guished the one from the other. Therefore did she decree and ordain that henceforth the tradesmen should be called "renowned," the students "illustrious" and "most learned," the masters of arts and doctors "most renowned," the priests "reverend," "praiseworthy," or "worthy of all honour"; the bishops "most saintly," the richer among the citizens "gentle," the country gentlemen "gentle and valiant knights," the lords "two-fold lords,"[1] the counts "high-born lords and lords," the princes "most potent," the kings "most splendid and invincible." "That this be more firmly established, I decree that none shall be obliged even to receive a letter if any part of his title be omitted or it be worded wrongly." Then the envoys went forth, after giving the queen thanks. And I thought within myself: "Noble booty have you obtained; lines on a morsel of paper."
(The Humble Supplications of the Poor.)
9. Now, the poor of all ranks came forth with a supplication, in which they complained of the great inequality in the world, and that others had abundance while they suffered want. They begged that this might in some fashion be righted. After the matter had been weighed, it was decreed that the poor should be told in answer that H.R.M.
- ↑ The custom of twice repeating a title as a proof of respect—still occasionally met with in Bohemia—was general in Komensky's time; an example will be found in his dedication of this book to Charles, Lord of Zerotin.
