| from "MOJE SERBSKO WUZNACE" | from "MY SORBIAN CONFESSION" |
| Jakub Bart-Ćišinski | trans. Robert Elsie (from Sorbian) |
|
Přećelo, haj małka serbska zemja je a małki serbski narod, jako kupa mólčka wosrjedz wulkoh moria. Štóz ja tola kruće wĕrju, zo jeho mócne žolmy njepočĕrja naše serbske hona, wsy a dwory. Lud naš dźĕleny a roztorhany zwonka, znutřka, na wjacore wašnje je a w ničim njeje žadyn cyłk. A w tych jednotliwych wotšćěpkach telko zwady, ach, a šćěpjenja! (Stary hrěch to slowjanskeje kreje.) A ja tola kruće wěrju, zo serbski lud mój nihdy njezahinje. Wzmi mi tule wěru z wutroby, a ja zdobom wot so ćisnu pjero serbowske a porsta wjace njezhibnu nic za lud, nic za kraj serbowski. Ně, ně! Ja znajmjeńša kruće wěrju do přichoda a do žiwjenja ludu serbskeho a - z dobrym prawom. Móc a wutrajnosć so w našim ludu chowa železna, a strowa mysl a duch jasny sydli w čerstwym ćěle. Ow, njech Serba kóždoh wutroba skała přećiwo tym cuzym žołmam, kóžda ruka bróń a kóždy dych lubosć k serbskej zemi je, a serbska zemja serbska wěčnje zawostanje. Duša naroda pak, z kotrejeż so do tych stawow rozdrjebjenych dyrbi žórlić ziwjenje a zjednoćeć je k cyłkej mócnemu, niech horca lubosć k serbskcj rěči je a k serbskei roli! A tež ty wěr: Serbja wostanu! |
Our land is small, my friend, And our people too, like a tiny islet In the midst of the great sea. But I firmly believe that The mighty waves will never overpower Our Sorbian countryside, its villages and farms. Our people are divided and split From without and within; in many ways There is no unity anywhere. Alas, nothing but feuding and division Within even the smallest faction (the ancient transgression of Slavic blood). This Sorbian people of mine will never die out. Steal this belief from my heart And I will throw down at once this Sorbian quill, No more will I lift a finger For this people, for this Sorbian land. No, never! At least I firmly believe In the future and in the life Of the Sorbian people - and rightly so. Vernal strength and perseverance are to be found In our people; a healthy mind And a shining spirit inhabit a robust body. Oh, may every Sorbian heart be steadfast As a rock against these alien waves, May every arm be a shield and every breath An expression of love for the Sorbian countryside, A land which will remain eternally Sorbian. The spirit of the people Must swell with life And bring together these scattered members Into one mighty unit, with ardent love For the Sorbian language and Sorbian soil. May you, too, know this: we remain Sorbs! |
Trans. Copyright © Robert Elsie 1990 - publ. Forest Books