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Křesadlo, Jan: XIV. By such invaders won't be driven (XIV. To okupanty nezaže in English)

Portre of Křesadlo, Jan

XIV. To okupanty nezaže (Czech)

To okupanty nezaže.
Však jednou půjdou od válu !
Viz zbraně města napřažené
slyš tajný ohlas chorálu !

Ač odešel jsem z jejích bran
a nyní za to zase platím,
tunel se kope z obou stran -
a oni jsou tu jenom zatím !

Odejít, nebo zůstati ?
Je v tom či onom vůbec vina ?
Vždyť za sto let nic neplatí,

skloněná ani rovná šíje.
A zatím Město pořád žije,
souzvukem věžoví se vzpíná.



Uploaded byRépás Norbert
PublisherVzdorověnec, překladatelova vlastní reakce na Seifertův Věnec Sonetů, dokončeno 1.8.1995
Source of the quotationkresadlo.cz

XIV. By such invaders won't be driven (English)

By such invaders won't be driven.
But we won't have so long to wait !
Observe, the City's arms upheaving
Hear the dark Chorale resonate !

Although I now must make amends
Who left her, through her portals fleeing
We do dig tunnels from both ends -
And they are here for the time being !

Can either action more be blamed ?
To stay or leave ? Both owed a hearing.
In hundred years it's all the same,

A doubled up or poker back.
Meanwhile the City stays on track,
In unison of spires uprearing.



Uploaded byRépás Norbert
PublisherCounter-garland, written in reaction to and during translation of Jaroslav Seifert's Wreath of Sonnets, completed on August 1, 1995
Source of the quotationkresadlo.cz

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