За поступок смелый тот,

Превратил её в цветок,

Что цвести на стенах мог.

/пер. Александр Лукьянов /

***

Robert Herrick (1591–1674)

How the Wall-flower came first, and why so called.

Why this Flower is now call"d so,

List" sweet maids, and you shall know.

Understand, this First-ling was

Once a brisk and bonny Lass,

Kept as close as Danae was:

Who a sprightly Springall lov"d,

And to have it fully prov"d,

Up she got upon a wall,

Tempting down to slide withal:

But the silken twist unty"d,

So she fell, and bruis"d, she dy"d.

Love, in pity of the deed,

And her loving-luckless speed,