t Hapsburg, with
escort over the Hills, in dangerous circumstances;--and might the more
readily be made to understand what qualities the man now had; and how,
in justness of insight, toughness of character, and general strength of
bridle-hand, this actually might be the adequate man.

KAISER RUDOLF AND BURGGRAF FRIEDRICH III.

Last time we saw Rudolf, near thirty years ago, he was some equerry or
subaltern dignitary among the Ritters of King Ottocar, doing a Crusade
against the Prussian Heathen, and seeing his master found Konigsberg in
that country. Changed times now! Ottocar King of Bohemia, who (by
the strong hand mainly, and money to Richard of Cornwall, in the late
troubles) has become Duke of Austria and much else, had himself expected
the Kaisership; and of all astonished men, King Ottocar was probably
the most astonished at the choice made. A dread sovereign, fierce, and
terribly opulent, and every way resplendent to such degree; and this
threadbare Swiss gentleman-at-arms, once "my domestic" (as Ottocar
loved to term it), preferred to me! Flat insanity, King Ottocar thought;
refused to acknowledge such a Kaiser; would not in the least give up his
unjust properties, or even do homage for them or the others.

But there also Rudolf contrived to be ready for him. Rudolf invaded his
rich Austrian territories; smote down Vienna, and all resistance that
there was; [1276 (Kohler, p. 253).] forced Ottocar to beg pardon and
peace. "No pardon, nor any speech of peace, till you first do homage for
all those lands of yours, whatever we may find them to be!" Ottocar
was very loath; but could not help himself. Ottocar quitted Prag with a
resplendent retinue, to come into the Danube country, and do homage to
"my domestic" that once was. He bargained that the sad ceremony should
be at least private; on an Island in the Danube, between the two
retinues or armies; and in a tent, so that only official select persons
might see it. The Island is called CAMBERG (near Vienna, I conclude),
in the middle of the Donau River: there Ottocar accordingly knelt; he in
great pomp of tailorage, Rudolf in mere buff jerkin, practical leather
and iron;--hide it, charitable canvas, from all but a few! Alas,
precisely at this moment, the treacherous canvas rushes down,--hung so
on purpose, thinks Ottocar; and it is a tent indeed; but a tent without
walls; and all the world sees me in this scandalous plight!

Ottocar rode home in deep gloom;