fealty to none besides myself."

"But that is just our misfortune," said Burgsdorf; "these men have sworn
allegiance not only to you, but to the Emperor's Majesty. They were
enlisted in the Emperor's name, and carry the imperial banner."

"Ah!" cried the Elector, "I see you know how it is, Conrad von Burgsdorf,
and understand the difficulties of the position in which we find
ourselves. Yes, the regiments of the Elector of Brandenburg have given
oath to the Emperor, and the Emperor's banners wave above our forts. All
my officers serve the Emperor first! Tell me, Burgsdorf, are you yourself
not in the Emperor's service? Have you not a regiment in the imperial
army, although you are governor of Kuestrin, and therefore under my
command?"

"That is so," replied Burgsdorf. "I could not refuse the imperial regiment
because it was such a lucrative post, and the governorship paid me hardly
anything. The emoluments for heading the imperial regiment were more in
one year than I would have gained in twenty years from my Brandenburg
post. Necessity drove me to it."[38]

"I know that very well," said the Elector, "and I repeat that the past
shall be forgotten if you promise that in future you will be true and
loyal to myself alone."

"Your highness!" shouted Burgsdorf, "I will be faithful to you and your
government to the end of my life! I renounce empire and Emperor, and
henceforth the Elector of Brandenburg is my sole lord and general! Allow
me on the spot to give into your own hand my oath of office, and swear
to you eternal fidelity!"

"Here is my hand," said the Elector solemnly. "Swear upon this hand
hereafter to become the sword of Brandenburg, to serve me faithfully and
zealously, and to have no other Sovereign than myself!"

"In God's name I swear that I will have no other Sovereign, and serve
under no other Prince, than yourself alone, the Elector of Brandenburg!"
cried Burgsdorf, laying both his hands in that of the Elector and pressing
it fervently to his lips.

"And now, having sworn you into my service," said the Elector, in a
majestic tone, "now I commission you to return home to Kuestrin and to
administer the oath to all the officers and men there. But understand, to
me alone, not to the Emperor."

"To you alone, not to the Emperor!" cried Burgsdorf, with animation.

"And I further order you to receive no imperial garrison
into your fortress, for we have a right to exact this, since it
is clearly stipulat