ined an alliance with the Pope so that he would oppose the
vast schemes which his rival, Francis I of France, was maturing. At
the same time, he owed a debt of gratitude to the Elector Frederick,
who was one of the seven German princes possessing the right to "elect"
a new emperor. He decided, after a brief struggle, to yield to the
demands of the Papal Legates. He ordered Martin Luther to come to
Worms and appear before the great Diet, or Assembly of German rulers,
which met in 1521.

Luther obeyed at once, making a triumphant journey through many towns
and villages. Music fell on his ears pleasantly, a portrait of
Savonarola was sent to him that he might feel his courage strengthened.
Had not his resolve been fixed, he would have turned back at Weimar,
where he found an edict posted on the walls ordering all his writings
to be burnt. "I am lawfully called to appear in that city," he said,
"and thither will I go in the name of the Lord, though as many devils
as there are tiles on the houses were there combined against me." He
was stricken with illness at Eisenach, but went on as soon as he
recovered. When he caught sight of the old towers of Worms, his spirit
leapt with joy, and he began to sing his famous hymn, "_Ein feste Burg
ist unser Gott._" ("A mighty fortress is our God.")

The crowded streets testified to the fame that had gone before him.
Not even the Emperor had met with such a flattering reception. Saxon
noblemen welcomed him, and friendly speech cheered him to meet the
ordeal of the next day. The Diet was an impressive assembly, with the
Emperor on his throne and the great dignitaries {58} of State around
him, clad in all the majesty of red and purple. Not the chivalry of
Germany only had flocked to hear the defence of Martin Luther for
Spanish warriors sat there in yellow cloaks and added lustre to the
splendid gathering.

Luther's courageous stand against his adversaries won many to his
cause. He would not withdraw one word he had written or spoken, nor
did he consent to his opinions being tried by any other rule than the
word of God.

Eric, the aged Duke of Brunswick, sent him a silver can of Einbech beer
as a token of sympathy. Weary of strife, Luther drank it, saying, "As
Duke Eric has remembered me this day, so may our Lord Christ remember
him in his last struggle."

The reformer called in vain on the Emperor and States, assembled at
Worms, to consider the parlous case of the Church