Songs and dances of death 2/4: Serenade.

An enchanting voluptuousness, a pale blue night,
The trembling twilight of spring...
Her sweet head hanging, an ailing maid listens
To the whisper of the nocturnal stillness.

No sleep closes her lustrous eyes,
Life invites one to taste pleasure;
But under the window, in the silence of midnight,
Death is singing a serenade:

"In the gloom of a captivity harsh and cramped
Your youth grows pale and fades;
But I, a mysterious knight, with my miraculous power
Shall set you free.

Arise and look at yourself: there is beauty
In the gleam of your transparent countenance,
Your cheeks are rosy, and a wavy pigtail
Is wrapped around your body like a storm cloud;

Your intent eyes' light-blue radiance
Is brighter than the heavens or fire;
Your breath holds a midday's sultriness...
You have seduced me.

Your ears were captivated by my serenade,
Your whisper summoned this knight.
The knight has come for the last reward:
The hour of ecstasy has come.

Your body is tender, your trembling thrilling.
Oh, i shall smother you
In my tight embrace; my lover's babbling
Listen to it...be silent...You are mine!"


Music by Modest MUSSORGSKY
Lyrics by Arseny GOLENICHTCHEV-KOUTOUSSOV

This one is my favorite.