{ Anna Akhmatova: Rachel. }

[delga]

Rachel
by Anna Akhmatova

And Jacob met Rachel in the valley,
He bowed to her, like a homeless wanderer.
The flocks churned up hot dust,
The spring was blocked by a huge stone.
He removed the stone with his own hand
And gave the sheep pure water to drink.

But the heart in his breast began to grieve,
To ache, like an open wound,
And he agreed to labour for the maiden
Seven years as a shepherd to Laban.
Rachel! For him who was under your sway,
Seven years were like seven dazzling days.

But very wise was Laban, the lover of silver,
And pity was unknown to him.
He thought: Everyone will forgive deceit
For the glory of Laban's house.
And with a firm hand he led unsuspecting Leah
To Jacob's marriage bed.

Deep night flows over the desert,
Lets fall cool dew,
And Laban's younger daughter moans,
Tearing her heavy braids.
She curses her sister and blasphemes against God
And commands the angel of death to appear.

And the sweetest time for Jacob was his dream:
The limpid spring of the valley,
The joyful gaze of Rachel's eyes
And her voice like a dove:
Jacob, wasn't it you who kissed me
And called me your black dove?