Chapter XXXIV: Letter XVI: 63

TO THE SAME.

[He informs his friends of Pope John’s flight, and requests the
Bohemian Nobles to employ their efforts to obtain his deliverance.]

My keepers have already taken themselves away. I am no longer supplied with food, and I am ignorant of the fate that awaits me in my prison. I implore you to go with the other Nobles to the Emperor, to induce him to put an end to my captivity, that he fall not, on account of me, into sin and confusion. I beseech you also to come and see me with our Nobles of Bohemia, for it is necessary that I should speak with you.

Noble Seignior John, go and speedily find the Emperor with the Seignior Wenceslaus and all the others; it would be dangerous to wait: it is important for me that it should be done as soon as possible. Come quickly, and learn the other things which I desire you to do.

I fear that the Grand Master of the Papal Court may carry me away with him this night, for he has remained to-day at the monastery. The Bishop of Constance has written to me that he would not treat any affair with me. The cardinals have done the same.

If you love the unfortunate Huss,[64] take care the king gives me guards of his own court, and that he delivers me from prison this evening.

_Written in prison on Sunday evening._

My noble lord, delay not!

FOOTNOTES:

[63] _Hist. et Monum. Johann. Huss_, Epist. lvi.

[64] Si diligitis miserum anserem.