As Adam lay a-dreaming beneath the Apple Tree
The Angel of the Earth came down and offered Earth in fee.
But Adam did not need it.
Nor the plough he would not speed it
Singing: Earth and Water, Air and Fire,
What more mortal man desire?
(The Apple Tree's in bud)
As Adam lay a-dreaming beneath the Apple Tree
The Angel of the Water offers all seas in fee
But Adam would not take 'em
Nor the ships he wouldn't make 'em
Singing: Water, Earth and Air and Fire,
What more mortal man desire?
(The Apple Tree's in leaf)
As Adam lay a-dreaming beneath the Apple Tree
The Angel of the Air he offered all the air in fee.
But Adam did not crave it.
Nor the flight he would not brave it
Singing: Air and Water, Earth and Fire,
What more mortal man desire?
(The Apple Tree's in bloom)
As Adam lay a-dreaming beneath the Apple Tree
The Angel of the Fire rose up and not a word said he
But he wished a flame and made it
And in Adam's heart he laid it
Singing: Fire, Fire, burning Fire
Stand up and reach your heart's desire!
(The Apple Blossom's set)
As Adam was a-working outside of Eden-Wall
He used the Earth, he used the Seas, he used the Air and all;
Till out of black disaster
He arouse to be a master
Of Earth and Water, Air and Fire,
But never reached his heart's desire!
(The Apple Tree's cut down!) |
Ангел Земли пришел к Адаму
И принес ему почвы степей.
Не хотелось пахать Адаму,
Он прогнал его прочь.
(На деревьях почки.)
Ангел Воды пришел к Адаму
И принес ему зелень морей.
Не хотелось плавать Адаму,
Он прогнал его прочь.
(На деревьях листья.)
Ангел Ветра пришел к Адаму
И принес ему вздохи небес.
Не хотелось летать Адаму,
Он прогнал его прочь.
(Яблони в цвету.)
Ангел Огня пришел к Адаму
И зажег в его сердце страсть.
Бросил Адам свой Рай
И спустился вниз.
(Яблоки в соку.)
Так и живет он -
Хозяин мира и раб страстей,
Всем на Земле владея,
Кроме себя.
(Дерево - в огонь.)
Перевод Я.Фельдмана |
