20
A HISTORY OF BOHEMIAN LITERATURE
wisest of men, admitted that there were three things, and even four things that he did not know;[1] "if, then, he who surpassed all others in wisdom was liable to be mistaken, then I, should any one doubt my word, need not be offended; I who compared to him am as weary
beast to a lion, a wax taper to the sun, or shallow rivulet to the sea."
The account of the deeds of the great Macedonian conqueror strictly follows the mediæval tradition of Alexander's career.
Beginning with his birth and youth, the author then gives a detailed account of his education by Aristoteles and the wise counsel given him by that philosopher. Then follows a full account of Alexander's campaigns and victories. Very interesting the author's account of his hero's arrival at Troy. He here has an extensive digression concerning the destruction of that city, which not contained in Chatillon's work. It is curious to meet with the world-old tale of Paris and the three goddesses in Bohemian literature. The Christian writer no doubt considered
more seemly to relate the appearance of the three goddesses in the form of a dream. He writes "Now happened to him (Alexander) to march — To the spot where are the bastions of Troy — Now the only traces — Are stones lying on the ground — If it does not appear idle to you[2] — I will relate to you — Why this destruction took place — Why all this happened. — Paris was the king's son at Troy — Brought up at home in honors. — His father and mother — Out of love for their child — Treated him so kindly — That they allowed him his will in all things — The prince prepared for the chace — Nothing else was on his mind. — Then it