this strange exit of the emperor from
the scene. The general belief among contemporaries was that it was on
the eve of the intended coronation that Frederic turned his back on
the scene. Take first the words of Thomas Basin, whose statement that
he was in the very midst of the events can hardly be doubted:[15]

"But alas how easily and instantly human desires change, and how
fragile are the alliances and friendships of men, especially of
princes, which are not joined and confirmed by the glue of Christ
... as the sacred Psalm sings, 'Put not your trust in princes
nor in the sons of men in whom there is no safety.' Suddenly,
forsooth, when they were thought to be harmonious in charity,
benevolence, and friendship, when they offered each other such
splendid entertainment, when they feasted together in regal luxury
in all unity and friendship, when all things, as has been said,
needed for the magnificence of such a great honour were made
ready and prepared, so that on the third day should occur the
celebration of that regal dignity _[fastigii],_ and the
_[provectio]_ promotion of a new king and the erection of a new
kingdom or the restoration and renovation of an ancient one,
now obsolete from antiquity, were expected by all with great
attention;--something occurred. I do not know what; hesitation or
suspicion, fancied or justified, unexpectedly affected the emperor
... and embarking on his ship in the very early morning he sailed
down the river Moselle to the Rhine. And thus was frustrated the
hope of the duke and of all the Burgundians who believed that
he was to be elevated to a king. In a moment this hope was
extinguished like a candle.

"We were present there in the city of Treves, attached to the
suite of neither prince, not serving or pretending to serve either
of them. But we ascertained nothing either then or later, although
we made many inquiries, about the cause of this sudden departure
and we are still ignorant of the truth. When the day broke after
the emperor's departure, and the duke was informed of the fact, he
was also assured that the vessel in which the emperor sailed was
opposite the monastery of St. Mary Blessed to the Martyrs. So he
sent messengers hastily to beg the emperor to stay for a very
brief interview with the duke, assuring him that the very least
delay possib