204 Readings in European History 295. A Catholic song about the poor "Winter King." what shall become of us. I therefore again entreat your Majesty to have compassion on us, and not to abandon the king at this hour, when he is in such great need. As to myself, I am resolved not to leave him ; for if he should perish, I will perish also with him. But whatever may happen, never, never shall I be other than, sire, Your Majesty's most humble and obedient daughter and servant, Elizabeth. Breslau, November 23/13, 1620. The following are supposed to be the reflections of a good Catholic upon the reckless experiment of the Cal- vinistic Frederick, the "Winter King" of Bohemia, who was not only unable to hold his new crown, but lost his old possessions, the Rhenish palatinate. Oh, shame on you, poor Winter King ! What 's this that you have done ? Is 't not a very naughty thing To snatch the kaiser's crown ? Now you will have to stay away Alike from Rhine and Prague, And more than that — shame and dismay Your days and nights will plague. Dear Fritz, good fellow, oh, come now, Give up, give up the crown ! To hell, to meet your just reward, Full soon you will go down. So every one who flies too high Is sure to go amiss ; Presumption, aiming at the sky, Must pay in hell's abyss. Alas ! dear Fritz, my gay young blood, I think it well may be A seasoned switch betimes had spared This monstrous infamy.
