Page:A history of Bohemian literature.pdf/45

28 A few ancient love-songs which have not the character of the Svitanicka have also been preserved. Of these, the so-called Cantio Zavisonis, written in Bohemian in spite of its Latin name, deserves notice. It was formerly falsely attributed to Zavis of Falkenstein, the lover of Queen Kunegund, and one of the most celebrated Bohemian nobles of his time. The fact that Falkenstein wrote verses in prison shortly before his death (as the historians tell us) led to this supposition, which is contradicted by the manner of the poem. Nothing except the name "Zavis" is known of the author of this strange love-song, one of the best of early Bohemian literature. I have translated a few of the best lines:—

"Now all joy has left me, Now for me all comfort has ceased, My heart swims in wistful blood, All this because of the beloved one for whom I long. By the glance of her eye She has sharply struck my heart. I live in flaming yearning, My life sickens with love, All for the sake of her dear beauty.

My longing cannot decrease; Pity me, oh air! pity me, all creation! Carbuncles, sapphires, and all precious stones, Rays of the sun and everything on the earth, Pity me, lilies! pity me, most precious roses! My beloved wishes to take my little life from me If she will not have compassion on me."

Neither the mysterious Zavis nor the author of the Song at Daybreak which I quoted before were devoid of poetical talent. But they, as well as other writers whom