Nature

The humming of the trees has ceased

by Vítězslav Hálek 1835–1874

Translated by Joseph Štýbr (1920) · From Evening Songs (Večerní písně), trans. Štýbr (1920)

Nature

The humming of the trees has ceased,
Their leaves breathe calmly, 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.

MLA

Hálek, Vítězslav. “The humming of the trees has ceased.” Translated by Joseph Štýbr. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/halek/2/.

Chicago

Hálek, Vítězslav. “The humming of the trees has ceased.” Translated by Joseph Štýbr. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/halek/2/.

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