Зачем избрал "малину" Лот,
кто подтолкнул его
осесть в развратников оплот,
кои`м не страшен Бог?!
Он в плен затем попал, убог,
лишился своего;
Пусть Авраам ему помог--
и вновь разврат кругом.
Он выбрал призрачный покой,
но с каждым новым днём
тучнел грехов мещанских гной,
что душу жёг огнём.
Он, постоялец, не жилец,
был вынужден терпеть--
и, всё оставив, наконец
бежал, иначе смерть.
Напрасно он зятьёв волок,
они смеялись: "бред!";
а дочерей... он вырвал клок
семьи, а град сгорел.
Его жена едва ушла,
но обернулась вдруг:
паломник, пуповина зла--
искусный твой испуг.
Ведь так, мог стать столпом и Лот,
но божьей мести внял--
сберёг Всевышний свой оплот,
за праведность ценя.
Судьба Содома нам грозит
что лезвие ножа;
Господь способен нас взбодрить,
чтоб к жизни нам бежать.
перевод с английского Терджимана Кырымлы
Lot In Sodom
How hurtful was the choice of Lot,
Who took up his abode
Because it was a fruitful spot
With them who feared not God!
A pris'ner he was quickly made,
Bereaved of all his store;
And, but for Abraham's timely aid,
He had returned no more.
Yet still he seemed resolved to stay
As if it were his rest;
Although their sins from day to day
His righteous soul distressed.
Awhile he stayed with anxious mind,
Exposed to scorn and strife;
At last he left his all behind,
And fled to save his life.
In vain his sons-in-law he warned,
They thought he told his dreams;
His daughters too, of them had learned,
And perished in the flames.
His wife escaped a little way,
But died for looking back:
Does not her case to pilgrims say,
Beware of growing slack?
Yea; Lot himself could ling'ring stand,
Though vengeance was in view;
'Twas mercy plucked him by the hand,
Or he had perished too.
The doom of Sodom wilt be ours
If to the earth we cleave;
Lord quicken all our drowsy pow'rs,
To flee to thee and live.
John Newton