An Anthology of Czechoslovak Literature/Responses

For other English-language translations of this work, see Responses (Březina).

Responses

WE are curse-laden: even amid our yearnings’ loftiest flight
We by burden of earth are vanquished, plunged into our blood’s dim night.

“Ye are potent and deathless; and in your souls where secrets abound,
Suns and spring-tides and vintages numberless are found.”

In silence of cosmos, in the midst of stars, that are flecked with blood as they wane,
We are cut off in solitude, as by watch-fires of foes in a chain.

“Armour of heavily-armed is your burden: unto contest ye
Are summoned, that ye therein may set all earth-born creatures free.”

Upon the riven breast of the vanquished we strive to kneel,
And even when we yearn to love, no love we feel, no love we feel.

“Hardened are ye like fruit unripened; but in the blaze
Of a secret summer ye ripen, your brethren’s embraces to praise.”

Gladness is sunshine beheld in a dream: on awakening it is dulled;
Sorrow has thousands of eyes, and never in slumber is utterly bulled.

“With myriads in secret brotherhood ye are tied
And only in gladness of myriads will gladness of yours abide.”

To floating islands upon a furrow of fragrance we float. . .
We float and the islands float onward, and keep us ever remote . . .

“Blindfold are ye with deceit that your kingly glances wield:
Islands of radiance that bloom in your souls, before you they have revealed.”
The Hands (1901)

This work is a translation and has a separate copyright status to the applicable copyright protections of the original content.

Original:

This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published before January 1, 1930.

The longest-living author of this work died in 1929, so this work is in the public domain in countries and areas where the copyright term is the author's life plus 95 years or less. This work may be in the public domain in countries and areas with longer native copyright terms that apply the rule of the shorter term to foreign works.

Public domainPublic domainfalsefalse

Translation:

This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published before January 1, 1930.

The longest-living author of this work died in 1970, so this work is in the public domain in countries and areas where the copyright term is the author's life plus 54 years or less. This work may be in the public domain in countries and areas with longer native copyright terms that apply the rule of the shorter term to foreign works.

Public domainPublic domainfalsefalse