Chapter XVIII
[Hörnigk then discusses how far his “nine rules” are observed in Austria, and after giving, with reason, examples to show how each one of them is habitually broken, he writes:]
[ . . . ]
There is a saying: If one is good, they are all good; but I say now: If one of these rules were ever properly observed among us, so would they all be. But in fact, no one of them is observed. Nothing is sound with us, from head to foot. And is it any wonder that the lands are poor in money, or is the cause far to seek? Rather, things are in such a condition that it is something like an Austrian miracle that everything has not yet gone to total ruin long ago.
[ . . . ] Yet I would fain believe that we are not yet so far rejected by God that no hope more should remain. I rather comfort myself that Heaven will yet bring us some men who will help our unhappy Fatherland to acquire these blessings as the chosen implement of God. Blessed Imperial realms and blessed day when we shall experience this salvation! Most dear, ever most glorious Emperor, who shall thus, by firm resolution and unshakable institutions, console the sad and distressful land and peoples entrusted to him by God and help them out of the present slough of penury and want. Yes, blessed Turkish affliction, blessed devastation of Austria, welcome flight from Vienna, if the effect of you is that at last eyes are opened, hands set working, and through you, as when part of a cargo is jettisoned, the whole decrepit ship of our common life, nigh to foundering in the storm, is snatched to safety from the violent tempest and from destruction. [ . . . ]
Chapter XX
Yes, I say, the salvation must come from the Princes of our people, for the people can do nothing without them. [ . . . ]
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