They wondered why the fruit had been forbidden

They wondered why the fruit had been forbidden:

It taught them nothing new. They hid their pride,

But did not listen much when they were chidden:

They knew exactly what to do outside.

Не понимая, почему запретен

Был плод, не научивший ничему

Их новому, досаду скрыв, как дети

Не внемля ни упреку, ни уму,

They left. Immediately the memory faded

Of all they known: they could not understand

The dogs now who before had always aided;

The stream was dumb with whom they'd always planned.

Они ушли. И память тут же стерла

Воспоминанья. Стала им ничья

Не внятна речь: ни псов, вчера покорных,

Ни сразу онемевшего ручья.

They wept and quarrelled: freedom was so wild.

In front maturity as he ascended

Retired like a horizon from the child,

Мольбы и брань: свобода так дика!

При приближеньи зрелость отступала

Как от ребенка горизонт, пока

The dangers and the punishments grew greater,

And the way back by angels was defended

Against the poet and the legislator.

Рос счет крутой опасностям и бедам,

И ангельское войско преграждало

Обратный путь поэту с правоведом.