Page:Cheskian Anthology.pdf/94

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83

however, to produce more perfect hexameters than are to be found in the bohemian language. As an example, I give a translation of Bion's verses on the death of Adonis:

Žel po Adónu upjm; spanilý ach zesnul Adonis!

Zesnul Adon spanilý; upěgj tež s pláčem Eróti,

Wjce na purpurowérn, o Kyprido, lůžku nedřjmey;

Wstaň, ubohá, trnaworauchá wstan, a w swé prsy bj se,

Bj a woley wšechněm; spanilý ach zesnul Adonis!.

Of the harmony and elasticity of the bohemian language, the following specimen of translation from Petrarch's sonnet "Stiamo, amor a veder la gloria nostra," is a remarkable example. The rendering could scarcely be closer.

Postůgme, Lásko, ayhle naše sláwa,

Wěci nade přjrodu zwýšene a nowé:

Wiz, gacj okolo nj plynau půwabowé,

Ay swětlo, njmiž se nebe nám w odiw podáwé!

Gak ladné zlato s perlami protkáwá

Newjdané i raucho gegi purpurowé;

Gak plešj stinné doly, gasnj pahorkowé

Na nichžto gegi oko i noha postáwá.