He trampled on the weak antagonist, whether burgher or petty potentate.

He was false as water.

He inveigled his foes who trusted to imperial promises, by arts unworthy an emperor or a gentleman.

He led about the unfortunate John Frederic of Saxony, in his own language, "like a bear in a chain," ready to be slipped upon Maurice should "the boy" prove ungrateful.

He connived at the famous forgery of the prelate of Arras, to which the Landgrave Philip owed his long imprisonment; a villany worse than many for which humbler rogues have suffered by thousands upon the gallows.