Somewhere there is a simple life and a world, br Transparent, warm and joyful. . . br There at evening a neighbor talks with a girl br Across the fence, and only the bees can hear br This most tender murmuring of all. br br But we live ceremoniously and with difficulty br And we observe the rites of our bitter meetings, br When suddenly the reckless wind br Breaks off a sentence just begun - br br But not for anything would we exchange this splendid br Granite city of fame and calamity, br The wide rivers of glistening ice, br The sunless, gloomy gardens, br And, barely audible, the Muse's voice.