A Book of Czech Verse/V. Hálek

by V. Hálek

For other English-language translations of this work, see The rustle of the trees is hushed.

V. HÁLEK
(1835–1874)

 

UMLKLO STROMU ŠUMĚNÍ

Umlklo stromů šumění
a lístek sotva dýše,
a ptáček dřímá krásný sen
tak tichounce, tak tiše.

Na nebi vzešlo mnoho hvězd
a kolem je tak volno,
jenom v těch ňadrech teskno tak
a v srdci tak bolno.

Ve kvítků pěkný kalíšek
se bílá rosa skládá,
můj Bože, a ta rosa též
se v moje oči vkrádá.

V. HÁLEK
(1835–1874)

 

THE RUSTLE OF THE TREES IS HUSHED

The rustle of the trees is hushed,
The leaves hang breathlessly,
A bird dreams on in tranquil sleep,
So still, so noiselessly.

Many stars have climbed the sky,
Around them emptiness.
A desolation in the breast,
At heart a loneliness.

Within the chalice of the flowers
The dewy crystals rise.
O God, I feel the drops of dew
Come stealing to my eyes.