Friday Night Poetry

Here's a Russian poem by Alexy K. Tolstoy (1817-1875), a distant cousin of the more famous, Leo Tolstoy. Make of it what you will. The poem was translated by Babette Deutsch.


Soldier of Neither Camp


Soldier of neither camp, a casual guest in both,
I would rejoice to draw my sword in a just cause,
But secretly I chafe: both factions give me pause,
And neither can persuade these lips to take the oath.

My full allegiance, then, they cannot ever know—
My soul is still my own, though I choose either side:
The partial zeal of friends unable to abide,
I'd fight to keep unstained the banner of the foe.


—Alexey K. Tolstoy