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Seifert, Jaroslav: Věnec sonetů VIII

Portre of Seifert, Jaroslav

Věnec sonetů VIII (Czech)

Jak ten, kdo čeká u veřejí
trpělivě a oddaně
a jemuž padá do dlaně
jen déšť a krůpěj za krůpějí.

Jakmile vítr svane s lýtek
družičce závoj krajkový,
v té chvíli trochu zrůžoví
i šeré okno karmelitek.

Sirény schovejte si již
ty smutné barvy paraplíček,
vždyť, Praho, ty tak špatně spíš !

Komu zas dáme na pospas
všechno to hezké kolem nás,
kdyby smrt volal opět sýček?



Uploaded byRépás Norbert
PublisherViněta Miloslav Troup, sazba a tisk Jaroslav Picka (samizdatové vydání)
Source of the quotationPraha a věnec sonetů. Básně z let 1945 - 1949. Sbírka Monumenta genii bohemici, sv. 4.
Publication date

A Wreath of Sonnets VIII (English)

Till the locked gates at last would swing in,
I'd wait there, patient, true and calm,
with rain drops falling in my palm,
determined, faithful, still believing.

For when the wind plays with the lace
of maids of honour, with their dresses,
the windows of Carmelitesses
shine like a rosy, blushing face.

Please, sirens, do close up your sad
umbrellas now, and no more squalling,
Prague's sleep was never quite this bad.

And yet, once more to what new foes
these precious things we would expose
if the old owl our Death were calling?



Uploaded byRépás Norbert
PublisherToronto : Larkwood Books Sixty-Eight (first published March 1952), ISBN: 0-88781-189-2
Source of the quotationA Wreath of Sonnets: Věnec sonetů
Publication date

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