'I won't beg for your love.'

by Anna Akhmatova

　　It's safely laid aside….

　　I won't be penning jealous

　　Letters to your bride.

　　But be wise, take my advice:

　　Give her my poems to read,

　　Give her my photos beside –

　　Be kind to the newly-wed!

　　Oh, knowledge is better for geese,

　　Feeling they've won completely,

　　Than sweet companionable speech,

　　Or a tender first-night memory…

　　And when you've spent all your

　　Kopecks of joy with your dear friend,

　　And your spirit's sated with it all,

　　And suddenly you're ashamed –

　　Don't come – I'll fail to know you –

　　To me, night's crestfallen guest.

　　For how could I help you?

　　I've no cure for happiness.