Deeper within the heart of Germany, there was more tranquillity; but it was the tranquillity rather of paralysis than of health.

A fearful account was slowly accumulating, which was evidently to be settled only by one of the most horrible wars which history has ever recorded.

Meantime there was apathy where there should have been enthusiasm; parsimony and cowardice where generous and combined effort were more necessary than ever; sloth without security.

The Protestant princes, growing fat and contented on the spoils of the church, lent but a deaf ear to the moans of Truchsess, forgetting that their neighbour's blazing roof was likely soon to fire their own.

"They understand better, 'proximus sum egomet mild'," wrote Lord Willoughby from Kronenburg, "than they have learned, 'humani nihid a me alienum puto'.