rting them to hold fast the
purpose to submit on both sides to a friendly and moderate treaty of
peace, seeing not only the sorrow, the misery and the great damage and
ruin, that must accrue to us from this present misunderstanding, if it
should come to the shedding of blood; but on the other hand, also, the
great joy that would arise among our foreign hereditary enemies; and
that nothing else can at last result from it, but that we, weakened by
our own discord, will be the more easily conquered and ruled by those
enemies, for whom, when united, we were always strong enough. Besides,
the great dislike of the people of Germany and other countries, during
our campaigns there, must be considered; and if our poor widows and
orphans are left, what scanty crusts of bread will be doled out to
them. Therefore, we implore you, for God's sake, to make peace with
each other like faithful, pious Confederates, who, in times past, have
fought and suffered so much together. Hereupon, Captain Escher of
Zurich stood forward, and disclosed in general and special to the
deputies of the Five Cantons the cause and articles of the war now
declared against them, reviewing with sharp words their unkind,
shameful and scandalous doings so long persisted in, but which could
henceforth be no longer endured or suffered, consistently with justice
and honor. After this, the deputies, gentlemen and captains of the Five
Cantons rose up; among the first _schultheiss_ Hug of Luzern; and each
gave answer to the articles and the accusation touching his Lords.
Nevertheless, something should be done. They desired that every effort
should be made to bring about a lasting peace, lest, as was before said
by the arbitrators, we might be compelled to murder and destroy each
other. But so far as might be, they desired a just settlement,
promising to abide thereby. Then it was proposed to retire a little out
of the crowd to a particular spot; and the captains and the commons
conferred among themselves, and decided that a committee of the same
number as theirs should be sent into the camp of the Five Cantons, to
disclose to the common soldiery, the business, which had not yet
reached them. There were present also Master Ulric Zwingli, Master
Conrad Schmied, the Commander, chosen preachers from the city and
canton of Zurich, men wholly inclined to purge the Confederacy from all
unfairness, unrighteousness and pride, and restore piety and honor.
When his turn came, Mas