Page:History of the Thirty Years' War - Gindely - Volume 1.djvu/117

 man, acting in opposition to his former wishes, and still in partial harmony with his past, gave no such signal, but pursued a course quite peculiar to himself.

Z̃erotín was, under Rudolph II., subjected for years to oppression for his Protestant views and his attitude of opposition. He had with manliness suffered all kinds of injustice, rendered to his party, by his firmness and his high culture, a powerful support, and, finally, by joining with Matthias, in the year 1608, and by the overthrow of Rudolph’s government, procured the party’s triumph. For this service Matthias placed him at the head of the government of Moravia, which he administered in such manner as to favor the full and unhindered development of freedom to the Estates, and at the same time allow no doubt of his fidelity to the imperial house to arise. In the year 1615 he laid down his office, for which no reason was evident; perhaps he was weary of its cares; perhaps he was not pleased with the course of the imperial policy, and perhaps too the revolutionary sentiments which were cherished among the Estates failed of his approval.

Free from official cares, Z̃erotín did not retire into the rest of private life, but still took the liveliest interest in public affairs and kept up an active correspondence with his political friends. To his judgment the greatest weight was attached, and those who sighed for a change were anxious to know his views. But a few days before the throwing from the windows he had indeed remained for a time in Prague, sought out his religious and political friends, and given great attention to the affairs of Bohemia in general. Thus he had not for a moment suspended his political activity, and might, had he been willing, in every approaching crisis, have played the decisive part. At the outbreak of the insurrection he was at once