Жүрегім, нені сезесің

Одинокое, не ищи

Lonely heart, do not seek response

On your road with calamities lined.

My soul, do not wander, keep still for once

If no refuge from life you can find.

A feeling expressed is always false.

No voice responds to my calls.

Oh whither, my restless, unhappy soul,

Do you draw me away from my native walls?

Friendship, happiness, peace and love

On the market of life are not worth much.

The peddlars of honour won’t put them above

A copper ha’penny—life is such.

The people’s judgement for them are scales

On which to weigh slander and flattery.

Those past-masters in the art of deceit,

They’ve forgotten what shame and honour be.

With whom can I share my anxious thoughts

 If friendship is out of fashion?

Whose sympathy is there to soothe the heart

When the world has no room for compassion?

Always and everywhere men are base:

 Pity someone and he will repay

By begging a loan, and if you refuse

In fury from you he will turn away.

A lying hypocrite’s honeyed words

 Won’t find their way into hearts sincere.

A flattering scoundrel can do no good

To himself or those who give ear.

You are burning away with a useless flame,

O my soul whom the anguish of loneliness rends,

What is the use of burning in vain

For where is your love and where are your friends?

Translated by Dorian Rottenberg