ey were all pronounced guilty; but the
sentence was referred to the emperor. When that monarch had read their
names, and an account of the respective accusations against them, he
passed judgment on all, but in a different manner, as his sentences
were of four kinds, viz. death, banishment, imprisonment for life, and
imprisonment during pleasure.

Twenty being ordered for execution, were informed they might send for
Jesuits, monks, or friars, to prepare for the awful change they were to
undergo; but that no protestants should be permitted to come near them.
This proposal they rejected, and strove all they could to comfort and
cheer each other upon the solemn occasion.

On the morning of the day appointed for the execution, a cannon was
fired as a signal to bring the prisoners from the castle to the
principal market-place, in which scaffolds were erected, and a body of
troops were drawn up to attend the tragic scene.

The prisoners left the castle with as much cheerfulness as if they had
been going to an agreeable entertainment, instead of a violent death.

Exclusive of soldiers, Jesuits, priests, executioners, attendants, &c. a
prodigious concourse of people attended, to see the exit of these
devoted martyrs, who were executed in the following order.

Lord Schilik was about fifty years of age, and was possessed of great
natural and acquired abilities. When he was told he was to be quartered,
and his parts scattered in different places, he smiled with great
serenity, saying, The loss of a sepulchre is but a trifling
consideration. A gentleman who stood by, crying, courage, my lord; he
replied, I have God's favour, which is sufficient to inspire any one
with courage: the fear of death does not trouble me; formerly I have
faced him in fields of battle to oppose Antichrist; and now dare face
him on a scaffold, for the sake of Christ. Having said a short prayer,
he told the executioner he was ready, who cut off his right hand and his
head, and then quartered him. His hand and head were placed upon the
high tower of Prague, and his quarters distributed in different parts of
the city.

Lord Viscount Winceslaus, who had attained the age of seventy years, was
equally respectable for learning, piety, and hospitality. His temper was
so remarkably patient, that when his house was broke open, his property
seized, and his estates confiscated, he only said, with great composure,
The Lord hath given, and the Lord hath taken away.