frederick the great and his family-第83章

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opened　one　of　the　fans；　it　was　of　white　satin；　with　quite　an　artistic　painting　of　a　large　Prussian　eagle　about　to　devour　a　white　lily。

The　host　clapped　his　hands　with　delight。　〃Delicious！〃　he　cried；　laughing。　〃The　Prussian　eagle　devouring　the　French　lily；　this　is　charming　prophecy；　a　wonderful　satire。　You　bought　these　fans　in　Geneva；　there　are　Prussians　in　Geneva　also；　then。〃

〃Every　lady　in　Geneva　has　such　a　fan；　and　there　are　no　better　Prussians　in　Berlin　than　in　Geneva。〃

〃I　am　delighted；　truly　delighted；〃　cried　the　Italian；　enthusiastically。〃　The　time　will　come　when　all　the　people　of　Europe　will　be　Prussians　and　only　princes　Teresiani。〃

〃Nevertheless；　the　people　will　have　to　obey　their　princes；〃　said　the　stranger；　with　a　watchful　glance；　〃and　if　they　command　it；　will　war　against　the　great　king。〃

〃Not　we；　not　the　Italians；〃　cried　the　host；　violently；　〃our　Doge　would　not　dare　to　side　with　the　Teresiani；　for　he　knows　very　well　that　would　occasion　a　revolution　in　Venice　and；　perhaps；　endanger　his　own　throne。　No；　no；　signor；　our　exalted　government　is　too　wise　not　to　adopt　a　neutral　position；　while　secretly　they　are　as　good　Prussians　as　we　are。〃

〃But　the　Lombardians　and　the　Sardinians？〃　asked　the　stranger；　expectantly。

〃They　also　are　Prussians；　even　if　their　king　is　a　Teresiano；　as　they　say；　his　people　are　Prussians　like　ourselves。〃

〃And　the　Neapolitans？〃

〃Well；　the　Neapolitans；〃　said　the　host；　laughing；　〃the　Neapolitans　are；　as　you　know；　not　renowned　for　their　bravery；　and　if　they　do　not　love　the　great　Frederick；　they　fear　him。　The　Neapolitans　are　the　children　of　Italy；　knowing　only　that　Naples　is　a　beautiful　city；　and　fearing　a　barbarian　might　come　and　devour　it。　In　their　terror　they　forget　that　no　one　is　thinking　of　them；　and　that　they　are　separated　by　Italy　and　the　Alps　from　all　warlike　people。　The　king　of　Naples　thinks　it　possible　that　Frederick　may　one　day　ascend　Vesuvius　with　his　conquering　army　and　take　possession　of　Naples。　Since　the　king's　last　victories；　Ferdinand　has　increased　the　number　of　his　troops　and　doubled　the　guard　in　his　capital。〃

The　host　laughed　so　heartily　at　this　account；　that　the　stranger　was　irresistibly　compelled　to　join　him。

〃The　King　of　Naples　is　but　a　boy　nine　years　old。　His　ministers　are　older　than　himself；　and　should　know　a　little　more　geography；　signor。　But　corpo　di　Bacco；　here　I　am　talking　and　talking　of　politics　forgetting　entirely　that　your　excellency　is　doubtless　hungry；　and　desires　a　strengthening　meal。〃

〃'Tis　true；　I　am　a　little　hungry；〃　said　the　stranger；　smiling。

〃In　a　quarter　of　an　hour　the　most　splendid　dinner；　that　the　celebrated　White　Lion　can　prepare；　shall　be　ready　for　you；　signor；〃　cried　the　host；　as　he　rushed　hastily　from　the　room。

The　stranger　gazed　thoughtfully　after　him。　〃It　appears　to　me　that　I　have　been　very　fortunate　in　coming　here；　the　good　host　seems　to　be　a　good　Prussian；　and　I　have　learned　more　from　him　in　a　quarter　of　an　hour　than　I　would　have　done　in　a　long　journey　through　Italy。　I　shall　now　be　able　to　act　with　zeal　and　energy。　But　I　must　not　forget　the　role　I　have　to　play。　I　am　a　merchant　trading　with　fans；　curiosities；　and　relics；　and　very　anxious　to　bring　my　wares　to　market。〃

The　entrance　of　the　waiter　interrupted　him；　and　soon　the　savory　dishes　invited　the　traveller　to　refresh　himself。




CHAPTER　II。

FREDERICK　THE　GREAT　AS　A　SAINT。


〃And　now　to　business；〃　said　the　Traveller；　when　he　had　finished　dining。　〃It　is　high　time　I　were　on　my　way；　if　I　am　to　leave　this　place　to…day。〃　He　hastened　to　his　trunk　and　took　from　it　several　bundles　and　packages；　some　of　which　he　put　in　his　pockets　and　some；　like　a　true　merchant；　he　carried　under　his　arm。　Then　putting　on　his　large；　black　felt　hat；　he　turned　to　leave　the　room。　In　passing　the　mirror　he　looked　at　himself；　and　broke　out　into　a　merry　laugh　at　his　appearance。

〃Truly；〃　said　he；　〃I　look　like　a　veritable　shop…keeper；　and　he　who　takes　me　for　any　thing　else；　must　be　of　a　more　political　turn　of　mind　than　my　host；　Signor　Montardo；　the　Prussiano。〃

He　turned　and　left　the　room　to　obtain　the　address　of　some　merchants　and　a　guide　from　his　host。　In　spite　of　remonstrances　Signer　Montardo　insisted　on　accompanying　him。

〃Otherwise；〃　said　he；　〃some　one　might　address　you　who　is　not　on　our　side；　and　if　you　were　then　to　show　him　your　fans；　there　would　be　a　fearful　scandal；　the　other　party　is　quite　as　hot…headed　as　we　are；　and　many　a　pitched　battle　has　taken　place　between　the　Teresiani　and　the　Prussiani。　Come；　sir；　I　must　accompany　you。　We　will　not　go　by　the　canal；　but　through　the　small　by…streets；　they　will　lead　us　quickest　to　the　Riva　di　Schiavoni；　and　then　to　the　Rialto；　which　is　our　destination。〃

〃Is　that　far　from　the　convent　of　San　Giovanni　e　Paolo？〃　asked　the　stranger。

〃Ah；　you　are　still　determined　to　offer　your　relics　to　the　abbot？〃　said　the　host；　laughing。

〃Yes；　and　hope　to　sell　them。〃

〃Well；　I　wish　you　luck。　The　Rialto　is　not　far　from　there。　I　will　go　with　you　until　within　the　vicinity　of　the　convent；　but　not　farther。〃

〃And　why　not？〃

〃Because　the　door…keeper　is　a　raging　Teresiano；　and　would　undoubtedly　close　the　door　in　your　face；　were　I　at　your　side。〃

〃But　did　you　not　tell　me　the　abbot　was　a　Prussia；　no？〃

〃Yes；　the　abbot；　but　the　porter　is　not；　nor　are　many　of　the　monks；　I　am　sorry　to　say。〃

〃Ah；　even　the　monks　are　occupied　with　politics？〃

〃Signor；〃　cried　the　host；　pathetically；　〃every　one　here　interests　himself　in　politics；　and　when　you　hear　that　our　little　children　are　divided　into　Teresiani　and　Prussiani；　you　will　credit　me。　There　was　a　slight　revolution　yesterday　in　the　Riva　Peschiera。　It　was　occasioned　by　a　fishwoman's　refusing　to　sell　my　cook　some　beautiful　trout；　she　declared　God　had　not　created　fish　for　the　Prussiani；　which；　in　her　opinion；　was　another　name　for　heathen　and　unbeliever。　My　cook　insisted　on　having　the　fish；　and；　as　unfortunately　there　were　many　Prussiani　among　the　fishwomen；　it　soon　came　to　hard　words　and　still　harder　blows；　and　was　terminated　by　the　arrest　of　the　principal　disturbers。〃

They　were　now　entering　the　Riva　di　Schiavoni；　and　the　talkative　Signor　Montardo　was　continuing　his　merry　tales　when　he　was　interrupted　by　cries　and　shouts　of　laughter　and　derision；　and　they　were　almost　surrounded　by　a　large　crowd　of　excited　men。

〃We　are　fortunately　at　the　end　of　our　walk；〃　said　Signor　Montardo；　〃for　there　is　the　house　of　my　worthy　friend　Cicernachi；　dealer　in　fancy　goods；　and　it　is　to　him　we　are　going。　Let　us　press　forward　to　see　what　this　crowd　means。　I　presume　my　friend　Cicernachi　has　prepared　another　surprise　for　the　good　people　of　Venice。〃

He　made　a　way　for　himself　and　friend　with　his　broad　shoulders；　and　soon　stood　in　front　of　the　shop　around　which　the　crowd　was　collected。　A　cry　of　astonishment　escaped　the　stranger；　and　he　pointed　to　the　entrance　of　the　shop。　〃You　see　there；〃　said　he；　〃a　speaking　likeness　of　Frederick　the　Great。〃

There　hung　at　the　front　of　the　store　a　large　engraving　in　a　rich　golden　frame。　It　was　the　portrait　of　Prussia's　hero　kingof　Frederick　the　Greatand　beneath　burnt　a　bright　lamp；　its　light　shedding　a　rosy　tint　over　Frederick's　noble　countenance。

〃Ah！　I　understand　it　now；〃　whispered　the　host。　〃Cicernachi　has　done　this　to　enrage　the　Teresiani。　To　show　his　boundless　reverence　for　the　king；　he　has　placed　a　burning　lamp　beneath　his　picture；　an　honor　due　only　in　our　country　to　the　saints。　Let　us　hear　what　the　people　have　to　say　of　it。〃

Just　then　a　Teresiano　commenced　a　speech；　accompanied　by　violent　gesticulations；　against　this　insult　to　the　Church。　〃How　can　you　suffer　this　heretic　to　be　represented　by　you　as　a　saint？〃　cried　he；　in　a　voice　of　rage。　〃Do　you　not　know　that　the　Pope　has　excommunicated　the　King　of　Prussia？　Do　you　not　know　that　he　is　an　enemy　to　God；　to　the　Church；　and　to　our　holy　Catholic　religion？　Away；　then；　with　this　lamp！　The　fires　of　hell　will　devour　him；　but　no　holy　lamp　shall　enlighten　his　darkened　soul。〃

〃He　is　right；　he　is　right；〃　cried　some　among　the　crowd。　〃Away　with　the　lamp！　Break　Cicernachi's　windows；　for　he　is　a　Prussiano。　He　makes　a　saint　of　a　heretic！　Put　out　the　lamp！〃

〃Do　not　venture　to　touch　the　lamp；〃　cried　others。　〃Back！　back！　or　our　fists　shall　close　your　eyes　until　neither　the　lamp　nor　the　great　Frederick　is　visible　to　you。〃

〃Put　out　the　lamp；　in　God's　name！〃　cried　the　infuriated　Teresiani。　And　the　cry　was　repeated　by　many　of　his　party；　as　they　pressed　forward。　But　the　Prussiani；　amongst　whom　were　our　host　and　the　stranger；　had　already　formed　a　wall　of　defence　before　the　store；　and　were　energetically　beating　back　the　approaching　Teresiani。　And　then　there　occurred　a　tumult；　such　as　can　only　occur　among　passionate　Italians。　Wild　shouts；　curses；　and　threats　were　heardeyes　sparkling　with　rage；　doubled　fists；　and　here　and　there　a　dagger　or　a　knife　was　seen。

But　the　noise　suddenly　ceased；　and　a　deep　stillness　prevailed。　No　sound　was　heard　but　the　quiet　even　tread　of　the　solemn　silent　forms　that　stood　suddenly；　as　if　they　had　risen　from　the　earth　in　their　midst。　No　one　had　seen　them　comeno　word　was　spoken　by　them；　and　still　many　retreated　timidly；　fearfully　from　them；　their　presence　was　enough　to　quiet　these　enraged　masses；　to　silence　their　anger。　Even　Signor　Montardo　deserted　his　prominent　position　before　the　lamp；　and　was　gazing　anxiously　at　the　dark　forms　passing　slowly　through　the　crowd。

〃The　sbirri！〃　whispered　he　to　the　stranger。　〃The　servants　of　the　Council　of　Ten！　Whom　will　they　take　with　them？〃

But　it　seemed　as　if　these　much…feared　men　only　desired　to　cause　the　people　to　remember　them　only；　to　threatennot　to　punish。　They　wished　to　remind　the　people　that　the　law　was　watching　over　them。　Completely　hid　by　their　long　mantles；　they　passed　with　bowed　heads　through　the　crowd。　Thus　without　addressing　or　noticing　any　one；　they　passed　into　one　of　the　small　by…streets　leading　from　the　Rialto。

As　the　last　one　disappeared；　life　once　more　animated　the　crowd。　All　breathed　more　freely　when　relieved　from　their　much…feared　presence；　and　soon　they　commenced　talking　again　of　Cicernachi's　new　saint。

〃You　see；〃　whispered　Montardo　to　the　stranger；　〃that　our　government　is　neutral。　It　will　not　punish　neither　the　Prussiani　nor　the　Teresiani；　only　warns　us　not　to　carry　our　zeal　too　far；　and　reminds　us　that　it　is　against　the　law　to　carry　a　dagger　or　a　knife　in　the　streets。　But　now　let　us　enter　the　shop；　and　I　will　introduce　you　to　Cicernachi。〃

He　took　the　stranger's　arm；　and　entered　the　shop；　where　a　tall；　slim　man　met　him。　His　long　black　hair　hung　in　wild　disorder　on　both　sides　of　his　expressive　countenance；　his　eyes　sparkled　with　fire；　and　on　his　full　red　lip　there　was　a　proud；　triumphant　smile。

〃Well；　Montardo；〃　said　he；　〃you　come　undoubtedly　to　congratulate　me　on　this　victory　over　these　miserable　Teresiani。〃

〃Certainly；　sir。〃　cried　Montardo；　laughingly；　〃it　was　a　most　original　idea。〃

〃Do　you　know　why　I　have　done　it？〃　said　Cicernachi；　〃yesterday　the　Teresiani　placed　before　their　restaurants　the　bull　of　Pope　Clement　XI。；　which　has　just　been　confirmed　and　renewed　by　Clement　XIII。　It　was　printed　on　white　satin；　and　enclosed　in　a　beautiful　gilt　frame；　and　underneath　it　burnt　a　sacred　lamp。〃

〃What　are　the　contents　of　this　bull？〃　said　Montardo。

〃I　will　t