Page:Gregor The story of Bohemia.pdf/151

 The fragments that have been left of the Kralsdvorsky RukohisKralodvorský Rukopis [sic] (Queen’s-court MS.) show that the native literature had reached a high state of development long before the age of Charles IV. Besides the native literature, there was much that was introduced into the country from other nations. Bohemian kings and noblemen spent much of their time in Paris, which was then the Rome of the civilized world, and through their instrumentality the intellectual wealth of France was brought to Bohemia. Thus they were familiar with the tales of King Arthur, and those of Guido of Colonna, about the siege of Troy, and the then famous epic “The Alexandriad.” The Alexandriad in the Bohemian language was more an adaptation than a translation. The diction is rich and polished, the style beautiful, the verse full and melodious. Legends of saints were one of the most favorite forms of literature; and mystery plays were acted at this time.

Smil Flaska was one of the most popular of poets. “The Nova Rada” (New Council) was regarded as his best work. A young lion, about to assume the government, calls upon all the creatures of the forest to give him counsel, which each does according to his own character and mode of life. There is some wit and humor in the poem; but its popularity was, doubtless, due to the fact that it flattered the vanity of the king by advancing the idea that royalty in itself was endowed by Heaven with wisdom superior to that of all other mortals of the realm.

A writer of much originality and independence of thought was Thomas of Stitný; but of him we shall speak hereafter.