A very tragic performance indeed, which brought on the Sicilian Vespers by and by; for the Heavens never fail to pay debts, your Holiness!-- Germany was rocking down towards one saw not what,--an Anarchic Republic of Princes, perhaps, and of Free Barons fast verging towards robbery?
Sovereignty of multiplex Princes, with a Peerage of intermediate Robber Barons?
Things are verging that way.

Such Princes, big and little, each wrenching off for himself what lay loosest and handiest to him, found it a stirring game, and not so much amiss.

On the other hand, some voice of the People, in feeble whimperings of a strange intensity, to the opposite effect, are audible to this day.

Here are Three old Minstrels (MINNESANGER) picked from Manesse's Collection by an obliging hand, who are of this date, and shall speak each a word:-- No.

1 LOQUITOR (in cramp doggerel, done into speech): "To thee, O Lord, we poor folk make moan; the Devil has sown his seeds in this land! Law thy hand created for protection of thy children: but where now is Law?
Widows and orphans weep that the Princes do not unite to have a Kaiser." No.