Bohemian Romantic Poetry

What for a song is melody, for a poem is rhyme. This is not just my own belief, but one shared by many other people, especially by poets of the nineteen century. As the pounding heart gives the living body regular rhythm, I believe the same does rhyme and melody for poetry and music.

This book is a small collection of selected poems, written by Bohemian romantic poets, living during the nineteen century. Poems from times when the European civilization was reaping its greatest cultural accomplishments. Czechs would have next to nothing in their cultural heritage, if it wasn't for Bedřich Smetana and Anton n Dvoř k, for M cha, Erben, Vrchlick , and of course, many other composes, writers, poets and artists from that remarkable 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 M cha's "May" I dutifully copied his sometimes "chaotic" style, as some of his critics claimed when his poem was first self-published in 1836. Only after his death his work was appreciated and despite all his critics at that time, 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, and a mere glimpse, into Bohemian poetry of the nineteen century. Hopefully, it might lure you into this long forgotten romantic world.