pokhovajte"
("Заповіт" / "Як умру, то поховайте")
1845, Pereyaslav, (Переяслав)
Translated by Vera Rich
Source of English translation of the poem: Taras Shevchenko."Song out of Darkness". Selected poems translated from the Ukrainian by Vera Rich. London, 1961, p. 85.
Source of the original poem in Ukrainian:
Taras Shevchenko. Zibrannia tvoriv: U 6 t. - Kyjiv, "Naukova dumka", 2003. Tom 1: Poeziia 1837 - 1847, stor. 371; stor. 750 - 752.
Here you can find Ukrainian text of the Taras Shevchenko's poem:
Original poem in Ukrainian
More poems of Taras Shevchenko translated into English by Vera Rich:
Vera Rich - famous British translator of Taras Shevchenko's works. Selected poems translated from the Ukrainian by Vera Rich
Vera Rich - translator, journalist, poet and human rights activist. Read selected poems translated from the Ukrainian by Vera Rich.
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Taras Shevchenko's poem