Page:Lectures on The Historians of Bohemia by Count Lutzow (1905).djvu/61

 the Bavarian frontier, were in consequence of their geographical situation very much exposed to German attacks. Obviously rather despondent, they applied to Žižka for aid. The following is Žižka’s reply: ‘May God grant that you may return to your former reliance and be the first to do worthy deeds, O dear brethren in God. I beg you, for the sake of the Lord God, to remain in the fear of God, as His most beloved sons, and not to complain if He chastises you. Remembering the founder of our faith, the Lord Jesus Christ, you will defend yourselves bravely against the wrongs which these Germans endeavour to inflict on you. You will thus follow the example of the ancient Bohemians, who valiantly using their lances, defended both God's cause and their own. And we, dear brethren, seeking the law of God and the good of the commonwealth, will do all that is in our power that every one of our men who is able to wield a club, or even to hurl a stone, should march to your aid. And therefore, dear brethren, be it known to you that we are collecting our men from all parts of the country against these enemies of God and devastators of the Bohemian land. Therefore instruct your clergy, that they may when preaching rouse the people against the armies of Antichrist. Let it also be proclaimed in the market-place that all able men, young or old, must be ready at any moment. And we, God willing, will be shortly with you. Have bread, beer, fodder for the horses ready, as well as all weapons of war. For indeed it is time to march not only against the internal enemies, but also against the foreigners. Remember your first campaign, when you fought bravely, humble men against the great, few against many, unclothed against men in armour. For the arm