It would have been impossible to frame three demands more obnoxious to the emperor.  To crush the Protestants had absorbed the energies of his life; and now that they were utterly prostrate, to lift them up and place them on their feet again, was an idea he could not endure.  The imperial army had been his supple tool.  By its instrumentality he had gained all his power, and by its energies alone he retained that power.  To disband the army was to leave himself defenseless.  Wallenstein had been every thing to the emperor, and Ferdinand still needed the support of his inflexible and unscrupulous energies.  Wallenstein was in the cabinet of the emperor advising him in this hour of perplexity.  His counsel was characteristic of his impetuous, headlong spirit.  He advised the emperor to pour his army into the territory of the Duke of Bavaria; chastise him and all his associates for their insolence, and thus overawe the rest.  But the Duke of Bavaria was in favor of electing the emperor’s son as his successor on the throne of the empire; and Ferdinand’s heart was fixed upon this object.

“Dismiss Wallenstein, and reduce the army,” said the Duke of Bavaria, “and the Catholic electors will vote for your son; grant the required toleration to the Protestants, and they will vote for him likewise.”

The emperor yielded, deciding in his own mind, aided by the Jesuitical suggestions of a monk, that he could afterwards recall Wallenstein, and assemble anew his dispersed battalions.  He dismissed sixteen thousand of his best cavalry; suspended some of the most obnoxious edicts against the Protestants, and implored Wallenstein to resign his post.  The emperor was terribly afraid that this proud general would refuse, and would lead the army to mutiny.  The emperor accordingly accompanied his request with every expression of gratitude and regret, and assured the general of his continued favor.  Wallenstein, well aware that the disgrace would be but temporary, quietly yielded.  He dismissed the envoys of the emperor with presents, wrote a very submissive letter, and, with much ostentation of obedience, retired to private life.

CHAPTER XVIII.

FERDINAND II.  AND GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS.

From 1629 to 1632.

Vexation of Ferdinand.—­Gustavus Adolphus.—­Address to the nobles of Sweden.—­March of Gustavus.—­Appeal to the Protestants.—­Magdeburg joins Gustavus.—­Destruction of the city.—­Consternation of the Protestants.—­ Exultation of the Catholics.—­The Elector of Saxony driven from his domains.—­Battle of Leipsig.—­The Swedes penetrate Bohemia.—­Freedom of conscience established.—­Death of Tilly.—­The Retirement of Wallenstein.—­The command resumed by Wallenstein.—­Capture of Prague.—­Encounter between Wallenstein and Gustavus.—­Battle of Lutzen.—­Death of Gustavus.