Page:A Book of Czech Verse.pdf/91

 Antonin, My husband, see, Why do you come This hour to me? That other love Why did you desire? That lover of steel, Shovel and fire? Why two loves struggle In each man’s eyes? One love he kills, Of the other dies.”

The blind man does not hear— The darkness swallows him; He sinks; by darkness’ hands Enveloped and caressed. And now his wounded heart Is parting from his breast, Is seeking to be healed, In other wrappings dressed.

And yet, above the dark, The dark of blindness, hangs A lamp of radiant joy— No radiant lamp, but eyes. The eyes are yours, that gave To all the world their sight, To see most clearly And never dim their light. Rh