CHARLES V. OF GERMANY 133 they shall have pipes and cymbals, lutes, and other musical instruments ; and dance and shoot with little cross-bows.' "And he showed me a fine meadow in the garden, prepared for dancing: there being nothing but golden pipes, cymbals, and beautiful silver cross-bows. But it was yet early, and the children had not dined. Therefore I could not wait for the dancing, and said to the man, ' My good master, I will go quickly and write all this to my dear little son Hans, that he may pray diligently, learn well, and be pious, that he also may be admitted into this garden ; but he hath an aunt Lena whom he must bring with him.' The man answered, ' So be it ; go and write this to him.' " Therefore, my dear little son Hans, learn and pray with all confidence ; and tell this to Lippus and Just, that they also may learn and pray ; and ye will all meet in this beautiful garden. Herewith I commend thee to Almighty God. Give greetings to Aunt Lena, and also a kiss from me, " Thy loving father, " MARTIN LUTHER." CHARLES V. OF GERMANY (150^1558) CHARLES V., who ruled over more king- doms than any other European mon- arch before or since, who was the most powerful ruler of his century, and who, on the whole, used his great power wisely and well, was born at Ghent, February 24, 1 500. His parents were the Archduke Philip, son of the Emperor Maximilian, and Joanna, daughter of Ferdinand of Aragon and Isa- bella of Castile. To those united kingdoms Charles succeeded on the death of his grand- father Ferdinand, in 1516. The early part of his reign was stormy ; a Flemish regency and Flemish ministers became hateful to the Spaniards, and their discontent broke out into civil war. The Castilian rebels assumed the name of The Holy League, and seemed animated by a spirit not unlike that of the English Commons under the Stuarts. Spain was harassed by these internal con- tests until 1522, vhen they were calmed by the presence of Charles, whose pru- dence and, we may hope, his humanity, put an end to the rebellion. He made
