History of the Great Reformation Part 66

[1187] Ein gepoch und progerey und unt darauff setzend. (Ibid.)

[Sidenote: MANIFESTO OF THE CANTONS.]

The Waldstettes were in reality a.s.sembling round the banner of Lucerne. The people of this canton; the men of Schwytz, Uri, Zug, and Unterwalden; refugees from Zurich and Berne, with a few Italians, formed the main body of the army, which had been raised to invade the free bailiwicks. Two manifestoes were published--one addressed to the cantons, the other to foreign princes and nations.

The Five Cantons energetically set forth the attacks made upon the treaties, the discord sown throughout the Confederation, and finally the refusal to sell them provisions--a refusal whose only aim was (according to them) to excite the people against the magistrates, and to establish the Reform by force. "It is not true," added they, "that--as they cease not to cry out--we oppose the preaching of the truth and the reading of the Bible. As obedient members of the Church, we desire to receive all that our holy mother receives. But we reject all the books and the innovations of Zwingle and his companions."[1188]

[1188] Als wir vertruwen Gott und der Wel antwurt zu geben. (Bull. ii.

p. 101.)

Hardly had the messengers charged with these manifestoes departed before the first division of the army began to march, and arrived in the evening in the free bailiwicks. The soldiers having entered the deserted churches, and having seen the images of the saints removed and the altars broken, their anger was kindled; they spread like a torrent over the whole country, pillaged everything they met with, and were particularly enraged against the houses of the pastors, where they destroyed the furniture with oaths and maledictions. At the same time the division that was to form the main army marched upon Zug, thence to move upon Zurich.

[Sidenote: INFATUATION OF ZURICH.]

Cappel, at three leagues from Zurich, and about a league from Zug, was the first place they would reach in the Zurich territory, after crossing the frontier of the Five Cantons. Near the Albis, between two hills of similar height, the Granges on the north, and the Ifelsberg on the south, in the midst of delightful pastures, stood the ancient and wealthy convent of the Cistertians, in whose church were the tombs of many ancient and n.o.ble families of these districts. The Abbot Wolfgang Joner, a just and pious man, a great friend of the arts and letters, and a distinguished preacher, had reformed his convent in 1527. Full of compa.s.sion, rich in good works, particularly towards the poor of the canton of Zug and the free bailiwicks, he was held in great honour throughout the whole country.[1189] He predicted what would be the termination of the war; yet as soon as danger approached, he spared no labour to serve his country.

[1189] That armen luten vil guts......und by aller Erbarkeit in grossern ansahen. (Bull. iii. p. 151.)

It was on Sunday night that the abbot received positive intelligence of the preparations at Zug. He paced up and down his cell with hasty steps; sleep fled from his eyes; he drew near his lamp, and addressing his intimate friend, Peter Simmler, who succeeded him, and who was then residing at Kylchberg, a village on the borders of the lake, and about a league from the town, he hastily wrote these words: "The great anxiety and trouble which agitate me prevent me from busying myself with the management of the house, and induce me to write to you all that is preparing. The time is come......the scourge of G.o.d appears.[1190]......After many journeys and inquiries, we have learnt that the Five Cantons will march to-day (Monday) to seize upon Hitzkylch, while the main army a.s.sembles its banners at Baar, between Zug and Cappel. Those from the valley of the Adige and the Italians will arrive to-day or to-morrow." This letter, through some unforeseen circ.u.mstance, did not reach Zurich till the evening.

[1190] Die Zyt ist hie, das die rut gottes sich wil erzeigen. (Bull.

p. 87.)

Meanwhile the messenger whom Lavater had sent--the nephew of J.

Winckler--creeping on his belly, gliding unperceived past the sentinels, and clinging to the shrubs that overhung the precipices, had succeeded in making his way where no road had been cleared. On arriving near Zug, he had discovered with alarm the banner and the militia hastening from all sides at beat of drum: then traversing again these unknown pa.s.ses, he had returned to Zurich with this information.[1191]

[1191] Naben den Wachten, durch umwag und gestrupp. (Bull. iii. p.

87.)

It was high time that the bandage should fall from the eyes of the Zurichers; but the delusion was to endure to the last. The council which was called together met in small number. "The Five Cantons,"

said they, "are making a little noise to frighten us, and to make us raise the blockade."[1192] The council, however, decided on sending Colonel Rodolph Dumysen and Ulric Funk to Cappel, to see what was going on; and each one, tranquillized by this unmeaning step, retired to rest.

[1192] Sy machtend alein ein geprog. (Ibid. p. 103.)

They did not slumber long. Every hour brought fresh messengers of alarm to Zurich. "The banners of four cantons are a.s.sembled at Zug,"

said they. "They are only waiting for Uri. The people of the free bailiwicks are flocking to Cappel, and demanding arms......Help!

help!"

Before the break of day the council was again a.s.sembled, and it ordered the convocation of the Two Hundred. An old man, whose hair had grown gray on the battle-field and in the council of the state--the banneret John Schweizer--raising his head enfeebled by age, and darting the last beam, as it were, from his eyes, exclaimed, "Now--at this very moment, in G.o.d's name, send an advanced guard to Cappel, and let the army, promptly collecting round the banner, follow it immediately." He said no more; but the charm was not yet broken. "The peasants of the free bailiwicks," said some, "we know to be hasty, and easily carried away. They make the matter greater than it really is.

The wisest plan is to wait for the report of the councillors." In Zurich there was no longer either arm to defend or head to advise.

[Sidenote: THE WAR BEGINS.]

It was seven in the morning, and the a.s.sembly was still sitting, when Rodolph Gwerb, pastor of Rifferschwyl, near Cappel, arrived in haste.

"The people of the lords.h.i.+p of Knonau," said he, "are crowding round the convent, and loudly calling for chiefs and for aid. The enemy is approaching. Will our lords of Zurich (say they) abandon themselves, and us with them? Do they wish to give us up to slaughter?" The pastor, who had witnessed these mournful scenes, spoke with animation.

The councillors, whose infatuation was to be prolonged to the end, were offended at his message. "They want to make us act imprudently,"

replied they, turning in their arm-chairs.

They had scarcely ceased speaking before a new messenger appears, wearing on his features the marks of the greatest terror: it was Schwyzer, landlord of the "Beech Tree" on Mount Albis. "My lords Dumysen and Funck," said he, "have sent me to you with all speed to announce to the council that the Five Cantons have seized upon Hytzkilch, and that they are now collecting all their troops at Baar.

My lords remain in the bailiwicks to aid the frightened inhabitants."

This time the most confident turned pale. Terror, so long restrained, pa.s.sed like a flash of lightning through every heart.[1193] Hytzkilch was in the power of the enemy, and the war was begun.

[1193] Dieser Bottschaft erschrack menklich buel. (Bull. iii. p. 104.)

[Sidenote: A FEARFUL NIGHT.]

It was resolved to expedite to Cappel a flying camp of six hundred men with six guns; but the command was intrusted to George Goldli, whose brother was in the army of the Five Cantons, and he was enjoined to keep on the defensive. Goldli and his troops had just left the city, when the captain-general Lavater, summoning into the hall of the Smaller Council the old banneret Schweizer, William Toning, captain of the arquebusiers, J. Dennikon, captain of the artillery, Zwingle, and some others, said to them, "Let us deliberate promptly on the means of saving the canton and the city. Let the tocsin immediately call out all the citizens." The captain-general feared that the councils would shrink at this proceeding, and he wished to raise the Landsturm by the simple advice of the army and of Zwingle. "We cannot take it upon ourselves," said they, "the two councils are still sitting; let us lay this proposition before them." They hasten towards the place of meeting; but, fatal mischance! there were only a few members of the Smaller Council on the benches. "The consent of the Two Hundred is necessary," said they. Again a new delay, and the enemy is on the march. Two hours after noon the Great Council met again, but only to make long and useless speeches.[1194] At length the resolution was taken, and at seven in the evening the tocsin began to sound in all the country districts. Treason united with this dilatoriness, and persons who pretended to be envoys from Zurich stopped the Landsturm in many places, as being contrary to the opinion of the council. A great number of citizens went to sleep again.

[1194] Ward so vil und lang darim gerad schlagt. (Bull. iii. p. 104.)

It was a fearful night. The thick darkness--a violent storm--the alarm-bell ringing from every steeple--the people running to arms--the noise of swords and guns--the sound of trumpets and of drums, combined with the roaring of the tempest, the distrust, discontent, and even treason, which spread affliction in every quarter--the sobs of women and of children--the cries which accompanied many a heartrending adieu--an earthquake which occurred about nine o'clock at night, as if nature herself had shuddered at the blood that was about to be spilt, and which violently shook the mountains and valleys:[1195] all increased the terrors of this fatal night,--a night to be followed by a still more fatal day.

[1195] Ein startrer Erdbidem, der das Land, auch Berg und Thal gwaltiglich ershutt. (Tschudi; Helvetia, ii. p. 186.)

[Sidenote: THE WAR.]

While these events were transpiring, the Zurichers encamped on the heights of Cappel to the number of about one thousand men, fixed their eyes on Zug and upon the lake, attentively watching every movement. On a sudden, a little before night, they perceived a few barks filled with soldiers coming from the side of Arth, and rowing across the lake towards Zug. Their number increases--one boat follows another--soon they distinctly hear the bellowing of the bull (the horn) of Uri,[1196] and they discern the banner. The barks draw near Zug; they are moored to the sh.o.r.e, which is lined with an immense crowd. The warriors of Uri and the arquebusiers of the Adige spring up and leap on sh.o.r.e, where they are received with acclamations, and take up their quarters for the night: behold the enemies a.s.sembled! The council are informed with all speed.

[1196] Vil schiffen uff Zag faren, und hort man luyen den Uri Stier.

(Bull. iii. p. 109.)

The agitation was still greater at Zurich than at Cappel: the confusion was increased by uncertainty. The enemy attacking them on different sides at once, they knew not where to carry a.s.sistance. Two hours after midnight five hundred men with four guns quitted the city for Bremgarten, and three or four hundred men with five guns for Wadenshwyl. They turned to the right and to the left, while the enemy was in front.

Alarmed at its own weakness, the council resolved to apply without delay to the cities of the christian co-burghery. "As this revolt,"

wrote they, "has no other origin than the Word of G.o.d, we entreat you once--twice--thrice, as loudly, as seriously, as firmly, and as earnestly, as our ancient alliances and our christian co-burghery permit and command us to do--to set forth without delay with all your forces. Haste! haste! haste! Act as promptly as possible[1197]--the danger is yours as well as ours." Thus spake Zurich; but it was already too late.

[1197] Ylentz, ylentz, ylentz, uffs aller schnellist. (Bull. iii. p.

110.)

At break of day the banner was raised before the town-house; instead of flaunting proudly in the wind, it hung drooping down the staff--a sad omen that filled many minds with fear. Lavater took up his station under the standard; but a long period elapsed before a few hundred soldiers could be got together.[1198] In the square and in all the city disorder and confusion prevailed. The troops, fatigued by a hasty march or by long waiting, were faint and discouraged.

[1198] Sammlet sich doch das volck gmachsam. (Ibid. p. 112.)

[Sidenote: ZWINGLE'S DEPARTURE.]

At ten o'clock, only 700 men were under arms. The selfish, the lukewarm, the friends of Rome and of the foreign pensioners, had remained at home. A few old men who had more courage than strength--several members of the two councils who were devoted to the holy cause of G.o.d's Word--many ministers of the Church who desired to live and die with the Reform--the boldest of the townspeople and a certain number of peasants, especially those from the neighbourhood of the city--such were the defenders who, wanting that moral force so necessary for victory, incompletely armed, without uniform, crowded in disorder around the banner of Zurich.

The army should have numbered at least 4000 men; they waited still; the usual oath had not been administered; and yet courier after courier arrived, breathless and in disorder, announcing the terrible danger that threatened Zurich. All this disorderly crowd is agitated--they no longer wait for the commands of their chiefs, and many without taking the oath rush through the gates. About 200 men thus set out in confusion. All those who remained prepared to depart.

Then was Zwingle seen to issue from a house before which a caparisoned horse was stamping impatiently; it was his own. His look was firm, but dimmed by sorrow. He parted from his wife, his children, and his numerous friends, without deceiving himself, and with a bruised heart.[1199] He observed the thick waterspout, which, driven by a terrible wind, advanced whirling towards him. Alas! he had himself called up this hurricane by quitting the atmosphere of the Gospel of peace, and throwing himself into the midst of political pa.s.sions. He was convinced that he would be the first victim. Fifteen days before the attack of the Waldstettes, he had said from the pulpit: "I know what is the meaning of all this:--it is all about me. All this comes to pa.s.s--in order that I may die."[1200] The council, according to an ancient custom, had called upon him to accompany the army as its chaplain. Zwingle did not hesitate. He prepared himself without surprise and without anger,--with the calmness of a Christian who placed himself confidently in the hands of his G.o.d. If the cause of Reform was doomed to perish, he was ready to perish with it.

Surrounded by his weeping wife and friends--by his children who clung to his garments to detain him, he quitted that house where he had tasted so much happiness. At the moment that his hand was upon his horse, just as he was about to mount, the animal violently started back several paces, and when he was at last in the saddle, it refused for a time to move, rearing and prancing backwards, like that horse which the greatest captain of modern times had mounted as he was about to cross the Niemen. Many in Zurich at that time thought with the soldier of the Grand Army when he saw Napoleon on the ground: "It is a bad omen! a Roman would go back!"[1201] Zwingle having at last mastered his horse, gave the reins, applied the spur, started forward, and disappeared.

[1199] Anna Rheinhard par G. Meyr of Knonau. (Bull. iii. p. 33.)

[1200] Ut ego tollar fiunt omnia. (De vita et obitu Zwinglii, Myconius.)

[1201] Segur: Hist. de Napoleon et de la Grande Armee, i. p. 142.