Page:The letters of John Hus.djvu/197

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JOURNEY TO CONSTANCE
159

Baron Lacembok is riding off to-day to the King. He has urged me to attempt nothing definite before the arrival of the latter. I am hoping that I shall have a public hearing for my reply. There are many Parisians and Italians here, but few archbishops as yet, and even few bishops. The cardinals are present in great force, riding about on mules, but such sorry scrubs![1] When I rode into Constance I heard at once of their riding about—I was riding myself through a vast crowd—but I could not see them for the great throng about me. Many of our Bohemian friends spent on the journey all the money they had, and are now in sad straits. I am full of sympathy with them, but cannot afford to give to all. Baron Lacembok took over the horse of Baron Přibislaus; but my horse, Rabstyn, beats them all for hard work and spirit. He is the only one I have by me, if at any time I should have to go out of the city to the King. Greet all my friends without exception, etc. This is the fourth[2] letter written away from home. It is sent off on Sunday night after All Saints’ Day in Constance. None of the Bohemian gentry[3] are here except Baron John of Chlum, who escorted me and looks after me like a knight, and everywhere does more preaching than I, in declaring my innocence.[4] Sent off from Constance. Pray God for my constancy[5] in the truth.

  1. Hus falls back on Czech to express his feelings.
  2. That is, counting Letters XXXIV. and XXXV. as sent away after leaving Krakowec. Otherwise we must assume some are lost.
  3. Militaribus.
  4. See “Doctor Biberach,” pp. 155, 192, 195, 198.
  5. The pun is characteristic and very frequent. Cf. pp. 160, 195, 197.