這首詩是獻給安娜·阿列克謝耶夫娜·奧列尼娜(1808-1888)的。奧列尼娜生活在著名學者家中，受到文學藝術的熏陶，文化素質較高，同時又頗多魅力，相當活潑，惹人喜愛。奧列尼娜和普希金接觸之后，她曾表白說：普希金是“當時她所見到的最有趣的人”，普希金對她也充滿了情意。他們一起在沙龍見面，在郊外同游，在彼得堡夏園幽會。

1828年夏天，普希金很想和奧列尼娜結為夫妻，但卻遭到了她的父親的拒絕。普希金遭到拒絕后，很快就離開了彼得堡。后來，普希金與奧列尼娜一家關系大大疏遠了，其中很重要的原因是她的父親越來越靠近沙皇，而且這位要人對社會上流傳的普希金的諷刺短詩極為不滿。

First version:

I loved you

I loved you; and perhaps I love you still,

The flame, perhaps, is not extinguished; yet

It burns so quietly within my soul,

No longer should you feel distressed by it.

Silently and hopelessly I loved you,

At times too jealous and at times too shy.

God grant you find another who will love you

As tenderly and truthfully as I.

Second version :

I loved you

I loved you, and I probably still do,

And for a while the feeling may remain...

But let my love no longer trouble you,

I do not wish to cause you any pain.

I loved you; and the hopelessness I knew,

The jealousy, the shyness - though in vain -

Made up a love so tender and so true

As may God grant you to be loved again.