browie;
Gdy dziecie?
Gdy dziecie?
Poland - 1881 - Poets and Poetry of Poland
handle.
net/2027/loc.
ark:/13960/t04x6gz3d Public Domain / http://www.
hathitrust.
org/access_use#pd
? 222 POETS AND POETRY OF POLAND.
CHILDE HAROLD'S FAREWELL TO HIS NATIVE
LAND.
(FROM LORD BYRON. )
Adieu, adieu! my native shore'
Fades o'er the waters blue;
The night-winds sigh, the breakers roar,
And shrieks the wild sea-mew.
Yon sun that sets upon the sea
We follow in his flight:
Farewell awhile to him and thee,
My native land -- good night !
ii.
A few short hours and he will rise
To give the morrow birth;
And I shall hail the main and skies,
But not my mother earth.
Deserted is my own good hall,
Its hearth is desolate;
Wild weeds are gathering on the wall:
My dog howls at the gate.
in.
Come hither, hither, my little page,
Why dost thou weep and wail?
Or dost thou dread the billows' rage,
Or tremble at the gale?
But dash the tear-drop from thine eye;
Our ship is swift and strong;
Our fleetest falcon scarce can fly
More merrily along.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-06-10 17:13 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/loc. ark:/13960/t04x6gz3d Public Domain / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd
? MICKIEWICZ. 223
POZ? EGNANIE CHILDE HAROLDA.
(Z LORDA BYRONA. )
T? o? maczy? Adam Mickiewicz. *
Bywaj mi zdrowy, kraju kochany!
Juz w mglistej nikniesz pomroce;
S? wisne? ? y wiatry, szumja? ba? wany
I morskie ptactwo swiegoce.
Dalej za s? on? cem gdzie jasna? g? owe?
W zachodnie pogra? z? a piany --
Tym czasem s? on? ce bywaj mi zdrowe
Bywa] zdro? w kraju kochany!
u.
Za kilka godzin rozane zorze
Promien? mi b? ys? nie jasnemi:
Obacze? niebo, obacze? morze
Lecz niezobacze? mej ziemi.
Zamek, na kto? rym brzmia? o wesele,
Wieczna z? a? oba pokryje;
Na wa? ach dzikie poros? nie ziele
U wro? t pies wierny za wyje.
iii.
Po? jdz? tu mo? j paz? iu-paz? iu mo? j mi? y,
Co znacza? te ? zy i z? ale?
Czyli cie? wichro? w zda? sane sza? y,
Czy morskie le? kaja? fale?
Rozwesel oko, rozjas? nij czo? o!
W dobrym okre? cie, w pogode? --
Lotny nasz soko? ? nie tak weso? o
lak my polecim przez wode? .
* Translated by Adam Mickiewicz.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-06-10 17:13 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/loc. ark:/13960/t04x6gz3d Public Domain / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd
? 224 * POETS AND POETRY OF POLAND.
IV.
" Let winds be shrill, let waves roll high,
I fear not wave nor wind;
Yet marvel not, Sir Childe, that I
Am sorrowful in mind;
For I have from my father gone,
A mother whom I love,
And have no friends save these alone,
But thee -- and One above.
v.
"My father bless'd me fervently,
Yet did not much complain;
But sorely will my mother sigh
Till I come back again. "
Enough, enough, my little lad,
Such tears become thine eye;
If I thy guileless bosom had,
Mine own would not be dry.
vi.
Gome hither, hither, my stanch yeoman,
Why dost thou look so pale?
Or dost thou dread a French foeman?
Or shiver at the gale?
" Deem'st thou I tremble for my life?
Sir Childe, I'm not so weak;
But thinking on an absent wife
Will blanch a faithful cheek.
" My spouse and boys dwell near thy hall,
Along the bordering lake,
And when they on their father call,
What answer shall she make? " --
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-06-10 17:13 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/loc. ark:/13960/t04x6gz3d Public Domain / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd
? MICKIEWICZ. 225
IV.
" Niech fala szumi, niech wicher g? uszy,
Niedbam pogoda czy s? ota:
Te ? zy wyciska z g? e? bi mej duszy
Nie bojaz? n? ale te? sknota.
Bo tam mo? j stary ojciec zostanie,
Tam matka zostanie droga,
Tam wszyscy moi pro? cz ciebie, panie
Pro? cz ciebie tylko i Boga.
Ojciec spokojnie mie? b? ogos? awi? ,
Nie p? acze an? i narzeka;
Lecz matka kto? ra? m we ? zach zostawi? ,
Z jaka? z? te? sknota? naz czeka? 1 '
Dos? c? . dos? c? , mo? j paziu! te ? zy dziecinne
Z? renicy twojej przystoja? ;
Gdybym mia? ro? wnie serce niewinne,
Widzia? bys? we ? zach i moja? .
vi.
Po? jdz? tu mo? j giermku, giermku mo? j m? ody!
Ska? d ci ta blados? c? na twarzy?
Czy rozhukanej le? kasz sie? wody,
Czyli francuzkich korsarzy?
"O nie Haroldzie! niedbam o z? ycie,
Niedbam o loso? w igrzyska:
Alem zostawi? zone? i dziecie?
To mi ? zy z oczu wyciska.
VII.
Zona na kon? cu twojego sio? a,
W zielonej mieszka da?
browie;
Gdy dziecie? z p? aczem ojca zawo? a
Coz? mu nieszcze? sna odpowie? "
15
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-06-10 17:13 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/loc. ark:/13960/t04x6gz3d Public Domain / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd
? 226 POETS AND POETRY OF POLAND.
Enough, enough, my yeoman good,
Thy grief let none gainsay;
But I, who am of lighter mood,
Will laugh to flee away.
VIII.
For who would trust the seeming sighs
Of wife or paramour?
Fresh feres will dry the bright blue eyes
We late saw streaming o'er.
For pleasures past I do not grieve,
Nor perils gathering near;
My greatest grief is that I leave
No thing that claims a tear.
ix.
And now I'm in the world alone,
Upon the wide, wide sea;
But why should I for others groan,
When none will sigh for me?
Perchance my dog will whine in vain,
Till fed by stranger's hands;
But long ere I come back again
He'd tear me where he stands.
x.
With thee, my bark, I'll swiftly go
Athwart the foaming brine;
Nor care what land thou bear'st me to,
So not again to mine.
Welcome, welcome, ye dark blue waves!
And when you fail my sight,
Welcome, ye deserts and ye caves!
My native land -- good night !
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-06-10 17:13 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/loc. ark:/13960/t04x6gz3d Public Domain / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd
? MICKIEWICZ. 227
Dos? c? , dos? c? mo? j giermku ! s? uszna twa z? a? os? c? ;
la choc? tej ganic? niemoge? .
Mniejsza? mam czu? os? c? , czy wie? ksza? sta? os? c? :
S? mieja? c sie? puszczam sie? w droge? !
Kochanki, zony p? acz mie? niewzruszy --
Bo nim zabtys? nie poranek,
Z b? e? kitnych oczu te ? zy osuszy
Nowy ma? z? , nowy kochanek --
Niez? al mi ziemi gdziem m? odos? c? strawi? ,
Nie straszne podro? z? e wodne;
Z? a? uje? tylko z? em niezostawi?
Nic coby by? o ? ez godne.
ix.
Teraz po s? wiecie b? a? dze? szerokim,
I pe? dze? z? ycie tu? acze;
Czego? z? mam p? akac? zakim i po? kim
Kiedy nikt pomnie nie p? acze? --
Pies chyba tylko zawyje z rana,
Nim obca? karmiony re? ka? ,
Kiedys? swojego dawnego pana
Ws? ciek? a? powita paszcze? ka? .
Iuz? okre? t piersia? kraje g? e? bine? ,
I z? agle na wiatr rozwina? ? ;
Niedbam ku jakim brzegom pop? yne?
Bylebym nazad niep? yna? ? ,
Gdy mnie twe jasne znudza? kryszta? y,
Ogromna modra p? asczyzno,
Powitam lasy, pustynie, ska? y --
Ba? dz? zdrowa luba Ojczyzno!
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-06-10 17:13 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/loc. ark:/13960/t04x6gz3d Public Domain / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd
? 228 POETS AND POETRY OF POLAND.
BRODZIN? SKI.
Casimir Brodzin? ski is one of the poets who appeared
on the stage at the outset of this period. He cast his
searching eye upon the just expiring century and felt
in his heart the voice calling for a new state of things.
His elaborate ideas, combined with deep reflections,
he transferred into a charming world of poesy. He
argued the whole thing out, and gave his feelings a
tangible and poetic form. His talent was not of the
flashy kind, but rather retiring and modest, resembling
the light of the morning star casting upon the world its
soft, sad, and longing rays; but this light was not seen
nor understood by all; he shared the common lot of all
creative minds, and of those who wished to implant new
ideas into the popular heart. The public admired him;
men of letters appreciated him for his artistic skill;
it was acknowledged that his dissertations were full of
rendition; but the masses were deaf to Brodzinski's
voice, -- it failed to make any impression on their
minds. In a short time he was as it were completely
forsaken by them, and he became as a target to be fired
upon by the youth of Poland. A mistaken and ill-
advised impression was spread that in his works were
concealed dangerous elements. Thrust aside, found
fault with, he was almost forgotten. But the revolu-
tion of 1830 lifted him up at once. Heaven granted
him a gift of looking far into the future. Brodzinski's
poetic genius did not lift him into the empyrean spheres;
it did not carry him beyond the limits of the occasion;
but every one can see that his feelings are not con-
strained; that honesty of purpose and a yearning feeling
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-06-10 17:13 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/loc. ark:/13960/t04x6gz3d Public Domain / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd
? BRODZIN? SKI. 229
knocks gently at the heart of others. His prepon-
derant ability was in his inquiring mind, which carefully
reveals the unknown road, working cautiously around,
consulting his own judgment, and profiting by the
experience of others. Being well acquainted with
German literature, he preferred to look there for
examples to cultivate his own talent; but above all,
w r hile fathoming the popular songs and the character-
istics of the Slavonian peoples to . correctly delineate
the national spirit of Slavonian poetry seemed to be
his chief aim. But this innovation caused in those days
great opposition, especially among the votaries of
Laharpe and Boileau, who considered themselves as
infallible judges of every unfolding talent. Brod-
zin? ski suffered patiently all sorts of personal taunts,
and while forgetting himself he did not cease defending
the cause. He published a highly interesting disser-
tation on Classicism and Romanticism, which was
printed at Warsaw. This dissertation proved to be
a species of watch-word for a subsequent stormy literary
war, which gave the contending parties two separate
names, to wit: Classicists and Romanticists. Brod-
zin? ski very modestly put himself on the neutral
ground, and would not participate in this polemic
struggle; but by occasional publication of his poetical
compositions in the ',' Review,' 1 and finally by pub-
lishing them in a volume (1821-2), 'subdued all
prejudiced minds, and favorably inclined them toward
his innovations in the literature of his country, at the
same time opening a way to a complete reform, not
only in the art of writing itself, but also in the concep-
tions necessary to the innovation. These innovations
and conceptions were taken up by another genius, and
very soon after put into practice.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-06-10 17:13 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/loc. ark:/13960/t04x6gz3d Public Domain / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd
? 230 POETS AND POETEY OF POLAND.
Brodzinski's poetical compositions breathed like the
gentle breezes of the wind, which seemed to send into
the popular heart a new life; it was a genuine national
breath, awakening in poetry pure native feeling and
turning attention to the land of our birth -- its inher-
ent qualities and its beauties; he chose for his images
simple and more accessible objects, -- rural life and
scenery, and beautifully painted their simplicity, their
innocence and charms.
Thus is his "Wies? aw " planned. It is like the first
flowers in the spring, which are not the prettiest in
outward appearance, -- but then one of these is the
violet, and who plucked the first violet in our litera-
ture was the first to welcome the spiritual spring of the
nation. "Wies? aw " is the most beautiful pastoral, -- the
most charming rural epopee, -- and after its publication
it created a sensation such as no other poem ever created
before. The youth of the country could repeat it by
heart, and even to this day the poem is known and
loved by all classes. It was welcomed at its first appear-
ance as a harbinger of a bright star of future poetry
which was to rise over the whole Polish nation. This
"Wies? aw," singing forth with the accompaniment of
a country fiddler, the Cracovian dancers, the bride-men,
the para-nymphs, came out with charms unknown
before.
? 222 POETS AND POETRY OF POLAND.
CHILDE HAROLD'S FAREWELL TO HIS NATIVE
LAND.
(FROM LORD BYRON. )
Adieu, adieu! my native shore'
Fades o'er the waters blue;
The night-winds sigh, the breakers roar,
And shrieks the wild sea-mew.
Yon sun that sets upon the sea
We follow in his flight:
Farewell awhile to him and thee,
My native land -- good night !
ii.
A few short hours and he will rise
To give the morrow birth;
And I shall hail the main and skies,
But not my mother earth.
Deserted is my own good hall,
Its hearth is desolate;
Wild weeds are gathering on the wall:
My dog howls at the gate.
in.
Come hither, hither, my little page,
Why dost thou weep and wail?
Or dost thou dread the billows' rage,
Or tremble at the gale?
But dash the tear-drop from thine eye;
Our ship is swift and strong;
Our fleetest falcon scarce can fly
More merrily along.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-06-10 17:13 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/loc. ark:/13960/t04x6gz3d Public Domain / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd
? MICKIEWICZ. 223
POZ? EGNANIE CHILDE HAROLDA.
(Z LORDA BYRONA. )
T? o? maczy? Adam Mickiewicz. *
Bywaj mi zdrowy, kraju kochany!
Juz w mglistej nikniesz pomroce;
S? wisne? ? y wiatry, szumja? ba? wany
I morskie ptactwo swiegoce.
Dalej za s? on? cem gdzie jasna? g? owe?
W zachodnie pogra? z? a piany --
Tym czasem s? on? ce bywaj mi zdrowe
Bywa] zdro? w kraju kochany!
u.
Za kilka godzin rozane zorze
Promien? mi b? ys? nie jasnemi:
Obacze? niebo, obacze? morze
Lecz niezobacze? mej ziemi.
Zamek, na kto? rym brzmia? o wesele,
Wieczna z? a? oba pokryje;
Na wa? ach dzikie poros? nie ziele
U wro? t pies wierny za wyje.
iii.
Po? jdz? tu mo? j paz? iu-paz? iu mo? j mi? y,
Co znacza? te ? zy i z? ale?
Czyli cie? wichro? w zda? sane sza? y,
Czy morskie le? kaja? fale?
Rozwesel oko, rozjas? nij czo? o!
W dobrym okre? cie, w pogode? --
Lotny nasz soko? ? nie tak weso? o
lak my polecim przez wode? .
* Translated by Adam Mickiewicz.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-06-10 17:13 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/loc. ark:/13960/t04x6gz3d Public Domain / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd
? 224 * POETS AND POETRY OF POLAND.
IV.
" Let winds be shrill, let waves roll high,
I fear not wave nor wind;
Yet marvel not, Sir Childe, that I
Am sorrowful in mind;
For I have from my father gone,
A mother whom I love,
And have no friends save these alone,
But thee -- and One above.
v.
"My father bless'd me fervently,
Yet did not much complain;
But sorely will my mother sigh
Till I come back again. "
Enough, enough, my little lad,
Such tears become thine eye;
If I thy guileless bosom had,
Mine own would not be dry.
vi.
Gome hither, hither, my stanch yeoman,
Why dost thou look so pale?
Or dost thou dread a French foeman?
Or shiver at the gale?
" Deem'st thou I tremble for my life?
Sir Childe, I'm not so weak;
But thinking on an absent wife
Will blanch a faithful cheek.
" My spouse and boys dwell near thy hall,
Along the bordering lake,
And when they on their father call,
What answer shall she make? " --
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-06-10 17:13 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/loc. ark:/13960/t04x6gz3d Public Domain / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd
? MICKIEWICZ. 225
IV.
" Niech fala szumi, niech wicher g? uszy,
Niedbam pogoda czy s? ota:
Te ? zy wyciska z g? e? bi mej duszy
Nie bojaz? n? ale te? sknota.
Bo tam mo? j stary ojciec zostanie,
Tam matka zostanie droga,
Tam wszyscy moi pro? cz ciebie, panie
Pro? cz ciebie tylko i Boga.
Ojciec spokojnie mie? b? ogos? awi? ,
Nie p? acze an? i narzeka;
Lecz matka kto? ra? m we ? zach zostawi? ,
Z jaka? z? te? sknota? naz czeka? 1 '
Dos? c? . dos? c? , mo? j paziu! te ? zy dziecinne
Z? renicy twojej przystoja? ;
Gdybym mia? ro? wnie serce niewinne,
Widzia? bys? we ? zach i moja? .
vi.
Po? jdz? tu mo? j giermku, giermku mo? j m? ody!
Ska? d ci ta blados? c? na twarzy?
Czy rozhukanej le? kasz sie? wody,
Czyli francuzkich korsarzy?
"O nie Haroldzie! niedbam o z? ycie,
Niedbam o loso? w igrzyska:
Alem zostawi? zone? i dziecie?
To mi ? zy z oczu wyciska.
VII.
Zona na kon? cu twojego sio? a,
W zielonej mieszka da?
browie;
Gdy dziecie? z p? aczem ojca zawo? a
Coz? mu nieszcze? sna odpowie? "
15
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-06-10 17:13 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/loc. ark:/13960/t04x6gz3d Public Domain / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd
? 226 POETS AND POETRY OF POLAND.
Enough, enough, my yeoman good,
Thy grief let none gainsay;
But I, who am of lighter mood,
Will laugh to flee away.
VIII.
For who would trust the seeming sighs
Of wife or paramour?
Fresh feres will dry the bright blue eyes
We late saw streaming o'er.
For pleasures past I do not grieve,
Nor perils gathering near;
My greatest grief is that I leave
No thing that claims a tear.
ix.
And now I'm in the world alone,
Upon the wide, wide sea;
But why should I for others groan,
When none will sigh for me?
Perchance my dog will whine in vain,
Till fed by stranger's hands;
But long ere I come back again
He'd tear me where he stands.
x.
With thee, my bark, I'll swiftly go
Athwart the foaming brine;
Nor care what land thou bear'st me to,
So not again to mine.
Welcome, welcome, ye dark blue waves!
And when you fail my sight,
Welcome, ye deserts and ye caves!
My native land -- good night !
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-06-10 17:13 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/loc. ark:/13960/t04x6gz3d Public Domain / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd
? MICKIEWICZ. 227
Dos? c? , dos? c? mo? j giermku ! s? uszna twa z? a? os? c? ;
la choc? tej ganic? niemoge? .
Mniejsza? mam czu? os? c? , czy wie? ksza? sta? os? c? :
S? mieja? c sie? puszczam sie? w droge? !
Kochanki, zony p? acz mie? niewzruszy --
Bo nim zabtys? nie poranek,
Z b? e? kitnych oczu te ? zy osuszy
Nowy ma? z? , nowy kochanek --
Niez? al mi ziemi gdziem m? odos? c? strawi? ,
Nie straszne podro? z? e wodne;
Z? a? uje? tylko z? em niezostawi?
Nic coby by? o ? ez godne.
ix.
Teraz po s? wiecie b? a? dze? szerokim,
I pe? dze? z? ycie tu? acze;
Czego? z? mam p? akac? zakim i po? kim
Kiedy nikt pomnie nie p? acze? --
Pies chyba tylko zawyje z rana,
Nim obca? karmiony re? ka? ,
Kiedys? swojego dawnego pana
Ws? ciek? a? powita paszcze? ka? .
Iuz? okre? t piersia? kraje g? e? bine? ,
I z? agle na wiatr rozwina? ? ;
Niedbam ku jakim brzegom pop? yne?
Bylebym nazad niep? yna? ? ,
Gdy mnie twe jasne znudza? kryszta? y,
Ogromna modra p? asczyzno,
Powitam lasy, pustynie, ska? y --
Ba? dz? zdrowa luba Ojczyzno!
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-06-10 17:13 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/loc. ark:/13960/t04x6gz3d Public Domain / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd
? 228 POETS AND POETRY OF POLAND.
BRODZIN? SKI.
Casimir Brodzin? ski is one of the poets who appeared
on the stage at the outset of this period. He cast his
searching eye upon the just expiring century and felt
in his heart the voice calling for a new state of things.
His elaborate ideas, combined with deep reflections,
he transferred into a charming world of poesy. He
argued the whole thing out, and gave his feelings a
tangible and poetic form. His talent was not of the
flashy kind, but rather retiring and modest, resembling
the light of the morning star casting upon the world its
soft, sad, and longing rays; but this light was not seen
nor understood by all; he shared the common lot of all
creative minds, and of those who wished to implant new
ideas into the popular heart. The public admired him;
men of letters appreciated him for his artistic skill;
it was acknowledged that his dissertations were full of
rendition; but the masses were deaf to Brodzinski's
voice, -- it failed to make any impression on their
minds. In a short time he was as it were completely
forsaken by them, and he became as a target to be fired
upon by the youth of Poland. A mistaken and ill-
advised impression was spread that in his works were
concealed dangerous elements. Thrust aside, found
fault with, he was almost forgotten. But the revolu-
tion of 1830 lifted him up at once. Heaven granted
him a gift of looking far into the future. Brodzinski's
poetic genius did not lift him into the empyrean spheres;
it did not carry him beyond the limits of the occasion;
but every one can see that his feelings are not con-
strained; that honesty of purpose and a yearning feeling
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-06-10 17:13 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/loc. ark:/13960/t04x6gz3d Public Domain / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd
? BRODZIN? SKI. 229
knocks gently at the heart of others. His prepon-
derant ability was in his inquiring mind, which carefully
reveals the unknown road, working cautiously around,
consulting his own judgment, and profiting by the
experience of others. Being well acquainted with
German literature, he preferred to look there for
examples to cultivate his own talent; but above all,
w r hile fathoming the popular songs and the character-
istics of the Slavonian peoples to . correctly delineate
the national spirit of Slavonian poetry seemed to be
his chief aim. But this innovation caused in those days
great opposition, especially among the votaries of
Laharpe and Boileau, who considered themselves as
infallible judges of every unfolding talent. Brod-
zin? ski suffered patiently all sorts of personal taunts,
and while forgetting himself he did not cease defending
the cause. He published a highly interesting disser-
tation on Classicism and Romanticism, which was
printed at Warsaw. This dissertation proved to be
a species of watch-word for a subsequent stormy literary
war, which gave the contending parties two separate
names, to wit: Classicists and Romanticists. Brod-
zin? ski very modestly put himself on the neutral
ground, and would not participate in this polemic
struggle; but by occasional publication of his poetical
compositions in the ',' Review,' 1 and finally by pub-
lishing them in a volume (1821-2), 'subdued all
prejudiced minds, and favorably inclined them toward
his innovations in the literature of his country, at the
same time opening a way to a complete reform, not
only in the art of writing itself, but also in the concep-
tions necessary to the innovation. These innovations
and conceptions were taken up by another genius, and
very soon after put into practice.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-06-10 17:13 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/loc. ark:/13960/t04x6gz3d Public Domain / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd
? 230 POETS AND POETEY OF POLAND.
Brodzinski's poetical compositions breathed like the
gentle breezes of the wind, which seemed to send into
the popular heart a new life; it was a genuine national
breath, awakening in poetry pure native feeling and
turning attention to the land of our birth -- its inher-
ent qualities and its beauties; he chose for his images
simple and more accessible objects, -- rural life and
scenery, and beautifully painted their simplicity, their
innocence and charms.
Thus is his "Wies? aw " planned. It is like the first
flowers in the spring, which are not the prettiest in
outward appearance, -- but then one of these is the
violet, and who plucked the first violet in our litera-
ture was the first to welcome the spiritual spring of the
nation. "Wies? aw " is the most beautiful pastoral, -- the
most charming rural epopee, -- and after its publication
it created a sensation such as no other poem ever created
before. The youth of the country could repeat it by
heart, and even to this day the poem is known and
loved by all classes. It was welcomed at its first appear-
ance as a harbinger of a bright star of future poetry
which was to rise over the whole Polish nation. This
"Wies? aw," singing forth with the accompaniment of
a country fiddler, the Cracovian dancers, the bride-men,
the para-nymphs, came out with charms unknown
before.
