The Czechoslovak Review/Volume 4/Slovak Rhapsody

by Karel Dostál-Lutinov

Slovak Rhapsody

Translated from the Czech by P. Selver.
By KAREL DOSTÁL LUTINOV.

 

In Moravia’s golden epoch
Beneath the sceptre of Svatopluk
We were of one body.

For centuries the half of our body
Shackled beneath the yoke was deadened.

Like rock-welded Prometheus,
Thou, Slovakia, didst hang
Welded to thy heaven-reaching Tatra,
Crucified.

Accursed be our dissension!
Accursed be intolerance of sons
and father’s unfaith!
Accursed be vikingry and unfaith of self,
unfaith of kindred, of speech and of spirit!
Accursed be foreigness and vainglory
of decking our raiment with foreign tinsels!
After centuries we are our own again—
but ever at war.

The untamed Mongol,
who ages agone
slaughtered and burned and shatiered our realm
and with arrogant heel trampled on Metod’s tomb,
To-day again slaughters and burns
our Carpathian home!

And again we are severing hallowed stems,
again are wragling
and trampling upon our heritage
which Cyril and Metod implanted
and we rend one the other
sorer than foe and murderer can!

After centuries fused into one
by the grace of God who forgave us,
wantonly we squander
destiny, life!

O Slovakia, redeemed
by age-long serfdom and sorrow,
let not thy dearest treasure be seized on:
Thine ancient faith, thy dulcet speech,
Christendom’s courses!
Thou art not of Arpad, art not of Stepan,—
Metod thy father!

Whatsoever they bring unto thee for thy jewels,
cast away as baubles, trumpery glass!

From sound roots of thy deep faith,
from the stock of Jesse, shall spring forth a stem,
shall spring forth a tree full of golden fruits,
beneath which we all shall rest.1919.