The History of the Thirty Years' WarSchiller, Friedrich
History
The History of the Thirty Years' War
Schiller, Friedrich
Europe -- History -- 1517-1648; Thirty Years' War, 1618-1648
However little Wallenstein was serious in his refusal, he successfully
employed this means to terrify the Emperor into consenting to his
extravagant conditions. The progress of the enemy every day increased
the pressure of the Emperor's difficulties, while the remedy was
also close at hand; a word from him might terminate the general
embarrassment. Prince Eggenberg at length received orders, for the
third and last time, at any cost and sacrifice, to induce his friend,
Wallenstein, to accept the command.
He found him at Znaim in Moravia, pompously surrounded by the troops,
the possession of which he made the Emperor so earnestly to long for. As
a suppliant did the haughty subject receive the deputy of his sovereign.
"He never could trust," he said, "to a restoration to command, which he
owed to the Emperor's necessities, and not to his sense of justice. He
was now courted, because the danger had reached its height, and safety
was hoped for from his arm only; but his successful services would soon
cause the servant to be forgotten, and the return of security would
bring back renewed ingratitude. If he deceived the expectations formed
of him, his long earned renown would be forfeited; even if he fulfilled
them, his repose and happiness must be sacrificed. Soon would envy be
excited anew, and the dependent monarch would not hesitate, a second
time, to make an offering of convenience to a servant whom he could now
dispense with. Better for him at once, and voluntarily, to resign a post
from which sooner or later the intrigues of his enemies would expel him.
Security and content were to be found in the bosom of private life; and
nothing but the wish to oblige the Emperor had induced him, reluctantly
enough, to relinquish for a time his blissful repose."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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