Page:Bohemian poems, ancient and modern (Lyra czecho-slovanska).djvu/41

O anger fierce and savage wrath
Did fill both armies then,
And in the inmost breasts did storm
Of the enragéd men!

And fury in the foemen’s eyes
Against each other glows,
And club ’gainst club on high they raise,
And spears to spears oppose.

On one another rush’d the hosts,
As wood on wood were hurl’d,
And like the lightning of the sky,
So gleam’d the swords they whirl’d.

A fearful cry arising then
The forest beasts doth fright,
And scareth all the wingéd fowls
To the third ridge’s height.

Spread from the rocky hills throughout
The vales upon the breeze
Here strokes of clubs, and here of swords,
Like fall of ancient trees.

Thus motionless both armies stood
Against each other there,
On heels that firm implantéd stay,
On legs that steadfast are.