to this one
province, its more powerful cities taking advantage of the weakness and
necessities of the Emperors, began to free themselves by buying from
them their liberty, subject to the payment of a trifling yearly tribute;
until, gradually, all the cities which held directly from the Emperor,
and were not subject to any intermediate lord, had, in like manner,
purchased their freedom. While this went on, it so happened that certain
communities subject to the Duke of Austria, among which were Friburg,
the people of Schweitz, and the like, rose in rebellion against him,
and meeting at the outset with good success, by degrees acquired such
accession of strength that so far from returning under the Austrian
yoke, they are become formidable to all their neighbours These are the
States which we now name Swiss.

Germany is, consequently, divided between the Swiss, the communities
which take the name of Free Towns, the Princes, and the Emperor; and the
reason why, amid so many conflicting interests, wars do not break out,
or breaking out are of short continuance, is the reverence in which all
hold this symbol of the Imperial authority. For although the Emperor be
without strength of his own, he has nevertheless such credit with all
these others that he alone can keep them united, and, interposing as
mediator, can speedily repress by his influence any dissensions among
them.

The greatest and most protracted wars which have taken place in this
country have been those between the Swiss and the Duke of Austria; and
although for many years past the Empire and the dukedom of Austria
have been united in the same man, he has always failed to subdue the
stubbornness of the Swiss, who are never to be brought to terms save by
force. Nor has the rest of Germany lent the Emperor much assistance in
his wars with the Swiss, the Free Towns being little disposed to attack
others whose desire is to live as they themselves do, in freedom; while
the Princes of the Empire either are so poor that they cannot, or from
jealousy of the power of the Emperor will not, take part with him
against them.

These communities, therefore, abide contented within their narrow
confines, because, having regard to the Imperial authority, they have no
occasion to desire greater; and are at the same time obliged to live in
unity within their walls, because an enemy is always at hand, and ready
to take advantage of their divisions to effect an entrance. But were