Page:Gregor The story of Bohemia.pdf/425

 and the Hungarians, burdened with the spoils, fled to the Moldau, in whose waters many of them perished. The rest of the army was also defeated and put to flight, all except the division of Moravians, who took their stand by the fortress of Hvezda, choosing rather to die than follow the example of their panic-stricken comrades.

The whole action hardly lasted an hour, and ended in the total defeat of the Bohemians. Owing to the fearful confusion that followed, it was never ascertained how great was the loss in slain and wounded, but it has been estimated that about 10,000 men of the Bohemian army, and probably 4,000 of the Imperial, were left upon the field of battle.

When the battle began, King Frederick was seated with his lords and ladies at a banquet in his palace in Hradschin. A messenger arrived from the field of action urging him to repair at once to the army to encourage his troops by his presence. But Frederick refused, and remained seated at the table till the dinner was over. When, finally, he started for the army, he met at the city gate his troops rushing towards the city in the wildest confusion. No sooner did this headlong flight meet his eyes than he became as panic-stricken as the rest, and thought of no further defense. He asked Maximilian to grant him a truce of twenty-four hours; but he would give him only eight, with the condition that he immediately abdicate the Bohemian crown.

Frederick left the palace, seeking refuge in the old town of Prague, and at once prepared to leave the