The news of Zuinglius' illness, and even a rumour of his death, spread in Switzerland and Germany. "Alas!" exclaimed Hedio in tears, "the safety of the country, the gospel trumpet, the magnanimous herald of truth is smitten with death in the flower of his life, and, so to speak, in the spring tide of his days."[741] When the news reached Bâle the whole town was filled with lamentation and mourning.[742] [741] Quis non enim doleat, publicam patriæ salutem, tubam Evangelii, magnanimum veritatis buccinatorem languere, intercidere ... (Zw. Ep. p. 90.) [742] Hen quantum luctus, fatis Zuinglium concecisse importunus ille rumor, suo vehementi impetu divulgavit. (Ibid. p. 91.) The spark of life which remained in Zuinglius was, however, rekindled. Though his body was still feeble, his soul was impressed with the unaltered conviction that God had called him to replace the torch of his Word on the candlestick of the Church. The plague had abandoned its victim, and Zuinglius exclaims with emotion:-- My God! my Father! Healed by thee On earth again I bend my knee. Now sin no more Shall mark my days My mouth, henceforth, Shall sing thy praise. The uncertain hour, Come when it may, Perchance may bring Still worse dismay.[743] But, let it come, With joy I'll rise, And bear my yoke Straight to the skies.[744] [743] Words which were strikingly fulfilled twelve years after on the bloody plains of Cappel. [744] So will Ich doch Den trutz und poch, In diser welt Tragen frölich Um widergelt. Although these three poetical fragments are dated "the beginning, middle, and end of the malady," and express the feelings which Zuinglius truly experienced at these different moments, it is probable that they were not put into their present form till afterwards. (See Bullinger MS.) [Sidenote: CONVALESCENCE. EFFECT ON ZUINGLIUS.]