Bohemia’s contribution to literature
mournful, pessimistic ending. Magdalen was translated into eight different languages, among them English. Some of his greatest works are: “Zde by měly kvésti růže” (Here the Roses Ought to Bloom), “The Apostles”, a cycle of poems glorifying the leading figures of the Bohemian Reformation, “Golgotha”, and others.
The climax of the sentimental, dreamy poetry is reached in the poems of Antonín Sova. His verse is extremely elastic and emotional, full of music and rythm. He fully aluates beauty Bohemian word, particularly in the cycle “The Lyrics of Love and Life”. His is the poetry of the national pride, and of the dreams of the future.
Of the other living poets, the following are worthy of special note: Victor Dyk; Petr Bezruč, the fiery, divine bard of his suffering countrymen in Silesia, poet of strong individuality; Jaroslav Kvapil, and Šlejhar.
Julius Zeyer and Otokar Březina find their inspiration in the transcendental, in mysticism. The thoughts of Otokar Březina are so deep, so lofty and clothed in such wonderfully expressive verse that he is considered the most unique, the most promising of the poets of Europe. He boldly turns away from the beaten path into the sepulchral quiet of his lonely meditation and there has his visions, his prophecies which he then gives to the world. As to J. Zeyer his imagination can hardly be surpassed. His descriptive power is that of a great master, his appeal is universal.
Among the novelists, Alois Jirásek holds the first place. His style is simple, direct, but of a peculiar flavor which gives it distinction and character. He is largely a historical novelist but one of great power. He has been compared to Walter Scott but that comparison does not do him justice as his technique is superior to Scott’s as well as his style and power to portray character. Zikmund Winter, another historical novelist, surpasses him only in atmosphere, otherwise is quite closely related to him. One very meritorious, popular writer of historical romance is Václav Beneš Třebízský.
There is however, a group of writers of great interest who are particularly concerned with the soul of
