Page:Modern Czech Poetry, 1920.djvu/83

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Pale sickle of the moon Above the silent slope, Advancing, and above the forest's border Gently aquiver like a smile of love, All hail! Today in clouds Thy sweet face beckoned me in two-fold guise: Welcome to me; for in their gloomy veil Thou gleamest, as behind a massive curtain Lamplight before an altar.

Before God's face through ages Thou dost betake thee calmly. Like to a cherub, doing faithful service. Before earth's face through ages Thou dost betake thee softly Like to a guardian spirit on its pathway: Before men's face through ages Thou dost betake thee smiling Like to a friend who merges all in concord.

Thou gleam'st on glad men's faces, — Straightway the scent of roses best they seize, Straightway their hearts they yield To the blithe singing of the nightingale: And they join lips to make A fragrant, luscious chalice, Wherein sleeps love, outlawed from paradise: Thou gleam'st in some poor room, Bedeck'st its walls with silver, That in his sleep the poor man thinks on gladness. Yea, for the dead thou carest, When, swathed amid their shroud, They are by all deserted, Thou through the casement stealest,