Classic Poem

My country calls me, Kraska! dry thine eyes,
Disturb not with thy tears youth's quiet flow;
Rend not my heart — nor chill thine own with sighs;
Thy rosy cheeks are mantled o'er with snow —
Weep not because thy Ceskian leaves thee — No!
The mighty lion on the flag unfurl'd,
Roars with loud voice, and bids the warriors go —
Wealth, heart, and blood — our country — and the world.

How sweet and silent were our early days,
Gliding like meadow streamlets soft and still;
Enjoyment threw o'er every hour its rays,
Anxious, life's cup with flowing bliss to fill.
But soon — too soon — that bliss has been o'ercast,
Which made me the world's envy — now the frost,
The silver frost of sorrow makes a waste
Of my once glowing spirit — All is lost.

Yet will I prize thy love — the love I've sworn,
That love shall lead through immortality.
Think not that white-arm'd maidens' smile or scorn,
Can for an instant lure my thoughts from thee.
No dimples, howsoever lovely — grace,
Howe'er majestic — pearly teeth in rows —
Mouth breathing sweets — Can these — can these efface
Thy memory? Never! — or thy sway oppose? —

In the night's silence — at the twilight's dawn,
Whene'er I gird my sabre to my side —
When eve around the hills her clouds has drawn —
Then — always — shall I think of thee — and glide
In fancy to thy presence — midst the roar
Of cannons — and the flash of swords — and hiss
Of bullets — while like seeds of thistles o'er
Torn limbs fly by — thy love shall be my bliss.

Should I return to our bohemian land,
When the blest trump of peace is heard again,
What bliss — what bliss supreme to take thy hand —
How will my spirit thrill with rapture then!
Thy rosy lips my eager kiss shall press,
My arms around thy smiling form shall be;
Thine eyes — thy cheeks — the kiss of love shall bless;
O! the unutterable extasy!

Hark! hark! the trumpet's call — the banner flies
High flapping in the wind — our lions shake
Their grisly manes — thou maid of Paradise,
Come hither — come — thy hero's sabre take,
And gird it on — and bless him — and one kiss —
One kiss — and then — and then — what words can tell
My thoughts — thou joy, hope, peace, song, love, and bliss —
My more than heaven — farewell — farewell — farewell!