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Two Heroes Face Death
65
protection and faith of the emperor here present.
A deep flush
crimsoned the face of Sigismund as the eyes of all turned upon him.
Sentence having been pronounced, the ceremony of degradation
began. Again exhorted to retract, Huss replied, turning toward
the people: “With what face, then, should I behold the heavens?
[68]
How should I look on those multitudes of men to whom I have
preached the pure gospel? No; I esteem their salvation more than
this poor body, now appointed unto death.” The priestly vestments
were removed one by one, each bishop pronouncing a curse as he
performed his part of the ceremony. Finally, “they put on his head
a cap or pyramidal-shaped miter of paper, on which were painted
frightful figures of demons, with the word ‘Archheretic’ conspicuous
in front. ‘Most joyfully,’ said Huss, ‘will I wear this crown of shame
for Thy sake, O Jesus, who for me didst wear a crown of thorns.’
Huss Dies at the Stake
He was now led away. An immense procession followed. When
all was ready for the fire to be lighted, the martyr was once more
exhorted to save himself by renouncing his errors. “What errors,”
said Huss, “shall I renounce? I know myself guilty of none. I call
God to witness that all that I have written and preached has been with
the view of rescuing souls from sin and perdition; and, therefore,
most joyfully will I confirm with my blood that truth which I have
written and preached.
When the flames kindled about him, he began to sing, “Jesus,
Thou Son of David, have mercy on me,” and so continued till his
voice was silenced forever. A zealous papist, describing the martyr-
dom of Huss, and of Jerome, who died soon after, said: “They
prepared for the fire as if they were going to a marriage feast.
They uttered no cry of pain. When the flames rose, they began
to sing hymns; and scarce could the vehemency of the fire stop their
singing.
9
Bonnechose, vol. 2, p. 84.
10
Wylie, bk. 3, ch. 7.
12
Ibid., bk. 3, ch. 7.
12
Ibid., bk. 3, ch. 7.