Bohemian Poems, Ancient and Modern/Hej Slované
HEJ SLOVANÉ!
HEY Slavonians! our Slavonic language still is living
Long as our true loyal heart is for our nation striving.
Lives, lives, the Slavonic spirit, and 'twill live for ever;
Hell and thunder! vain against us all your rage shall shiver!
Language is the gift of God, our God who sways the thunder,
In this world may none our language from us put asunder.
Though as many devils come, as earth with people swarmeth,
God is with us, and Perun ’gainst our opponents stormeth.
Fearful may the tempest o'er us hover, rocks may crumble,
Oaks may split, and all around may yawning earthquakes tremble:
Like a castle’s walls we’ll stand, a firm and stedfast nation,—
May black earth the scoundrel swallow who deserts his station!
⁂ The above political song appeared to me too striking and characteristic of the present feelings of the people to be omitted.