[720] The army left Berne on the 22d of January and entered Geneva on the 2d of February. [721] Die, dann, das Schwerdt verborgen, Das Herz in Gott versenkt, Die Gottheit lassen sorgen, Am Abend wie am Morgen Die alle Herzen lenkt. Werner Steiner, MSC. Sammlung.—Froment, _Gestes de Geneve_, P. 209.—Registres du Conseil du 2 Février 1536. [722] MSC. de Roset, liv. iii. ch. 59. [723] 'La puissance de Dieu a confondu la présomption et la téméraire audace de nos ennemis.'—Registres du Conseil du 30 Janvier 1536. [724] 'L'an 1536 et au mois de Février, Genève fut délivrée de ses ennemis par la providence de Dieu.'—Froment, _Gestes de Genève_, p. 207. CHAPTER XIII. DESTRUCTION OF THE CASTLES—JOY IN GENEVA—LIBERATION OF BONIVARD. (FROM FEBRUARY TO THE END OF MARCH 1536.) There was now to be an interview between the liberators and the liberated. Berne and Geneva, united by a common faith, were to embrace each other. The members of those two republics loved one another not only as allies but as brothers. On Thursday (February 3d) the Council of Two Hundred assembled; many other citizens were present, and the hall was full. Nägueli appeared, accompanied by his principal officers and the representatives of the Council of Berne. The assembly gave utterance to its joy, and all eyes were fixed on the valiant general. 'Most honored lords,' he said, 'this long while past we have heard your complaints. For these twenty months we have been making great efforts at Lucerne, Baden, and even Aosta; and having thus exhausted all the means of peace, we have drawn the sword, and the enemy has fled on every side. Now we will do whatever you command us, for we are here to fulfil the oaths that unite Geneva and Berne.' Such noble language moved the assembly. 'May God do the same for you,' replied the premier syndic. Then desiring the work to be perfect, he added: 'Now, gentlemen, march onwards; pursue the enemy until the end; we are ready to give you all necessary assistance.' It was decided that the army should make itself master of Chablais on the left shore of the lake, and push forward on the other side as far as Chambery. In all those districts they would circulate the Word of God.[725] [Sidenote: BURNING OF THE CASTLES.] There was first another task to be completed. For centuries the castles had obstructed the progress of civilization, and in later years that of the gospel. It was from those eyries, perched on their lofty rocks, that the vultures swooped down upon the plain. Bishops even had been known to entreat the princes to destroy, 'for the love of God and the honor of the blessed Mary, those buildings constructed by the inspiration of Satan.'[726] This the evangelical Nägueli was about to do, and henceforth the husbandman would drive his plow in peace through fields from which he would no longer fear to see the fruit of his labors swept away.