To Racin and Raca

I would take your name

so that I could complement my essence

lend me your name

so that I could be complete

 

And how can I die

without your name being part of mine,

I’d rather be at my wits’ end

than just remain named like this.

 

I would take your name

and would add mine as the second one,

so that I could have a halo

and dwell in the temple.

 

And how should Rublev paint my face

knowing that I am not a saint without your name,

so, he’d better not paint me at all

than letting me hanged unholy to glimmer.

 

I would take your name 

so that you stay by my side forever

and become immortal,

and I shall be eternal

renamed after you –

– the beautiful.