and lived in a private way. But now the Empire refusing her rich suiters, married this Earl without any portion, onely for pure love. A preferment beyond his expectation, not above his deserts: For Germany had many bigger lights, none brighter. Pope Gre∣gory the tenth would not ratifie his election, but on this conditi∣on, That he should in person march with an armie to Palestine. And though this was but an old policie, To send the Emperours far away, that so he might command in chief in their absence; yet his Holinesse did so turn and dresse this threed-bare plot with specious pretenses of piety, that it passed for new and fresh, espe∣cially to those that beheld it at distance▪ But Rodulphus could not be spared out of Germany, being there imployed in civil dis∣cords: The knees of the Dutch Princes were too stiff to do him homage, till he softned them by degrees. And indeed he was not provided for the Holy warre, and wanted a stock of his own to drive so costly a trade, having no paternall lands considerable, no bottom to begin on; though through his thrift and providence he first laid the foundation of the Austrian familie.
Yet somewhat to answer expectation, he sent Henry Duke of Mechlenburg with competent forces into Palestine: Who coming to Ptolemais, made many notable incursions into the countrey a∣bout Damasco, with fire & sword destroying all as he went, & car∣rying thence many rich booties; till at last he was circumvented and taken prisoner by the Mammalukes. Twenty six yeares he li∣ved in captivity, keeping his conscience free all the while: At last the Sultan of Egypt (a renegado Germane, who formerly had been engineer to this Dukes father) set him at liberty, toge∣ther with Martine his servant; that he who so long had shared of his misery, might also partake of his happinesse. No sooner had this Duke put to sea, but he was again taken by pirates; and the Sultan, out of pity to this distressed Prince, and out of scorn that fortune should frustrate and defeat his reall courtesie, set him free again. At last he came safely home, and was there welcomed with as much wonder as joy; his subjects conceiving his return a resurrection, having buried him in their thoughts long before.
Here he found two counterfeits, who pretended themselves to be this Duke, and on that title challenged lodging with Anasta∣sia his Lady. But the one of them had a softer bedfellow provided him, a pool of water, wherein he was drowned; the other was made a bonefire of, to solemnize the joy of the Dukes return.