frederick the great and his family-第105章

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ut　the　beautiful　Scheherezade。〃

〃Sire；　perhaps　she　also　is　here；〃　said　Von　Rexin；　〃we　were　accompanied　by　a　close　chariot；　guarded　by　four　of　the　khan's　eunuchs。〃

The　king　laughed；　and　said；　〃We　will　see；〃　and　he　rapidly　approached　the　hut。　As　he　reached　it；　the　door　flew　open；　and　Mustapha　Aga　received　him　kneeling；　while　his　attendants　threw　themselves　to　the　ground；　touching　it　with　their　foreheads。

The　king　entered　and　examined　with　great　curiosity　the　house　of　the　Khan。　The　interior　of　this　immense　tent　was　hung　with　crimson　draperies；　amongst　which　arose　twenty　golden　pillars　which　supported　the　tent。　At　the　top　of　these　was　an　immense　golden　ring　from　which　the　crimson　draperies　hung；　and　above　this　ring　were　twenty　golden　pillars　which；　uniting　in　the　centre　at　the　top；　formed　the　dome　of　the　tent。　From　the　centre　hung　a　golden　vase；　in　which　burned　the　rarest　incense。　The　floor　was　covered　by　a　great　Turkish　carpet；　and　against　the　walls　stood　several　divans；　such　as　are　generally　used　in　the　dwellings　of　the　wealthy　Turks。　In　the　centre　of　the　tent；　just　under　the　suspended　vase；　stood　a　low；　gilt　table；　decked　with　a　service　of　glittering　porphyry。　One　side　of　the　tent　was　separated　from　the　rest　by　heavy　curtains　of　a　costly　material；　and　from　hence　came　the　sound　of　music；　which　now　arose　in　loud；　triumphant　tones；　as　if　greeting　the　king。

His　majesty　moved　rapidly　to　the　middle　of　the　tent；　while　his　attendants　stood　against　the　walls；　and　Mustapha　Aga　and　his　interpreter　stood　near　the　king。

Mustapha　then　took　a　sword　which　was　on　the　table；　and；　after　kissing　it；　handed　it　to　the　king。　〃Sire；〃　he　said；　〃the　great　Krimgirai　first　offers　you　his　sword；　as　a　sign　of　his　love　and　goodwill。　He　begs　that　on　the　day　of　the　great　victory　which　you　and　he　will　undoubtedly　gain　over　the　hated　czarina　of　the　north；　you　will　wear　this　sword　at　your　side。　A　sword　like　thistempered　in　the　same　fire　and　ornamented　with　the　same　designis　worn　by　the　Khan。　When　these　two　swords　cut　the　air；　Russia　will　tremble　as　if　shaken　by　an　earthquake。〃

The　king　received　the　sword　from　Mustapha　Aga；　and　looked　at　it　attentively。　Then　pointing　to　the　golden　letters　which　ornamented　the　blade；　he　asked　the　significance　of　the　motto。

〃Sire；〃　replied　Mustapha；　solemnly；　〃it　is　the　battle…cry　of　the　Tartar：　'Death　is　preferable　to　defeat。'〃

〃I　accept　the　sword　with　great　pleasure；〃　said　the　king。　〃This　motto　embodies　in　a　few　words　the　history　of　a　war；　and　discloses　more　of　its　barbarity；　than　many　learned　and　pious　expositions　could　do。　I　thank　the　Khan　for　his　beautiful　gift。〃

〃The　Khan　hears　your　words；　sire；　for　his　spirit　is　among　us。〃

Mustapha；　after　begging　the　king　to　seat　himself　upon　the　large　divan；　drew　aside　the　opening　of　the　tent；　when　the　servants　with　the　covered　baskets　immediately　appeared；　and　placed　themselves　in　a　double　row　around　the　tent。　Mustapha　then　took　the　basket　from　the　first　couple；　and　throwing　back　the　cover；　said：　〃Sire；　will　you　condescend　to　eat　of　the　bread　and　drink　of　the　favorite　beverage　of　the　Khan；　that　the　ties　of　your　friendship　may　be　strengthened？　The　Khan　sends　you　a　costly　hama　proof　of　his　unselfish　friendship。　He　had　his　favorite　horse　killed；　the　one　that　he　has　ridden　for　years；　that　he　might　offer　you　a　ham　from　this　noble　animal。〃

As　the　interpreter　translated　these　words；　the　Prussian　generals　and　officers　glanced　smiling　and　mockingly　at　one　another。

The　king　alone　remained　grave；　and　turning　to　the　generals；　he　said　in　German：

〃Ah；　gentlemen！　how　happy　we　would　have　been；　had　any　one　brought　us　this　meat　at　the　siege　of　Bunzelwitz；　and　how　ravenously　we　would　have　eaten　it！〃

He　then　turned　again　to　the　ambassador；　who；　taking　from　the　other　baskets　Carian　dates　and　almonds；　and　other　Eastern　dainties　in　silver　dishes；　placed　them　before　the　king。　Mustapha　then　uttered　a　loud；　commanding　cry；　and　the　door　of　the　tent　was　again　opened；　and　there　appeared　a　Tartar；　dressed　in　white　wolf…skin；　bearing　a　golden　dish；　which　contained　a　steaming；　white　liquid。　He　took　it；　and　kneeled　with　it　before　Frederick。

〃Sire；〃　said　he；　〃my　master　begs　you　to　drink　with　him　of　his　favorite　beverage。　He　pressed　his　lips　to　the　rim　of　this　dish　before　sending　it　to　you；　and　if　you　will　now　do　the　same；　the　eagle　and　hero　of　the　north　will　receive　the　brotherly　kiss　of　the　eagle　and　hero　of　the　south。〃

〃What　is　it？〃　asked　the　king；　in　a　low　voice；　of　Baron　von　Rexin；　who　stood　near　the　divan。

〃Sire；　it　is　mare's　milk！〃　whispered　Rexin。

The　king　shuddered；　and　almost　overturned　the　contents　of　the　dish　which　he　had　just　received　from　the　hands　of　Mustapha　Aga；　but　quickly　overcoming　this　feeling；　he　raised　the　bowl　smilingly　to　his　mouth。　After　placing　his　lips　upon　the　rim；　he　returned　the　bowl　to　the　ambassador。

〃I　have　received　the　kiss　of　my　friend。　May　our　friendship　be　eternal！〃

〃Allah　grant　this　prayer！〃　cried　Mustapha。　〃Sire；　Krimgirai　dares；　as　this　beverage　is　such　a　favorite　with　all　Turks；　to　hope　that　it　may　please　you；　he　therefore　offers　you　the　animal　from　which　it　was　procured。〃　He　then　pointed　to　the　opening　in　the　tent；　where　now　appeared　a　noble　Arabian　horse；　wearing　a　costly　saddle　and　bridle；　and　a　crimson　saddle…cloth　richly　worked　with　pearls　and　precious　stones。

The　eyes　of　the　king　beamed　with　pleasure；　and　as　he　hurried　through　the　tent　and　approached　the　horse；　the　animal　seemed　to　wish　to　greet　his　new　master；　for　it　neighed　loudly；　and　pawed　the　sand　with　its　well…shaped　feet。　The　king　gently　stroked　its　slender；　shining　neck　and　its　full；　fluttering　mane；　and　looked　in　the　great；　flashing　eyes。

〃You　are　welcome；　my　battle…horse！〃　he　said；　〃may　you　bear　me　in　the　next　engagement　either　to　victory　or　death！〃

He　then　returned　to　his　seat；　in　order　to　receive　the　remaining　presents　of　the　Khan；　consisting　of　costly　weapons　and　furs。

〃And　now；　sire；　the　Khan　begs　that　you　will　repose　in　his　tent；　and　listen　to　the　music　that　he　loves；　and　look　at　the　dances　which　give　him　pleasure。　My　master　knows　that　the　great　King　of　Prussia　loves　music　as　he　does；　and　that　it　gladdens　your　heart　as　it　does　his　own。　When　he　goes　to　battlewhich　is　but　going　to　victoryhe　takes　with　him　his　musicians　and　dancers；　who　must　perform　the　dance　of　triumph　before　him。　The　Khan　hopes　that　you　will　permit　them　to　dance　before　you；　and　I　pray　that　your　majesty　will　grant　this　request。〃

〃I　am　ready　to　behold　and　hear　all；〃　said　the　king。

Immediately；　at　a　sign　from　Mustapha；　the　curtain　which　concealed　part　of　the　tent　was　withdrawn；　and　four　lovely　girls；　clothed　in　light；　fluttering　apparel；　appeared　and　commenced　a　graceful；　beautiful　dance；　to　the　music　of　the　mandoline。　When　they　had　finished；　they　retired　to　the　curtain；　and　looked　with　great；　wondering　eyes　at　the　Prussian　warrior。　Then　appeared　from　behind　the　curtain　four　young　men；　who　seated　themselves　opposite　the　girls。　The　musicians　began　a　new　strain；　in　which　the　girls　and　young　men　joined。　Then　two　of　the　girls　arose；　and　drawing　their　veils　over　their　faces　so　that　only　their　eyes　were　visible；　they　danced　lightly　and　swayingly　to　the　end　of　the　tent；　and　then　returned　to　the　young　men；　who　now　commenced　the　love…songs；　with　downcast　eyes；　not　daring　to　call　the　name　of　the　objects　of　their　tenderness；　but　addressing　them　in　poetical　terms；　and　then　they　sang　to　the　same　air　the　battle…song　of　the　Tartars。　In　this　song；　the　battles　are　not　only　pictured　forth；　but　you　hear　the　shrieks　of　the　warriors；　the　battle…cry　of　the　Tartars；　and；　at　length；　when　the　battle　is　won；　the　loud　shouts　of　rejoicing　from　the　women。　When　the　song　was　ended；　the　singers　bowed　themselves　to　the　earth；　and　then　disappeared　behind　the　curtain。

The　music　ceased；　and　the　king；　rising　from　the　divan；　and　turning　to　Mustapha；　said：

〃I　owe　to　the　Khan　a　most　delightful　morning；　and　I　will　take　a　pleasant　remembrance　of　his　house　with　me。〃

〃Sire；〃　said　Mustapha；　〃the　Khan　begs　you　to　accept　this　tent　as　a　proof　of　his　friendship。〃

The　king　bowed　smilingly；　and　as　he　left　the　tent；　told　Rexin　to　ask　the　Tartar　ambassador　to　come　to　him　now　for　a　grave　conference。　The　king　then　dismissed　his　generals；　and　attendants；　and　entered　his　house；　followed　by　Baron　von　Rexin　and　the　Turkish　ambassador　and　his　interpreters。

〃Now　we　will　speak　of　business！〃　said　the　king。　〃What　news　do　you　bring　me　from　the　Khan？　What　answer　does　he　make　to　my　proposition？〃

〃Sire；　he　is　willing　to　grant　all　that　your　majesty　desires；　and　to　give　you　every　assistance　in　his　power；　provided　you　will　not　make　peace　with　our　hated　enemywith　Russiabut　will　continue　the　war　unweariedly　and　unceasingly；　until　Russia　is　humbled　at　our　feet。〃

〃Ah！〃　exclaimed　the　king；　〃the　Khan　of　Tartary　cannot　hate　the　Empress　of　Russia　more　vindictively　than　she　hates　me；　he　need　not　fear；　therefore；　an　alliance　between　me　and　Russia。　I　have　myself　no　desire　to　form　a　friendship　with　those　rough　barbarians。〃

〃If　the　Empress　of　Russia　hates　you；　she　hates　Krimgirai　equally。　Russia　hates　every　thing　that　is　noble　and　true；　she　hates　enlightenment　and　cultivation。　Russia　hates　Krimgirai；　because　he　has　civilized　his　people；　because　he　has　changed　his　rough　hordes　of　men　into　a　mighty　army　of　brave　warriors；　because　he　governs　his　kingdom　with　humanity；　and　is；　at　the　same　time；　a　father　to　his　people　and　a　scourge　to　his　enemies。　Krimgirai　hates　Russia　as　he　hates　every　thing　that　is　wicked；　and　vicious；　and　cruel；　therefore　he　is　willing　to　stand　by　your　side　against　Russia；　with　an　army　of　six　thousand　men；　and；　if　you　wish　it；　to　invade　Russia。〃

〃And　what　are　the　conditions　which　the　Khan　demands　for　this　assistance？〃

〃He　wishes　you　to　pay　his　soldiers　as　you　pay　your　own。〃

〃And　for　himself？〃

〃For　himself；　he　begs　that　you　will　send　him　a　physician　who　can　cure　him　of　a　painful　but　not　dangerous　disease。　Further；　he　begs　for　your　confidence　and　friendship。〃

〃Which　I　gladly　give　him！〃　said　the　king；　gayly。　〃But　tell　me　one　other　thing。　Has　the　Khan　not　yet　become　reconciled　to　the　Grand　Sultan？〃

〃Sire；　the　sultan　feels　that　he　cannot　spare　his　brave　Khan；　he　made　an　overture；　which　Krimgirai　gladly　accepted。　One　week　before　we　started　on　our　journey；　the　Khan　was　received　by　the　sultan　in　his　seraglio。　The　heads　of　forty　rebels　were　displayed　as　a　special　honor　in　front　of　the　seraglio；　and；　in　the　presence　of　the　sultan　himself；　my　master　was　again　presented　with　belt　and　sword；　and　again　reinstalled　as　Khan。　The　sultan　also　presented　him　with　a　purse　containing　forty　thousand　ducats。　You　see；　sire；　that　the　sultan　prizes　and　acknowledges　the　virtues　of　your　ally。〃

〃And　how　do　we　stand　with　the　Porte？〃　asked　the　king；　turning　to　Baron　von　Rexin。

〃I　have　succeeded；　sire；　in　establishing　a　treaty　between　your　majesty　and　the　Porte！　I　shall　have　the　honor　to　lay　it　before　your　majesty　for　your　signature。〃

The　king's　eyes　beamed　with　delight；　as　he　exclaimed：

〃At　length　I　have　attained　the　desired　goal；　and　in　spite　of　the　whole　of　Europe。　I　have　my　allies！〃

Then　turning　once　more　to　Mustapha　Aga；　he　dismissed　him　for　the　day；　and　gave　him　permission　to　occupy　the　magnificent　tent　which　had　been　presented　to