404

DOMESTIC MANNEES OF THE TRDSSIANS.

Immense crowds of pcople followed in tlie train — the" Gewapnoten " reckons the multitude at 3000 — so tliat tlieofficials were oLliged to wait at the city gates tili tlie troopsarrived and cleared tlie way for them.

They then marched on tili they reaclied the Kleine Brühl,and here again, from the great crowd assembled, they wereobliged to quit the direct path and lead the martyr round by" Reichman's Widen."

Still, however, the multitude pressed upon them, so tliatthey were unable to pursue their way, and the processionfinally stopped at a spot known by the name of " Das Prügli."

Here they put down tlie fagots, and Huss feil on bisknees and remained praying for a considerable time.

After tliis they led him to the Inner Brühl, not farfrom the outer gate leading to Gottlieben, and there makinga ring, they placed Huss in the middle; when Ulrich ofRichenthal approached bim and inquired whether he wishedto confess, as the chapel of St. Stephen was close at band.

But Huss replied, tliat, having no great sin on bis soul,he had no need of a confessor; whereupon the Elector,Duke Ludwig von der Pfalz, ordered the executioner to dobis duty.

Accordingly Huss was tied to the stake, with bis faceturned towards the west; and at this critical momentthe Elector Palatine, with the Marshai of the Empire, ap-proached, and for the last time renewed the exhortationthat he would renounce bis " heresies " and save bis life. Buttlie hero, for the hundredth time, would not listen to theentrcaties, and declared bis willingness to die for the truth.

The final resolve was no sooner uttered than the com-mand was given to fire the fagots, and then Huss prayedaloud, as the flames curled about bim, crying,— "JesuChriste ! Fiü Dei vivi, qui passus es pro nobh, miserere mei —

■■I