Page:Bohemian poems, ancient and modern (Lyra czecho-slovanska).djvu/50

And in one body, as the flame
From out the earth doth flow,
So from th’ outnumb’ring Tatar host
Towards the hill they go.

With backward steps the hill they climb,
And ’neath its woody crown
Extend themselves, while underneath
A sharp peak pointeth down.

And right and left themselves with shields
They cover for the fight,
And on each other’s shoulders lay
The spears so sharp and bright.

On shoulder of the front-rank man
The second laid his spear,
And those of the third rank in turn
Upon the second were.

And down upon the Tatar hordes
Rain arrows from the hill;—
Night cometh on, and all the world
Envelopes calm and still.

O’er heav’n above she spreads herself,
And o’er the earth below,
And veils the warriors’ flaming eyes,
That ’gainst each other glow.