neither peace nor war; moving Heaven and Earth to raise supplies,
that he might be able to defy Poland, and begin war. The Reich
answers, "We have really nothing for you." Teutschmeister answers
again and again, "I tell you we have nothing!" In the end,
Sigismund grew impatient; made (December, 1519) some movements of
a hostile nature. Albert did not yield; eager only to
procrastinate till he were ready. By superhuman efforts, of
borrowing, bargaining, soliciting, and galloping to and fro,
Albert did, about the end of next year, get up some appearance of
an Army: "14,000 German mercenaries horse and foot," so many in
theory; who, to the extent of 8,000 in actual result, came
marching towards him (October, 1520); to serve "for eight months."
With these he will besiege Dantzig, besiege Thorn; will plunge,
suddenly, like a fiery javelin, into the heart of Poland, and make
Poland surrender its claim. Whereupon King Sigismund bestirred
himself in earnest; came out with vast clouds of Polish chivalry;
overset Albert's 8,000;--who took to eating the country, instead
of fighting for it; being indeed in want of all things. One of the
gladdest days Albert had yet seen, was when he got the 8,000 sent
home again.

What then is to be done? "Armistice for four years," Sigismund was
still kind enough to consent to that: "Truce for four years: try
everywhere, my poor Nephew; after that, your mind will perhaps
become pliant." Albert tried the Reich again: "Four years,
0 Princes, and then I must do it, or be eaten!" Reich, busy with
Lutheran-Papal, Turk-Christian quarrels, merely shrugged its
shoulders upon Albert. Teutschmeister did the like; everybody the
like. In Heaven or Earth, then, is there no hope for me? thought
Albert. And his stock of ready money--we will not speak of that!