As Nicolas advanced he displayed the insignia of the lion of Habsburg, wrought on his mantle as indication of his service. The company consisted of about seventy persons, evidently in sore need. Their only shelter consisted of rude huts thatched with grass; poor and ragged clothing supplemented by grass matting shielded women and children from the chilly air; but all seemed cheerful. They were just then closing their religious exercise under the guidance of Prokop. Lady Ludmila and Milada stood among the mixed congregation; and as Nicolas advanced slowly he heard Prokop close his exhortation saying:—“But in these sad times, brethren, the evil prevails over the good; and the reproach of men is directed against the poor of Christ.
“Si n’i alcun bon que ame et tene Yeshu Xrist
Que non volha maudir, ni jurar, ni mentir,
Ni avoutrar, ni aucir; ni penre de l’autruy
Ni venger se de li seo enemis,
Ilh dion qu ’esVaudes e degne de murir.”
Then observing Nicolas and the lion insignia on his vesture, the old man, raising his hands and looking upwards, declared with much fervor, “There shall come an eagle by whose flight the lion shall be destroyed. There shall come a young eagle, and it shall build its nest in the lion’s den. From the stock of this eagle shall arise another eagle whose name shall be Frederic, who shall reign and rule, and spread his wings even to the ends of the earth. In whose time the chief Pontiff and his clergy shall be broken and dispersed.”
