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 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES 
 
 w
 
 EVENING SONGS 
 
 BY 
 
 VlTEZSLAV HALEK 
 
 From the Czech Original 
 TRANSLATED BY 
 
 DR. JOSEPH STYBR 
 
 BOSTON 
 
 RICHARD G. BADGER 
 
 THE GORHAM PRESS
 
 Copyright, 1920, by Joseph Stybr 
 
 All Rights Reserved 
 
 Made in the United States of America 
 
 The Gorham Press, Boston, U. S. A.
 
 S03g 
 
 H13 An c- 
 
 INTRODUCTION 
 
 Vitezslav Halek, whose little volume of verses 
 is herewith presented to the reader in English 
 translation, belonged to the romantic and lyric 
 school of Czech poesy during the second half of the 
 last century. He was born in 1835 and died in 
 1874. From his first appearance in literature in 
 1858 he held his nation at attention and enjoyed 
 its admiration and love for twenty years. During 
 that time he produced a line of works touching upon 
 nearly all classes of writing; however, the lyric 
 string of his lyre proved to be the most charming 
 one, and this little volume of Evening Songs proved 
 to be his culminating point. As an expression of 
 fragrant effusions of feeling it alwaj's appealed to 
 the tenderness of youthful hearts and was eagerly 
 sought and read, so that the book in the original 
 appeared in many editions. 
 
 Should the little volume bring real pleasure to 
 the reader and induce others to open wider the 
 doors to the rich and charming Czech literature 
 for the readers in English, the effort of the trans- 
 lator would be well rewarded. 
 
 The Translator. 
 
 552445
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 as in the sky rises the moon .... 
 At prophets cast ye never stones 
 Blest is the man whom the Lord's hand 
 Day and night went each their way, The 
 Deep silence reigns — it seems to me . 
 Don't wonder, shouldst Thou chance to hear 
 From heaven angels come to earth . 
 God summoned me to paradise . 
 God's world is so far and wide. The 
 Greatest hero is not he, The . 
 Heavens are replete with stars, The 
 He's going far from home .... 
 He who can strike the golden strings 
 Hey, in the rounds what pleasure 
 Humming of the trees has ceased. The 
 
 I AM A linden with LARGE CROWN 
 I AM THE knight FROM THE OLD TALE 
 I BADE THE TRUMPETS TO BE BLOWN . 
 I DO NOT KNOW, WAS IT A DREAM? 
 I thought TO MYSELF, WITH NO LOVE 
 
 If all the world lost its delight . 
 
 PAGE 
 
 S3 
 71 
 67 
 
 55 
 48 
 
 58 
 72 
 
 17 
 
 59 
 32 
 33 
 75 
 70 
 60 
 
 13 
 21 
 
 12 
 
 69 
 
 45 
 50 
 37
 
 Contents 
 
 If that poor nightingale .... 
 
 In the sky the moon was standing 
 
 It happened. My soul minus Thee 
 
 It seemed to me — Grief had grown old 
 
 Moon sails slowly in the sky, The 
 
 Much has been trusted to Thy hands 
 
 My God, of all things I aspire 
 
 My lips were lockt a long, long time 
 
 My pillow was of sorrow made 
 
 My sweetheart, come, kneel down with me 
 
 My sweetheart, come, sit close to me 
 
 My sweetheart, I dreamt Thou hadst died 
 
 My sweetheart, look at those two clouds 
 
 Night is fair and transparent. The 
 
 Now GO, MY DARLING CHILDREN, GO . 
 Of MY SONGS I SHALL BUILD ThY THRONE 
 
 Once as I through the golden stars 
 Scorching heat of noonday sun. The 
 Should I tell Thee the secret tale 
 So many, many things there are . 
 so often it appears to me 
 Spring came flying from afar. The 
 Stars upon the heavens there, The 
 Stars by the hundreds dot the sky 
 Tell wherein thou hast sinned, my heart 
 That deep and dark blue heaven's bowl 
 
 PAGE 
 l8 
 
 74 
 
 26 
 
 49 
 76 
 68 
 66 
 64 
 62 
 20 
 29 
 39 
 77 
 43 
 73 
 57 
 30 
 35 
 19 
 41 
 22 
 II 
 31 
 15 
 36 
 46
 
 Contents 
 
 PAGE 
 
 That little bird sings all the time 47 
 
 That nightingale has not retired 24 
 
 That young little singer there 52 
 
 There were two thoughts, two thoughts of God . 51 
 
 Those stars, those fair wee little stars ... 44 
 
 Thou art still but a youthful bud 23 
 
 Thou hast laid Thy hand on my head .... 56 
 
 Thou maiden, charming most of all 25 
 
 Though all the world has gone to sleep ... 14 
 
 Thy beautiful eye is a lake 28 
 
 'tis wrong for men to lack in song 63 
 
 Up in the oak tree a dove wailed 42 
 
 Upon the sky the moon and stars 34 
 
 What charm is there in love for us 16 
 
 What matters it what in sweet songs .... 38 
 
 When God felt His supreme delight 40 
 
 When I gaze at Thee, darling mine 27 
 
 When I shall trust my corpse to earth .... 65 
 
 Ye all who deem yourselves oppressed .... 54 
 
 Ye little, ye wee little stars 61
 
 EVENING SONGS I
 
 EVENING SONGS 
 
 I I 
 
 i 
 
 The spring came flj-ing from afar; : 
 
 With fresh desires all's teeming; j 
 
 All things pressed forw^ard to the sun — j 
 
 So long all had been dreaming! i 
 
 The finches flew out of their nest I 
 And children from their bowers, 
 
 And on the meadows sweetest scents i 
 
 Breathe countless little flowers. | 
 
 Young leaves press their way from the twigs | 
 
 And from birds' throats their voices, j 
 
 And in the heart with budding love j 
 
 The youthful breast rejoices. i 
 
 II
 
 Evening Songs 
 
 II 
 
 I am the knight from the old tale 
 Who proudly to the far world rode 
 To see the lass who's like a rose 
 And to discover her abode. 
 
 Who would behold her — said her fame — 
 Would by a ban at once be struck; 
 His heart would be rent from his breast, 
 Or he would change to be a rock. 
 
 Thought I to myself, possibly 
 For clemency there might be room. 
 I ventured out and for my sin — 
 Became a bard by rigid doom. 
 
 12
 
 Evening Songs 
 
 III 
 
 The humming of the trees has ceased, 
 Their leaves breathe calmlj^ neatly; 
 The bird is dreaming its fair dream 
 So quietly, so sweetly. 
 
 The heavens' stars have all come out, 
 All things rest in calm gladness, 
 But in the breast the sorrow wakes 
 And in the heart the sadness. 
 
 The fragrant blossom's pretty cup 
 Receives dew in its centre — 
 My God, and I, too, feel that dew 
 In mine eyes gently enter. 
 
 13
 
 Evening Songs 
 
 IV 
 
 Though all the world has gone to sleep, 
 The heart wakes in the bodj% 
 And God himself knows that the heart 
 Ne'er sleeps for anybody. 
 
 The whole God's world is silence-bound, 
 The heart still goes, well rated, 
 And God himself knows that the heart 
 Gets never fatigated. 
 
 Sleep is the conqueror of thought, 
 Night is day's alternation — 
 But in the breast the heart e'er wakes 
 And guards its love's sweet passion. 
 
 14
 
 Eveti'mg Songs 
 
 V 
 
 Stars by the hundreds dot the sky 
 With sister Moon at leisure, 
 And God and angels view the world 
 From heaven's height with pleasure. 
 
 A smiling angel's coming down 
 To earth as heaven's vision — 
 Fair as the fragrant breath of spring, 
 And love is his sweet mission. 
 
 Wherever he just passes by 
 All's stricken with sweet passion, 
 And nightingales and fair white doves 
 All sing with animation. 
 
 And he whom his white wing does touch 
 Is transformed all over. 
 And something sweet enters his breast 
 That human words can't cover. 
 
 15 \
 
 Evening Songs 
 
 VI 
 
 What chann is there in love for us, 
 ]VIy God, and why we love it? 
 The world would all dissolve in it 
 And lives all in love of it. 
 
 The little cloud sails through the sky 
 As though love's message drove it; 
 The little bird that sleeps in twigs 
 Is dreaming only of it. 
 
 And here, too, on the earth the man, 
 While death his head does covet, 
 He weeps, rejoices, longs and lives 
 And dies for the sake of it. 
 
 Indeed, the heaven's angel choir 
 With their harps' music prove it — 
 What would they sing, if not allowed 
 To play and to sing of it ! 
 
 i6 I 
 
 .1
 
 Evening Songs 
 
 VII 
 
 God summoned me to Paradise 
 To get me educated. 
 " 'Tis hard for me to be alone!" 
 The Lord then Eve created. 
 
 He took not one rib from my breast, 
 My heart in half he parted. 
 That is why my heart still tends back 
 From where Thine once had started. 
 
 t 
 
 And that is why such strange desires 
 So oft in my heart gather, 
 And I feel as though both our hearts 
 Should grow again together. 
 
 And that is why when I'm away 
 Pain to my heart is creeping, 
 My foot does of itself turn back, 
 And 1 am sad — to weeping. 
 
 17
 
 Everiinff SonffS 
 
 VIII ] 
 
 If that poor nightingale 
 
 Lived always with her mate, 
 
 Her love songs would not sound , 
 
 So sad and desolate. i 
 
 If that poor heart but would j 
 
 With Thee wake through the night, i 
 
 Instead of pain it would j 
 Resound with sweet delight. 
 
 i8
 
 Evening Songs 
 
 IX 
 
 Should I tell Thee the secret tale 
 
 As nightingale in the oak forest — 
 
 Or should I weep in bitter tears 
 
 What sways my heart and gives it no rest? 
 
 Or, kneeling down, with ardent words 
 Should I in prayer spell my passion — 
 Or in a fair and tranquil night 
 Out of my dream breathe my confession? 
 
 Or should the hidden paradise 
 Sleep in my heart's depth, never uttered, 
 Like in a grave, and far from Thee 
 My love in secret be but muttered? 
 
 O angel mine, I do confess 
 My love for mankind, never dying; 
 But toward Thee — O, don't chide me. 
 That my mind's weak and undefying! 
 
 19
 
 Evcti'mg Songs 
 
 X 
 
 My sweetheart, come, kneel down with me, 
 Now is the time for us to pray — 
 The moon has risen o'er the woods, 
 And my time has just passed away. 
 
 But, darling, do not clasp Thy hands; 
 Embrace me as I Thee with mine — 
 And thus, instead of clasping hands, 
 Two hearts will in one prayer join. 
 
 Thy lips then press Thou close to mine; 
 From one mouth let the prayer rise — 
 Let me the words press on Thy lips, 
 And Thou send them to Paradise. 
 
 Our prayer shall be strong, indeed. 
 Our offer purest in that case — 
 For angels, too, when they do pray, 
 Are praying just in such embrace. 
 
 20
 
 Evening Songs 
 
 XI 
 
 I am a linden with large crown, 
 In style dressed in the meadow: 
 Thou beautiful, sweet rose of May, 
 Come to my cooling shadow. 
 
 Here each green leaf does odor breathe 
 And swarms of bees are humming, 
 And, nightly, little birds arrive — 
 Those are my thoughts, home coming. 
 
 They fly far-off as children do 
 From home until they hunger, 
 But, with Thee seated close to me, 
 They will depart no longer. 
 
 21
 
 E'ven'ttig Songs 
 
 XII 
 
 So often it appears to me, : 
 
 As I embrace and love Thee, ' 
 
 That Thou art for me in the world j 
 
 And I for the sake of Thee. '. 
 
 'Tis difficult through life to pass i 
 
 Avoiding all deflection; : 
 
 But to give others happiness ■ 
 
 Is greatest satisfaction. ; 
 
 And if the king enjoys his crown | 
 
 And God has heaven's Eden \ 
 And birds have forest in the spring, 
 
 I do have Thee, my maiden. J 
 
 22
 
 Evening Songs 
 
 XIII 
 
 Thou art still but a youthful bud 
 Just into the world looming, 
 And yet upon Thy cheek appears 
 A beautiful rose blooming. 
 
 And it is such a dainty rose 
 And such a fragrant blossom 
 That soon a fire burns in the soul 
 And yearning in the bosom. 
 
 23
 
 Even in ff Songs 
 
 XIV 
 
 That nightingale has not retired 
 And she's with song all ringing; 
 That song of love, so long, my God, 
 When will she be done singing? 
 
 From one twig to another twig. 
 From upper to the nether — 
 And I believe that the same plight 
 In hearts we bear together. 
 
 And turning up her serene eye 
 She looks in each direction — 
 And I believe that I could guess 
 What is her eyes' attraction. 
 
 24
 
 Evening Songs 
 
 XV 
 
 Thou maiden, charming most of all, 
 O Thou, world's greatest treasure. 
 In Thee I found my sweet delight, 
 Thou art my cherished pleasure. 
 
 Thou art as pure as morning drops 
 That come from heaven's dewing 
 And graceful as the turtle dove 
 When she her song is cooing. 
 
 Thou art fair as the lily white 
 That in sweet odor guises 
 And noble as the morning star — 
 The day dawns as she rises. 
 
 25
 
 Evening Songs 
 
 XVI 
 
 It happened. My soul minus Thee 
 No longer feels itself as whole ; 
 To think myself without Thee once 
 Would be as to have lost my soul. 
 
 Yes, Thou art woven in my soul • 
 Thou art her pride and her delight — 
 Thou art my solace, my desire. 
 My happiness — my pain and plight. 
 
 From joyless days Thou heaven weav'st 
 As does the bride her wedding dress ; 
 In me Thou wak'st, in me Thou dream'st; 
 What I'm, what Thou, is hard to guess. 
 
 It matters not what my fate be — 
 For I know well its weaving hand. 
 And should Thy hand destruction bring, 
 On that, too, heaven might depend. 
 
 26
 
 Evening Songs 
 
 XVII 
 
 When I gaze at Thee, darling mine — 
 Thou art a dove — though sweeter — 
 Delightful, playful, gentle, tame, 
 When her mate comes to meet her. 
 
 And I can scarcely gaze enough 
 At Thine eyes and cheeks' blossom — 
 Thine eyes are but two dark blue gates 
 To Thy deep charming bosom. 
 
 And I can scarcely gaze enough 
 At Thy sweet face reflection — 
 Through it Thy whole heart speaks to me 
 And soul without deception. 
 
 When I gaze at Thee, darling mine — 
 O manna's sweet dispenser! — 
 Are not those the same lips, indeed, 
 That gave me "yes" for answer? 
 
 27
 
 Evening Songs 
 
 XVIII 
 
 Thy beautiful eye is a lake 
 In darkness gently waving; 
 In it the bright lights of the night 
 And heavens' blue are laving. 
 
 And as pure crystal it is clear, 
 One sees the bottom in it — 
 But who attempts to look in deep 
 Will shortly be drowned in it. 
 
 28
 
 Evening Songs 
 
 i 
 
 XIX \ 
 
 1 
 
 My sweetheart, come, sit close to me, '> 
 
 Allow me to embrace Thee; I 
 
 The Lord gave Thee an angel's soul 
 From heaven, just to grace Thee. 
 
 I feel that I should speak to Thee \ 
 
 And make confessions often, i 
 
 But my words stay locked in my mouth 
 And dead as in a coffin. 
 
 And often what I'd like to say ' 
 
 Appears unutterable, 
 
 For, though the soul is filled with it, , 
 
 The tongue to speak's unable. 
 
 But as I wind my arm 'round Thee 
 
 And my soul in Thine enters, j 
 
 I feel as though Thou knowest all \ 
 
 What on my tongue then centres. 
 
 29
 
 Evening Songs 
 
 XX 
 
 Once as I through the golden stars 
 Up heavenward was gazing, 
 It seemed to me Thou wert a saint 
 And I an angel blazing. 
 
 Then I a harp took to my hand 
 And songs to Thee I chanted 
 Until the saints' songs died away 
 And all eyes to us slanted. 
 
 And God the Father for a while 
 Himself ceased in creation. 
 And down His cheek there seemed to roll 
 A diamond of compassion. 
 
 30
 
 Evening Songs 
 
 XXI ] 
 
 The stars upon the heavens there \ 
 
 Are worlds of greatest features, j 
 And I would only like to know 
 
 What kind they have of creatures. ] 
 
 If some one from that height up there ,! 
 
 At us 'way down here gazes, i 
 
 And if he up there like I here i 
 
 His voice in love songs raises. ! 
 
 31
 
 Evening Songs 
 
 XXII 
 
 The greatest hero is not he 
 For blows with blows who's paying, 
 But he who, hundred times betrayed, 
 Himself knows no betraying. 
 
 Who after love can send a curse 
 He never felt love's passion, 
 For love is able to forgive 
 And knows no condemnation. 
 
 Who will not bring a sacrifice 
 
 To him no love be proffered ; 
 
 Bad is the priest who thinks he's more 
 
 Than that what he has offered. 
 
 And should e'er love demand of me 
 My life and share in heaven — 
 I would go as the lamb for Thee 
 To whom my love I've given. 
 
 32
 
 Evening Songs 
 
 XXIII \ 
 
 The heavens are replete with stars j 
 
 As spring time is with daisies; 
 
 Thus everything in God's great world 
 
 For love has its own praises. ] 
 
 The violet's replete with scent \ 
 
 And dew in little blossom, ' 
 And that dear nightingale sings love 
 
 From overflowing bosom. • . 
 
 The heavens are replete with stars, ! 
 
 With blazing lights all sweeping, \ 
 
 And here on earth the living men \ 
 Are singing and are weeping. 
 
 33
 
 Evenitiff Songs 
 
 XXIV 
 
 Upon the sky the moon and stars, 
 The forest full of voices, 
 And God spreads only love around 
 In which the world rejoices. 
 
 The murmurs in young foliage 
 Change to low sweet narration; 
 The world is gay and jubilant 
 And melts in osculation. 
 
 And yet I know that somewhere grief 
 Some youthful heart oppresses, 
 And that a secret bitter tear 
 Some young pale cheek caresses. 
 
 34
 
 Evening Songs 
 
 XXV 
 
 The scorching heat of noonday sun 
 Is my love's blazing passion ; 
 The night — fair shadow of the day — 
 Thy love's sweet moderation. 
 
 Thou hast set fire within my breast, 
 Earth's centre's heat assuming, 
 But that fire, unnursed by Thy love. 
 Will die, itself consuming. 
 
 I dreamt of banquets with Thy love 
 And have but crumbs collected ; 
 What wonder, then, if only grief 
 Is in my face reflected. 
 
 The heart, indeed, can suffer much. 
 Oppressed by love's great hunger, 
 And whether I am day or night 
 I now can guess no longer. 
 
 *Tis written thus. The day and night 
 Proceed, each other missing — 
 But as the evening's dusk arrives, 
 They meet, each other kissing. 
 
 35
 
 Evening Songs 
 
 XXVI ! 
 
 Tell wherein thou hast sinned, my heart; i 
 My God, such tribulation ! 
 
 That what forever should be joined ' 
 
 Must live in separation. j 
 
 How beautiful the life would be \ 
 
 In love without distressing! i 
 
 But to forever yearn and live — ' j 
 Where is therein a blessing? 
 
 36 i 
 
 I 
 
 \
 
 Evening Songs 
 
 XXVII 
 
 J 
 i 
 
 If all the world lost its delight \ 
 
 And had no other pleasure I 
 And love alone was left behind — 
 
 The life would have its treasure. • ■ 
 
 And if all other things were truth i 
 
 And love but dreams' delusion — ! 
 I would be ready to lie down 
 
 And sleep to life's conclusion. i 
 
 And if till now I've only dreamt — 
 
 My dreams had their sweet flavor, ( 
 
 And who sang me my lullabies j 
 
 I shan't forget forever. j 
 
 37
 
 Evening Songs 
 
 XXVIII 
 
 What matters it what in sweet songs 
 The nightingale is telling, 
 Since my own heart has left its place 
 And now with Thee 'tis dwelling. 
 
 And if her call rang e'er so sweet 
 And into mine ears chanted : 
 What matters it, since in my heart 
 And soul now Thou art planted ! 
 
 And there Thou art, so charmful, 
 Beyond imagination, 
 That I'd give the sky's stars, my soul, 
 To Thee in admiration. 
 
 38
 
 Evening Songs 
 
 XXIX j 
 
 1 
 
 My sweetheart, I dreamt Thou hadst died; ' 
 
 I heard the death-knells pealing, ' 
 
 And there were tears and wails and cries I 
 
 And signs of saddest feeling, ^ 
 
 j 
 For the low mound o'er Thy strange bed i 
 
 They picked a tombstone blindly, ! 
 
 And a verse for Thine epitaph ) 
 
 To write they asked me kindly. \ 
 
 Oh, folks! Oh, folks! yourselves of stones, 
 My heart take, with grief raving. 
 And what I have not sung before 
 Use for the stone's engraving! 
 
 You trusted not in my pure love 
 And scorned my word and letter — 
 Now if the stone will speak to you, 
 You'll understand it better. 
 
 39
 
 Ex'ening Songs 
 
 XXX 
 
 When God felt His supreme delight, 
 The human heart He molded 
 And for eternal memory 
 His love in it He folded. 
 
 And as He gazed upon the heart 
 With eyes divine, forseeing, 
 He wept, for He was overjoyed 
 To see the blissful being. 
 
 But as He wept, one of His tears, 
 Unnoticed, the heart entered. 
 As dew falls in a flower cup, 
 And near the bottom centered. 
 
 That is why love is a great grief. 
 But grief so sweet and charming 
 That pitied must be all the hearts 
 That have escaped its harming. 
 
 That is why love is half of bliss 
 And half of grief a token. 
 But if the tear swells to a wave, 
 Then some heart may be broken. 
 
 40
 
 Evening Songs 
 
 XXXI 
 
 So many, many things there are 
 To which the keys are lacking; 
 Deep silence answers all man's knocks 
 And foils his undertaking. 
 
 Thou human heart ! There sorrows howl 
 As wolves, by hunger driven, 
 And yet that same heart, oh, my God ! 
 To love alone is given. 
 
 'Tis capable of so much love 
 That man's wit may be failing. 
 And he may as the lonely dove 
 In vain roam, ever wailing. 
 
 41
 
 Eveninff Songs 
 
 XXXII 
 
 Up in the oak tree a dove wailed — 
 Below, a brooklet muttered — 
 Don't wonder, when I was to speak, 
 That not a word I uttered. 
 
 Can he speak from all his soul's depth 
 Who does in strange lands wander? 
 And man's too human that he should 
 At paradise not wonder. 
 
 42
 
 '.vemng do tigs 
 
 XXXIII 
 
 The night is fair and transparent — 
 One sees the heaven's sainted ; 
 The song, the odor, and the buzz 
 Hold the whole heart enchanted. 
 
 O pity. Thou art not with me, 
 To hear with me and wonder 
 How everything here tells its tale 
 To the clear heavens yonder. 
 
 How the whole world is but one song 
 The universe pervading. 
 And that from human hearts but comes 
 An echo, faint and fading. 
 
 43
 
 Evening Songs 
 
 XXXIV 
 
 Those stars, those fair wee little stars, 
 The heavens' blue dome lighting. 
 They look to me down with sweet eyes, 
 Me upi to them inviting. 
 
 Oh no! ye fair wee little stars; 
 You love that wheel of heaven. 
 While I prefer to stay down here 
 Where I find all I've craven. 
 
 You don't know, fair wee little stars, 
 And think not what you're missing; 
 We have here heaven on the earth 
 In sweet, delightful kissing. 
 
 44
 
 Evetiing Songs 
 
 XXXV 
 
 I do not know, was it a dream? 
 But in my mind it lingers — 
 I saw and read the nations' fates, 
 Decreed by God's own fingers. « 
 
 Thoughts, earnest as was God himself, 
 Passed through His great head, thronging 
 And beautiful as nights of spring 
 For a sweet body longing. 
 
 Some thought — great as the universe, 
 Some — music sounding gently, 
 Some — future human history, 
 By human eyes seen faintly. 
 
 There, too, I met with my own love 
 And with Thy heart, ne'er failing. 
 That love of ours appeared there 
 As two small bright clouds sailing. 
 
 And God, observing our sweet love, 
 Himself with grace relented, 
 And throngs of young angels their hymns 
 Before Him on it chanted. 
 
 45
 
 Evening Songs 
 
 XXXVI j 
 
 i 
 
 That deep and dark blue heavens' bowl — ] 
 
 And stars as golden blossoms; - 
 As man looks at them from the earth, 
 
 His heart strange feelings bosoms. ' ] 
 
 And all the time more and more stars \ 
 
 Appear without a bound there — i 
 
 And yet not ev'r^' little star ! 
 
 Can easily be found there. ! 
 
 I 
 But whene'er in two youthful hearts 
 First breath of love does enter, 
 
 A new star is said to appear \ 
 
 In heavens' dark blue center. ] 
 
 A 
 
 And if in one of the two hearts 
 Love's blossoms starts to wither, 
 Then from the dark blue heavens' bowj 
 One golden star drops hither. 
 
 46
 
 Evening Songs 
 
 XXXVII 
 
 That little bird sings all the time \ 
 
 As one song with life ringing; \ 
 
 So wonder not, if one does love, \ 
 
 That he'll pass life in singing. \ 
 
 And that bird speaks from heart to heart, ; 
 
 And it knows how, directly, , 
 
 So that man hardly keeps back tears, \ 
 
 If he knows hearts perfectly. ' 
 
 I 
 
 Yes, often it appears to me 
 
 That I am as its fellow, j 
 
 For my songs, too, can move to tears, \ 
 So soft they are, and mellow. 
 
 47
 
 Evening Songs 
 
 XXXVIII ) 
 
 Deep silence reigns — it seems to me '• 
 
 Sleep comes to mine eyes, resting, \ 
 
 As does a bird come to its mate 
 In their home softly nesting. 
 
 ' 1 
 
 The night's soft bed is ready made- 
 The heavens, with stars covered. 
 Maybe that some heart will forget 
 For what this day it suffered. 
 
 Maybe that some heart will forget, 
 And if it found no treasure, 
 Maybe it finds it in its dream 
 And with it finds its pleasure. 
 
 48
 
 Evening Songs 
 
 XXXIX 
 
 It seemed to me — Grief had grown old, 
 Soon would come its last countin', 
 And tears — so many had been shed 
 That drj' must be their fountain. 
 
 Then suddenly I thought of Thee, ' j 
 
 And soon my whole soul shivered, ■■. 
 
 And as though I should lose Thee soon i 
 An echo in it quivered. 
 
 And mine eyes promptly filled with tears, < 
 
 My joy to grief is bending, j 
 
 And I am finding out with pain j 
 
 That tears shall have no ending. j 
 
 49 ] 
 
 'i
 
 Evcninff Songs 
 
 XL 
 
 I thought to mj'self, with no love 
 How'd look that world of ours: 
 It would be as a dreary waste 
 Without a trace of flowers. 
 
 The heart would wander through that waste 
 
 And always on grief border, 
 
 It would be sad as the world was 
 
 Ere God to light gave order. 
 
 It would be so sad that on earth 
 Man would not like the livin', 
 And God the Father would not like 
 To stay as God in heaven. 
 
 50
 
 Evening Songs 
 
 XLI 
 
 There were tvvo thoughts, two thoughts of 
 
 God, 
 Two stars beside each other. 
 And from all of the heavens' stars 
 They most loved one another. 
 
 Once one of them fell to the earth — 
 The other pined in sorrow, 
 And God, touched by her grief and love. 
 Sent her down on the morrow. 
 
 They sought each other many nights 
 As lonely souls their Eden, 
 Until one day they chanced to meet 
 As a young man and maiden. 
 
 Their eyes met, and they recognized 
 Each other, tender-hearted, 
 And lived together in great bliss 
 Till one of them departed. 
 
 And when she died, she always called 
 And languished for the other, 
 Till God summoned the other one, 
 And they're again together. 
 
 51
 
 Eveiiutg Songs 
 
 XLII 
 
 That young little singer there — 
 Why did she cease her narration? 
 Her eyes quickly filled with tears 
 As though grieved in separation. 
 
 Some one may think to himself, 
 God, how can her young soul darken? 
 Her face young and beautiful, 
 And her song so sweet to hearken. 
 
 Ah, a beautiful young face 
 May not do in solace bringing; 
 And though sweet the song may be — 
 You don't always feel like singing. 
 
 52
 
 Evening Songs 
 
 XLIII \ 
 
 \ 
 
 As in the sky rises the moon — 
 
 So into hearts love enters; ' 
 
 And secret pain and silent grief 
 
 Around it often centers. , 
 
 And visions man had not thought of i 
 
 He may see, dimly lighted, i 
 
 And secret pain and silent grief 
 May be in song united. ; 
 
 I 
 
 But gales and tempests violent ' 
 
 In many hearts are waking, 
 And ere in song they utter them — 
 How many hearts are breaking! 
 
 53
 
 Evening Songs 
 
 XLIV 
 
 Ye all who deem yourselves oppressed, 
 Come near, come nearer to me: 
 Lay off your sorrows' burdens here 
 And light up your minds gloomy. 
 
 I've reared here a vast realm of love 
 Where mate seeks his mate pretty. 
 And what one harbors in his heart 
 Resounds in love's sweet ditty. 
 
 No rival here, no hater's known. 
 Here speech is love song, wooing; 
 Here lions turn to calm, meek lambs 
 And hawks to doves, sweet, cooing. 
 
 Here are all ailments' remedies; 
 Here hearts are ever youthful; 
 Here never fades the blooming rose, 
 And friendship's ever truthful. 
 
 54
 
 Evening Songs ". 
 
 \ 
 
 XLV 
 
 The day and night went each their way- 
 The day, as Judas, traitor, 
 The night, so fair, so beautiful. 
 That none can ever hate her. 
 
 The little stars shine in the sky, 
 The moon comes with her pallor. 
 And in the forest chats the dove, 
 The fair and tender caller. 
 
 The heart confesses to the heart 
 With thoughts in distance sailing, 
 And longing lips thirst for a kiss. 
 From burning passion thrilling. 
 
 55
 
 Evening Songs 
 
 XLVI 
 
 Thou hast laid Thy hand on my head, 
 My temples proud caressing; 
 Thy lips have whispered their sweet words 
 In prayer and in blessing. 
 
 Thou hast revealed Thy soul to me 
 In Thy love's fragrant blossom, 
 And what I had not dared to dream — 
 Thou took'st me to Thy bosom. 
 
 With blessing Thou hast graced my harp, 
 My heart and my lips' diction; 
 To pious battles Thou hast sent 
 My songs with benediction. 
 
 My forehead is from sadness freed. 
 Fears are a thing I scoff at, 
 My soul is failed with dawning light — 
 And I am love's great prophet. 
 
 56
 
 Evening Songs 
 
 XLVII 
 
 Of my songs I shall build Thy throne 
 In style of bards of greatest fame. 
 Thy sceptre shall be my own heart, 
 My fame shall be Thy diadem. 
 
 Love I shall declare to be law, 
 I shall sing daily Thine esteem; 
 In Thy soul I'll pour love's delight 
 And sweetest longing in Thy dream. 
 
 I shall bid birds to sing to Thee, 
 May's flowers shall fall to Thy feet; 
 I'll change to heaven the world and all 
 And there command the stars to meet. 
 
 I'll make your subjects all men's hearts, 
 Revive the Eden with my verse, 
 Proclaim Thee high queen of it all 
 Throughout the whole of universe. 
 
 57
 
 Evening Songs 
 
 XLVIII 
 
 Don't wonder, shouldst Thou chance to hear 
 Birds sing of Thy love's wooing; 
 They called once at my window sill 
 To see what I was doing. 
 
 And they again came and again 
 And soon taught me to love them, 
 For I am free just as they are 
 And am just like one of them. 
 
 I sang them many songs of Thee 
 That in sweet love abounded, 
 And they soon tuned their throats to them 
 Till in their songs love sounded. 
 
 The other day I called on them 
 In their woods and nooks shady 
 And was surprised to find the birds 
 To sing my songs already. 
 
 58
 
 Evening Songs 
 
 XLIX \ 
 
 \ 
 
 The God's world is so far and wide ; 
 
 And goodness in small measure; 1 
 
 By thousands one can count the pains \ 
 
 And verj- little pleasure. ; 
 
 The heart is ready to redeem i 
 With hundred pains one pleasure — 
 
 And the same heart, O God, for love j 
 
 Will suffer past all measure. i 
 
 59
 
 Evening Songs 
 
 Hey, in the rounds what pleasure 
 While one his lass embraces! 
 Let's have the charming music — 
 Come, pale lad, join our races! 
 
 Ah, the pale lad's whole body 
 As though with cold frost shivered, 
 And down his pale cheeks quickly 
 A stream of hot tears quivered. 
 
 60
 
 Evening Songs 
 
 LI 
 
 Ye little, ye wee little birds, 
 Ye song-dreamers in sleeping; 
 Does anyone of you there know 
 That I die here from weeping? 
 
 Dear moon, stop moving in the sky 
 Till I some solace gather; 
 My love's fire's extinct as art thou — 
 We both fit well together. 
 
 The last flame flickers to die out, 
 All that's left are words hollow ; 
 Yet I would blow all to new life, 
 Though nought but grief should follow. 
 
 6i
 
 Evening Songs 
 
 LII 
 
 My pillow was of sorrow made 
 My sleep were tears, free flowing; 
 Go easy, my heart — not so loud: 
 Deep penitence I'm showing. 
 
 The moon comes by the window in, 
 Gown'd in her deathly pallor. 
 And in the heart a song died down 
 As of a bird, sad caller. 
 
 Dear moon, light up the stars on high ; 
 Let dew descend on flowers; 
 Awake from sleep the nightingale, 
 But men — let sleep their hours! 
 
 You carry ofiE the gorgeous love — 
 You know the calamity; 
 I am now but a wretched man — 
 Ah, pity, pity, pity! 
 
 62 
 
 rl
 
 Evening Songs 
 
 LIII j 
 
 J 
 
 " 'Ti's wrong for men to lack in song — " "' 
 
 In judgment God has spoken — < 
 
 And then He sent a bard to men 'I 
 And gave him this as token : 
 
 i 
 
 "Throughout thy life have thou no rest, ' 
 
 Thy bread with tears be eaten ; ■ 
 
 Know thou nought but hard suffering, 'i 
 
 In all hopes be thou beaten ! - 
 
 "Though thy heart be rent to its blood — • 
 
 View that blood to them clinging; i 
 
 Though driven by them through all lands — i 
 
 Love them — and keep on singing!" j 
 
 1 
 
 That lot is common to us bards. \ 
 
 Men may have our songs chanted, i 
 
 But with what had brought on our song — ' 
 
 None cares to get acquainted. ' 
 
 63
 
 Evening Songs 
 
 LIV 
 
 My lips were lockt a long, long time, 
 And mute as rocks are lonely, 
 But suddenly they were unlockt 
 By Thee with one kiss only. 
 
 That kiss fell as in month of May 
 On parched earth falls a shower; 
 Now songs began to sprout again 
 In my soul with fresh power. 
 
 64
 
 Evening Songs 
 
 LV 
 
 When I shall trust my corpse to earth 
 And my soul to God's keeping, 
 I ask to be laid as a bard 
 Away to my last sleeping. 
 
 Into my hand I want the lyre, 
 On head, leaves from laure's arbor; 
 Let my new neighbors know at once 
 Who comes to their calm harbor. 
 
 I always holy held the lyre 
 And not a mere toy only: 
 So let it be mine ornament 
 In night long and place lonely. 
 
 Should we feel lonesome in the graves 
 And, maybe, for home too sick, 
 Then I shall sing a song for them 
 And cheer them up with music. 
 
 And should in your lives sluggishness 
 And sleep here overtake you : 
 I'll rouse the dead and send them back, 
 And they shall come and wake you. 
 
 65
 
 Evening Songs 
 
 LVI 
 
 My God, of all things I aspire 
 I here confess, whole-hearted ; 
 All I pray for is that from song 
 I never shall be parted. 
 
 Shouldst Thou withdraw my gift of song — 
 I ask to live no longer; 
 Shouldst Thou for song bid me take bliss — 
 I still to song cling stronger. 
 
 66
 
 Evening Songs 
 
 LVII 
 
 Blest is the man whom the Lord's hand 
 As bard had consecrated ; 
 He has looked into God's decrees 
 And has men's breasts well rated. 
 
 He knows what saj's the world's great psalm 
 And what the birds are singing; 
 He understands the throbbing heart, 
 In tears, and with joy ringing. 
 
 What secret is to other men 
 Is open to his vision; 
 He is the leader of God's race 
 To its long promised region. 
 
 He is the king of kingdoms vast. 
 The priest of men's salvation, 
 And beauties' treasures lie in him 
 Beyond all estimation. 
 
 67
 
 Evening Songs 
 
 LVIII 
 
 Much has been trusted to Thy hands; 
 My heart in them I planted, 
 And God placed sweet songs in that heart 
 To have men's bliss augmented. 
 
 A strange plant is the human heart — 
 Not easily to nourish ; 
 For, it is up to love alone. 
 If it shall die or flourish. 
 
 A strange plant is the human heart — 
 
 It needs the climate's favor , 
 
 And dew and rain and best of care '- 
 
 To yield fruit of good flavor. j 
 
 So should my heart from Thy hands sprout ' 
 In honor of the nation. 
 
 Long ages that are yet to come ' 
 
 Shall sing Thine adoration. '; 
 
 68
 
 Evening Songs 
 
 LIX 
 
 I bade the trumpets to be blown 
 For glorious resurrection ; 
 I shall in final judgment sit — 
 Ye shall hear your fates' lection. 
 
 Ye who have been opposed to love 
 And have against it spoken : 
 Ye shall despair for all the time, 
 And your hearts shall be broken. 
 
 But ye who always have kept faith 
 And treated love with favor: 
 Ye come and gather on my right 
 And live in love forever. 
 
 To you in heaven sp>ecial place 
 And special bliss be given, 
 For, having loved upon the earth, 
 You had the taste of heaven. 
 
 69
 
 Evening Songs 
 
 LX 
 
 He who can strike the golden strings 
 Be highest honors given, 
 For God has shewn you such great love 
 That He sent him from heaven. 
 
 It's dreadful when with barren fields 
 And plague God means to punish, 
 But greatest scorge visits the race 
 From whom its songs do vanish. 
 
 That nation has not perished yet 
 To whom its bards are singing: 
 For all song is of heaven's birth 
 And life in death 'tis bringing. 
 
 70
 
 Evening Songs 
 
 LXI 
 
 At prophets cast ye never stones ; 
 They are as birds, shy, clever: 
 Cast thou a stone at him but once, 
 And he is gone forever. 
 
 God's fearful wrath the nation seeks 
 Whose love of bards is shaken. 
 And greatest wrath befell the race 
 From whom God songs has taken. 
 
 The poet's heart is pure and chaste, 
 His faith does never vary; 
 Therefore, what he sings from his heart 
 That ye in your hearts carry! 
 
 71
 
 Evening Songs 
 
 LXII 
 
 From heaven angels come to earth — 
 Dreams with their golden visions, 
 And each of them brings men in sleep 
 Delight from happy regions. 
 
 Wherever these fair angels stop, 
 Men learn all they had craven ; 
 For they know and tell ihem in dreams 
 Fair tales direct from heaven. 
 
 The eyelids suddenly get sealed — ! 
 
 With sweetness of sleep laden: i 
 
 Thine image stands in front of me — i 
 
 Good night, good night— my maiden! i 
 
 72
 
 Evening Songs 
 
 _ ^ \ 
 
 LXIII 
 
 Now go, my darling children, go — 
 This is no more your station ; 
 Accept for your quaint journey yet 
 Your father's osculation ! 
 
 May be, somewhere they'll honor you 
 And offer you receptions; 
 But somewhere they may criticise — 
 Be ready for exceptions! 
 
 But let your mind not be disturbed 
 Nor wrinkles in face driven: 
 All kinds of men live in the world, 
 But few to love are given. 
 
 73
 
 Evennig Songs 
 
 LXIV 
 
 In the sky the moon was standing; 
 Dreams to me new songs were lending. 
 
 Birds came and told one another 
 How much we did love each other. 
 
 That the fair fresh meadow flowers 
 Would be wedding gowns of ours. 
 
 That green ivy with her story 
 
 Would wreathe Thy head with its glory. 
 
 Adorned with thousand charms, 
 That Thou wouldst rest in my arms. 
 
 74
 
 Evening Songs 
 
 LXV 
 
 He's going far from home, 
 With sorrow lader. ; 
 He turns yet and looks back — 
 Good-bye, dear maiden ! 
 
 He turns yet and looks back. 
 His kerchief Avaving; 
 With kerchief he dries yet 
 Eyes in tears laving. 
 
 And now behind him closed 
 A foreign region 
 As in the sky the lark 
 Gets lost to vision. 
 
 He's gone, but he'll come back 
 Again, joy-laden — 
 But ere he will return — 
 Good-bye, dear maiden ! 
 
 75
 
 Evening Songs 
 
 LXVI 
 
 (Posthumous) 
 
 The moon sails slowly in the sky 
 So calmly and so freely; 
 The nightingale wails in the twigs 
 So sweetly and so really. 
 
 Thy image stands in front of me 
 So calmly and so freely; 
 The heart in longing wakes and calls 
 So sweetly and so really. 
 
 A swarm of songs is circling 'round 
 So calmly and so freely; 
 And into mine eye steals a tear 
 So sweetly and so really. 
 
 Now gentle sleep knocks at my door 
 So calmly and so freely — 
 And I recall Thee to my mind 
 So sweetly and so really. 
 
 76
 
 Evenlriff Songs 
 
 LXVII 
 
 (Posthumous) 
 
 My sweetheart, look at those two clouds 
 Above that mountain yonder — 
 The moon sheds her light on their way, 
 And in close touch they wander. 
 
 The maiden choir of quiet stars 
 Is twinkling to them greeting, 
 And gentle zephyrs in their breath 
 Bring odors to them, fleeting. 
 
 Lo! from the shrubs the nightingale 
 Flew up with her narration — 
 Hark how she sends her song to them 
 As song's true incarnation ! 
 
 My love, look from Thy window there 
 How those clouds float together — 
 I asked them to bid Thee "good night," 
 Sweet dreams 'round Thee to gather. 
 
 77
 
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