12

A HISTORY OF BOHEMIAN LITERATURE

In consequence of her refusal to renounce Christianity, Dorothy is cruelly scourged by order of King Fabricius. The description of her sufferings is very similar to that

contained in the legend of St. Catherine, but we miss the curious conceit of the six colours that suddenly appear on the body of the martyr. Dorothy is finally led out to execution, and on her way meets "Theophilus, the clerk of the land," who mockingly asks her where she is going. Dorothy answers : — " To a garden, a delightful one. In ■which manifold fruits, Apjiles, flowers, and roses, shall gather."

I

Theophilus replies with

a sneer,

" Send me some of

fruits which grow in your lord's garden." After Dorothy's death "a child beautifully dressed in purple"

the

an angel)

a

is,

appears to Theophilus, carrying basket which contains three apples and three roses. The child says, " My sister Dorothy sends you this fruit."

(that

Then, seeing this, Theophilus exclaims — in

thee,

That thou art

fesus Christ,

O

believe

I

"

the

living Son

Of the True God, For whose sake the virtuous Dorothy,

O

I

Guiltless, was executed to-day. the sinner beg, maiden, Earnestly for thy favour Deign to intercede for me. That in the realm of thy husband

I

too 7nay join thee"

The legend of St. Prokop (which forms part of the

It

Manuscript of Koniggratz) ^also deserves special notice. incidentally throws considerable light on the condition of Bohemia at the period when Christianity was