uartered by the executioner
of Luzern, burned, and its ashes mixed with those of a dead hog." What a
religion, that could fancy such frenzy would be pleasing to God!

Terrible beyond description was the effect produced by the fearful
reports, which now reached Zurich, blow after blow. Some, like Anna
Reinhart, who received in succession the sad tidings of the death of a
husband, a son, a son-in law, a brother, and a brother-in-law,
submitted with Christian resignation.--Others acknowledged in the
calamity a judgment upon their own sins, on account of the too little
respect paid to the rights of their Confederates, the violation of
treaties and the forcible introduction of reforms, which can only rest
upon a sure basis, when the result of conscientious persuasion. These
views were uttered in louder or softer tones. The most vulgar, cowardly
and passionate gave vent to their secret hatred against certain
individuals. But then also, not a few were found, who, instead of
giving way to despondency, encouraged their neighbors, called for
redoubled exertions and cast themselves into the breach. The government
was roused. Directly after the receipt of the first news, then about
midnight, and again in the morning, Bern was written to for speedy aid
and the collective cities of the Christian _Buergerrecht_ for an
auxiliary force. As Lavater did not appear for a time, other leaders
were sent to the heights of the Albis, in order to collect the
fugitives and place them in the ranks of the new troops, who were
coming up. It would have been yet possible to recover everything and
wipe out the disgrace of defeat, by resolution and concord. Of the
former there was enough; of the latter not. Indeed, the army of Bern,
which approached, was strong in numbers. It had set out on the same day
in which the battle of Cappel was fought, but under a leader, the
_schultheiss_ Diessbach, who, swayed by his personal dislike to the
Reformation, wavered in his purpose and did not push forward with zeal
and activity.

The Zurichers, with ranks swollen by the arrival of several thousand
solders, were encouraged by Lavater, again in their midst, and the
governor-general Frei, next him in command, to descend from the Albis
and hazard another battle. They earnestly begged the Bernese to march
up rapidly through the free bailiwicks and lend them support. The Five
Cantons, threatened thus in front and rear, would be compelled either
to fight, or to retreat