Jacek Kaczmarski - Sen Katarzyny II

I hold the philosophers of Europe on a leash
Supported by an army, the marble ceilings of Peter
I have dogs, falcons, horses, I love the hunt madly
And around me, only hares and deer

I build palaces, cut off heads
When I feel like it
I have biographers, portraitists
And there's one more thing I want to have

– Stop, Catherine! The crown of tsars
A dream like this can take it off your head!

I am a woman beyond the limits of my time
Flirtations of pale lovers do not amuse me
The touch of their soft fingers disgusts me
I’d rather hunt hares and deer

Out of shame, some and others
Said about me – an unsatisfied Jezebel!
And under the whip, he ran naked
Around the Kremlin in the snow!

– Stop, Catherine! The crown of tsars
A dream like this can take it off your head!

I need a lover like the empire
Someone who would take me as I give – entirely!
Someone who would embody both the ruler and the subject
And replace my hares and deer

Someone who would understand, just like me
This foolish court of scattered roles
And among the bowed heads
He would give me either pleasure or pain!

– Stop, Catherine! The crown of tsars
A dream like this can take it off your head!
If such a lover ever appeared…
– I know! I know myself! I would have him executed!