The lesson, however, proved useless; and the majority of the diet, assuming at the same time the part assigned to the Emperor and the Pope, began to prepare the means necessary for extinguishing the fire kindled by Luther. They negotiated in Italy with the Duke of Mantua, who engaged to send a few regiments of light cavalry across the Alps;[712] and in England with Henry VIII., who had not forgotten Luther's reply, and who promised Charles, through his ambassador, an immense subsidy to destroy the heretics.[713] [712] Che tentano col Duca di Mantona d' avere il modo di condurre 1000 cavalli leggieri d' Italia in caso si facesse guerra in Germanica. (Nic. Tiefolo Relat.) [713] Cui (Cæsari) ingentem vim pecuniæ in hoc sacrum bellum contra hæreticos Anglus promisisse fertur. (Zw. Epp. ii. p. 484.) At the same time frightful prodigies announced the gloomy future which threatened the Reform. At Spire fearful spectres, having the shape of monks, with angry eyes and hasty steps, had appeared during the night. "What do you want?" they had been asked.--"We are going," they replied, "to the Diet of Augsburg!" The circumstance had been carefully investigated, and was found perfectly trustworthy.[714] "The interpretation is not difficult," exclaimed Melancthon: "Evil spirits are coming to Augsburg to counteract our exertions, and to destroy peace. They forebode horrible troubles to us."[715] No one doubted this. "Everything is advancing towards war," said Erasmus.[716] "The diet will not terminate," wrote Brenz, "except by the destruction of all Germany."[717] "There will be a slaughter of the saints," exclaimed Bucer, "which will be such that the massacres of Diocletian will scarcely come up to it."[718] War and blood!--this was the general cry. [714] Res et diligenter inquisita et explorata maximeque αξιὁπιστος. (Corp. Ref. ii. p. 259.) [715] Monachorum Spirensium φἁσμα plane significat horribilem tumultum. (Ibid. p. 260.) [716] Vides rem plane tendere ad bellum. (Corp. Ref. Aug. 12, p. 268.) [717] Comitia non finientur nisi totius Germaniæ malo et exitio. (Corp. Ref. ii. p. 216.) [718] Laniena sanctorum qualis vix Diocletiani tempore fuit. (Buc. Ep. Aug. 14, 1530.) [Sidenote: TUMULT IN AUGSBURG.]