This eBook was produced by David Widger, widger@cecomet.net
THE WORKS
OF
FREDERICK SCHILLER
Translated from the German
Illustrated
HISTORY OF THE THIRTY YEARS' WAR IN GERMANY.
BOOK II.
The resolution which Ferdinand now adopted, gave to the war a newdirection, a new scene, and new actors. From a rebellion in Bohemia,and the chastisement of rebels, a war extended first to Germany, andafterwards to Europe. It is, therefore, necessary to take a generalsurvey of the state of affairs both in Germany and the rest of Europe.
Unequally as the territory of Germany and the privileges of its memberswere divided among the Roman Catholics and the Protestants, neitherparty could hope to maintain itself against the encroachments of itsadversary otherwise than by a prudent use of its peculiar advantages,and by a politic union among themselves. If the Roman Catholics werethe more numerous party, and more favoured by the constitution of theempire, the Protestants, on the other hand, had the advantage ofpossessing a more compact and populous line of territories, valiantprinces, a warlike nobility, numerous armies, flourishing free towns,the command of the sea, and even at the worst, certainty of support fromRoman Catholic states. If the Catholics could arm Spain and Italy intheir favour, the republics of Venice, Holland, and England, openedtheir treasures to the Protestants, while the states of the North andthe formidable power of Turkey, stood ready to afford them promptassistance. Brandenburg, Saxony, and the Palatinate, opposed threeProtestant to three Ecclesiastical votes in the Electoral College; whileto the Elector of Bohemia, as to the Archduke of Austria, the possessionof the Imperial dignity was an important check, if the Protestantsproperly availed themselves of it. The sword of the Union might keepwithin its sheath the sword of the League; or if matters actually cameto a war, might make the issue of it doubtful. But, unfortunately,private interests dissolved the band of union which should have heldtogether the Protestant members of the empire. This criticalconjuncture found none but second-rate actors on the political stage,and the decisive moment was neglected because the courageous weredeficient in power, and the powerful in sagacity, courage, andresolution.
The Elector of Saxony was placed at the head of the German Protestants,by the services of his ancestor Maurice, by the extent of histerritories, and by the influence of his electoral vote. Upon theresolution he might adopt, the fate of the contending parties seemed todepend; and John George was not insensible to the advantages which thisimportant situation procured him. Equally valuable as an ally, both tothe Emperor and to the Protestant Union, he cautiously avoidedcommitting himself to either party; neither trusting himself by anyirrevocable declaration entirely to the gratitude of the Emperor, norrenouncing the advantages which were to be gained from his fears.Uninfected by the contagion of religious and romantic enthusiasm whichhurried sovereign after sovereign to risk both crown and life on thehazard of war, John George aspired to the more solid renown of improvingand advancing the interests of his territories. His cotemporariesaccused him of forsaking the Protestant cause in the very midst of t