An Anthology of Czechoslovak Poetry/Czech Poetry/Viktor Novák
VIKTOR NOVÁK
(1890–)
Novák was born in Prague and is now professor in the Commercial Academy in Karlín. He usually employs the pen name “Isqui.”
EASTER SONNET
To-day mankind our Lord are glorifyingWho came long centuries agoThat by his freely sacrificial dyingHe might his holy purpose show.A dark cloud veiled him in that crucifying,And in his heart was utter woe,That heart where love of man was ever tryingTo win man’s victory here below.But all in vain—fields still in fight are troddenAnd with red blood the furrows still are soddenIn war’s abomination.In my still heart the gloomy thought I cherish:How many Saviours must be born and perishEre comes love’s domination?Translated by Watson Kirkconnell