To Stalin's Defenders (Защитникам Сталина Анна Ахматова)
They are those to claim: "For Bar-rabbas,
To release for Passover",
They brought some poison to drink
To Socrates in his prisoned and darkened anguish.
Let that favorite brilliant potion
Pour into their innocent slandering lips
To enjoy those tortures they are fond of,
They know how to produce orphan kids.
