Page:Gregor The story of Bohemia.pdf/219

 the Hussite army, they knelt down, asking forgiveness of God and the Commonwealth of Prague. The monk, John Zelivsky, stepped before the procession, and, after enumerating their crimes, he exhorted them to repent and do better in the future. He spoke with so much earnestness that both sides wept aloud, and finally united in singing a well-known hymn, begining with “We praise thee, O God,” the penitents singing one verse, and the Hussites the other. The Kuttenbergers then begged that Peter Zmrzlik, a man of much wisdom and moderation, be appointed dictator of the city, and this petition was also granted. Then the Hussites that were to assume the government were taken into the city amid great rejoicings, the people praising God that they had been saved from the impending destruction.

The reconciliation between the people of Kuttenberg and the army of the Hussites was followed by that of Čenek of Wartenberg. After the capture of Kolin, this lord had offered to return to the Hussites, but they rejected his offers, saying that they could not trust him, unless he come with his whole force to help them in the siege of Jarmirn. Being in earnest, he accepted the condition. Coming before the army near that city, he knelt down before the holy eucharist, and publicly confessed his sins. John Zelivsky asked him: “Sir Čenek, dost thou acknowledge that thou hast sinned against God and the Commonwealth of Prague?” He replied: “I do so acknowledge.” The priest continued: “Dost thou beseech God and the Commonwealth to forgive thee?” “I do,” replied the penitent. He then went to Prague, where a treaty was drawn up between him and the city.