Page:An Anthology of Modern Bohemian Poetry.pdf/104

Rh Stanislav Karel Neumann (b. 1875).

"Else" Young and of subtle charm thou wert slain By worthy fathers Weary of virtuous spouses, And their sons Taking their fill of the world.

In the white passage of the lazar-house Vanished thy body; None clamoured: "Murderers!" 'Mid their tranquil enjoyment.

When years have passed shall I still bewail thee! Thou hadst a lustrous eye, and tresses of dusky azure, And blood that in part was derived from barbarian Huns. When years have passed shall I still bewail thee! But not because it was here denied thee To find the hearth of some fat-paunched boor, That thou might'st bear to him children, laughing, thriving.

Rather abiding longer within this haunt of the devil would I behold thee, Avenging thyself, yea, direly avenging thyself, With the venom of thine embrace avenging thyself,