The missive of the monks was written in Latin.
At that period few wrote but the learned, and every
noble or town was obliged to maintain a scholar to
perform what are now the commonest duties of
intercourse. The clerkly agent of Deurckheim had
been educated for the Church, and had even received
the tonsure; but some irregularities of life,
which, as it would appear, were not within the pale
of clerical privileges, or which had been so unguarded
as to bring scandal on the profession, compelled
him to give his destinies a new direction.
As happens with most men who have expended

[figure description] Page 122.[end figure description]

much time and labor in qualifying themselves for
any particular pursuit, and who are unexpectedly
driven from its exercise, this individual, who was
named Ludwig, and who was often ironically styled
in common parlance Father Ludwig, never completely
succeeded in repairing the injury done by
the first false step he had made. His acquirements
procured for him a certain amount of consideration;
but as he was known to be somewhat free in his
manner of life, and, especially as schism grew strong
in Germany, a bold sceptic on most of the distinctive
doctrines of the Catholic Church, he ever wore
about his character some of that fancied looseness,
which insensibly attaches itself to all renegades,
whether their motives be more or less corrupt. Still
as he was known to be instructed, the multitude
ascribed more virtue to his secession than it would
have imputed to the withdrawal from the fold of
fifty sincere believers; for most believed there were
means of judging that belonged to the initiated,
which did not fall to the lot of those who worshipped
in the outer court. We have daily proofs that
this weakness reaches into the temporal interests of
life, and that opinions are valued in proportion as
there is believed to be some secret means of acquiring
information; though men rarely conceal any
thing that they know which may be revealed, and
few indeed are disposed to “hide their lights under
a bushel.”

Ludwig forgot no part of the intonation or emphasis,
while he uttered the unintelligible phrases of the
monkish missive. His auditors listened the more
attentively, because they did not understand a syllable
of what was said; attention seeming usually
to be riveted in an inverse ratio to the facilities of
comprehension. Perhaps some of the higher dignitaries
flattered themselves, that their inferiors might
be duped into the belief of their attainments; a fact

[figure description] Page 123.[end figure description]

that could not fail to increase their influence, since
there is no better evidence of the innate aspirations
of our intellectual being, than the universal deference
that is paid to knowledge. We have hazarded
this supposition against the civic authorities of
Deurckheim, because we believe it depends upon a
general principle of human ambition; and because
in our own case, we well remember hearing out a
sermon of more than an hour's duration delivered
in Low Dutch, and in a damp church in Holland,
when not a word, from the text to the benediction,
was understood.

“Right learnedly worded, and no doubt of proper
courtesy!” exclaimed Heinrich, when the letter was
ended, and while the clerk was clearing his spectacles,
preparatory to the more vulgar version—
“It is a happy strife, neighbors, in which such language
passes between the parties; for it proves that
charity is stronger than malice, and that reason is
not forgotten merely because there have been
blows!”

“I have rarely heard braver words,” answered
a fellow-burgher, “or those that are better penned!”

“Potz-tausend!” muttered the smith; “it were
almost a sin to dispossess men that can write thus!”

Murmurs of approbation passed through the
crowd, and not an individual was there, with the
solitary exception of a gaping idiot that had stolen
into the hall, who did not affect to have received
more or less pleasure from the communication.
Even the idiot had his share of satisfaction, for, by
the pure force of sympathy, he caught gleamings
of a delight that seemed so strong and so general.

Ludwig now commenced translating the letter
into the harsh, energetic, German of the Rhine.
The wonderful capabilities of the language enabled
him to convert the generalities and comprehensive
terms of the Latin, with a minuteness of

[figure description] Page 124.[end figure description]

signification, which put the loss of any shade of idea utterly
out of the question.

What the monks had meant, and perhaps even
more, was laboriously, and with malignant pleasure,
rendered; and so rendered, as to give to each
expression the fullest weight and meaning.

We have no intention of attempting the office of
translating this harsh summons ourselves, but must
be content with a brief summary of its contents.
The instrument opened with a greeting that was not
unlike those which were sent, in the first ages of
the present dispensation, from the apostles to the
churches of the east. It then contained a short but
pointed narrative of the recent events, which were
qualified in a way that the reader can easily imagine;
it proceeded to refer to the spiritual and temporal
authorities from which the brotherhood had
assurances of support; and it concluded by demanding,
under the penalty of incurring every earthly
and heavenly risk, an enormous sum in gold, as a
pecuniary reparation for the injury done—a complete
and absolute submission of the town to the
jurisdiction of the community, even more than was
ever before pretended to—a public and general
acknowledgment of error, with a variety of penances
and pilgrimages to be performed by functionaries
that were named—and the delivery of
Heinrich Frey, with eleven others of the principal
inhabitants, into the Abbot's hands as hostages, until
all of these exactions and conditions should be completely
and satisfactorily fulfilled.

“Wh—e—e—e—w!” whistled Heinrich, when
Ludwig ended, after a most provoking prolixity,
that had completely exhausted the Burgomaster's
patience. “Himmel! here is a victory that is likely
to cost us our means, our characters, our liberties, our
consciences, and our ease! Are the monks mad,
Master Ludwig, or art thou sporting with our

[figure description] Page 125.[end figure description]

credulity:—Do they really speak of hostages, and of
gold?”

“Of a surety, worshipful Herr, and seemingly
with a right good will.”

“Wilt read the part touching the hostages again,
in the Latin; thou mayest have indiscreetly overlooked
a conjunction or a pronoun, as I think thou
callest these notable figures of speech.”

“Ay, it were well to judge of the letter by the
Latin,” echoed the smith; “one never knows the
quality of his metal, at the first touch of the hammer.”

Ludwig read, a second time, extracts in the original,
and, through a species of waggery, by which
he often took a secret and consolatory revenge for
the indignities he frequently received from the ignorant,
and which served him as food of merriment
and as a vent to his confined humors in occasional
interviews with others of his own class, he gave
with singular emphasis the terms of greeting, which
were, as usual, embellished with phrases of priestly
benediction, as the part that especially demanded
the prompt delivery of Heinrich Frey and his fellows
into the hands of the Benedictines.

“Gott bewahre!” cried the Burgomaster, who
had shifted a leg each time the clerk glanced an
eye at him over his spectacles—“I have other concerns
than to sit in a cell, and Deurckheim would
fare but badly were the town left without so large
a share of its knowledge and experience. Prithee,
Master Ludwig, give us the kinder language of these
Benedictines; for methinks there may be found
some words of peace in the blessings they bestow.

The crafty clerk now read, in the original, the
strongest of the denunciations, and the parts of the
letter which so peremptorily demanded the hostages.

“How now, knave!” said the hasty Burgomaster,
“thou hast not been faithful in thy former readings!

[figure description] Page 126.[end figure description]

Thou hearest, neighbors, I am named especially
in their benedictions; for you must know, worthy
burghers, that Henricus means Heinrich, and Frey,
well pronounced, is much the same in all languages.
This I know from long experience in these cunning
instruments. I owe the reverend Benedictines grace
for their good wishes, expressed with this particularity;
though the manner in which they introduce
the hostages is unseemly.”

“I thought when it came to the worst,” muttered
the smith, “that Master Heinrich would be considered
with especial favor. This it is, brother artisans,
to be honored in one's town, and to have a
name!”

“There sounds a parley!” interrupted the Burgomaster.
“Can these crafty monks have dared
to trifle with us, by sending the choicest of their
flock to hold us in discourse, while they steal upon
us in armor?”

The idea was evidently unpleasant to most of the
council, and to none more so than to the aged Wolf-gang,
whose years would seem to have given less
value to his personal safety than to the rest. Many
quitted the hall, while those that remained appeared
to be detained more by their apprehensions than by
their fortitude. Heinrich, who was constitutionally
firm, continued the most undisturbed of them all,
though even he went from window to window, like
a man that was uneasy.

“If the godly villains have done this treachery,
let them look to it—we are not vassals to be hood-winked
with a cowl!”

“Perhaps, worshipful and wise Heinrich,” said
the crafty Ludwig, “they send the trumpet, in readiness
to receive the hostages.”

“The holy magi curse them, and their impudent
long-winded musician!—How now, fellow!—who
maketh this tan—ta—ra—ra at our gate?”

[figure description] Page 127.[end figure description]

“The noble Count of Hartenburg is at the valley
side of the town, honorable Burgomaster, with a
stout troop of mounted followers,” announced the
breathless runner, who came on this errand. “He
chafes at the delay, but as the order to keep fast is
so rigid, the captain of the watch dares not unbar
and unbolt without permission had.”

“Bid the valiant and faithful burgher undo his
fastenings, o' Heaven's name!—and right speedily.
We should have bethought us, excellent neighbors,
of the chances of this visit, and had a care that
our princely friend were without this cause of complaint.
But we should rejoice, too, that our people
are so true, as to keep their trust even against
one so known and honored. I warrant ye, neighbors,
were it the imperial Karl himself, he would fare no
better:—”

Heinrich was interrupted while vaunting and extolling
the civic discipline, by the trampling of horses'
feet on the pavement below the windows, and on
looking out he saw Emich and all his cortége coolly
alighting.

“Umph!” ejaculated the Burgomaster—“go forth,
and do reverence to my Lord the Count.”

The council awaited in deep silence the appearance
of their visitor. Emich entered the hall with
the assured step of a superior, and with a countenance
that was clouded. He bowed to the salutations
of the council, signed for his armed followers
to await at the door, and walked himself to the seat
which Heinrich had previously vacated, and which
in truth was virtually the throne of Deurckheim.
Placing his heavy form in the chair, with the air of
one accustomed to fill it, he again bowed, and made
a gesture of the hand, which the burghers understood
to be an invitation to be seated. With doubting
faces the awed authorities submitted, receiving
that permission as a boon, which they were ready

[figure description] Page 128.[end figure description]

so lately themselves to urge as a civility. Heinrich
looked surprised, but, accustomed to pay great deference
to his noble friend, he returned the bow and
smile—for he was especially saluted with a smile—
and took the second place.

“It was not well, my worthy townsmen, to close
your gates thus churlishly against me,” commenced
the baron; “there are rights and honors that ought
to be respected, at all hours and seasons, and I marvel
that this need be taught to the Deurckheimers
by a Count of Leiningen. I and my train were
held at parlance at your barriers, an' we had been
so many wandering gipsies, or some of the free-bands
that sell their arquebuses and lances to the
highest bidder!”

“That there may have been some little delay, my
Lord Count—” answered Heinrich—

“Little, Burgomaster! dost thou call that little
which keeps a noble of Leiningen chafing at a gate,
amid dust and heat, and gaping mouths? thou
knowest not the spirit of our steeds, Herr Frey, if
thou imaginest they like such sudden checks of the
curb. We are of high mettle, horses and riders,
and must have our way when fairly spurred!”

“There was every desire, nobly born Emich, to
do you honor, and to undo our bolts as speedily as
might be done; for this end we were about to depute
the necessary orders, when we were suddenly
favored with your gracious and high dispensing
company. We doubt not that the captain of the
watch reasoned with himself, and did that, of good
intention and of his own accord, which he would
speedily have been called upon to do, by our commands.”

“God's truth! that may not prove so true,” answered
Emich, laughing. “Our impatience was
stronger than your bolts, and lest the same oversight

[figure description] Page 129.[end figure description]

might renew the inconvenience, we found means to
enter with little formality.”

The burghers in general seemed greatly troubled,
and Heinrich as greatly surprised. The baron saw
that enough had been said, for the moment; and,
assuming a more gracious mien, he continued in
another strain.

“Well, loving townsmen,” he said, “it is now a
happy week, since all our desires have been accomplished.
The Benedictines are defeated, the Jaegerthal
is at peace and under the sway of its rightful
Lord, and yet the sun rises and sets as before, the
heavens seem as smiling, the rains as refreshing,
and all our hopes as reasonable, as of old! There is
to be no miracle in their behalf, Herr Heinrich, and
we may fain sleep in peace.”

“That may depend, Lord Count, on other humors
than ours. Here are reports abroad that are any
thing but pleasant to the ear, and our honest towns-men
are troubled lest, after doing good service in
behalf of their betters, they may yet be made to
pay all the charges of the victory.”

“Set their hearts at peace, worthy Burgomaster,
for I have not thrust a hand into the ecclesiastical
flame, without thought of keeping it from being
scorched. Thou knowest I have friends, and 'twill
not be easy to put a Count of Leiningen to the ban.”

“Nay, we doubt but little, illustrious noble, of your
safety, and of your house's; our fear is for ourselves.”

“Thou hast only to lean on me, Master Frey.
When the tie between us shall be explained more
clearly to the Emperor and the Diet, and when our
loving wishes, as respects each other, shall be better
understood, all will know that to strike Deurckheim
is to aim a blow at me. Whence cometh this sudden
fear, for last reports touching your condition

[figure description] Page 130.[end figure description]

said that the town was firm of heart, and bent on
joining Luther, rather than confess?”

“Sapperment! the heart must not always be
judged by the countenance! Here is the smith, who
is seldom of a bright visage, but were it said that
his heart is as black as his face, great injustice
would be done the man.”

A movement and a murmur betrayed the admiration
of those who crowded the door, at this figure
of the Burgomaster.

“Thou hast some reason for this sudden despondency?”
rejoined the Count, glancing a look of indifference
at the artisans.

“Why, to speak the truth, Lord Emich, Bonifacius
hath sent us a missive, written in very fair
Latin, and in a scholarly manner, that threatens us
to a man with every Christian wish, from plagues to
downright and incurable damnation.”

“And art thou troubled, Heinrich, at a scrawl of
unintelligible words!”

“I know not what is to be understood, Herr
Count, if a demand for Heinrich Frey, with eleven
others of our most respected, as hostages, doubtless
to be kept from their affairs in some convent cells,
on hard fare, and hard penance, for weary months,
be not plain! To this they add demands for gold,
with pilgrimages, and penances, and other godly recreations.”

“By whose hand got ye this?”

“By that of the honest Prior, a man of so much
bowels, that I marvel he should be the bearer of a
message so unwelcome and so uncharitable. But
the best of us have our moments of weakness, for
all are not always thoughtful or just.”

“Ha! Arnolph is afoot!—Hath he departed?”

“He tarries, my good lord; for look you, we have
not yet determined on the fashion of our reply.”

“Thou wouldst not have thought of sending

[figure description] Page 131.[end figure description]

answer, without taking counsel of me, Herr Frey!”
said Emich, sharply, and much in the manner that
a parent reproves his child. “I am luckily arrived,
and the matter shall be looked to. Have ye bethought
ye of the fitting terms?”

“No doubt all have bethought them much, though
as yet, none have uttered their secret opinions. For
one, I cry out loudly against all hostages, though
none could be readier than I to undergo this risk to
serve the town; but it is admitting an error in too
plain evidence, and carrieth with it a confession that
our faith is not to be depended on.”

This sentiment, which had long been struggling in
Heinrich's breast, met with an audible echo in that
of every one of the eleven who were likely, by situation
and years, to be chosen for this honorable
distinction; and every man among them uttered
some proper phrase concerning the value of character,
and the necessity of so demeaning themselves,
as not to cheapen that of Deurckheim. Emich listened
coolly, for it was of great indifference to him
how much the burghers were alarmed, since their
fears could only induce them the more to seek support
from his interest and power.

“Thou hast then refused the conditions?”

“We have done nothing, Herr Count, but we have
thought much and sorely, as hath just been said. I
take it, the gold and the hostages will find but little
favor among us; but, rather than keep the Palatinate
in a disturbed and insecure state, and as we
are quiet burghers, who look to peace and the means
of getting their bread, our answer may not be so
short, could the matter be brought down to a few
chosen penitents and pilgrimages. Though half of
Brother Luther's mind in many things, it were well
to get quit of even the chances of damnation, for a
few sore feet and stripes, that might be so managed
as to do little civic harm.”

[figure description] Page 132.[end figure description]

“By the lineage of my house! excellent Heinrich,
thou dost but echo my thoughts. The Prior is a
man with bowels, and this matter shall be speedily
arranged. We must bethink us of the details, for
these monks are close calculators, and on a time are
said to have outwitted Lucifer. First then, there
shall be an offering of gold.”

“Nay, my Lord Count will consider the means of
our town!”—

“Peace, honest Heinrich,” whispered Emich,
leaning towards the place where the Burgomaster
and two or three of the principal members of the
council sat—“We have accounts from the Hebrews
at Koeln, which say the Limburg treasures may be
well applied, in this manner, to purchase a little
peace. We will be liberal as becomes our names,”
he now spoke to all, “and not send the brotherhood
naked into a world, which is getting every day less
disposed to clothe them; we must drain our coffers
rather than they should starve, and this point may
be looked upon as settled. As for our penitents and
pilgrims, the castle and the town shall equally furnish
a share. I can send the lieutenant of my men-at-arms,
who hath a nimble foot—Gottlob the cowherd,
to whom punishment is fairly due, on many
general accounts—and others doubtless that may
be found. What good, of this nature, can Deurckheim
supply?”

“We are a homely people, high-born Graf, and
having fewer virtues than our betters, are not so
well gifted either in vices. As becometh a middle
state, we are content with no great excess in the
one or the other of the more striking qualities; and
yet I doubt not, neighbors, that at need there might
be among us men, who would not fare the worse
for wholesome correction and fitting penances?”

Heinrich looked about him, in an inquiring manner,
while each burgher passed the investigation on

[figure description] Page 133.[end figure description]

to the next, as men forward a glance that they wish
to think has no application to themselves. The
crowd at the door recoiled a pace, and heads were
turned curiously, and eyes roamed among the inferiors,
with quite as much expression as had just
been done by their superiors.

“There are delinquents, young and thoughtless
varlets, who vex the town with their ribaldry and
noise, that it might do to scourge with the church's
rod,”—suggested the tremulous and aged Wolfgang.

“St. Benedict will be put off with none of these,”
bluffly answered the Burgomaster; “he must have
men of substance and of some esteem, or the
affair will be as far as ever from a happy conclusion.
What thinkest thou, honest and patriotic Dietrich?—
Thou hast a constitution to endure, and a heart of
iron.”

“Tausend sex und zwanzig!” returned the smith;
“you little know all my ailings, most worshipful
masters, if you think I am near this force! I have
difficulties of breath, that are only at peace near
the heat of the forge, and my heart gets soft as a
feather on a journey. Then there is the wife and
the young to wail my absence, and I am not scholar
enough to repeat a prayer more than some six or
ten times in a day.”

This excuse did not appear to satisfy the council,
who, acting on that principle of exaction which is
found among all people and in all communities, felt
disposed to recollect the former services of the
artisan, as a sort of apology for further claims on
his exertions.

“Nay, for one that hath ever been so free at the
wish of Deurckheim, this plea cometh with an ill
grace,” answered Heinrich,—a sentiment that was
audibly repeated in a general exclamation of discontent
by all the other burghers.—

[figure description] Page 134.[end figure description]

“We expected other reply from thee!”

“Well, since the worshipful council expects—but
there will be the wife and the young, with none to
care for them!”—

“That difficulty may be disposed of—thou hast
six, if I remember, in thy household?”

“Ten, honorable Heinrich—not a mouth less than
half a score, and all of an age to require much
food and strong.”

“Here are all but two of our dozen, in a word,
noble Emich,” promptly added the Burgomaster;
“and of a scriptural quality, for we are told, the
prayers and sacrifices of the young and innocent
are acceptable. Thanks, honest smith, and more
than thanks: thou shalt have marks of a quality
different from those left by the scourge. No doubt
the others may be picked up among the useless and
idle.”

“Our affairs seem settled, loving burghers,” answered
the Count. “Leave me to dispose of the
question of indemnity, and look ye to the penitents,
and to the seemliness of the atonement. Ye may
retire, ye that throng the way.”—The mandate was
hurriedly obeyed, and the door closed.—“As for
support at Heidelburg and Madrid,” continued the
Count, “the matter hath been looked to; and should
the complaint be pushed beyond decency at Rome,
we have always brother Luther as an ally. Bonifacius
wanteth not for understanding, and when he
looks deeper into our defences, and into the humor
of the times, I know him for one that will be disposed
to stay an evil, before it becomes an incurable sore.
These shaven crowns, master Heinrich, are not like
us fathers of families, much troubled for posterity;
for they leave no name or blood behind them; and
so long as we can fairly satisfy their present longings,
the truce may be considered as more than half
concluded. To strip a churchman of his hoardings,

[figure description] Page 135.[end figure description]

needeth but a bold spirit, a present bribe, and a
strong hand.”

The whole council murmured its approval of this
reasoning, and the discussion now took a turn more
inclining to the details.

Emich grew gracious, and the burghers bolder.
Some even laughed openly at their late apprehensions,
and nearly all thought they saw a final settlement
of this long-disputed and serious question. The
Prior, who had been engaged in visits of religious
charity in the town, was soon summoned, and the
Count assumed the office of communicating the
common answer.

The meeting between Emich and Father Arnolph
was characteristic. It took place in the public
hall, and in the presence of a few of the principal
burghers. The Count was at first disposed to be
haughty, imperious, and even repulsive; but the
Monk was meek, earnest, and calm. The effect of
this forbearance was quickly apparent. Their intercourse
soon grew more courteous, for Emich,
when not excited, or misled by the cupidity that disgraced
the age, possessed most of the breeding of
his peers. On the other hand, Arnolph never lost
sight of his duties, the chiefest of which he believed
to be charity.

“Thou art the bearer of the olive-branch, holy
Prior,” said the Count, as they took their seats,
after some little previous parley; “and pity 'tis,
that all who wear the cowl, did not as well comprehend
the pleasantest quality of their sacred characters.
The world would grow less quarrelsome, and
we who worship in the court of the temple, would
be less disturbed by doubts touching those who lift
its veil.”

“I did not look to hold discussion of clerkly duties
with thee, Lord Count, when my superior sent me
on this errand to the town of Deurckheim,” mildly

[figure description] Page 136.[end figure description]

answered the monk, indifferent to the other's wily
compliments. “Am I, then, to consider the castle
and the council as one?”

“In heart, humor, and interests;—I might add,
also, in rights and sovereignty; for, now all question
of the Abbey is settled, the ancient temporal rule is
replaced.—Say I well, loving burghers?”

“Umph!” ejaculated Heinrich. The rest bent
their heads, though doubtingly like men taken by
surprise. But Emich seemed perfectly satisfied.

“It is of no great moment who governs here,
since the wrong done to God and our brotherhood
must be repaired by those who have committed it.
Hast thou examined the missive of the Abbey,
Herr Burgomaster, and art ready with the reply?”

“This duty hath been done, reverend Arnolph,
and here is our answer. As for the letter, it is our
mature opinion, that it hath been indited in a fair
hand, and in very learned Latin, as befitteth a
brotherhood of so much repute. We deem this
more creditable, since there have been some late
heavy losses in books, and he who did this might
not have the customary aid of materials to which
use had made him familiar. As for what hath been
said in the way of greeting and benedictions, holy
Prior, we are thankful, and most especially for the
part that is of thy share, which we esteem to be of
particular unction; in mine own behalf, especially,
would I thank all of the convent for the manner in
which my name hath been introduced into their
good wishes; though I must add, it were better that
he who wrote had been content to stop there, since
these frequent introductions of private personages,
in matters of general concernment, are apt to raise
envy and other evil passions. As respecting, moreover,
any especial pilgrimages and penances in my
own person, I feel not the occasion, as would

[figure description] Page 137.[end figure description]

doubt-less be the fact at need, since we see most men
pricked on to these mortifications by their own consciences.”

“The expiation is not sought for particular consolation,
neither is it desired as a balm to the Convent's
wounds, but as an humble and a necessary
atonement to God. In this view have we deemed it
important to choose those who are most esteemed
among men, since it is before the eyes of mankind
that the expiation must be made. I am the bearer
of similar proposals to the Castle, and, by high ecclesiastical
authority, am I charged to demand that
its well-born Lord, himself, make these acknowledgments
in his own person. The sacrifice of the honored
and innocent hath more flavor than that of the
mean and wicked.”

“Potz Tausend!” muttered Heinrich.—“I see little
use for leading a clean life with such doctrines
and discipline!”

But Emich heard the proposal without a frown.
Bold, haughty, and audacious, he was also deeply
artful and superstitious. For years, his rude mind
had been tormented by conflicting passions—those
of cupidity and religious dread; and now that the
former was satisfied, he had begun to reflect seriously
of appeasing his latent apprehensions in some
effectual manner. Plans of various expiatory offerings
had already crossed his mind, and so far from
hearing the declaration of the Benedictine with resentment,
he entertained the idea with pleasure. It
seemed an easy and cheap expedient of satisfying
all scruples; for the re-establishment of the community
on the hill of Limburg was a condition he
knew to be entirely out of the question, in the present
state of the public mind in Germany. In this humor,
then, did he reply. The conference of course proceeded
harmoniously, and it was protracted for

[figure description] Page 138.[end figure description]

several hours. But as its results will be more regularly
developed in the course of the narrative, we
shall not anticipate events.