An Omen

[iad58]

(Этого перевода здесь, кажется, еще не было.)

If a raven's in the sky,
'Tis a sign that war is nigh.
If it is allowed to fly, (2)
All must go to fight and die.

For the war to be deterred,
We must slay the evil bird.
For the bird to be undone, (2)
Everyone must load a gun.

Once the loading has begun,
Who'll not want to fire his gun?
Once the bullets start to fly, (2)
None will stop to ask us why.

They will find a place to go,
They will heed nobody's woe,
They will spare no friend or foe,
Till no eye is left aglow,
Till no blood is left to flow.

Till no blood is left to shed,
Till all flesh has got the lead, (2)
Save that raven overhead—
No one's left to shoot it dead.

(апрель 1999 г.)