Note 70 — Chapter V · THE FOURTH TO THE SIXTH CRUSADES
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The pope and emperor were struggling for supremacy, and the cunning pontiff thought he could get rid of his rival by commanding him to take the cross; and such was the state of the times that Frederick would not have been considered a Christian if he had refused. Voltaire is right in saying, “L’empereur fit le vœu par politique; et par politique il différa le voyage.” Essai sur les Mœurs des Nations, Chap. 52.