The Thirty Years' War - James Aitken Wylie

firm ever to be loosened, and despising this assault
from the little Sweden, Ferdinand, acting doubtless
by the advice of the Jesuits, gave orders to proceed
with the plunder of his Protestant allies.
It was only now that the veil was fully lifted
from the eyes of John George, Elector of Saxony.
This prince exhibits little save contrast to the pious,
magnanimous, and public-spirited Electors of
Saxony of a former day. His private and personal
manners were coarse; he dressed slovenly, and fed
gluttonously. His public policy was utterly selfish.
He had long been the dupe of the emperor, his
sottish understanding and groveling aims
preventing him from seeing the gulf into which he
was sinking. But now, finding himself threatened
with annihilation, he resolved to adopt a decisive
policy. As Elector of Saxony he was the leader of
the Protestant princes, and he now purposed to
place himself at their head, and form a third party
in Germany, which would oppose the emperor on
the one side, and the King of Sweden on the other.
The Elector of Saxony would not lower himself by
joining with Gustavus Adolphus He did not need
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