Armenian legends and poems

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Armenian Legends and Poems
THE ROCK
By HOVHANNES HOVHANNESSIAN
Above the waters^ like a hoary giaat,
The rock stands up, majestic and defiant.
The little waves, as to and fro they move.
Greet him with kisses and with looks of love.
The wavelets of the river laugh and dance.
As in their arms the mirrored sunbeams glance
And with their smiles of winning, child-like grace.
They woo the rock, and murmur in his face:
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O Aged-One, why art thou never glad $*
The lines that seam thy countenance are sad.
The world is ever changing; thou alone
Art still the same with thy dark face of stone.
" Free children of the mountains ever free.
We bring rich gifts of jewels unto thee
Scent thee with perfumes of the mountain rose
Heaven's daughter fair, that on our margin grows.
" Sweet strains of gentle melody we breathe,
And call the fishes from otu- depths beneath;
And gilded with the spring-tide's golden rays.
We make thee on our merry revels gaze.
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