The Fate Of Names

The fate of names is in itself the fate of times.
Fame has its ups and downs, as it were.
One can't cheat History by telling lies,
for It's like mother, strict and fair.

No matter how they hide themselves in shells,
It sees all human beings through, entirely.
To no avail somebody tries to press
his fingers on It's scale of justice, slyly.

No matter how they try to creep inside,
entrap It and by telling lies disgrace It,
eventually, It sets the world of reason right
and puts all things in their proper places.

It puts to shame the liars in the end
and roots the dams of dogma out
although it takes too long to wait and see the "end",
and yet eventually It does come round.

It's highest court of law is rigorous and straight.
It doesn't care a damn about the grumbling moaner
when It restores the reputation of the great
distinguished names deserving honour.

It's honest in the face of human race
knows what is what, by far not gullible;
majestically, It wipes the scribbled names
of the unworthy off the slabs of marble.

1962

Translated from the Russian by Alec Vagapov
©Yevgeny Yevtushenko