He is a child of fortune." He
liked to praise the Emperor's moderation, modesty, and forbearance.
Long after he had condemned Charles' policy, and in secret distrusted
his character, he insisted upon it among his table companions that the
master of Germany should be spoken of with reverence, and said
apologetically to the younger ones, "A politician cannot be so frank
as we of the clergy."
Even as late as 1530 it was his view that it was wrong for the
Elector to take arms against his Emperor. Not until 1537 did he fall
in reluctantly with the freer views of his circle, but he thought then
that the endangered prince had no right to make the first attack. The
venerable tradition of a firm, well articulated federal State was
still thus active in this man of the people at a time when the proud
structure of the old Saxon and Franconian empires was already
crumbling away. Yet in such loyalty there was no trace of a slavish
spirit. When his prince once urged him to write an open letter, his
sense of truth rose against the title of the Emperor, "Most Gracious
Lord," for he said the Emperor was not graciously disposed toward him.
And in his frequent intercourse with those of rank, he showed a
reckless frankness which more than once alarmed the courtiers. In all
reverence he spoke truths to his own prince such as only a great
character may express and only a good-hearted one can listen to. On
the whole he cared little for the German princes, much as he esteemed
a few.
Pages:
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180