A01115:1183
An abridgement of the book of acts and monuments of the ChurchAn abridgement of the booke of acts and monumentes of the Church
An abridgement of the book of acts and monuments of the Church: written by that Reverend Father, Master John Fox: and now abridged by Timothy Bright, Doctor of Physic, for such as either through want of leisure, or ability have not the use of so necessary an historyAn abridgement of the booke of acts and monumentes of the Church: written by that Reuerend Father, Maister Iohn Fox: and now abridged by Timothe Bright, Doctour of Phisicke, for such as either through want of leysure, or abilitie haue not the vse of so necessary an history
London: printed by I. Windet, 1589
Volume 1 › Book 5: The fifth Book.Volume 1 › Book 5: The fifth Booke.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
It is written, that being demanded in the time of his sickness, where he would his body should be buried: he commanded his skin to be plucked off, his dead carcass, and the flesh to be cast unto the fowls and beasts, and a drum to be made of his skin, which they should use in their wars: affirming, that when the enemies should hear the sound of the drum, they would not abide, but take their flight. The Taborites despising all other images, yet set up the picture of Zisca over the gates of their Cities.
It is written, that beyng demaunded in the time of his sicknes, where he would his body should be buried: he commaunded his skinne to be plucked off, his dead carkase, and the flesh to be cast vnto the foules and beastes, and a drum to be made of his skinne, which they shoulde vse in their warres: affirming, that when the enimies shoulde heare the sound of the drumme, they woulde not abide, but take their flight. The Taborites despising all other images, yet set vp the picture of Zisca ouer the gates of their Cities.
The Epitaph of John Zisca, the valiant Captain of the Bohemians. I John Zisca, not inferior to any Emperor, or Captain, in warlike policy: 1a severe punisher of the pride, and avarice of the Clergy, and a defender of my Country, do lie here. The same which Ap. Claudius in giving good counsel, and M. Furius Camillus did for the Romans, in valiantness, the same I (being blind) have done for my Bohemians. ⟨p. 349⟩I never slacked opportunity of battle, neither did fortune at any time fail me. I being blind, did foresee all opportunity of well ordering my business. Eleven times, in joining battle, I went victor out of the field. I seemed worthily to have defended the cause of the miserable, and hungry, against the delicate, fat, and gluttonous priests: and for that cause, to have received help at the hands of God. If their envy had not let it, without doubt I had deserved to be numbered amongest the most famous men. Notwithstanding, my bones lie here in this hallowed place, in despite of the Pope.