frederick the great and his family-第58章

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Kneeling　upon　the　ground；　resting　on　her　friend；　she　raised　her　eyes　heavenward；　and　commenced　singing　in　an　earnest；　impassioned　tone　that　glorious　hymn；　〃Thanks　unto　God！〃　Fritz　Kober；　actuated　by　the　same　feelings；　joined　in　the　hymn；　and　here　and　there　a　comrade　lent　his　voice　to　swell　the　anthem；　it　became　stronger；　louder；　until　at　last；　like　a　mighty　stream；　it　passed　over　the　battle…field；　knocking　at　every　heart；　and　urging　it　to　prayer；　finding　everywhere　an　open　ear。

The　moon　stood　smiling　above　the　battle…field；　upon　which　eight　thousand　dead　and　wounded　men　were　lying。　Even　the　wounded；　who　a　short　time　before　filled　the　air　with　groans　of　pain　and　agony；　raised　themselves　to　join　in　the　song　of　praise　which　was　now　sung；　not　by　a　hundred；　not　by　a　thousand；　but　by　thirty　thousand　soldiers；　thirty　thousand　heroes；　who；　after　that　bloody　day　had　earned　the　right　to　sing　〃Thanks　unto　God。〃




CHAPTER　XV。

WINTER　QUARTERS　IN　BRESLAU。


Faint　and　exhausted；　the　king　had　withdrawn　to　his　room；　he　was　alone。　To…day　was　the　twenty…fourth　of　January；　Frederick's　birthday；　and；　although　he　had　forbidden　all　congratulations；　he　could　not　avoid　receiving　the　highest　tribunals　of　Breslau；　and　also　a　few　deputations　of　the　citizens　of　this　reconquered　city。　These　visits　wearied　the　king；　he　was　grave　and　out　of　spirits。　Once　more　alone；　he　could　indulge　in　the　sad　memories　that　came　over　him　involuntarily　and　forcibly。　For　here　in　Breslau　he　had　lately　experienced　a　bitter　disappointment；　every　thing　in　the　castle　reminded　him　of　the　treacherous　friend　whom　he　bad　loved　so　dearly；　and　who　had　so　shamefully　betrayed　him。

The　king　was　now　thinking　of　the　Bishop　von　Schaffgotsch。　An　expression　of　painful　gloom　clouded　his　face；　he　felt　solitary　and　deserted；　the　cold；　silent　room　chilled　his　heart；　and　the　snow　blown　against　the　window　by　the　howling　winds；　oppressed　him　strangely。　He　was　more　dejected　and　anxious　than　he　had　ever　felt　before　a　battle。

〃The　marquis　cannot　travel　in　such　weather；〃　he　said；　sighing；　〃and　my　musicians　will　be　careful　not　to　trust　themselves　upon　the　highway；　they　will　imagine　the　snow　has　blocked　up　the　way；　and　that　it　is　impossible　to　come　through。　They　will　remain　in　Berlin；　caring　but　little　that　I　am　counting　the　weary　hours　until　they　arrive。　Yes；　yes；　this　is　an　example　of　the　almighty　power　of　a　king；　a　few　snow…flakes　are　sufficient　to　set　his　commands　aside；　and　the　king　remains　but　an　impotent　child　of　the　dust。　Of　what　avail　is　it　that　I　have　conquered　the　Austrians　and　the　French？　I　have　sown　dragons'　teeth　from　which　new　enemies　will　arise；　new　battles；　perhaps　new　defeats。　What　have　I　gained　by　consecrating　my　heart　to　my　friends？　They　are　but　serpentsI　have　nourished　them　in　my　breast；　and　they　will　sting　when　I　least　suspect　them。　Even　those　whom　I　still　trust；　forsake　me　now　when　I　most　need　them！〃

The　wild　storm　increased；　and　blew　a　cloud　of　snow…flakes　against　the　window；　and　the　wind　whistled　mournfully　in　the　chimney。

〃No；〃　murmured　the　king；　〃D'Argens　will　certainly　not　come；　he　will　remain　quietly　in　his　beloved　bed；　and　from　there　write　me　a　touching　epistle　concerning　the　bonds　of　friendship。　I　know　that　when　feeling　does　not　flow　from　the　hearts　of　men；　it　flows　eloquently　from　ink　as　a　pitiful　compensation。　But；〃　he　continued　after　a　pause；　〃this　is　all　folly！　Solitude　makes　a　dreamer　of　meI　am　sighing　for　my　friends　as　a　lover　sighs　for　his　sweetheart！　Am　I　then　so　entirely　alone？　Have　I　not　my　books？　Come；　Lucretius；　thou　friend　in　good　and　evil　days；　thou　sage；　thou　who　hast　never　left　me　without　counsel　and　consolation！　Come　and　cheer　thy　pupilteach　him　how　to　laugh　at　this　pitiful　world　as　it　deserves！〃

Taking　Lucretius　from　the　table；　and　stretching　himself　upon　the　sofa；　he　commenced　reading。　Deep　stillness　surrounded　him。　Bells　were　ringing　in　the　distance　in　honor　of　the　royal　birthday。　The　Breslauers；　who　had　so　shortly　before　joyfully　welcomed　the　conquering　Austrians；　now　desired　to　convince　the　King　of　Prussia　that　they　were　his　zealous　subjects。　The　evening　of　the　kingly　birthday　they　wished　to　show　the　joy　of　their　hearts　by　a　brilliant　illumination。

The　king　still　read；　and　became　so　absorbed　that　he　did　not　hear　the　door　gently　opened。　The　tall；　slender　form　of　the　Marquis　d'Argens　appeared　at　the　threshold。　Overcome　with　joyful　emotions；　he　remained　standing；　and　gazing　with　clouded　eyes　at　the　king。　Composing　himself；　he　closed　the　door　softly　behind　him　and　advanced。

〃Sire；　will　you　forgive　me　for　entering　unannounced？〃

The　king　sprang　from　his　seat　and　held　out　both　his　hands。　〃Welcome；　welcome！　I　thank　you　for　coming。〃

The　marquis　could　not　reply；　he　pressed　his　lips　silently　upon　the　king's　hands。　〃My　God；〃　he　said；　in　a　trembling　voice；　〃how　my　heart　has　longed　for　this　happy　momenthow　many　offerings　I　have　vowed　to　Heaven　if　allowed　to　see　the　king　once　more。〃

〃You　did　not　win　Heaven　by　promises　alone；　friend；　but　you　have　offered　up　a　victim。　You　have　left　that　precious　bed　which　you　have　occupied　for　the　past　eight　monthsyou　have　gained　a　victory　over　yourself　which　is　of　more　value　than　many　victories。〃

〃Ah；　your　majesty；〃　cried　the　marquis；　whose　black　eyes　were　again　sparkling　with　mirth；　〃I　now　feel　that　my　poor　heart　spoke　the　truth　when　it　declared　that　you　were　ever　by　its　side。　We　have　really　not　been　separated；　and　your　majesty　begins　with　me　to…day　where　you　left　off　but　yesterday。　You　laugh　now　as　then　at　me；　and　my　poor　bed；　which　has　heard　for　more　than　a　year　past　only　my　sighs　and　prayers　for　your　majesty's　success。　It　was　not　difficult　for　me　to　leave　it　and　to　obey　the　summons　of　my　king。　If　you　think　this　conquest　over　myself　worth　more　than　a　victory　over　our　enemies；　how　lightly　the　hero　of　Rosbach　and　Leuthen　regards　victories！〃

〃Not　so；　marquis；　but　you　know　what　the　renowned　King　of　the　Hebrews　saidthat　wise　king　who　rejoiced　in　a　thousand　wives：　'He　who　conquers　himself　is　greater　than　he　who　taketh　a　city。'　You；　marquis；　are　this　rare　self…conqueror；　and　you　shall　be　rewarded　right　royally。　I　have　had　rooms　prepared　as　warm　and　comfortable　as　the　marquise　herself　could　have　arranged　for　you。　The　windows　are　stuffed　with　cotton；　furs　are　lying　before　the　stove；　cap　and　foot…　muff；　so　your　faithful　La　Pierre　may　wrap　and　bundle　you　up　to　your　heart's　content。　Not　a　breath　of　air　shall　annoy　you；　and　all　your　necessities　shall　be　provided　for　with　as　much　reverence　as　if　you　were　the　holy　fire　in　the　temple　of　Vesta；　and　I　the　priestess　that　guards　it。〃

The　marquis　laughed　heartily。　〃Should　the　fire　ever　burn　low　and　the　flame　pale；　I　beg　my　exalted　priestess　to　cast　her　burning　glance　upon　me；　and　thus　renew　my　heat。　Sire；　allow　me；　before　all　other　things；　to　offer　my　congratulations。　May　Heaven　bless　this　day　which　rose　like　a　star　of　hope　upon　all　who　love　the　great；　the　beautiful；　the　exalted；　and　the〃

〃Enough；　enough；〃　cried　Frederick；　〃if　you　begin　in　this　way；　I　shall　fly　from　you；　I　shall　believe　you　are　one　of　those　stupid　deputations　with　which　etiquette　greets　the　king。　In　this　room；　friend；　there　is　no　king；　and　when　we　are　here　alone　we　are　two　simple　friends；　taking　each　other　warmly　by　the　hand　and　congratulating　ourselves　upon　having　lived　through　another　weary　year；　and　having　the　courage　bravely　to　meet　the　years　that　remain。　Should　you　still　desire　to　add　a　wish　to　this；　marquis；　pray　that　the　war　fever　which　has　seized　ail　Europe；　may　disappearthat　the　triumvirate　of　France；　Russia；　and　Austria；　may　be　vanquishedthat　the　tyrants　of　this　universe　may　not　succeed　in　binding　the　whole　world　in　the　chains　they　have　prepared　for　it。〃

〃Your　majesty　will　know　how　to　obtain　this　resultto　break　this　chainand　if　they　will　not　yield　willingly；　the　hero　of　Rossbach　and　Leuthen　will　know　how　to　crush　them　in　his　just　rage。〃

〃God　grant　it！〃　sighed　the　king；　〃I　long　for　peace；　although　my　enemies　say　I　am　the　evil　genius　that　brings　discord　and　strife　into　the　world。　They　say　that　if　Frederick　of　Prussia　did　not　exist；　the　entire　world　would　be　a　paradise　of　peace　and　love。　I　could　say　to　them；　as　Demosthenes　said　to　the　Athenians：　'If　Philip　were　dead；　what　would　it　signify？　You　would　soon　make　another　Philip。'　I　say　to　the　Austrians：　'Your　ambition；　your　desire　for　universal　reign；　would　soon　rouse　other　enemies。　The　liberties　of　Germany；　and　indeed　of　all　Europe；　will　always　find　defenders。'　We　will　speak　no　more　of　these　sad　themes；　they　belong　to　the　past　and　the　future。　Let　us　try　to　forget；　friend；　that　we　are　in　winter　quarters　at　Breslau；　and　imagine　ourselves　to　be　at　our　dear　Sans…Souci。〃

〃In　our　beautiful　convent；〃　said　the　marquis；　〃whose　abbot　has　so　long　been　absent；　and　whose　monks　are　scattered　to　the　four　winds。〃

〃It　is　true；〃　sighed　the　king；　gloomily；　〃widely　scattered；　and　when　the　abbot　returns　to　Sans…Souci；　every　thing　will　be　changed　and　lonely。　Oh；　marquis；　how　much　I　have　lost　since　we　parted！〃

〃How　much　you　have　gained；　sire！　how　many　new　laurels　crown　your　heroic　brow！〃

〃You　speak　of　my　victories；〃　said　the　king；　shaking　his　head；　〃but　believe　me；　my　heart　has　suffered　defeats　from　which　it　will　never　recover。　I　am　not　speaking　of　the　death　of　my　motheralthough　that　is　a　wound　that　will　never　heal；　that　came　from　the　hand　of　Providence；　against　its　decrees　no　man　dare　murmur。　I　speak　of　more　bitter；　more　cruel　defeats；　occasioned　by　the　ingratitude　and　baseness　of　men。〃

〃Your　majesty　still　thinks　of　the　unworthy　Abbot　of　Prades；〃　said　D'Argens；　sadly。

〃No；　marquis；　that　hurt；　I　confess。　I　liked　him；　but　I　never　loved　himhe　was　not　my　friend；　his　treachery　grieved　but　did　not　surprise　me。　I　knew　he　was　weak。　He　sold　me！　Finding　himself　in　my　camp；　he　made　use　of　his　opportunity　and　betrayed　to　the　enemy　all　that　came　to　his　knowledge。　He　had　a　small　soul；　and　upon　such　men　you　cannot　count。　But　from　another　source　I　received　a　great　wrong　this　lies　like　iron　upon　my　heart；　and　hardens　it。　I　loved　Bishop　Schaffgotsch；　marquis；　I　called　him　friend；　I　gave　him　proof　of　my　friendship。　I　had　a　right　to　depend　on　his　faithfulness；　and　believe　in　a　friendship　he　had　so　often　confirmed　by　oaths。　My　love；　at　least　was　unselfish；　and　deserved　not　to　be　betrayed。　But　he　was　false　in　the　hour　of　danger；　like　Peter　who　betrayed　his　Master。　The　Austrians　had　scarcely　entered　Breslau；　when　he　not　only　denied　me；　but　went　furtherhe　trampled　upon　the　orders　of　my　house；　and　held　a　Te　Deum　in　the　dome　in　honor　of　the　Austrian　victory　at　Collin。〃　The　king　ceased　and　turned　away；　that　the　marquis　might　not　see　the　tears　that　clouded　his　eyes。

〃Sire；〃　cried　the　marquis；　deeply　moved；　〃forget　the　ingratitude　of　these　weak　souls；　who　were　unworthy　of　a　hero's　friendship。〃

〃I　will；　but　enough　of　this。　You　are　here；　and　I　still　believe　in　you；　marquis。　You　and　the　good　Lord　Marshal　are　the　only　friends　left　me　to　lean　upon　when　the　baseness　of　men　makes　my　heart　fail。〃

〃These　friends　will　never　fail　you；　sire；〃　said　the　marquis；　deeply　moved；　〃your　virtues　and　your　love　made　them　strong。〃

The　king　took　his　hand　affectionately。　〃Let　us　forget　the　past；〃　said　he；　gayly；　〃and　as　we　both；　in　our　weak　hours；　consider　ourselves　poets；　let　us　dream