Page:An Anthology of Modern Bohemian Poetry.pdf/90

 

Tell me, thou tree, their temple of nature, under whose shadow
They to primeval gods offerings formerly burnt,
Where are these nations, and where are their princes and where are their cities,
They who the first in the North called into being this life?
They taught the use of sails and of oars to indigent Europe,
Taught how to sail o'er the sea, passing to bountiful shores.
Out of the ore-laden depths they dug the metals concealed there,
More from respect for the gods rather than profit to men;
They taught the farmer to till the bosom of Earth with the plough-share,
So that the lands that were bare yielded the golden-hued corn.
They by the peaceful paths, the lime-tree sacred to Sláva,
Planted and scattered around fragrance and shadowy rest.
Each taught his son to build cities and in them to carry on commerce,
While by the women were taught maidens the weaving of cloth:
O thou masterly nation, for this what recompense hast thou?
Torn is thy garland in twain, hatetully robbed of its form,