110 STATESMEN AND SAGES never held, his judges would be lenient otherwise, his danger was obvious. He was thus asked to confess his errors, to swear that he would never more preach them, and publicly recant ; but he constantly refused such terms, unless he were convicted by the word of God. Even the emperor pleaded with him to yield ; the judges also urged him, and professed a desire for his escape ; but he was not to be moved, and must therefore hasten back to his cell, an outcast heretic in chains. If he would recant, he would be permitted to live but little more, for imprisonment for life was to be his lot. But little did those judges know either the man whom they held in their grasp, or the principles and the power which bore him up. He could die, but . _ he could not be anything but a true man. An emperor's safe-conduct was found to be a worthless thing, and " Trust not in princes" was a portion of the word of God which Huss learned thoroughly to understand. It was with unruffled self-possession that Huss gave himself to martyrdom, As he had never abandoned the Romish Church, he calmly engaged in its func- tions preparatory to his death. Indeed, some touching scenes were witnessed in his prison he unshaken his friends, his very enemies weeping like womanhood beside him. Deputation after deputation visited him one of them from the emperor himself and recantation was constantly the burden of their pleading. But Huss would not recant except upon conviction ; and on July 6, 1415, he ap- peared once more before the council, where the emperor was present on his throne. Many of the judges were Huss's bitter personal enemies, for as he had assailed the measureless corruptions of their order, that was an unpardonable sin. Besides, history is careful to tell that bribery was largely employed to make sure of his destruction and now the last act of the dark tragedy has arrived. No further defence was permitted to Huss, yet he uttered one solemn appeal. Once and again he prayed for his enemies. Being clothed in his priestly robes, he was stripped of them by seven bishops, while he still persisted in holding fast his con- victions, except as the truth of God could be shown to condemn them. The mark of his tonsure was next removed, and that with great cruelty. A cap daubed over with the figures of demons was then placed on his head, and thus the heroic martyr of Bohemia was led forth to be burned in the name of religion. At the place of execution Huss prayed, and often repeated the words, " Into thy hands, Lord, I commit my spirit." When compelled to rise from his knees, he still appealed to the Saviour, and prayed for " a strong and steadfast soul " to endure that shameful death. Even after he was placed at the stake, and had actually been surrounded by fagots, he declared that he willingly wore his chains
