_An Anthology of Modern Bohemian Poetry_, translated by
P. Selver (Henry J. Drane, London).
This is a good anthology of modern Bohemian poetry, accurately
translated into bad and sometimes even ridiculous English. Great credit
is due the young translator for his care in research and selection. The
faults of his style, though deplorable, are not such as to obscure the
force and beauty of his originals.
One is glad to be thus thoroughly assured that contemporary Bohemia has
a literature in verse, sensitive to the outer world and yet national.
Mr. Selver's greatest revelation is Petr Bezruc, poet of the mines.
The poetry of Brezina, Sova and Vrchlicky is interesting, but Bezruc's
_Songs of Silesia_ have the strength of a voice coming _de profundis_.
A hundred years in silence I dwelt in the pit,
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