frederick the great and his family-第80章

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。　Both　knew　that　the　brave　General　Soltikow；　next　to　the　thunder　of　cannon　and　the　mad　whirl　of　battle；　loved　nothing　so　well　as　the　springing　of　corks　and　the　odor　of　wine。　Both　knew　that　the　general　was　as　valiant　and　unconquerable　a　soldier　as　he　was　a　valiant　and　unconquerable　drinkerwho　was　most　apt　while　drinking　to　forget　every　thing　else　but　the　gladness　of　the　moment。　The　marquis　tried　to　make　another　weak　attempt　to　remind　him　of　more　earnest　duties。

〃Look　you；　your　excellency；　your　secretaries　appear　very　melancholy。　Will　you　not　first　hold　a　council　of　war？　and　we　can　then　give　ourselves　undisturbed　to　joy　and　enjoyment。〃

〃Why　is　a　council　of　war　necessary？〃　said　Soltikow；　sinking　down　into　a　chair　and　handing　his　cup　to　the　Cossack　behind　him　to　be　filled　for　the　second　time。　〃Away　with　business　and　scribbling！　The　dispatches　to　my　empress　are　completed；　seal　them；　Pietrowitch；　and　send　the　courier　off　immediately；　every　thing　else　can　wait　till　morning。　Come；　generals；　let　us　strike　our　glasses　to　the　healths　of　our　exalted　sovereigns。〃

Loudon　took　the　cup　and　drank　a　brave　pledge；　then　when　he　had　emptied　the　glass　he　said：　〃We　should　not　be　satisfied　with　sending　our　exalted　sovereigns　the　news　of　the　day's　victoryit　lies　in　our　hands　to　inform　them　of　the　complete　and　irrevocable　defeat　of　the　enemy。〃

〃How　so？〃　said　Soltikow；　filling　up　his　cup　for　the　third　time。

〃If　now；　in　place　of　enjoying　this　comfortable　rest；　and　giving　our　enemy　time　to　recover　himself；　we　should　follow　up　the　Prussians　and　cut　off　the　king's　retreat；　preventing　him　from　taking　possession　of　his　old　camp　at　Reutven；　we　would　then　be　in　a　condition　to　crush　him　completely　and　put　an　end　to　this　war。〃

〃Ah；　you　mean　that　we　should　break　up　the　camp　at　once；〃　said　Soltikow；　〃that　we　should　not　grant　to　our　poor；　exhausted　soldiers　a　single　hour　of　sleep；　but　lead　them　out　again　to　battle　and　to　death？　No；　no；　sir　general；　the　blood　of　my　brave　Russians　is　worth　as　much　as　the　blood　of　other　men；　and　I　will　not　make　of　them　a　wall　behind　which　the　noble　Dutchmen　place　themselves　in　comfortable　security；　while　we　offer　up　for　them　our　blood　and　our　life。　I　think　we　Russians　have　done　enough；　we　do　not　need　another　victory　to　prove　that　we　are　brave。　When　I　fight　another　such　battle　as　I　have　fought　to…day；　with　my　staff　in　my　hand　and　alone　I　must　carry　the　news　to　Petersburg；　for　I　shall　have　no　soldiers　left。＇　Footnote：　〃Frederick　the　Great。〃Geschow；　p。　200。＇　I　have　nothing　to　say　against　you；　General　Loudon。　You　have　been　a　faithful　ally；　we　have　fought；　bled；　and　conquered　together；　although　not　protected　by　a　consecrated　hat　and　sword　like　Field…Marshal　Daun；　who　ever　demands　new　victories　from　us　while　he　himself　is　undecided　and　completely　inactive。〃

〃Your　excellency　seems　to　be　somewhat　embittered　against　Daun；〃　said　Loudon；　with　a　smile　he　could　not　wholly　suppress。

〃Yes；〃　said　Soltikow；　〃I　am　embittered　against　this　modern　Fabius　Cunctator；　who　finds　it　so　easy　to　become　renownedwho　remains　in　Vienna　and　reaps　the　harvest　which　belongs　rightly　to　you；　General　Loudon。　You　act；　while　he　hesitatesyou　are　full　of　energy　and　ever　ready　for　the　strife；　Daun　is　dilatory；　and　while　he　is　resolving　whether　to　strike　or　not；　the　opportunity　is　lost。〃

〃The　empress；　my　exalted　sovereign；　has　honored　him　with　her　especial　confidence；〃　said　Loudon；　〃he　must　therefore　merit　it。〃

〃Yes；　and　in　Vienna　they　have　honored　you　and　myself　with　their　especial　distrust；〃　said　Soltikow；　stormily；　and　swallowing　a　full　cup　of　wine。　〃You；　I　know；　receive　rare　and　scanty　praise；　eulogies　must　be　reserved　for　Daun。　We　are　regarded　with　inimical　and　jealous　eyes；　and　our　zeal　and　our　good…will　are　forever　suspected。〃

〃This　is　true；〃　said　Loudon；　smiling；　〃it　is　difficult　for　us　to　believe　in　the　sincere　friendship　of　the　Russians；　perhaps；　because　we　so　earnestly　desire　it。〃

〃Words；　words！〃　said　Soltikow；　angrily。　〃The　German　has　ever　a　secret　aversion　to　the　Russianyou　look　upon　us　as　disguised　tigers；　ever　ready　to　rob　and　devour　your　glorious　culture　and　accomplishments。　For　this　reason　you　gladly　place　a　glass　shade　over　yourselves　when　we　are　in　your　neighborhood；　and　show　us　your　glory　through　a　transparent　wall　that　we　may　admire　and　envy。　When　you　are　living　in　peace　and　harmony；　you　avoid　us　sedulously；　then　the　German　finds　himself　entirely　too　educated；　too　refined；　for　the　barbaric　Russian。　But　when　you　quarrel　and　strive　with　each　other；　and　cannot　lay　the　storm；　then　you　suddenly　remember　that　the　Russian　is　your　neighbor　and　friend；　that　he　wields　a　good　sword；　and　knows　how　to　hew　with　it　right　and　left。　You　call　lustily　on　him　for　help；　and　offer　him　your　friendshipthat　means；　just　so　long　as　hostilities　endure　and　you　have　use　for　us。　Even　when　you　call　us　your　friends　you　distrust　us　and　suspect　our　good…will。　Constant　charges　are　brought　against　us　in　Vienna。　Spresain　languishes　in　chainsAustria　charges　him　with　treachery　and　want　of　zeal　in　the　good　cause；　Fermor　and　Butterlin　are　also　accused　of　great　crimes　they　have　sought　to　make　both　their　sincerity　and　ability　suspected　by　the　empress；　and　to　bring　them　into　reproach。　This　they　have　not　deserved。　I　know；　also；　that　they　have　charged　me　with　disinclination　to　assist　the　alliesthey　declare　that　I　have　no　ardor　for　the　common　cause。　This　makes　bad　blood；　messieurs；　and　if　it　were　not　for　the　excellent　wine　in　your　beautiful　Germany；　I　doubt　if　our　friendship　would　stand　upon　a　sure　footing。　Therefore；　sir　general；　take　your　cup　and　let　us　drink　togetherdrink　this　glorious　wine　to　the　health　of　our　friendship。　Make　your　glasses　ring；　messieurs；　and　that　the　general　may　see　that　we　mean　honorably　with　our　toast；　empty　them　at　a　draught。〃

They　all　accepted　the　challenge　and　emptied　a　cup　of　the　old；　fiery　Rhine　wine；　which　Soltikow　so　dearly　loved；　their　eyes　flashed；　their　cheeks　were　glowing。

Loudon　saw　this　with　horror；　and　he　cast　an　anxious　glance　at　Montalembert；　who　returned　it　with　a　significant　shrug　of　the　shoulder。

〃And　now；　your　excellency；〃　said　Loudon；　〃that　we　have　enjoyed　the　German　wine；　let　us　think　a　little　of　Germany　and　the　enemy　who　can　no　longer　disturb　her　peace；　if　we　act　promptly。　Our　troops　have　had　some　hours'　rest；　and　will　now　be　in　a　condition　to　advance。〃

〃Always　the　same　old　song；〃　said　Soltikow；　laughing；　〃but　I　shall　not　be　waked　up　from　my　comfortable　quarters；　I　have　done　enough！　my　troops　also。〃

〃I　have　just　received　a　courier　from　Daun；〃　said　Loudon；　softly；　〃he　makes　it　my　duty　to　entreat　your　excellency　to　follow　up　our　victory　and　crush　the　enemy　completely。〃

〃That　will　be　easy　work；〃　said　Montalembert；　in　a　flattering　tone。　〃The　army　of　the　King　of　Prussia　is　scattered　and　flying　in　every　direction；　they　must　be　prevented　from　reassembling；　the　scattering　troops　must　be　harassed　and　more　widely　separated；　and　every　possibility　of　retreat　cut　off　for　Frederick。〃

〃Well；　well；　if　that　must　be；〃　said　Soltikow；　apathetically；　placing　the　cup　just　filled　with　wine　to　his　lips；　〃let　Field…Marshal　Daun　undertake　the　duty。　I　have　won　two　battles；　I　will　wait　and　rest；　I　make　no　other　movements　till　I　hear　of　two　victories　won　by　Daun。　It　is　not　reasonable　or　just　for　the　troops　of　my　empress　to　act　alone。〃　＇Footnote：　Soltikow's　own　words。See　Archenholtz；　p。　266。＇

〃But；〃　said　the　Marquis　Montalembert；　giving　himself　the　appearance　of　wishing　not　to　be　heard　by　Loudon；　〃if　your　excellency　now　remains　inactive　and　does　not　press　forward　vigorously；　the　Austrians　alone　will　reap　the　fruits　of　your　victory。〃

〃I　am　not　at　all　disposed　to　be　jealous；〃　said　Soltikow；　laughing；　〃from　my　heart　I　wish　the　Austrians　more　success　than　I　have　had。　For　my　part；　I　have　done　enough。　＇Footnote：　Historical。＇　Fill　your　glasses；　messieurs；　fill　your　glasses！　We　have　won　a　few　hours　of　happiness　from　the　goddess　Bellona；　let　us　enjoy　them　and　forget　all　our　cares。　Let　us　drink　once　more；　gentlemen。　Long　live　our　charming　mistress；　the　Empress　Elizabeth！〃　The　Russian　officers　clanged　their　glasses　and　chimed　in　zealously；　and　the　fragrant　Rhine　wine　bubbled　like　foaming　gold　in　the　silver　cups。　Soltikow　swallowed　it　with　ever…increasing　delight；　and　he　became　more　and　more　animated。

The　officers　sat　round　the　table　with　glowing　cheeks　and　listened　to　their　worshipped　general　who；　in　innocent　gayety；　related　some　scenes　from　his　youth；　and　made　his　hearers　laugh　so　loud；　so　rapturously；　that　the　walls　trembled；　and　Fritz　Kober；　who　was　crouching　down　in　the　bushes；　could　with　difficulty　prevent　himself　from　joining　in　heartily。

The　gayety　of　the　Russians　became　more　impetuous　and　unbridled。　They　dreamed　of　their　home；　here　and　there　they　began　to　sing　Russian　love…songs。　The　Cossacks；　on　the　floor；　grinned　with　delight　and　hummed　lightly　the　refrain。

The　wine　began　to　exercise　its　freedom　and　equality　principles　upon　the　heart；　and　all　difference　of　rank　was　forgotten。　Every　countenance　beamed　with　delight；　every　man　laughed　and　jested；　sang　and　drank。　No　one　thought　of　the　King　of　Prussia　and　his　scattered　army；　they　remembered　the　victory　they　had　achieved；　but　the　fragrant　wine　banished　the　remembrance　of　the　conquered。　＇Footnote：　See　Prussia；　Frederick　the　Great。Gebhard；　p。　73。＇

Montalembert　and　Loudon　took　no　part　in　the　general　mirth。　They　had　left　the　table；　and　from　an　open　window　watched　the　wild　and　frenzied　group。

〃It　is　in　vain；〃　whispered　Loudon；　〃we　cannot　influence　him。　The　German　wine　lies　nearer　his　heart　than　his　German　allies。〃

〃But　you；　general；　you　should　do　what　Soltikow　omits　or　neglects。　You　should　draw　your　own　advantage　from　this　tardiness　of　the　Russian　general；　and　pursue　and　crush　the　King　of　Prussia。〃

〃I　would　not　be　here　now；〃　said　Loudon；　painfully；　〃if　I　could　do　that。　My　hands　are　bound。　I　dare　not　undertake　any　thing　to　which　the　allies　do　not　agree；　we　can　only　act　in　concert。〃

A　loud　roar　of　laughter　from　the　table　silenced　the　two　gentlemen。　Soltikow　had　just　related　a　merry　anecdote；　which　made　the　Cossacks　laugh　aloud。　One　of　the　Russian　generals　rewarded　them　by　throwing　them　two　tallow…candles。　This　dainty　little　delicacy　was　received　by　them　with　joyful　shouts。

〃Let　us　withdraw；〃　whispered　Montalembert；　〃the　scene　becomes　too　Russian。〃

〃Yes；　let　us　go；〃　sighed　Loudon；　〃if　we　must　remain　here　inactive；　we　can　at　least　employ　the　time　in　sleep。〃

No　one　remarked　the　withdrawal　of　the　two　gentlemen。　The　gay　laughter；　the　drinking　and　singing　went　on　undisturbed；　and　soon　became　a　scene　of　wild　and　drunken　confusion。

〃We　can　now　also　withdraw；〃　whispered　Charles　Henry　to　Fritz　Kober。　〃Come；　come！　you　know　we　are　expected。〃

With　every　possible　caution；　they　hastened　away；　and　only　after　they　had　left　the　camp　of　the　Russians　and　Austrians　far　behind　them；　and　passed　again　over　the　battle…field　did　Fritz　Kober　break　silence。　〃Well；〃　said　he；　sighing；　〃what　have　we　to　say　to　the　king？〃

〃All　that　we　have　heard；〃　said　Charles　Henry。

〃Yes；　but　we　have　heard　nothing；〃　murmured　Fritz。　〃I　opened　my　ears　as　wide　as　possible；　but　it　was　all　in　vain。　Is　it　not　base　and　vile　to　come　to　Germany　and　speak　this　gibberish；　not　a　word　of　which　can　be　understood？　In　Germany　me