guilty and the innocent--thus completely destroying
the old, the sick, pregnant woman, child and those otherwise oppressed
by the tyranny of the Five Cantons. Bern endeavored to show the
contrary, and the others joined her. Bloody deeds once done could no
more be recalled, whilst the enemy at any moment could put an end to
the want occasioned by the prohibition, by simply giving satisfaction.
At last Zurich submitted, although, as it runs in the record,
"reluctantly and sadly, only for the honor and pleasure of the allies."

But Zwingli was so highly displeased with the resolution, that,
according to Bullinger's narrative, he censured it even in the pulpit.
"He who is so bold," said he, "as to call another 'liar,' to the face,
must let word and blow go together. If he does not smite he will be
smitten. Ye men of Zurich, have cut off the supply of provisions from
the Five Cantons as evildoers. Then ought ye now to follow the blow,
and not leave the innocent poor to starve. But since you sit still, as
though you had not sufficient reason for the punishment, you will
oblige them to beat and punish you, and this too will be done."

Immediately after the passage of the act, on the 21st of May, Bern
issued her declaration to the Five Cantons, in the following words:
"Although, at the time of its ratification, it was everywhere published
and forbidden by the _Landfriede_, that one party should attack the
faith of the other, or do them injury in person, honor or property, or
revile or abuse them; although we, on our side, have obeyed, and
punished our people in case of transgression, and although your
deputies, a short while ago at Baden, gave pledge that the same would
be done by you; nevertheless it has never been done. We, our neighbors
and our subjects, contrary to all justice, in defiance of the federal
compact and sworn treaties, have been reviled as rogues, heretics,
villains, in every insulting manner, and accused of scandalous crimes,
by you and yours; of which we gave you notice in writing, in March of
this year. We have borne it with patience, overlooked it, and urgently
exhorted you to punish the evil-doers according to their deserts. It
has never been done, and we must believe that you yourselves take
pleasure in it. Indeed we would have more than enough of right and
authority to proceed against you at once; but, that the innocent, the
widows and the orphans may be spared, we have chosen a milder remedy,
which we