The pope also, who had become inimical to Louis, declared that Frederic was absolved from the agreement at Trausnitz, as it was extorted by force, and, with all the authority of the head of the Church, exhorted Frederic to reassert his claim to the imperial crown.
Amidst such scenes of fraud and violence, it is refreshing to record an act of real honor.

Frederic, notwithstanding the entreaties of the pope and the remonstrances of his friends, declared that, be the consequences what they might, he never would violate his pledge; and finding that he could not fulfill the articles of the agreement, he returned to Bavaria and surrendered himself a prisoner to the emperor.

It is seldom that history has the privilege of recording so noble an act.

Louis of Bavaria fortunately had a soul capable of appreciating the magnanimity of his captive.

He received him with courtesy and with almost fraternal kindness.