210 Readings in European History 298. Gus- of embassy, since God has brought me thus far, and since tavus Adol- j h ave come into this land for no other purpose than to phus reply . totheambas- free it from the thieves and robbers who have so plagued it, sadorfrom and, first and foremost, to help his Excellency out of his c/T ifao!^ difficulties. Does his Excellency then not know that the emperor and his followers do not mean to rest till the evangelical religion is wholly rooted out of the empire, and that his Excellency has nothing else to expect than being forced either to deny his religion or to leave his country ? Does he think by prayers and beseechings and such like means to obtain something different ? For God's sake, bethink yourselves and take counsel like men! I cannot go back — jacta est alea : transivi?nus Rubiconem. I seek not my own advantage in this war, nor any gain save the security of my kingdom ; I can look for nothing but expense, hard work, trouble, and danger to life and limb. I have found reason enough for my coming in that Prussia has twice sent aid to my enemies and attempted to overthrow me ; thereafter they tried to seize the east port, which made it plain enough what designs they had against me. Even so has his Excellency, the elector, like reasons, and the time has come for him to open his eyes and face the situation, instead of acting as the representative — nay, rather servant — of the emperor in his own land ; qui se fait firefiis, le loup le mange. Now is his opportunity, since his territory is free of the emperor's troops, to garrison and defend his fortresses. If he will not do this, let him give me a single stronghold, — Custrin, for instance, — and I will defend it, and you can persist in the indolence that your master loves. What other course is there open ? For I tell you plainly that I will know nor hear nothing of "neutrality"; his Excellency must be either friend or foe. When I reach his frontier he must declare himself either hot or cold. The fight is between God and the devil. If his Excellency is on God's side, let him stand by me ; if he holds rather with the devil, then he must fight with me ; there is no third course, — that is certain.
