Page:Maria Felicia.pdf/94

 It was once a young hero, strong, wealthy, powerful, and famous over all Bohemia for chivalry and valor. It was the strongest defender of justice and of the nation; to it as to a fearless avenger fled all who were oppressed or persecuted as heretics. Formerly every child in the vicinity knew its name, but now only woodmen and wanderers overtaken by storms sought the road leading to it. Formerly all the main roads centered there. Royal guests, knights, and merchants met there. During the sessions of the state legislature Hlohov was especially lively. The whole nobility occasionally met there to discuss whether war should be declared or peace preserved, and how large an allowance from the state treasury the king should receive. More than once the fate of the nation and of the neighboring countries was decided in such meetings. In magnificence of construction Hlohov ranked next to Hradchin, the royal palace in Prague. Formerly all over the surrounding forests there were clearings, which were afterwards changed into