CHAPTER XXVI

Breslau.—The Emperor Albert II,—Life at court,—The King of Poland,
—Breslau in winter.

Three days before Chriftmas we arrived at Breslau,
in Silesia, on the very outskirts of Germany. There
we found the Emperor Albert,^ accompanied by many
dukes, counts, and other great men, and prelates, as
well from Germany as from Hungary and Bohemia.
A knight of the Prussian Order was there also with
many soldiers sent by the Grand Mafter. The
Emperor had in addition a great army with him, for
he was in the field, and had need of them, being at
war with a numerous and valiant foe. But, as I learnt,
the fighting did not hinder the feftivities, nor the
joufts, tourneys and nuptials which the Emperor had
planned for his people, nor did the feftivities hinder
the fighting, but due provision was made for each.
The Emperor had only recently been crowned, and a
great concourse of people was in attendance, am¬
bassadors from kings and princes, and from the Italian
republics. The Bishop of Burgos was there by order
of our King and Mafter, Don Juan, to whom the
Emperor showed the greateft respeft. And, indeed,
he deserved it, for apart from the Sovereign whom he
represented, he was a noble and discreet man, and
learned, and kept great and worthy ftate. Repre¬
sentatives were also there from the Duke of Burgundy,
the Duke of Milan, from Venice, Florence, and Genoa,
from Pope Eugenius, and from the King of Aragon,
Many brought presents, especially the Venetians and
Florentines, those from Venice being specially note¬
worthy. The Emperor received them all very graciously,
but those from Venice he would not accept,  saying

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