EDNote: I add my own revision of Aleksey's translation at the bottom of
the message--slightly more literal, with the punned/dual meanings
indicated. Although these verses are not about Nabokov, it would be
interesting if anyone on the list could elucidate the occasion for
their composition. ~SB
One Jew who must be a Komsomol member
Decided to portray everyday life of the gentry in
the old days:
The landowner is in a hurry to the order for
post-horses
Riding a mortgage to the sound of bells.
Confused by the phrases zakladyvat' loshadey
(harness the horses) and dorozhnyi traktir (roadside
inn), the author is supposed to misuse the terms zakladnaya
(mortgage) and podorozhnaya (order for post-horses).
Last time I translate anything into English.
Alexey
-----
Original Message -----
Sent:
Friday, July 27, 2012 4:35 AM
Subject:
Re: [NABOKV-L] zhiletka
Traduction s'il te plait? I'll go as far as I can bez slovar' --
One European, perhaps a member of Komsomol
Decided to paint every day life in the old regime.
After that I only understand the sound of the bells bells bells
and someone in a hurry.
Carolyn
A Jew, probably a Komsomol member,
Decided to portray everyday life of the gentry in the old days:
Riding his mortgage[carriage], to the sound of bells,
The landowner hurries to the order for post-horses[inn].