Nicolas had hitherto acted in the name of King Wenzel; and the meeting of these three persons changed his position completely. It had been the policy of Rudolph and Queen Judith to impose the entire responsibility for proposed violence against Zawis on the native dynasty. Wenzel had now, however, reached an age when his personality had acquired some maturity, and insight into men’s motives. He knew also that the emperor’s life drew to aclose; and he possessed in himself sufficient of the Premysl to feel a strong throb of individuality.
Boppo’s presence inspired resolution at Fürstenberg.
“By a strange coincidence,” he said, “three persons have met here at this juncture who individually represent the principal phases of Bohemian social constituents. Perhaps I may be permitted to say that I, in some measure, embody the military element, and the tone and sentiment that characterized it. Like myself, I fear the old knighthood of Bohemia is passing away. In its place we seem to have introduced a deceitful imitation of soldierhood that adopts the nomenclature of military rank, and incites others to perform acts of cold vengeance unmingled with any of the chivalry or forbearance of a soldier, or any of the admiration for the valor of an adversary that a soldier is always proud to acknowledge. Our knighthood is being converted to the abhorrent purpose of being executioner of decrees passed without its concurrence, on persons deserving of its respect.
