Bohemian Romantic Poetry

What for a song is its melody, for a poem is its rhyme. This is not just my own belief, but one shared by many others, especially by poets of nineteen century. As to living body is the heart what gives it regular rhythm, the same does rhyme and melody for the poetry and music. It could be argued that in the eyes of many, there are some remarkable songs without a trace of any distinct melody and the same could be said about poetry without rhyme. It could be also said that there are uncounted statues, modeled on living bodies, beautiful, but not alive. What is in all of them missing, is that pounding heart. This is a collection of selected work of Bohemian romantic poets from the nineteen century. From times, which I believe, the European civilization was reaping its greatest cultural accomplishments. Literature and music composed at that time is still remembered and highly praised. Czechs would have next to nothing of their cultural heritage, if it wasn?t for Bedrich Smetana and Antonin Dvorak, for Macha, Erben, Vrchlicky and many others from that century. Similarly, most other nations also draw their most famous representatives of their culture exactly from the same era. In this translation I tried, as much as I was able, to adhere to poetry?s original form, with corresponding meaning and rhyming sentences. Particularly in Macha?s ?May? I dutifully copied his sometimes ?chaotic? style, as some of his critics claimed when it was first self-published in 1836. After his death his work was appreciated though, and despite all his contemporary critics, he is now recognized as the greatest Bohemian poet. This book contains only a small selection of authors and even smaller selection of their poetry. Since I was guided only by my preferences and limitations, it might not represent exactly the typical poetry of these poets. However, I believe that this selection will give you, the reader, at least a succinct reflection, just a mere glimpse, into Bohemian poetry of the eighteen century. My illustrations in this book are there only to help you to construct an appropriate time frame with corresponding scenes, depicted in each piece of poetry. They are unfortunately inadequate and are only imaginary glimpses of that long forgotten romantic world, into which this poetry will hopefully lure you. George Dlouhy