Page:Readings in European History Vol 2.djvu/138

 ioo Readings in European History into an external worldly one ; but that is impossible, for a worldly realm cannot stand where there is no inequality; some must be free, others bond ; some rulers, others sub- jects. . . . My counsel would be that a few counts and lords should be chosen from the nobles, and from the towns a few coun- cilors, who should settle the matter peacefully. You lords should unbend your stiff minds a bit, — for you will have to do that sooner or later whether you will or no, — and give up a little of your oppression and tyranny, so that the poor man can have a little space and air. On the other hand, the peasants will have to let a few of their articles go, which are screwed up too high. In this way the matter, even if it can- not be treated in a Christian spirit, can at least be adjusted according to human laws and agreements. If you will not follow this advice, which God would approve, I must leave you to yourselves. But I am guiltless of your souls, your blood, and your goods. I have told you that you are both wrong and are fighting for the wrong. You nobles are not fighting against Christians, for Christians would not oppose you, but would suffer all. You are fighting against robbers and blasphemers of Christ's name ; those that die among them shall be eternally damned. But neither are the peasants fighting Christians, but tyrants, enemies of God, and persecutors of men, murderers of the Holy Ghost. Those of them who die shall also be eternally damned. And this is God's certain judgment on you both — that I know. Do now what you will so long as you care not to save either your bodies or souls. The following is a condensation of the account given by Michael Eisenhart, a citizen of Rothenburg on the Tauber, of the conduct of the peasantry during the spring of 1525. The revolt had begun near the lake of Con- stance, late in the previous December, and had spread from Swabia into Alsace, Franconia, Wurttemberg, Thuringia, and Saxony. The towns also joined in the movement.