A Book of Czech Verse/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.