This is my translation of a Russian poem by Yuri Davidovich Levitansky (Ю́рий Дави́дович Левита́нский). For Russian readers, the original is below. I am still working on the English translation; the poems beautiful simplicity and my thinking about the lyrical sujet pose some challenges. So for the time being, here is the Google translation from the German:
Everyone determines for himself
the consort, his god, wherever he goes.
Serve the idol or follow the prophet
Everyone’s determined for themselves.
Everyone makes a decision on their own initiative
the rapier for the duel, the sword for the battle.
Words of love and power of prayer
everyone determines on their own initiative.
Everyone makes a decision on their own initiative
Visor and armor, walking stick and patch.
And in the end his time in happiness
everyone determines on their own initiative.
Everyone determines for himself
I also choose as best I can
I’m not making a claim to anyone
Everyone determines for themselves
Texterium 
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