It could not be imagined even that they were acting sincerely.
"If their upright intention," he said, "is that no actual, hostile, violent attack shall be made upon the duchies, or upon any of the princes, estates, or cities of the Holy Empire, as is required for the peace and tranquillity of Christendom, and if all the powers interested therein will come into a good and solid convention to that effect.

My Lords the States will gladly join in such undertaking and bind themselves as firmly as the other powers.

If no infraction of the laws and liberties of the Holy Empire be attempted, there will be peace for Germany and its neighbours.

But the present extravagant proposition can only lead to chicane and quarrels.

To press such a measure is merely to inflict a disgrace upon us.