Nice for sale

Гарибальди из города Ниццы Всё не знал, куда дальше стремиться. Но король Мануил Его уговорил Отдать Франции свой город Ниццу.

Ницца, родной город Гарибальди – объединителя страны, был уступлен итальянским королём Виктором Эммануилом Франции в обмен на помощь в войне с Австрией. По меткому выражению Гарибальди, этот шаг сделал его чужестранцем для Италии.

А. Дубровский, 2011

Garibaldi from the city of Nice did not know where to seek further. But by King Manuel he was persuaded to give his city of Nice to France. (Makeshift translation of A. Dubrovski’s poem).

Columbus adventures

Всем известный Колумб из Америки Не привёз ни единой лимерики. Но привёз он маис, Табак и сифилИс. И довольный вернулся в Америку.

А. Дубровский, 2011

Well-known Columbus in America Did not bring a single limericks. But he brought corn, tobacco and syphilis. And happy he returned to America. (Makeshift translation of A. Dubrovski’s poem).

Aristotle and a foal

Аристотель, вид сделав построже, Так Платону сказал: «Ты мне, всё же, Друг, без всяких сомнений – Говорю без стеснений. Только истина, всё ж, мне дороже».

Да-да, так и сказал, полемизируя со своим учителем Платоном: «Платон мне друг, но истина дороже». На что учитель добродушно заметил, что «жеребенок лягает свою мать».

А. Дубровский, 2011

Aristotle said to Plato: "you're a friend of mine, of course, without any doubt - but the truth is more dear to me". Yes, that what he said, arguing with his teacher Plato - "Plato is a friend, but truth is a greater friend". The teacher good-naturedly remarked that "a foal kicks his mother." (Makeshift translation of A. Dubrovski’s poem).

Pericles and a dolphin

Периклеса из славных Афин Покусал при купаньи дельфин. И сердитый герой Перед всей агорой Поквитаться поклялся с дельфином.

А. Дубровский, 2011

Perikles from glorious Athens was bitten by the dolhpin during swimming. Angry hero sweared in front of the whole agora to get even with it. (makeshift translation of A. Dubrovski’s poem).

You won't get me here!

Беляки в генеральском собрании, Проходившем в Сибири, в изгнании, Утвердили прави- телем Русской земли Колчака, адмирала по званию.

До сих пор удивляюсь, как Верховным Правителем России генералы выбрали адмирала.
А. Дубровский, 2011

In a general meeting that was held in Siberia, in exile, White guards approved Kolchak, Admiral officer, for a head of Russian land (I still wonder how Russia's generals have chosen an admiral as supreme ruler)(makeshift translation of A. Dubrovski's poem).

Fear me, goats!

Славный Август из города Рима Был богами поддержан незримо. И тогда по рогам Надавал всем врагам Тот неистовый Август из Рима.

Воистину, завоевательная политика императора Октавиана Августа была впечатляющей.
А. Дубровский, 2011

Glorious August from the city of Rome Was supported by the invisible gods. And then by the horns Slapped he all his enemies That frenetic August of Rome (truly, aggressive policy of the emperor Octavian Augustus was impressive). (makeshift translation of A. Dubrovski's poem).

Napoleon's Frog

Шуткой острой любил граф Кутузов Подразнить отступавших французов. «Бонапарт Напольон Съел с лягушкой бульон». Выдал как-то экспромтом Кутузов.

А. Дубровский, 2011

Prince Kutuzov liked to tease the retreating French with the acute joke. "Napoleon Bonaparte ate the soup with the frog. " Once he said impromptu. (makeshift translation of A. Dubrovski's poem).

Homer's ink

У Гомера иссякли чернила, Когда он сочинял про Ахилла. И сказал он тогда, Вовсе то не беда: Ведь я слеп – ну зачем мне чернила!

А. Дубровский, 2011

Homer ran out of ink when he was writing about Achilles. But he said: "This is no trouble - as I'm a blind man anyway!"(makeshift translation of A. Dubrovski's poem).

Socrates' last beverage

Знаменитый философ Сократ Был любого умней во сто крат. И за это народ (Горсть углей ему рот!) Повелел, чтобы умер Сократ.

А. Дубровский, 2011

Раздражение народа от поучений пытавшегося сделать его лучше Сократа вылилось в смертный приговор философу, по которому тот должен был выпить яд цикуты.

Prominent philosopher Socrates was smrter than anyone else. Because of that people ordered Socrates to die. (makeshift translation of A. Dubrovski's poem).

Wot ze hell-2

Bolivar finding a mushroom - second version.

Wot ze hell is zat?

INTRO. This new project of mine is illustrating a series of limericks written by a friend of mine, Andrey Dubrovski. The poems are in russian, so I will include a small makeshift translation of what's it about. To make it different from "Book of nonsense" I just finished, I will try to make them look different. Not sure how, but I know it's necessary, as the poetry is quite different. Stay tuned for more updates. This day's poem is about Simón Bolívar.

Боливар с берегов Рио-Бланки Из грибов собирал лишь поганки. Увидав мухомор, Он вскричал: «Что за вздор!» Экспрессивный сеньор с Рио-Бланки.

А. Дубровский, 2011

"Bolívar from the banks of Rio Blanco always gathered only poison mushrooms. When he saw fly agaric, he exclaimed, "What a rubbish!", that expressive señor of Rio Blanco.

Dine already!

Молодому мсье Бонапарту За обедом подсунули карту. И Европу тогда Съел он – словно еда Старый Свет был для Буонапарта.

А. Дубровский, 2011

Young monsieur Bonaparte was given a map of Europe during his dinner. And Europe he ate, as if it was his food! (makeshift translation of A. Dubrovski's poem).

Get this sorted!

Архимеду в порту Сиракуз Указали на стаи медуз, Обещав, если он Их не выгонит вон, Самого изгнать из Сиракуз.

А. Дубровский, 2011

Archimedes was shown flocks of jellyfishes in Syracuse's port, and was told to take them away, otherwise they will take him away instead (makeshift translation of A. Dubrovski's poem).

Go away, bear!

There was a Young Lady of Clare, Who was sadly pursued by a bear; When she found she was tired, She abruptly expired, That unfortunate Lady of Clare.

E.Lear, 1846

Until tomorrow, old man!

There was an Old Man, on whose nose, Most birds of the air could repose; But they all flew away, At the closing of day, Which relieved that Old Man and his nose.

E.Lear, 1846

Come get me!

There was an Old Man of Aosta, Who possessed a large Cow, but he lost her; But they said, "Don't you see, She has rushed up a tree? You invidious Old Man of Aosta!"

E.Lear, 1846

Dumb, but calm

There was a Young Lady of Parma, Whose conduct grew calmer and calmer; When they said, "Are you dumb?" She merely said, "Hum!" That provoking Young Lady of Parma.

E.Lear, 1846

Mice is nice!

There was an Old Person of Ewell, Who chiefly subsisted on gruel; But to make it more nice, He inserted some mice, Which refreshed that Old Person of Ewell.

E.Lear, 1846

He couldn't swim

There was an Old Person of Ems, Who casually fell in the Thames; And when he was found, They said he was drowned, That unlucky Old Person of Ems.

E.Lear, 1846

You say hi, I say low

There was an old Person of Burton, Whose answers were rather uncertain; When they said, "How d'ye do?" He replied, "Who are you?" That distressing old person of Burton.

E.Lear, 1846