“That would make two thousand five hundred men,” said the Elector—­“a small nucleus for an army, truly; but something, nevertheless, provided that these men are attached to me, and owe 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 stipulated in the peace of Prague that each Prince is at liberty to man his fortresses with his own people, which clause gives validity to this assertion of right."[39]

“Your Electoral Highness!” cried Burgsdorf, “that was spoken like a man!  Begin the good work in earnest, and command the Stadtholder without delay to swear in the other governors of your remaining fortresses!"[40]