47
canon of Altbunzlaw. The (work is brought down to the year 1314. The object of the author is obviously to attack king. John, and to alienate from him the affections of the bohemian people. But his authority as an historian is valueless, and his merit as a poet of the lowest order. He has flattered the vanity of his countrymen by extravagant eulogiums on their virtues and valour, and pours out a full cup of slavonian hatred upon the teutonic races. Dobrowsky no very honourable testimony to his character, for, says he, "he is not ashamed of many gross lies." This mendacious chronicle was however translated into german soon after its appearance. It has been twice printed; in 1620, and 1786.
To some of the copies of this chronicle are attached divers historical and heroic tales in verse, a species of poetical composition accordant with the taste of the times.
Hanká's Starobylá Skládánie also contains some curious poems from the MSS. in the library of the Prague cathedral; among which are Alan, a poem on the restoration of man to his primeval perfection; an octosyllahic poem of above 1500
