[526] This address, as well as all the expressions quoted, are taken literally from authentic documents. (See L. Op. (L.) xvi, p. 776-780.) Luther had spoken these words in German, modestly, but also with much warmth and firmness.[527] He was ordered to repeat them in Latin. The emperor had no liking for German. The imposing assembly which surrounded the Reformer, the noise and excitement, had fatigued him. "I was covered with perspiration," says he, "heated by the crowd, standing in the midst of the princes." Frederick de Thun, confidential counsellor of the Elector of Saxony, stationed by his master's order behind the Reformer, to take care that he was not taken by surprise or overborne, seeing the condition of the poor monk, said to him, "If you cannot repeat your address, that will do, doctor." But Luther, having paused a moment to take breath, resumed, and pronounced his address in Latin, with the same vigour as at first.[528] [527] "Non clamose at modeste, non tamen sine Christianâ animositate et constantiâ." (L. Op. Lat. ii. p. 165.) Not clamorously, but modestly; yet not without Christian warmth and firmness. [528] L. Op. Lat. ii, p. 165-167. "This pleased the Elector Frederick exceedingly," relates the Reformer. [Sidenote: HERE I AM. I CANNOT DO OTHERWISE.] As soon as he had ceased, the Chancellor of Trêves, the orator of the Diet, said to him, indignantly, "You have not answered the question which was put to you. You are not here to throw doubt on what has been decided by Councils. You are asked to give a clear and definite reply. Will you, or will you not retract?" Luther then replied, without hesitation, "Since your most serene Majesty, and your high Mightinesses, call upon me for a simple, clear, and definite answer, I will give it;[529] and it is this: I cannot subject my faith either to the pope or to councils, because it is clear as day that they have often fallen into error, and even into great self-contradiction. If, then, I am not disproved by passages of Scripture, or by clear arguments; if I am not convinced by the very passages which I have quoted, and so bound in conscience to submit to the word of God, _I neither can nor will retract any thing_, for it is not safe for a Christian to speak against his conscience." Then, looking around on the assembly before which he was standing, and which held his life in its hands, "HERE I AM," says he, "I CANNOT DO OTHERWISE: GOD HELP ME. AMEN."[530] [529] Dabo illud neque dentatum, neque cornutum. (Ibid., p. 166.) I will give it without either teeth or horns. [530] Hier stehe, ich: Ich kan nicht anders: Gott helfe mir! Amen. (L. Op. (L.) xvii, p. 580.)