full of dreamy
hope: "Our kind, gracious Lord causes me to write thus freely like a
child, to Your Grace, for I am confident in God, that he has appointed
Your Grace to great things, which I may indeed think of, but not
speak."

Such being the disposition of the Reformer, it was not to be expected,
that after his return from Marburg he would confine himself to the
sphere of theology, or even to political affairs within the limits of
the Confederacy. More and more did he accustom himself to look beyond
the boundaries of the fatherland, and gradually induced a portion of
the Zurich statesmen to do the same. In Marburg already, the
fundamental features of a close alliance, to check the growing
preponderance of the Emperor, was agreed upon. The _Landgrave_
undertook to advocate the cause among his own princes; Zwingli among
the Free Cities in Southern Germany, by means of influential clergymen
and councillors, of whom he counted a considerable number among his
correspondents. Through Switzerland a bridge was sought to Italy. The
powerful republic of Venice was to hold the Emperor in check there, at
least to aid in preventing the employment of all his forces against
Germany; but a progress so daring, so foreign to the peaceful and
cautious policy of the Cantons, as set forth by Zurich herself, some
years before, when the defensive alliance was concluded with France,
could not but awaken suspicion and discord among the Confederates;
hence it could only be discussed in the most confidential circles.
Whether any one in the government of Bern knew anything about it, is
uncertain. That it should be attempted is indeed almost incredible, did
we not remember, how very easy it is for great minds, encouraged by
former results, to persuade themselves that everything is possible to
their own powers. In what a narrow circle the resolution to send an
envoy to Venice was passed is evident from the fact, that he was not a
statesmen who was appointed, but Professor Collin, Zwingli's intimate
friend, and the companion of his journey to Marburg, a man of no
political experience, yet one who, in various walks of life, as canon,
tradesman, partisan and public teacher, had tried his fortune, and
proved himself useful in all; and who, besides dexterity and boldness,
was also possessed of a thorough knowledge of the Italian language.
Provided with credentials, somewhat ambiguous in their form,[6] he set
out from Zurich alone; on the 11th of Decem