AmongKingOttocar’sesquiresorsubalternjuniorofficialsonthisoccasion，isoneRUDOLF，heirofapoorSwissLordshipandgrayHill—Castle，calledHAPSBURG，ratherinreducedcircumstances，whomOttocarlikesforhisprudenthardyways；
　　astout，modest，wiseyoungman，——whomaychancetoredeemHapsburgalittle，ifhelive？Howtheshuttlesfly，andthelife—threads，always，inthis"loud—roaringLoomofTime！"——
　　AlongwithOttocartoo，asanallyintheCrusade，wasOttoIII。
　　AscanierMarkgrafandElectorofBrandenburg，great—grandsonofAlberttheBear；——nameOttoTHEPIOUSinconsequence。HetoofoundedaTowninPrussia，onthisoccasion，andcalleditBRANDENBURG；whichisstillextantthere，asmallBrandenburgtheSecond；fortheseproceduresheiscalledOttoTHEPIOUSinHistory。HisWife，withal，wasasisterofOttocar’s；[Michaelis，i。270；Hubner，t。174。]——which，exceptinthewayofdomesticfelicity，didnotintheendamounttomuchforhim；thisOttocarhavingflowntoohigh，andmeltedhiswingsatthesun，inasadway，asweshallseeelsewhere。
　　NoneoftheOrdersrosesohighastheTeutonicinfavorwithmankind。IthadbydegreeslandedpossessionsfarandwideoverGermanyandbeyond:IknownothowmanydozensofBALLEYS（richBailliwicks，eachagainwithitsdozensofCOMTHUREIS，Commanderies，orsubordinategroupsofestates），andBailliesandCommanderstomatch；——andwasthoughttodeservefavorfromabove。
　　Valiantservants，these；towhomHeavenhadvouchsafedgreatlaborsandunspeakableblessings。Insomefiftyorfifty—threeyearstheyhadgotPrussianHeathenismbroughttotheground；
　　andtheyendeavoredtotieitwelldowntherebybargainandarrangement。Butitwouldnotyetliequiet，norforacenturytocome；beingstillsecretlyHeathen；revolting，conspiringeveragain，everonweakerterms，tilltheSatanicelementhadburntitselfout，andconversionandcomposurecouldensue。
　　Conversionandcompleteconquestoncecome，therewasahappytimeforPrussia:ploughshareinsteadofsword；busysea—havens，Germantowns，gettingbuilt；churcheseverywhererising；grassgrowing，andpeaceablecows，whereformerlyhadbeenquagmireandsnakes。
　　AndfortheOrderahappytime？Arich，notahappy。TheOrderwasvictorious；Livonian"Sword—Brothers，""KnightsofDobryn，"minorOrdersandAuthoritiesallround，werelongsincesubordinatedtoitorincorporatedwithit；Livonia，Courland，Lithuania，areallgottamedunderitsinfluence，ortieddownandevidentlytamable。
　　ButitwasinthesetimesthattheOrdergotintoitswidertroublesoutwardandinward；quarrels，jealousies，withChristianneighbors，Poland，Pommern，whodidnotloveitandforcause；
　　——widertroubles，andbynomeanssoevidentlyusefultomankind。TheOrder’swages，inthisworld，flowedhigherthanever，onlyperhapsitsworkwasbeginningtorunlow！Butwewillnotanticipate。
　　Onthewhole，thisTeutschRitterdom，forthefirstcenturyandmore，wasagrandphenomenon；andflamedlikeabrightblessedbeaconthroughthenightofthings，inthoseNorthernCountries。
　　Foraboveacentury，weperceive，itwastherallyingplaceofallbravemenwhohadacareertoseekontermsotherthanvulgar。
　　Thenoblesoul，aimingbeyondmoney，andsensibletomorethanhungerinthisworld，hadabeaconburning（aswesay），ifthenightchancedtoovertakeit，andtheearthtogrowtoointricate，asisnotuncommon。Betterthanthecareerofstump—oratory，Ishouldfancy，andITSHesperidesApples，goldenandofgilthorse—dung。Betterthanpuddlingawayone’spoorspiritualgiftofGod（LOAN，notgift），suchasitmaybe，inbuildingtheloftyrhyme，theloftyReview—Article，foradiscerningpublicthathassixpencetospare！Timesaltergreatly。——WillthereadertakeaglimpseofConradvonThuringen’sbiography，asasampleoftheoldwaysofproceeding？ConradsucceededHermannvonderSalzaasGrand—Master，andhishistoryismemorableasaTeutonicKnight。
　　THESTUFFTEUTSCHRITTERSWEREMADEOF。CONRADOFTHURINGEN:
　　SAINTELIZABETH；TOWNOFMARBURG。
　　Conrad，youngerbrotheroftheLandgrafofThuringen，——whichPrincelivedchieflyintheWartburg，romanticoldHill—Castle，nowaWeimar—Eisenachpropertyandshow—place，thenanabodeofveryearnestpeople，——wasprobablyachild—in—arms，inthatsameWartburg，whileRichardCoeur—de—LionwasgettinghomefromPalestineandintotroublesbytheroad:thiswilldateConradforus。HisworthyelderbrotherwasHusbandoftheladysincecalledSAINTElizabeth，averypiousbutalsoveryfancifulyoungwoman；
　　——andIalwaysguesshisgoingontheCrusade，wherehediedstraightway，waspartlythefruitofthelifesheledhim；lodgingbeggars，sometimesinhisverybed，continuallybreakinghisnight’srestforprayer，anddevotionalexerciseofunduelength；
　　"weepingonemoment，thensmilinginjoythenext；"meanderingabout，capricious，melodious，weak，atthewillofdevoutwhimmainly！However，thatdoesnotconcernus。[ManyLIVESoftheSaint。See，inparticular，LibellusdeDictisQuatuorAncillarum，&c。——（thatis，ReportoftheevidencegotfromElizabeth’sFourMaids，byanOfficialPerson，Devil’s—
　　Advocateorwhateverhewas，missionedbythePopetoquestionthem，whenherCanonizationcametobetalkedof。Acuriouspiece）:——inMeuckeniiScriptoresRexumGermanicarum（Lipsia，1728—1730），ii。dd。；wherealsoareotherdetails。]SureenoughherpoorLandgrafwentcrusading，Year1227
　　（KaiserFriedrichII。’sCrusade，whocouldnotputitofflonger）；
　　poorLandgraffellillbytheroad，atBrindisi，anddied，——nottobedrivenfartherbyanycause。
　　Conrad，leftguardiantohisdeceasedBrother’schildren，hadatfirstmuchquarrelwithSaintElizabeth，thoughheafterwardstookfarotherthoughts。Meanwhilehehadhisownapanage，"Landgraf"
　　byrankhetoo；andhadtroublesenoughwiththatofitself。
　　Forinstance:oncetheArchbishopofanMainz，beingindebt，laidaheavytaxonallAbbeysunderhim；onReichartsbronn，anAbbeyofConrad’s，amongothers。"Don’tpayit！"saidConradtotheAbbot。Abbotrefusedaccordingly；butwasputunderbanbythePope；——obligedtocomply，andeventobe"whiptthrice"beforethemoneycouldbeaccepted。TwowhippingsatErfurt，fromtheArchbishop，therehadbeen；andathirdwasjustgoingonthere，onemorning，whenConrad，travellingthatway，accidentallysteptintomatins。Conradflamesintoablazingwhirlwindatthephenomenondisclosed。"WhipmyAbbot？AndheIStopay，then，——
　　ArchbishopofBeelzebub？"——andtookthepoorArchbishopbytherochets，andspunhimhitherandthither；naywasforcuttinghimintwo，hadhotfriendshystericallybusiedthemselves，andgotthesworddetainedinitsscabbardandtheArchbishopaway。
　　Hereisafinecoilliketobe，forConrad。
　　Anothersoonfollows；fromaquarrelhehadwithFritzlar，ImperialFree—Towninthoseparts，perhapsalittlestiffuponitsprivileges，andhightowardsaLandgraf。Conradmarches，onemorning（Year1232）uponinsolentFritzlar；burnstheenvirons；
　　butonlookingpracticallyattherampartsoftheplace，thinkstheyaretoohigh，andturnstogohomeagain。WhereupontheidlewomenofFritzlar，whoareupontherampartsgazinginfearandhope，burstintoshrilluniversaljubilationofvoice，——andevenintogestures，andlibertieswiththeirdress，whicharenotdescribableinHistory！Conrad，suddenlyoncemoreallflame，whirlsround；stormstheramparts，slayswhathemeets，plundersFritzlarwithawill，andleavesitblazinginageneralfire，whichhadbrokenoutinthebusiness。HereisapairofcoilsforConrad；thelikeofwhichcanissueonlyinPapalbanorworse。
　　Conradisgrimandobstinateundertheseaspects；butsecretlyfeelshimselfverywicked；knowsnotwellwhatwillcomeofit。
　　Saunteringonedayinhisoutercourts，henoticesacertainfemalebeggar；necessitousfemaleoflooselife，whotremulouslysolicitscharityofhim。Necessitousfemalegetssomefractionofcoin，butalongwithitbullyingrebukeinveryliberalmeasure；
　　andgoesawayweepingbitterly，andmurmuringabout"wantthatdrovemetothosecourses。"Conradretiresintohimself:"Whatisherrealsin，perhaps，tomine？"Conrad"liesawakeallthatnight；"mopesabout，inintricatedarkness，daysandnights；
　　risesonemorninganalteredman。Hemakes"pilgrimagetoGladbach，"barefoot；kneelsdownatthechurch—doorofFritzlarwithbareback，andabundleofrodsbesidehim。"Whipme，goodinjuredChristiansfortheloveofJesus！"——inbrief，reconcileshimselftoChristianmankind，thePopeincluded；takestheTeutsch—Rittervowsuponhim；[A。D。1234（Voigt，ii。375—423）。]
　　andhastensofftoPreussen，theretospendhimself，lifeandlife’sresourcesthenceforth，faithfully，tillhedie。TheonecourseleftforConrad。Whichhefollowswithagreatstrongstep，——withathoughtstillaudibletome。ItwasofsuchstuffthatTeutschRitterswerethenmade；Rittersevidentlycapableofsomething。
　　SaintElizabeth，whowenttoliveatMarburg，inHessen—Cassel，afterherHusband’sdeath，andsoondiedthere，inamostmelodiouslypioussort，[A。D。1231，age24。]madetheTeutschOrderguardianofherSon。ItwasfromherandtheGrand—
　　MastershipofConradthatMarburgbecamesuchametropolisoftheOrder；theGrand—Mastersoftenresidingthere，manyofthemcovetingburialthere，andmuchbusinessbearingdateoftheplace。AplacestillnotabletotheingenuousTourist，whoknowshiswhereabout。PhiliptheMagnanimous，Luther’sfriend，memorabletosomeasPhilipwiththeTwoWives，livedthere，inthatoldCastle，——whichisnowakindofCorrection—HouseandGarrison，idleblueuniformsstrollingabout，andunlovelyphysiognomieswithajingleofironattheirankles，——whereLutherhasdebatedwiththeZwinglianSacramentersandothers，andmuchhashappenedinitstime。SaintElizabethandhermiracles（considerable，surely，oftheirkind）werethefirstoriginofMarburgasaTown:
　　amereCastle，withadjoiningHamlet，beforethat。
　　StrangegrayoldsilentTown，richinsomanymemories；itstandsthere，stragglingupitsrockyhill—edge，towardsitsoldCastlesandedificesonthetop，inanotunpicturesquemanner；flankedbytheriverLahnanditsfertileplains:verysilent，exceptforthedeliriousscreech，atrareintervals，ofarailwaytrainpassingthatwayfromFrankfurt—on—MayntoCassel。"ChurchofSt。
　　Elizabeth，"——high，grandChurch，builtbyConradourHochmeister，inreverenceofhisonceterrestrialSister—in—law，——standsconspicuousintheplainbelow，wheretheTownisjustending。
　　St。Elizabeth’sShrinewasoncethere，andpilgrimswendingtoitfromalllands。Conradhimselfisburiedthere，asaremanyHochmeisters；theirnames，andshieldsofarms，Hermann’sforemost，thoughHermann’sdustisnotthere，arecarved，carefullykeptlegible，ontheshaftsoftheGothicarches，——fromfloortogroin，longrowsofthem；——andproduce，withtheothertombs，tomb—paintingsbyDurerandthelike，thoughtsimpressivealmosttopain。St。Elizabeth’sLOCULUSwasputintoitsshrinehere，byKaiserFriedrichII。andallmannerofprincesandgrandeesoftheEmpire，"onemilliontwohundredthousandpeoplelookingon，"saytheoldrecords，perhapsnotquiteexactintheirarithmetic。PhiliptheMagnanimous，wishingtostop"pilgrimagesno—whither，"buriedtheLOCULUSaway，itwasneverknownwhere；
　　underthefloorofthatChurchsomewhere，asislikeliest。
　　EnoughnowofMarburg，andofitsTeutschRitterstoo。
　　TheyhadoneortwomemorableHochmeistersandTeutschmeisters；
　　whomwehavenotnamedhere，norshall。[InourexcellentKohler’sMuntzbelustigungen（Nurnberg，1729etseqq。
　　ii。382；v。102；viii。380；&c。）arevaluableglimpsesintotheTeutonicOrder，——asintohundredsofotherthings。ThespecialBookuponitisVoigt’s，oftencitedhere:NineheavyVolumes；
　　groundedonfaithfulreading，butwithafataldefectofalmosteveryotherquality。]ThereisoneHochmeister，somewhereaboutthefiftiethonthelist，andproperlythelastrealHochmeister，AlbertofHohenzollern—Culmbachbyname，whowillbeverymemorabletousbyandby。
　　OrwillthereadercaretoknowhowCulmbachcameintothepossessionoftheHohenzollerns，BurggravesofNurnberg？Thestorymaybeillustrative，andwillnotoccupyuslong。
　　ChapterVII。
　　MARGRAVIATEOFCULMBACH:BAIREUTH，ANSPACH。
　　IntheYear1248，inhisCastleofPlassenburg，——whichisnowaCorrection—House，lookingdownuponthejunctionoftheRedandWhiteMayn，——OttoDukeofMeran，averygreatpotentate，morelikeaKingthanaDuke，wassuddenlyclutchedholdofbyacertainweddedgentleman，namenotgiven，"oneofhisdomesticsordependents，"whomhehadenragedbeyondforgiveness（signallyviolatingtheSeventhCommandmentathisexpense）；andwasbythesaidweddedgentlemanthereandthencutdown，anddonetodeath。
　　"Lamentablykilled，jammerlicherstochen，"
　　saysoldRentsch。[P。293。Kohler，Reichs—Historie，p。245。Holle，AlteGeschichtederStadtBaireuth（Baireuth，1833），pp。34—37。]Othersgiveadifferentcolortothehomicide，andevenadifferentplace；acontroversynotinterestingtous。Slainatanyrateheis；stillayoungman；
　　thelastmaleofhisline。WherebytherenownedDukesofMeranfallextinct，andimmensepropertiescometobedividedamongconnectionsandclaimants。
　　Meran，weremark，isstillaTown，oldCastlenowabolished，intheTyrol，towardsthesourcesoftheEtsch（calledADIGEbyItalianneighbors）。TheMeranshadbeenlordsnotonlyofmostoftheTyrol；butDukesof"theVoigtland；"——Voigtland，thatisBAILLIE—LAND，widecountrybetweenNurnbergandtheFichtelwald；
　　whyspeciallysocalled，Dryasdustdimlyexplains，deducingitfromcertainCountsvonReuss，thosestrangeReusseswhoalwayscallthemselvesHENRY，andnowamounttoHENRYTHEEIGHTIETHAND
　　ODD，withside—brancheslikewisecalledHenry；whosenomenclatureisthedespairofmankind，andworsethanthatoftheNaplesLazzaroniwhocandidlyhavenonames！——DukesofVoigtland，Isay；
　　likewiseofDalmatia；thenalsoMarkgravesofAustria；alsoCountsofAndechs，inwhichlatterfinecountry（northofMunchenaday’sride），andnotatPlassenburg，somesay，themanwasslain。
　　Theseimmensepossessions，whichnow（A。D。1248）allfallasunderbythestrokeofthatsword，cometobedividedamongtheslainman’sconnections，ortobesnatchedupbyactiveneighbors，andotherwisedisposedof。
　　ActiveWurzburg，activeBamberg，withoutmuchconnection，snatchedupagooddeal:CountofOrlamunde，marriedtotheeldestSisteroftheslainDuke，gotPlassenburgandmostoftheVoigtland:
　　aTyrolesemagnate，whoseWifewasanAuntoftheDuke’s，laidholdoftheTyrol，andtransmittedittodaughtersandtheirspouses，——thefinishofwhichlineweshallseebyandby:——
　　inshort，therewasmuchpropertyinadisposablecondition。
　　TheHohenzollernBurggrafofNurnberg，whohadmarriedayoungerSisteroftheDuke’stwoyearsbeforethisaccident，managedtogetatleastBAIREUTHandsomeadjacencies；bigOrlamunde，whohadnotmuchbetterright，takingthelion’sshare。ThisofBaireuthprovedanotablepossessiontotheHohenzollernfamily:itwasConradthefirstBurggraf’sgreat—grandson，Friedrich，counted"FriedrichIII。"amongtheBurggraves，whomadetheacquisitioninthismanner，A。D。1248。
　　Onolzbach（On’z—BACHor"—brook，"nowcalledANSPACH）theygot，somefourscoreyearsafter，bypurchaseandhardmoneydown（"24，000poundsoffarthings，"whateverthatmaybe），[A。D。1331:
　　StadtAnspach，byJ。B。Fischer（Anspach，1786），p。196。]whichprovedanotabletwinpossessionofthefamily。Andthen，insomesevenyearsmore（A。D。1338），thebigOrlamundepeople，havingatlength，aswastoousual，fallenconsiderablyinsolvent，soldPlassenburgCastleitself，thePlassenburgwithitsTownofCulmbachanddependencies，totheHohenzollernBurggraves，[Rentsch，p。157。]whohadalwaysreadymoneyaboutthem。WhointhiswaygotmostoftheVoigtland，withafineFortress，intohand；andhad，independentlyofNurnberganditsImperialproperties，animportantPrincelyTerritoryoftheirown。MargraviateorPrincipalityofCULMBACH（PlassenburgbeingonlytheCastle）wasthegeneraltitle；butmorefrequentlyinlatertimes，beingoftenestsplitintwobetweenbrothersunacquaintedwithprimogeniture，thereweretwoMargraviatesmadeofit:oneofBaireuth，calledalso"MargraviateOntheHill；"andoneofAnspach，"MargraviateUndertheHill:"ofwhich，intheirmoderndesignations，weshallbyandbyhearmorethanenough。
　　ThusaretheHohenzollerngrowing，andneverdeclining:bythesefewinstancesjudgeofmany。Oftheirhardlabors，andthestormstheyhadtokeepundercontrol，wecouldalsosaysomething:
　　HowthetwoyoungSonsoftheBurggrafonceridingoutwiththeirTutor，abighoundoftheirsinoneofthestreetsofNurnbergaccidentallytoreachild；andtherearosewildmother’s—wail；
　　and"alltheScythe—smithsturnedout，"fire—breathing，deaftoapoorTutor’spleadingsandexplainings；andhowtheTutor，whohadriddenforthincalmhumorwithtwoPrinces，camegallopinghomewithonlyone，——theSmithshavingdrivenanotherintoboggyground，andtherecaughtandkilledhim；[Rentsch，p。306（Datenotgiven；guess，about1270）。]withtheBurggraf’scommentaryonthatsadproceeding（thesameFriedrichIII。whohadmarriedMeran’sSister）；andtheamendsexactedbyhim，strictandsevere，notpassionateorinhuman。OragainhowtheNurnbergersonce，intheBurggraf’sabsence，builtaring—wallroundhisCastle；
　　entranceandexitnowtodependontheNurnbergerswithal！AndhowtheBurggrafdidnotflyoutintobattleinconsequence，butremedieditbyimperturbablecountenanceandpowerofdriving。
　　Withenoughofthelikesort；whichreaderscanconceive。
　　BURGGRAFFRIEDRICHIII。；ANDTHEANARCHYOFNINETEENYEARS。
　　ThissameFriedrichIII。，Great—grandsonofConradthefirstBurggraf，washethatgottheBurggraviatemadehereditaryinhisfamily（A。D。1273）；whichtherebyrosetothefixedrankofPrinces，amongotheradvantagesitwasgaining。Nordidthisacquisitioncomegratisatall，butasthefruitofgoodserviceadroitlydone；serviceofendlessimportanceasitproved。
　　Friedrich’slifehadfallenintimesofhugeanarchy；theHohenstauffenlinegonemiserablyout，——BoyConradin，itslastrepresentative，perishingonthescaffoldeven（byadesperatePopeandadesperateDukeofAnjou）；[AtNaples，25thOctober，1268。]Germans，SicilianNormans，PopeandReich，allatdaggers—
　　drawnwithoneanother；noKaiser，nayasmanyasThreeatonce！
　　Whichlastedfrom1254onwards；andiscalled"theInterregnum，"
　　orAnarchy"ofNineteenYears，"inGermanHistory。
　　LetusatleastnametheThreeKaisers，orTriple—elixirofNo—Kaiser；though，exceptaschronologicallandmarks，wehavenotmuchtodowiththem。FirstKaiserisWilliamCountofHolland，aroughfellow，Pope’sprotege，Popeevenraisingcashforhim；
　　tillWilliamperishedintheDutchpeat—bogs（horseandman，furiouslypursuing，insomefightthere，andgettingswallowedupinthatmanner）；whichhappilyreducesourfalseKaiserstotwo:
　　SecondandThird，whoarebothforeigntoGermany。
　　SecondKaiserisAlphonsoKingofCastille，AlphonsotheWise，whosesayingaboutPtolemy’sAstronomy，"Thatitseemedacrankmachine；thatitwaspitytheCreatorhadnottakenadvice！"isstillrememberedbymankind；——thisandnootherofhismanysayingsanddoings。Hewaswiseenoughtostayathome；andexceptwearingthetitle，whichcostnothing，toconcernhimselfverylittleabouttheHolyRomanEmpire，——someclerkortwodating"TOLETI（atToledo），"didlanguidlyabitofofficialwritingnowandthen，andthatwasall。ConfusedcrankmachinethisoftheGermanEmpiretoo，yourMajesty？Betterstayathome，anddate"TOLETI。"
　　TheThirdfalseKaiser——futilecallhimrather，wantingclearmajority——wastheEnglishRichardofCornwall；youngerSonofJohnLackland；andlittlewiserthanhisFather，tojudgebythosesymptoms。Hehadplentyofmoney，andwasliberalwithit；——noothercalltoGermany，youwouldsay，excepttogetridofhismoney；——inwhichhesucceeded。HelivedactuallyinGermany，twiceoverforayearortwo:——AlphonseandhewerealikeshyofthePope，asUmpire；andRichard，sofarashismoneywent，foundsomegleamsofauthorityandcomfortableflatteryintheRhenishprovinces:atlength，in1263，moneyandpatiencebeingbothprobablyout，hequittedGermanyforthesecondandlasttime；
　　camehometoBerkhamsteadinHertfordshirehere，[Gough’s
　　Camden，i。339。]morefoolthanhewent。Tillhisdeath（A。D。1271），hecontinuedtocallhimself，andwasbymanypersonscalled，KaiseroftheHolyRomanEmpire；——neededaGermanclerkortwoatBerkhamstead，wecansuppose:butneverwentback；
　　preferringpleasantBerkhamstead，withtroublesofSimondeMontfortorwhatevertroublestheremightbe，toanythingGermanyhadtoofferhim。
　　TheseweretheThreefutileKaisers:andtheLATEKaiserConrad’syoungBoy，whoonedaymighthavesweptthegroundclearofthem，perished，——brightyoungConradin，brightandbrave，butonlysixteen，andPope’scaptivebyillluck，——perishedonthescaffold；"throwingouthisglove"（insymbolicalprotest）amidthedarkmuteNeapolitanmultitudes，thatwintrymorning。ItwasOctober25th，1268，——DanteAlighierithenalittleboyatFlorence，notthreeyearsold；gazingwithstrangeeyesastheelderstalkedofsuchaperformancebyChrist’sVicaronEarth。
　　Averytragicperformanceindeed，whichbroughtontheSicilianVespersbyandby；fortheHeavensneverfailtopaydebts，yourHoliness！——
　　Germanywasrockingdowntowardsonesawnotwhat，——anAnarchicRepublicofPrinces，perhaps，andofFreeBaronsfastvergingtowardsrobbery？SovereigntyofmultiplexPrinces，withaPeerageofintermediateRobberBarons？Thingsarevergingthatway。
　　SuchPrinces，bigandlittle，eachwrenchingoffforhimselfwhatlayloosestandhandiesttohim，founditastirringgame，andnotsomuchamiss。Ontheotherhand，somevoiceofthePeople，infeeblewhimperingsofastrangeintensity，totheoppositeeffect，areaudibletothisday。HereareThreeoldMinstrels（MINNESANGER）pickedfromManesse’sCollectionbyanobliginghand，whoareofthisdate，andshallspeakeachaword:——
　　No。1LOQUITOR（incrampdoggerel，doneintospeech）:"Tothee，OLord，wepoorfolkmakemoan；theDevilhassownhisseedsinthisland！Lawthyhandcreatedforprotectionofthychildren:
　　butwherenowisLaw？WidowsandorphansweepthatthePrincesdonotunitetohaveaKaiser。"
　　No。2:"ThePrincesgrindintheKaiser’smill:totheReichtheyflingthesiftings；andkeeptothemselvesthemeal。Notmuchinhaste，they，togiveusaKaiser。"
　　No。3:"LikethePlagueofFrogs，theretheyarecomeout；
　　defilingtheReich’shonor。Stork，whenwiltthouappear，then，"
　　andwiththystiffmandiblesactuponthemalittle？[Mentzel，GeschichtederDeutschen，p。345。]
　　Itwasinsuchcircumstances，thatFriedrichIII。，BurggrafofNurnberg，whohadlongmoanedandstrivenoverthesewoesofhiscountry，cametopaythatvisit，lateinthenight（1stor2dofOctober，1273），tohisCousinRudolfLordofHapsburg，underthewallsofBasel；anotablesceneinHistory。RudolfwasbesiegingBasel，beinginsomefeudwiththeBishopthere，ofwhichFriedrichandanotherhadbeenproposedasumpires；andFriedrichnowwaitedonhisCousin，inthishastymanner，——notabouttheBaselfeud，butonafarhigherquiteunexpectederrand，——tosay，ThatheRudolfwaselectedKaiser，andthatbettertimesfortheHolyRomanEmpirewerenowprobable，withHeaven’shelp。[Rentsch，pp。299，285，298。]WecallhimCousin；thoughwhatthekindredactuallywas，akindredbymothers，remains，exceptthegeneralfactofit，disputablebyDryasdust。Theactualvisit，underthewallsofBasel，isbysomeconsideredromantic。ButthatRudolf，toughsteel—grayman，besiegingBaselonhisownquarrel，onthetermsjuststated，wasaltogetherunexpectedlyapprisedofthisgreatnews，andthatCousinFriedrichofNurnberghadmainlycontributedtosuchissue，isbeyondquestioh。[Kohler，pp。249，251。]Theeventwassalutary，likelifeinsteadofdeath，toanarchicGermany；anddideminenthonortoFriedrich’sjudgmentinmen。
　　RichardofCornwallhavingatlastdied，andhisfutileGermanclerkshavingquittedBerkhamsteadforever，——AlphonsoofCastille，notnowurgedbyrivalry，andseeinglongsincewhatacrankmachinethethingwas，hadnoobjectiontogiveitup；saidsotothePope，——whowashimselfanxiousforasettledKaiser，thesuppliesofPapalGermancashhavingrunalmostdryduringthesetroubles。WhereuponensuedearnestconsultationsamongleadingGermanmen；DietoftheEmpire，sternlypractical（wemaywellperceive），andwithaminimumoftalk，thePopetoobeingheldratherwellatadistance:theresultofwhichwaswhatwesee。
　　[29thSeptember，1273。]MainlyduetoFriedrichofNurnberg，sayallHistorians；conjoiningwithhimthethenArchbishopofMainz，whoisofficiallyPresidentElector（literallyCONVENERofElectors）:theytwodidit。ArchbishopofMainzhadhimselfapleasantaccidentalacquaintancewithRudolf，——anight’slodgingonceatHapsburg，withescortovertheHills，indangerouscircumstances；——andmightthemorereadilybemadetounderstandwhatqualitiesthemannowhad；andhow，injustnessofinsight，toughnessofcharacter，andgeneralstrengthofbridle—hand，thisactuallymightbetheadequateman。
　　KAISERRUDOLFANDBURGGRAFFRIEDRICHIII。
　　LasttimewesawRudolf，nearthirtyyearsago，hewassomeequerryorsubalterndignitaryamongtheRittersofKingOttocar，doingaCrusadeagainstthePrussianHeathen，andseeinghismasterfoundKonigsberginthatcountry。Changedtimesnow！
　　OttocarKingofBohemia，who（bythestronghandmainly，andmoneytoRichardofCornwall，inthelatetroubles）hasbecomeDukeofAustriaandmuchelse，hadhimselfexpectedtheKaisership；andofallastonishedmen，KingOttocarwasprobablythemostastonishedatthechoicemade。Adreadsovereign，fierce，andterriblyopulent，andeverywayresplendenttosuchdegree；andthisthreadbareSwissgentleman—at—arms，once"mydomestic"（asOttocarlovedtotermit），preferredtome！Flatinsanity，KingOttocarthought；refusedtoacknowledgesuchaKaiser；wouldnotintheleastgiveuphisunjustproperties，orevendohomageforthemortheothers。
　　ButtherealsoRudolfcontrivedtobereadyforhim。RudolfinvadedhisrichAustrianterritories；smotedownVienna，andallresistancethattherewas；[1276（Kohler，p。253）。]forcedOttocartobegpardonandpeace。"Nopardon，noranyspeechofpeace，tillyoufirstdohomageforallthoselandsofyours，whateverwemayfindthemtobe！"Ottocarwasveryloath；
　　butcouldnothelphimself。OttocarquittedPragwitharesplendentretinue，tocomeintotheDanubecountry，anddohomageto"mydomestic"thatoncewas。Hebargainedthatthesadceremonyshouldbeatleastprivate；onanIslandintheDanube，betweenthetworetinuesorarmies；andinatent，sothatonlyofficialselectpersonsmightseeit。TheIslandiscalledCAMBERG
　　（nearVienna，Iconclude），inthemiddleoftheDonauRiver:
　　thereOttocaraccordinglyknelt；heingreatpompoftailorage，Rudolfinmerebuffjerkin，practicalleatherandiron；——hideit，charitablecanvas，fromallbutafew！Alas，preciselyatthismoment，thetreacherouscanvasrushesdown，——hungsoonpurpose，thinksOttocar；anditisatentindeed；butatentwithoutwalls；
　　andalltheworldseesmeinthisscandalousplight！
　　Ottocarrodehomeindeepgloom；hispoorWife，too，upbraidedhim:hestraightwayralliedintoWaragain；Rudolfagainveryreadytomeethim。Rudolfmethim，FriedrichofNurnbergthereamongtherestundertheReichs—Banner；ontheMarchfeldbytheDonau（modernWAGRAMnearby）；andentirelybeatandevenslewandruinedOttocar。[26thAugust，1278（Kohler，p。253。）]WherebyAustriafellnowtoRudolf，whomadehissonsDukesofit；which，orevenArchdukes，theyaretothisday。Bohemia，Moravia，ofthesealsoRudolfwouldhavebeenglad；butofthesethereisanheirofOttocar’sleft；thesewillrequiretimeandluck。
　　ProsperousthoughtoilsomedaysforRudolf；whoprovedanexcellentbitofstuffforaKaiser；andfoundnorest，provingwhatstuffhewas。Inwhichprosperities，asindeedhecontinuedtodointheperilsandtoils，BurggrafFriedrichIII。ofNurnbergnaturallypartook:hence，andnotgratisatall，theHereditaryBurggrafdom，andmanyotherfavorsandaccessionshegot。ForhecontinuedRudolf’ssteadyhelper，friendandfirst—maninallthings，totheveryend。EvidentlyoneofthemostimportantmeninGermany，andcandorwillleadustoguessoneoftheworthiest，duringthosebadyearsofInterregnum，andthebetteronesofKaisership。AfterConradhisgreat—grandfatherheisthesecondnotablearchitectoftheFamilyHouse；——foundedbyConrad；
　　conspicuouslybuiltupbythisFriedrichIII。，andthefirstSTORY
　　ofitfinished，sotospeak。ThencometwoFriedrichsasBurggrafs，hissonandhisgrandson’sgrandson，"FriedrichIV。"
　　and"FriedrichVI。，"bywhomitwasraisedtothesecondstoryandthethird，——thenceforthoneofthehighhousesoftheworld。
　　ThatistheglimpsewecangiveofFriedrichfirstHereditaryBurggraf，andofhisCousinRudolffirstHapsburgKaiser。
　　ThelatestAustrianKaisers，thelatestKingsofPrussia，theyaresonsofthesetwomen。
　　ChapterVIII。
　　ASCANIERMARKGRAVESINBRANDENBURG。
　　WehavesaidnothingoftheAscanierMarkgraves，ElectorsofBrandenburg，allthiswhile；nor，intheselimits，canwenoworhenceforthsayalmostanything。Aproudenough，valiantanddiligentlineofMarkgraves；whohadmuchfightingandotherstruggleintheworld，——steadilyenlargingtheirborderupontheWendstothenorth；andadjustingit，withmixedsuccess，againsttheWETTINgentlemen，whoareMarkgravesfarthereast（intheLAUSITZnow），whoboundustothesouthtoo（MEISSEN，Misnia），andwhoinfactcameinforthewholeofmodernSaxonyintheend。
　　Muchfighting，too，therewaswiththeArchbishopsofMagdeburg，nowthattheWendsaredown:standingquarrelthere，onthesmallscale，likethatofKaiserandPopeonthegreat；suchquarrelasistobeseeninallplaces，andonallmannerofscales，inthateraoftheChristianWorld。
　　NoneofourMarkgravesrosetotheheightoftheirProgenitor，AlberttheBear；norindeed，exceptmassedup，as"Albert’sLine，"
　　andwithaHistoryevermorecondensingitselfalmosttotheformofLABEL，cantheypretendtomemorabilitywithus。WhatcanDryasdusthimselfdowiththem？ThatwholesomeDutchcabbagescontinuedtobemoreandmoreplanted，andpeat—mire，blendingitselfwithwastesand，becameavailableforChristianmankind，——
　　intrusiveChaos，andespeciallyDivineTRIGLAPHandhisferocitiesbeingwellheldaloof:——this，afterall，istherealHistoryofourMarkgraves；andofthis，bythenatureofthecase，Dryasdustcansaynothing。"NewMark，"whichoncemeantBrandenburgatlarge，isgettingsubdividedintoMid—Mark，intoUCKERmark（closesttotheWends）；andinOldMarkandNewmuchisspreading，muchgettingplantedandfounded。Inthecourseofcenturiestherewillgrowgraduallytobe"sevencities；andasmanytowns，"saysoneoldjubilantTopographer，"astherearedaysintheyear，"——
　　strugglingtocountup365ofthem。
　　OFBERLINCITY。
　　Intheyear（guessedtobe）1240，oneAscanierMarkgraf"fortifiesBerlin；"thatis，firstmakesBerlinaGermanBURGandinhabitedoutpostinthoseparts:——theveryname，somethink，means"LittleRampart"（WEHRlin），builtthere，onthebanksoftheSpree，againsttheWends，andpeopledwithDutch；ofwhichlatterfact，itseems，theolddialectoftheplaceyieldstraces。[Nicolai，BeschreibungderKoniglichenResidenzstadteBerlinundPotsdam（Berlin，1786），i。pp。16，17of"Einleitung。"NicolairejectstheWEHRLINetymology；admitsthatthenamewasevidentlyappellative，notproper，"TheBerlin，"
　　"TotheBerlin；"findsintheworldtwoobjects，oneofthematHalle，stillcalled"TheBerlin；"andthinksitmusthavemeant（insomelanguageofextinctmortals）"WildPasture—ground，"——
　　"TheSCRUBS，"asweshouldcallit。——Possible；perhapslikely。]
　　HowitroseafterwardstobechosenforMetropolis，onecannotsay，exceptthatithadacentralsituationforthenowwidenedprincipalitiesofBrandenburg:theplaceotherwiseissandybynature，sandandswamptheconstituentsofit；andstandsonasluggishriverthecolorofoil。Wendishfishermenhadfoundedsomefirstnucleusofitlongbefore；andcalledtheirfishing—
　　hamletCOLN，whichissaidtobethegeneralWendishtitleforplacesFOUNDEDONPILES，aneedfulmethodwhereyourbasisisswamp。Atallevents，"Coln"stilldesignatestheoldestquarterinBerlin；and"ColnontheSpree"（Cologne，orColnontheRhine，beingverydifferent）continued，almosttomoderntimes，tobetheOfficialnameoftheCapital。
　　HowtheDutchandWendsagreedtogether，withintheirrampart，inclusiveofboth，isnotsaid。Theriverlaybetween；theyhadtwolanguages；peacewasnecessary:itisprobabletheywerelongratheronataciturnfooting！Butintheoilyriveryoudocatchvariousfish；Coln，amiditsquagmiresandstragglingsluggishwaters，canberenderedverystrong。Somehusbandry，wetordry，ispossibletodiligentDutchmen。Thereisroomfortradealso；
　　SpreeHavelElbeisadirectwater—roadtoHamburgandtheOcean；
　　bytheOder，whichisnotveryfar，youcommunicatewiththeBalticonthishand，andwithPolandandtheuttermostpartsofSilesiaonthat。Enough，Berlingrows；becomes，inabout300
　　years，foronereasonandanother，CapitalCityofthecountry，ofthesemanycountries。TheMarkgravesorElectors，afterquittingBrandenburg，didnotcomeimmediatelytoBerlin；theirnextResidencewasTangermunde（MOUTHoftheTANGER，wherelittleTangerissuesintoElbe）；amuchgrassierplacethanBerlin，andwhichstandsonaHill，clay—and—sandHill，likewiseadvantageousforstrength。ThatBerlinshouldhavegrown，afteritoncebecameCapital，isnotamystery。Ithasquadrupleditself，andmore，withinthelasthundredyears，andIthinkdoubleditselfwithinthelastthirty。
　　MARKGRAFOTTOIV。，OROTTOWITHTHEARROW
　　OneAscanierMarkgraf，andoneonly，OttoIV。bytitle，wasaPoetwithal；hadanactualhabitofdoingverse。Therearecertainso—calledPoemsofhis，stillextant，readbyDryasdust，withsuchenthusiasmashecangetup，intheoldCollectionofMinne—singers，madebyMANESSEtheZurichBurgermeister，whilethematterwasmuchfresherthanitnowis。
　　[RudigervonManesse，whofoughttheAustrians，too，madehisSammlung（Collection）inthelatterhalfofthefourteenthcentury；itwasprinted，aftermanynarrowrisksofdestructionintheinterim，in1758，——BodmerandBreitingerediting；——atZurich，2vols。4to。]Madrigalsall；MINNE—Songs，describingthepassionoflove；howOttofeltunderit，——wellandalsoill；withlittlepeculiarityofsymptom，asappears。Oneofhislinesis，"Ichwunschichweretot，
　　IwishthatIweredead:"
　　——theothersshallremainsafeinManesse’sCollection。
　　ThissameMarkgrafOttoIV。，Year1278，hadadreadfulquarrelwiththeSeeofMagdeburg，aboutelectingaBrotherofhis。
　　TheChapterhadchosenanotherthanOtto’sBrother；OttomakeswarupontheChapter。Comesstormingalong；"willstablemyhorsesinyourCathedral，"onsuchandsuchaday！ButtheArchbishopchosen，whohadbeenafighterformerly，stirsuptheMagdeburgers，bypreaching（"Horsestobestabledhere，myChristianbrethren"），byrelics，andquasi—miracles，toafuriouscondition；leadsthemoutagainstOtto，beatsOttoutterly；bringshimincaptive，amidhootingjubilationsoftheconceivablekind:
　　"Stableready；butwherearethehorses，——SerenechildofSatanas！"ArchbishopmakesaWoodenCageforOtto（bigbeams，sparsstoutenough，merestrawtolieon），andlockshimupthere。
　　InapublicsituationintheCityofMagdeburg；——visibletomankindso，duringcertainmonthsofthatyear1278。ItwasintheverytimewhileOttocarwasgettingfinishedintheMarchfeld；
　　muchmutinystillabroad，andthenewKaiserRudolfverybusy。
　　Otto’sWife，allstreamingintears，andflaminginzeal，whatshallshedo？"Sellyourjewels，"soadvisesacertainoldJohannvonBuch，discardedEx—official:"Sellyourjewels，Madam；bribetheCanonsofMagdeburgwithextremesecrecy，noneknowingofhisneighbor；theywillconsenttoransomontermspossible。PoorWifebribedaswasbidden；Canonsvotedastheyundertook；unanimousforransom，——high，buthumanlypossible。MarkgrafOttogetsoutonparole。Butnow，Howraisesucharansom，ourveryjewelsbeingsold？OldJohannvonBuchagainindicateswaysandmeans，——
　　miraculousoldgentleman:——MarkgrafOttoreturns，moneyinhand；
　　pays，andissolemnlydischarged。ThetitleofthesumIcouldgiveexact；butasnonewillintheleasttellmewhatthevalueis，Ihumblyforbear。
　　"Weareclear，then，atthisdate？"saidMarkgrafOttofromhishorse，justtakingleaveoftheMagdeburgCanonry。"Yes，"answeredthey。——"Pshaw，youdon’tknowthevalueofaMarkgraf！"saidOtto。
　　"Whatisit，then？"——"Raingoldducatsonhiswar—horseandhim，"
　　saidOtto，lookingupwithasatiricalgrin，"tillhorseandMarkgrafareburiedinthem，andyoucannotseethepointofhisspearatop！"——Thatwouldbeaconeofgoldcoinsequaltothearticle，thinksourMarkgraf；andridesgrinningaway。[Michaelis，i。271；Pauli，i。316；Kloss；&c。]——ThepoorArchbishop，avaliantpiousman，findingoutthatlatestrangelyunanimousvoteofhisChapterforransomingtheMarkgraf，tookitsoill，thathesoondiedofabrokenheart，saytheoldBooks。Diehedid，beforelong；——andstillOtto’sBrotherwasrefusedassuccessor。Brother，however，againsurvived；behavedalwayswisely；andOttoatlasthadhisway。"MakesanexcellentArchbishop，afterall！"saidtheMagdeburgers。Thosewereraretimes，Mr。Rigmarole。
　　ThesameOtto，besiegingsomestrongholdofhisMagdeburgorotherenemies，gotanarrowshotintotheskullofhim；into，notthrough；whichnosurgerycouldextract，notforayeartocome。
　　Ottowentabout，siegingmuchthesame，withtheironinhishead；
　　andiscalledOttoMITDEMPFOILE，OttoSAGITTARIUS，orOttowiththeArrow，inconsequence。AMarkgrafwhowritesMadrigals；
　　whodoessiegeswithanarrowinhishead；wholiesinawoodencage，jeeredbytheMagdeburgers，andproposessuchaconeofducats:IthoughthimthememorablestofthoseforgottenMarkgraves；andthathisjoltingLife—pilgrimagemightstandasthegeneralsample。MultiplyayearofOttoby200，youhave，oneasyconditions，someimaginationofaHistoryoftheAscanierMarkgraves。Forgettableotherwise；oritcanbereadinthegross，darkenedwithendlessdetails，andthrice—dreary，half—
　　intelligibletraditions，inPauli’sfatalQuartos，andelsewhere，ifanyoneneeds。——TheyearofthatMagdeburgspeechabouttheconeofducatsis1278:KingEdwardtheFirst，inthiscountry，waswalkingabout，aprosperousmanofforty，withveryLONG
　　SHANKS，andalsowithaheadofgoodlength。
　　Otto，ashadbeenthecaseintheformerLine，wasafrequentnameamongthoseMarkgraves:"OttothePious"（whomwesawcrusadingonceinPreussen，withKingOttocarhisBrother—in—law），"OttotheTall，""OttotheShort（PARVUS）；"IknownothowmanyOttosbesideshim"withtheArrow。"HalfacenturyafterthisoneoftheARROW（underhisGrand—Nephewitwas），theAscanierMarkgravesended，theirLinealsodyingout。
　　NotthesuccessfulestofMarkgraves，especiallyinlatertimes。
　　BrandenburgwasindeedsteadilyanElectorate，itsMarkgrafaKURFURST，orElectoroftheEmpire；andalwaysratherontheincreasethanotherwise。ButtheTerritorieswereapttobemuchsplituptoyoungersons；twoormoreMarkgravesatonce，theeldestforElector，withotherarrangements；whichseldomanswer。
　　Theyhadalsofallenintothehabitofborrowingmoney；pawning，redeeming，agooddeal，withTeutschRittersandothers。Thentheypuddledconsiderably，——andtotheirloss，seldomchoosingthesidethatprovedwinner，——inthegeneralbroilsoftheReich，whichatthattime，aswehaveseen，wasunusuallyanarchic。NoneofthesuccessfulestofMarkgraveslatterly。Buttheywereregrettedbeyondmeasureincomparisonwiththenextsetthatcame；asweshallsee。
　　ChapterIX。
　　BURGGRAFFRIEDRICHIV。
　　BrandenburgandtheHohenzollernFamilyofNurnberghavehithertonomutualacquaintanceshipwhatever:theygo，eachitsowncourse，wideenoughapartintheworld；——littledreamingthattheyaretomeetbyandby，andcoalesce，wedforbetterandworse，andbecomeoneflesh。Asisthewayinallromance。"Marriages，"amongmen，andotherentitiesofimportance，"are，evidently，madeinHeaven。"
　　FriedrichIV。ofNurnberg，SonofthatFriedrichIII。，KaiserRudolf’ssuccessfulfriend，wasagainanotableincreaserofhisHouse；whichfinally，underhisGreat—grandson，namedFriedrichVI。，attainedtheElectoralheight。Ofwhichtherewasalreadysomehint。Well；underthefirstofthesetwoFriedrichs，someslightapproximation，andunderhisSon，atransientexpressintroduction（sotospeak）ofBrandenburgtoHohenzollerntookplace，withoutimmediateresultofconsequence；butunderthesecondofthemoccurredthewedding，aswemaycallit，orunion"forbetterorworse，tilldeathdouspart。"——Howitcameabout？
　　Easytoask，How！ThereaderwillhavetocastsomeglancesintotheconfusedREICHS—Historyofthetime；——timidglances，fortheelementisofdangerous，extensivesort，mostlyjungleandshakingbog；——andwemusttravelthroughthiscornerofit，asonshoesofswiftness，treadinglightly。
　　CONTESTEDELECTIONSINTHEREICH:KAISERALBERTI。；
　　AFTERWHOMSIXNON—HAPSBURGKAISERS。
　　TheLineofRudolfofHapsburgdidnotatoncesucceedcontinuouslytotheEmpire，asthewonthadbeeninsuchcases，wherethesonswerewillingandofgoodlikelihood。Aftersuchaspellofanarchy，partiesstillranhigherthanusualintheHolyRomanEmpire；andwide—yawningsplitswouldnotyetcoalescetotheoldpitch。ItappearstootheposterityofRudolf，stiff，inarticulate，proudmen，andofaturnforengrossingandamassing，werenotalwayslovelytothepublic。Albert，Rudolf’seldestson，forinstance，KaiserAlbertI。，——whodidsucceed，thoughnotatonce，ortillafterkillingRudolf’simmediatesuccessor，[AdolfofNassau；slainbyAlbert’sownhand；"Battle"
　　ofHasenbuhel"nearWorms，2dJuly，1298"（Kohler，p。265）。]——
　　Albertwasbynomeansaprepossessingman，thoughatoughandhungryone。Itmustbeowned，hehadaharshuglycharacter；
　　andfacetomatch:big—nosed，loose—lipped，blindofaneye:
　　notKaiser—likeatalltoanElectoralBody。"Esthomomonoculus，etvulturustico；nonpotestesseImperator（Aone—eyedfellow，andlookslikeaclown；hecannotbeEmperor）！"saidPopeBonifaceVIII。，whenconsultedabouthim。
　　[Kohler，pp。267—273；andMuntzbelustigungen，xix。
　　156—160。]
　　Enough，fromthedeathofRudolf，A。D。1291，thereintervenedahundredaudfiftyyears，andeightsuccessiveKaiserssinglyorinline，onlyoneofwhom（thissameAlbertoftheunlovelycountenance）wasaHapsburger，——beforetheFamily，oftentryingitallalong，couldgetathirdtimeintotheImperialsaddle。
　　Where，afterthat，itdidsitsteady。Onceinforthethirdtime，theHapsburgersgotthemselves"elected"（astheystillcalledit）
　　timeaftertime；alwayselected，——withbutonepoorexception，whichwillmuchconcernmyreadersbyandby，——totheveryendofthematter。AndsawtheHolyRomanEmpireitselfexpire，andasitwerebothsaddleandhorsevanishoutofNature，beforetheywoulddismount。Naytheystillridethereontheshadowofasaddle，sotospeak；andare"KaisersofAUSTRIA"atthishour。Steadyenoughofseatatlast，aftermanyvaintrials！
　　Forduringthosehundredandfiftyyears，——amongthosesixintercalaryKaisers，too，whofollowedAlbert，——theywerealwaystrying；alwaysthinkingtheyhadakindofquasirighttoit；
　　wherebytheEmpireoftenfellintotroubleatElection—time。
　　Fortheywereproudstoutmen，ourHapsburgers，thoughoftaciturnunconciliatoryways；andRudolfhadsofittedthemoutwithfruitfulAustrianDukedoms，whichtheymuchincreasedbymarriagesandotherwise，——Styria，Carinthia，theTyrol，bydegrees，nottospeakoftheirnativeHAPSBURGmuchenlarged，andclaimsonSwitzerlandallroundit，——theyhadexcellentmeansofbattlingfortheirpretensionsanddisputableelections。Noneofthemsucceeded，however，forahundredandfiftyyears，exceptthatsameone—eyed，loose—lippedunbeautifulAlbertI。；aKaiserdreadfullyfondofearthlygoods，too。Whoindeedgraspedallroundhim，atpropertyhalfhis，orwhollynothis:Rhine—tolls，CrownofBohemia，LandgraviateofThuringen，SwissForestCantons，CrownofHungary，CrownofFranceeven:——gettingendlessquarrelsonhishands，andmuchdefeatmixedwithanyvictorytherewas。
　　Poorsoul，hehadsix—and—twentychildrenbyonewife；andfeltthattherewasneedofapanages！Heisunderstood（guessed，notproved）tohaveinstigatedtwoassassinationsinpursuitoftheseobjects；andheveryclearlyunderwentONEinhisownperson。
　　AssassinationfirstwasofDietzmantheThuringianLandgraf，anAnti—Albertchampion，whorefusedtoberobbedbyAlbert，——forwhomthegreatDanteis（withalmostpalpableabsurdity）fabledtohavewrittenanEpitaphstilllegibleintheChurchatLeipzig。
　　[MenckeniiScriptores，i。？？
　　FredericusAdmorsus（byTentsel）。]AssassinationsecondwasofWenzel，thepooryoungBohemianKing，Ottocar’sGrandsonandlastheir。Sureenough，thisimportantyounggentleman"wasmurderedbysomeoneatOlmutznextyear"（1306，apromisingeventforAlbertthen），"butnoneyetknowswhoitwas。"
　　[Kohler，p。270。]
　　NeitherofwhichsuspicioustransactionscametoanyresultforAlbert；asindeedmostofhisunjustgraspingsprovedfailures。
　　HeatonetimehadthoughtsoftheCrownofFrance；"Yours_I_
　　solemnlydeclare！"saidthePope。Butthatcametonothing；——onlytoFrance’sshiftingofthePopestoAvignon，moreunderthethumbofFrance。WhathisultimatesuccesswithTellandtheForestCantonswas，weallknow！Amostclutching，strong—fisted，dreadfullyhungry，toughandunbeautifulman。WhomhisownNephew，atlast，hadtoassassinate，attheFordoftheReus（nearWindischVillage，meetingoftheReusandAar；1stMay，1308）:
　　"ScandalousJewpawnbrokerofanUncle，wiltthouflatlykeepfrommemyFather’sheritage，then，intrustedtotheeinhishourofdeath？RegardlessofGodandman，andofthelastlookofadyingBrother？Uncleworsethanpawnbroker；foritisaheritagewithNO
　　pawnonit，withmuchthereverse！"thoughttheNephew，——andstabbedsaidUncledowndead；havinggoneacrosswithhimintheboat；attendantslookingonindistractionfromtheothersideoftheriver。WascalledJohannesPARRICIDAinconsequence；fledoutofhumansightthatday，heandhishenchmen，nevertoturnupagaintillDoomsday。Forthepursuitwastranscendent，regardlessofexpense；thecryforlegalvengeanceverygreat（onthepartofAlbert’sdaughterschiefly），thoughinvain，ornearlyso，inthisworld。[Kohler，p。272。Hormayr，OEsterreichischerPlutarch，oderLebenundBildnisse，&c。（12
　　Bandchen；Wien，1807，——asuperiorBook），i。65。]
　　OFKAISERHENRYVII。ANDTHELUXEMBURGKAISERS。
　　OftheothersixKaisersnotHapsburgersweareboundtomentionone，anddwellalittleonhisfortunesandthoseofthefamilyhefounded；bothBrandenburgandourHohenzollernscomingtobemuchconnectedtherewith，astimewenton。ThisisAlbert’snextsuccessor，HenryCountofLuxemburg；calledamongKaisersHenryVII。Heisfounder，healoneamongtheseNon—Hapsburgers，ofasmallintercalaryLINEofKaisers，"theLuxemburgLine；"whoamountindeedonlytoFour，himselfincluded；andarenototherwiseofmuchmemorability，ifweexcepthimself；thoughstragglingaboutlikewell—rootedbriers，inthatfavorableground，theyhaveaccidentallyhookedthemselvesuponWorld—
　　Historyinoneortwopoints。Byaccidentasomewhatnoteworthyline，thoseLuxemburgKaisers:——acelebratedplace，too，ornameofaplace，that"LUXEMBOURG"oftheirs，withitsFrenchMarshals，grandParisianEdifices，lendingitnewlustre:what，thinksthereader，isthemeaningofLuzzenburg，Luxemburg，Luxembourg？
　　MerelyLUTZELburg，wrongpronounced；andthatagainisnothingbutLITTLEborough:suchistheluckofnames！——
　　HeinrichGrafvonLuxemburgwas，aftersomepauseontheparricideofAlbert，chosenKaiser，"onaccountofhisrenownedvalor，"saytheoldBooks，——andalso，addtheshrewderofthem，becausehisBrother，ArchbishopofTrier，wasoneoftheElectors，andthePopedidnotlikeeithertheAustrianortheFrenchcandidatetheninthefield。Chosen，atallevents，hewas，27thNovember，1308；
　　[Kohler，p。274。]clearly，andbymuch，thebestKaiserthatcouldbehad。Apuissantsoul，whomighthavedonegreatthings，hadhelived。Hesettledfeuds；cutoffoppressionsfromtheREICHSTADTE
　　（FreeTowns）；hadawillofjustsort，andfoundormadeawayforit。Bohemialapsedtohim，theoldraceofKingshavingperishedout，——thelastofthemfartoosuddenly"atOlmutz，"aswesawlately！Someoppositiontherewas，butmuchmorefavorespeciallybytheBohemianPeople；andthepoint，aftersomesmall"SiegeofPrag"andthelike，wasdefinitelycarriedbytheKaiser。ThenowBurggrafofNurnberg，FriedrichIV。，sonofRudolf’sfriend，waspresentatthisSiegeofPrag；[1310（Rentsch，p。311）。]aBurggrafmuchattachedtoKaiserHenry，asallgoodGermanswere。
　　ButtheKaiserdidnotlive。
　　HewenttoItaly，ourBurggrafofNurnbergandmanymorealongwithhim，topullthecrookedGuelf—GhibellineFactsandAvignonPopealittlestraight，ifpossible；andwasvigorouslydoingit，whenhediedonasudden；"poisonedinsacramentalwine，"saytheGermans！Oneofthecrowningsummitsofhumanscoundrelism，whichpainfullystickinthemind。ItiscertainhearrivedwellatBuonconventonearSienna，onthe24thSeptember，1313，infullmarchtowardstherebelliousKingofNaples，whomthePopemuchcountenanced。AtBuonconvento，KaiserHenrywishedtoenjoythecommunion；andaDominicanmonk，whosedarkrat—eyedlookmenafterwardsbethoughtthemof，administeredittohiminbothspecies（CouncilofTrentnotyetquiteprohibitingtheliquidspecies，leastofalltoKaisers，whoarebytheoryakindof"DeaconstothePope，"orsomethingelse[Voltaire，EssaisurlesMoeurs，c。67，？？HenriVII。（
　　UEuvres，xxi。184）。]）；——administereditinbothspecies:thatiscertain，andalsothatonthemorrowHenrywasdead。TheDominicansendeavoredafterwardstodeny；which，forthecreditofhumannature，onewishestheyhaddonewitheffect。
　　[Kohler，p。281（PtolemyofLucca，himselfaDominican，isoneoftheACCUSINGspirits:Muratori，l。xi。？？PtolomaeusLucensis，A。D。1313）。]Buttherewasneveranytrialhad；thedenialwasconsideredlame；andGermanHistorycontinuestoshudder，inthatpassage，andassert。Poisonedinthewineofhissacrament:theFlorentines，itissaid，wereatthebottomofit，andhadhiredtherat—eyedDominican；——"OItalia，OFirenze！"ThatisnotthewaytoachieveItalianLiberty，orObediencetoGod；thatisthewaytoconfirm，asbyfrightfulstygianoath，ItalianSlavery，orcontinualObedience，undervaryingforms，totheOtherParty！ThevoiceofDante，thenaliveamongmen，proclaims，sadandlovingasamother’svoice，andimplacableasavoiceofDoom，thatyouarewandering，andhavewandered，inaterriblemanner！——
　　Peter，thethenArchbishopofMainz，saystherehadnotforhundredsofyearssuchadeathbefallentheGermanEmpire；
　　towhichKohler，oneofthewisestmoderns，giveshisassent:
　　"Itcouldnotenoughbelamented，"sayshe，"thatsovigilantaKaiser，intheflowerofhisyears，shouldhavebeentornfromtheworldinsodevilishamanner:who，ifhehadlivedlonger，mighthavedoneTeutschlandunspeakablebenefit。"[Kohler，pp。282—285。]
　　HENRY’SSONJOHANNISKINGOFBOHEMIA；ANDLUDWIGTHEBAVARIAN，WITHACONTESTEDELECTION，ISKAISER。
　　HenryVII。havingthusperishedsuddenly，hisSonJohann，scarcelyyetcomeofage，couldnotfollowhimasKaiser，accordingtotheFather’sthought；thoughinduetimeheprosecutedhisadvancementotherwisetogoodpurpose，andprovedaverystirringmanintheworld。ByhisFather’sappointment，towhomasKaiserthechancehadfallen，hewasalreadyKingofBohemia，stronginhisrightandinthefavorofthenatives；thoughatitularCompetitor，HenryoftheTyrol，beatenoffbythelateKaiser，wasstillextant:whom，however，andallotherperilsJohanncontrivedtoweather；growinguptobeafar—sightedstout—heartedman，andpotentBohemianKing，widelyrenownedinhisday。HehadaSon，andthentwoGrandsons，whoweresuccessivelyKaisers，afterasort；makingupthe"LuxemburgFour"wespokeof。HedidCrusades，oneormore，fortheTeutschRitters，inashiningmanner；——
　　unhappilywithlossofaneye；nayultimately，bytheaidofquackoculists，withlossofbotheyes。Anambitiousman，nottobequelledbyblindness；manwithmuchnegotiationinhim；withaheavystrokeoffighttoo，andtompernothingloathatit；
　　ofwhichweshallseesomeglimpsebyandby。
　　Thepitywas，fortheReichifnotforhim，hecouldnothimselfbecomeKaiser。PerhapswehadnotthenseenHenryVII。’sfineenterprises，likeafleetofhalf—builtships，gomostlytoplanksagain，onthewastesea，hadhisSonfollowedhim。Buttherewas，onthecontrary，acontestedelection；Austriainagain，asusual，andagainunsuccessful。ThelateKaiser’sAustriancompetitor，"FriedrichtheFair，DukeofAustria，"theparricidedAlbert’sSon，wasagainoneoftheparties。Againstwhom，withrealbutnotquiteindisputablemajority，stoodLudwigDukeofBavaria:"LudwigIV。，""LudwigDERBAIER（theBavarian）"astheycallhimamongKaisers。Contestattendedwiththeusualelectionexpenses；
　　war—wrestle，namely，betweenthepartiestillonethrewtheother。
　　Therewasmuchconfusedwrestlingandthrottlingforsevenyearsormore（1315—1322）。OurNurnbergBurggraf，FriedrichIV。，heldwithLudwig，asdidtherealmajority，thoughinalanguidmanner，andwasbusyheasfewwere；theAustrianHapsburgsalsodoingtheirbest，nowunder，nowabove。JohannKingofBohemiawasonLudwig’ssideasyet。Ludwig’sownBrother，Kur—Pfalz（ancestorofalltheElectors，andtheirnumerousBranches，sinceknownthere），anelderBrother，was，"outofspiteasmenthought，decidedlyagainstLudwig。
　　IntheeighthyearcameaFightthatproveddecisive。FightatMuhldorfontheInn，23thSeptember，1322，——fardowninthoseDanubeCountries，beyondwhereMarlborougheverwas，wheretherehasbeenmuchfightingfirstandlast；BurggrafFriedrichwasconspicuouslythere。AverygreatBattle，saytheoldBooks，——saysHormayr，inanewreadableBook，[Hormayr，
　　OEsterreichischerPlutarch，ii。31—37。]givingminuteaccountofit。Ludwigratherheldaloofrearward；committedhisbusinesstotheHohenzollernBurggrafandtooneSchweppermann，aidedbyanoblelordcalledRindsmaul（"COWMOUTH，"noless），andbyothersexperiencedinsuchwork。FriedrichtheHapsburgerDER
　　SCHONE，DukeofAustria，andself—styledKaiser，agallanthandsomeman，breathedmeremartialfury，theysay:heknewthathisBrotherLeopoldwasonmarchwithareinforcementtohimfromtheStrasburgquarter，andmightarriveanymoment；buthecouldnotwait，——perhapsafraidLudwigmightrun；——herashlydeterminedtobeatLudwigwithoutreinforcement。OurruggedfervidHormayr（thoughimitatingTacitusandJohannesvonMullerovermuch）willinstructfullyanymodernthatiscuriousaboutthisbigBattle:
　　whatfuriouscharging，worrying；howit"lastedtenhours；"howtheblazingHandsomeFriedrichstormedabout，and"slewabovefiftywithhisownhand。"Tousthisistheinterestingpoint:
　　AtoneturnoftheBattle，tenthhourofitnowending，andthetugofwarstilldesperate，therearoseacryofjoyoveralltheAustrianranks，"Helpcoming！Help！"——andFriedrichnoticedabodyofHorse，"inAustriancognizance"（suchthecunningofacertainman），cominginuponhisrear。AustriansandFriedrichneverdoubtedbutitwasBrotherLeopoldjustgettingontheground；andrushedforwarddoublyfierce。Doublyfierce；andweredoublyastonishedwhenitplungedinuponthem，sharp—edged，asBurggrafFriedrichofNurnberg，——andquiteruinedAustrianFriedrich。AustrianFriedrichfoughtpersonallylikealionatbay；butitavailednothing。Rindsmaul（notlovelyoflip，COWMOUTH，so—called）disarmedhim:"IwillnotsurrenderexcepttoaPrince！"——soBurggrafFriedrichwasgottotakesurrenderofhim；andtheFight，andwholeControversywithit，wascompletelywon。[JedemManneinEy（Oneeggtoeveryman），DemfrommenSchweppermannzwey（TwototheexcellentSchweppermann}:
　　Traditionstillrepeatsthisoldrhyme，astheKaiser’sAddresstohisArmy，orhisHeadCaptains，atsupper，aftersuchaday’swork，——inacountryalreadytothebone。]
　　PoorLeopold，theAustrianBrother，didnotarrivetillthemorrow；andsawasadsight，beforeflyingoffagain。FriedrichtheFairsatprisonerintheoldCastleofTraussnitz（OBERPFALZ，UpperPalatinate，orNurnbergcountry）forthreeyears；whittlingsticks:——Tourists，ifcurious，canstillprocurespecimensofthemattheplace，foraconsideration。TheresatFriedrich，BrotherLeopoldmovingHeavenandEarth，——andinfacttheysaid，theveryDevilbyartmagic，[Kohler，p。288。]——tonopurpose，todeliverhim。AndhispoorSpanishWifecriedhereyes，tooliterally，out，——sightgoneinsadfact。
　　LudwigtheBavarianreignedthenceforth，——thoughneveroneasyterms。HowgratefultoFriedrichofNurnbergweneednotsay。
　　Foronething，hegavehimalltheAustrianPrisoners；
　　whomFriedrich，judiciouslygenerous，dismissedwithoutransomexceptthattheyshouldbefeudallysubjecttohimhenceforth。
　　ThisisthethirdHohenzollernwhomwemarkasaconspicuousacquirerintheHohenzollernfamily，thisFriedrichIV。，builderofthesecondstoryoftheHouse。IfConrad，originalBurggraf，foundedtheHouse，then（figurativelyspeaking）theableFriedrichIII。，whowasRudolfofHapsburg’sfriend，builtitonestoryhigh；andhereisanewFriedrich，hisSon，whohasaddedasecondstory。Itisastonishing，saysDryasdust，howmanyfeudalsuperioritiestheAnspachandBaireuthpeoplestillhaveinAustria；——theymaintaintheirownLEHNPROBST，orOfficialManagerforfief—casualties，inthatcountry:——allwhichproceedfromthisBattleofMuhldorf。[Rentsch，p。313；Pauli；&c。]Battlefoughtonthe28thofSeptember，1322:——eightyearsafterBABBOCKBURN；whileourpoorEdwardII。andEnglandwithhimwereinsuchawelterwiththeirSpencersandtheirGavestons:eightyearsafterBannockburn，andfour—and—twentybeforeCrecy。ThatwilldateitforEnglishreaders。
　　KaiserLudwigreignedsometwenty—fiveyearsmore，inabusyandevenstrenuous，butnotasuccessfulway。Hehadgoodwindfalls，too；forexample，Brandenburg，asweshallsee。Hemadefriends；
　　reconciledhimselftohisBrotherKur—PfalzandjuniorCousinrythere，settlinghandsomely，andwithfinality，thedebatablepointsbetweenthem。Enemies，too，hemade；especiallyJohanntheLuxemburger，KingofBohemia，onwhatgroundwillbeseenshortly，whobecameatlastinveteratetoahighdegree。Buttherewasonesupremelysoreelementinhislot:aPopeatAvignontowhomhecouldbynomethodmakehimselfagreeable。Popewhoputhimunderban，notlongafterthatMuhldorfvictory；andkepthimso；
　　inexorable，letpoorLudwigturnashemight。Ludwig’sGermanPrincesstoodtruetohim；declared，insolemnDiet，thePope’sbantobemerespentshot，ofnoavailinImperialPolitics。
　　Ludwigwent，vigorouslytoItaly；triedsettingupaPopeofhisown；butthatdidnotanswer；norofcoursetendtomollifytheHolinessatAvignon。
　　Infine，Ludwighadtocarrythiscrossonhisback，inasorrowfulmanner，allhisdays。ThePopeatlast，findingJohannofBohemiainadulyirritatedstate，persuadedhimintosettingupanAnti—Kaiser，——Johann’ssecondSonasAnti—Kaiser，——who，thoughoflittleaccount，andcalledPFAFFEN—KAISER（Parsons’
　　Kaiser）bythepublic，mighthavebroughtnewtroubles，hadthatlasted。Weshallseesomeultimateglimpsesofitfartheron。
　　ChapterX。
　　BRANDENBURGLAPSESTOTHEKAISER。
　　TwoyearsbeforethevictoryatMuhldorf，abadchancebefellinBrandenburg:theASCANIERLineofMarkgravesorElectorsended。
　　MagniloquentOttowiththeArrow，OttotheShort，HermanntheTall，alltheOttos，Hermannsandothers，diedbycourseofnature；nephewWaldemarhimself，astirringman，diedprematurely（A。D。1319），andleftonlyayoungcousinforsuccessor，whodiedfewmonthsafter:[September，1320（Pauli，i。391）。Michaelis，i。
　　260—277。]theLineofAlberttheBearwentoutinBrandenburg。
　　Theyhadlastedthereabouttwohundredyears。Theyhadnotbeen，inlatetimes，thesuccessfulestMarkgraves:territoriesmuchsplitupamongyoungersons，jointMarkgravesreigning，whichseldomanswers；yettothelasttheyalwaysmadestoutfightforthemselves；walkedthestageinahighmanner；andsurelymightbesaidtoquititcreditably，leavingsuchaBrandenburgbehindthem，chieflyoftheirmaking，duringtheTwoCenturiesthathadbeengiventhembeforethenightcame。