Текст песни Мандельштам О.Э. - Notre Dame

Where a Roman judge judged a foreign people -
There is a basilica, and - joyful and first -
Like Adam once, spreading his nerves,
The cross light arch plays with muscles.

But a secret plan betrays itself outside,
Here the strength of the supporting arches took care,
So that the mass of the heavy wall does not crush,
And the vault of the impudent ram is inactive.

A spontaneous labyrinth, an incomprehensible forest,
Souls of the gothic rational abyss,
Egyptian power and Christianity shyness,
With a reed next to it is an oak, and everywhere the king is a plumb line.

But the more attentive, stronghold of Notre Dame,
I studied your monstrous ribs
The more often I thought: from the severity of the unkind
And someday I will create beautiful ...

1912