Page:A history of Bohemian literature.pdf/168

Rh of the fifteenth century. Want of space obliges me to quote only some of the first and the last lines of this spirited song, which, according to the most recent researches, is undoubtedly a work of Zižka:—

All ye warriors of God, Fighters for His law, Pray to God for help, And trust in Him, With Him victory ever will be yours.

Fear not those, the Lord hath said, Who would your body harm. For love of your fellow-creatures He has ordered you to die; Therefore strengthen manfully your hearts.

Christ will recompense your sorrows, Hundredfold repay you, Who for Him doth lose his life Will win eternal bliss; Happy he who dies for the truth.

Therefore manfully cry out: 'At them! rush at them!' Wield bravely your arms; Pray to your Lord God; Strike and kill! spare none!"

The eventful life of Zižka belongs to Bohemian history, but it may yet not be out of place to mention here that his life and career have constantly been systematically misrepresented by writers hostile to his faith; and particularly outside of Bohemia scarcely any other writings referring to Zižka were known. He thus passed down from one generation of writers to another as a ferocious and bloodthirsty robber and fanatic. The real Zižka was, as repeatedly mentioned, the leader of the