But, with almost all men, love is an ephemeral passion, which is eventually vanquished by other powers of the soul.

Ambition slumbered for a little time, but was soon roused anew, invigorated by repose.
In 1253 we find Rhodolph heading a foray of steel-clad knights, with their banded followers, in a midnight attack upon the city of Basle.
They break over all the defenses, sweep all opposition before them, and in the fury of the fight, either by accident or as a necessity of war, sacrilegiously set fire to a nunnery.

For this crime Rhodolph was excommunicated by the pope.

Excommunication was then no farce.

There were few who dared to serve a prince upon whom the denunciations of the Church had fallen.