Hovhannes Tumanian: Before a Painting by Aivazovsky

Translation of Hovhannes Tumanian poem
1893

1

The dishevelled waves

Of the sea,

Colliding

In foaming frenzy

Rear up

And gather themselves

With a fearful growl

While in that vast

And boundless space

The raging hurricane

Howls.

2

Brush in hand,

The old magician,

Cries out, “Stop!”

To the wild elements;

Silent and docile

At the master’s voice,

Those glowering seas

At the height of their fury,

Freeze still upon the canvas

Immobile in their motion:

Behold them before us!