Hovhannes Tumanian: Farewell of Sirius
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Translation of Hovhannes Tumanian poem
1922
- O say, from what remoteness do you hail
- Sirius, mighty traveller of the sky,
- What is the haven to which you sail
- With speed untold
- On endless routes,
- As the centuries unfold?
- Most brilliant gem of the firmament,
- You gleam
- On the heavenly dome.
- With your bounty of ardent light
- You decorate
- Illuminate
- The canopy of our dim night.
- How many eyes gazed at you before
- Just as we do tonight,
- And how many more
- As yet unborn
- Will be gazing at your light?
- Who was it first wished you good speed
- From our Earth
- And the human race?
- And in whose eyes without a trace
- Will fade,
- Darken, expire
- Forever your farewell fire?
- Good speed on your way, our ancient guest!
- If you perchance
- Meet mighty Death
- Ask her a question on our behalf:
- “How many
- Generations of men
- Will a stellar leave-taking outlast?