Time's river in its rushing current

Time's river in its rushing current… ⧼written by⧽ Gavrila Romanovich Derzhavin 1816, ⧼translated by⧽ Dmitri Smirnov (D. Smirnov-Sadovsky)

The last poem by Derzhavin. Written on 6th of July 1816, three days before his death. See: Река времён в своём стремленьи (Державин)

Time's river in its rushing current Sweeps all the human deeds away, And fills an abyss of oblivion With nations, kingdoms and their kings, But if there is something remaining Through sounds of lyre or trumpet’s air, Will enter the Eternal gullet— And will not flee the common Fate.