Межзвёздный скиталец

           Andinmyoldage,whenoursonswereman-grownandourdaughtersweremothers,whenupfromthesouthlandthedarkmen,flat-browed,kinky-headed,surgedlikewavesoftheseauponusandwefledbackbeforethemtothehill-slopes,Igar,likemymatesfarbeforeandlongafter,leg-twining,arm-clasping,unseeingfarvisions,strovetoholdmealooffromthebattle.

           AndItoremyselffromher,fatandshort-breathed,whilesheweptthatnolongerIlovedher,andIwentouttothenight-fightinganddawn-fighting,where,tothesingingofbowstringsandtheshrillingofarrows,feathered,sharp-pointed,weshowedthem,thekinky-heads,theskillofthekillingandtaughtthemthewitandthewillingofslaughter.

           AndasIdiedthemattheendofthefighting,thereweredeathsongsandsingingaboutme,andthesongsseemedtosingasthesethewordsIhavewrittenwhenIwasUshu,thearcher,andIgar,mymate-woman,leg-twining,arm-clasping,wouldhaveheldmebackfromthebattle.

           Once,andheavenaloneknowswhen,savethatitwasinthelongagowhenmanwasyoung,welivedbesidegreatswamps,wherethehillsdrewdownclosetothewide,sluggishriver,andwhereourwomengatheredberriesandroots,andtherewereherdsofdeer,ofwildhorses,ofantelope,andofelk,thatwemenslewwitharrowsortrappedinthepitsorhill-pockets.