frederick the great and his family-第85章

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ten。〃

The　stranger　bowed。　〃First；　I　must　pray　your　worship's　forgiveness；　for　having　dared　to　deceive　you。　I　am　no　merchant；　and　have　nothing　to　do　with　relics；　I　am　a　soldier！　my　name　is　Cocceji；　and　I　have　the　honor　to　be　an　adjutant　of　the　King　of　Prussia。　My　royal　master　has　intrusted　me　with　a　most　important　and　secret　mission；　and　I　am　commissioned　by　your　brother；　the　Abbe　Bastiani；　to　ask　in　his　name　for　your　assistance　in　this　great　matter。〃

〃In　what　does　your　mission　consist？〃　said　the　prior；　calmly。

The　Baron　Cocceji　smiled。　〃It　is　difficultyes；　impossible　to　tell　you　in　a　few　words。　Your　worship　must　allow　me　a　wider　scope；　in　order　to　explain　myself　fully。〃

〃Speak　on！〃　said　the　prior。

〃I　see；　by　the　maps　and　the　arrangements　of　the　pins；　that　your　worship　knows　exactly　the　position　and　circumstances　of　my　royal　master；　whom　all　Europe　admires　and　wonders　at；　and　whom　his　enemies　fear　most　when　they　have　just　defeated　him。　They　know　that　my　king　is　never　so　great；　never　so　energetic　and　bold　in　action；　as　when　he　is　seemingly　at　a　disadvantage；　and　overwhelmed　by　misfortunes。　The　bold　glance　of　the　great　Frederick　discovers　ever…new　fountains　of　help；　he　creates　in　himself　both　power　and　strength；　and　when　his　enemies　think　they　have　caught　the　royal　lion　in　their　nets；　his　bold　eye　has　already　discovered　the　weak　spot；　he　tears　it　apart；　and　makes　his　foes；　bewildered　with　terror　and　astonishment；　fly　before　him。　It　is　true；　the　king　has　just　lost　three　battles！　The　Austrians　and　Russians　defeated　him　at　Hochkirch；　at　Kunersdorf；　and　at　Mayen。　But　what　have　they　gained？　They　have；　in　these　three　battles；　lost　more　than　the　king；　they　have　exhausted　their　resourcestheir　own；　and　those　of　their　allies；　but　Frederick　stands　still　opposed　to　them；　full　of　strength　and　power。　His　army　is　enlarged；　from　every　side；　from　every　province；　shouting　crowds　stream　onward　to　join　the　colors　of　their　king。　Enthusiasm　makes　a　youth　of　the　graybeard；　and　changes　boys　to　men。　Each　one　of　them　will　have　his　part　in　the　experience　and　fame　of　the　great　Frederick；　and　demands　this　of　him　as　a　holy　right。　The　king's　treasury　is　not　exhausted；　the　people；　with　joy　and　gladness；　have　offered　up　upon　the　altar　of　the　fatherland；　their　possessions；　their　jewels；　and　their　precious　things；　and　submit　with　enthusiasm　to　all　the　restrictions　and　self…denials　which　the　war　imposes　upon　them。　They　desire　nothing　but　to　see　their　king　victorious；　to　help　him　to　this；　they　will　give　property；　bloodyes；　life　itself。　It　is　this　warm；　enthusiastic　love　of　his　people　which　makes　the　king　so　fearful　to　his　enemies；　it　protects　him　like　a　diamond　shield；　steels　him　against　the　balls　of　his　adversaries；　and　fills　his　proud；　heroic　soul　with　assurances　of　triumph。　All　Europe　shares　this　enthusiasm　and　these　convictions　of　ultimate　success　with　the　Prussians　and　their　dear…loved　king。　All　Europe　greets　the　hero　with　loud　hosannas；　who　alone　defies　so　many　and　such　mighty　foes；　who　has　often　overcome　them；　and　from　whom　they　have　not　yet　wrung　one　single　strip　of　the　land　they　have　watered　with　their　blood；　and　in　whose　bosom　their　fallen　hosts　lie　buried　in　giant　graves。　This　has　won　for　him　the　sympathy　of　all　Europe；　and　the　love　and　admiration　of　even　the　subjects　of　his　great　and　powerful　foes。　In　Francethat　France；　whose　warriors　suffered　so　shameful　a　defeat　at　Rossbach；　and　whose　government　is　filled　with　rage　and　thirsty　for　revenge　against　this　heroic　kingeven　in　France　is　Frederick　admired　and　worshipped。　Even　in　the　palace　of　the　king；　they　no　longer　refuse　to　acknowledge　his　worth　and　glory。　But　lately；　the　young　Duke　de　Belleisle　exhorted　the　Marquise　de　Pompadour　to　implore　King　Louis　to　prosecute　the　war　with　earnestness　and　ardor；　otherwise　King　Frederick　might　soon　be　expected　in　Paris　with　his　army。　The　Marquise　de　Pompadour　cried　out　warmly；　'Good！　then　I　shall　at　last　see　a　king！'　In　Germany；　his　enemies　seek　in　vain　to　arouse　the　fanaticism　of　the　people　against　the　heretical　king。　Catholic　Bavariathe　Palatinate…Mainenter　murmuringly　and　reluctantly　into　this　war　against　this　Protestant　king；　although　they　wear　the　beads　in　their　pockets；　and　the　scapular　over　their　shoulders。　Even　if　Frederick　the　Second　is　now　overcome　by　his　enemies；　in　the　public　opinion　he　is　the　conqueror；　and　the　whole　world　sympathizes　with　him。　But　public　opinion　is　his　only　ally；　and　the　sympathy　of　the　people　is　his　only　source　of　revenue；　outside　of　the　subsidy　from　England；　which　will　soon　be　exhausted。　Frederick；　therefore；　must　look　after　other　allies；　other　friends；　who　will　render　him　assistance；　in　so　far　as　not　to　unsheathe　the　sword　against　him；　and　to　prepare　some　difficulties　for　his　adversaries；　and　occupy　a　portion　of　their　attention。　Such　friends　the　king　hopes　to　find　in　Italy；　and　to　attain　this　object；　I　would　ask　counsel　and　help　of　your　worship。〃

〃And　in　how　far　is　it　thought　that　I　can　be　useful　in　this　matter？〃　said　the　prior；　thoughtfully。

〃Your　worship　has　a　second　brother；　who　is　minister　of　the　King　of　Sardinia；　and　it　is　well　known　he　is　the　king's　especial　confidant　and　favorite。〃

〃And　my　noble　brother；　Giovanni；　merits　fully　the　favor　of　his　king！〃　said　the　prior；　heartily。　〃He　is　the　most　faithful；　the　most　exalted　servant　of　his　master！〃

〃In　all　his　great　and　good　characteristics；　he　resembles　his　brother；　the　Prior　of　San　Giovanni；　and　I　hope；　in　this　also；　that　he　is　the　friend　of　the　King　of　Prussia！〃　said　the　stranger。

〃But　I　fear　neither　the　friendship　of　my　brother　Giovanni　nor　my　own　can　be　useful　to　the　King　of　Prussia。　I　am　a　poor　and　powerless　monk；　suspected　and　watched。　My　offence　is；　that　I　have　not；　like　the　fanatical　priests　of　the　Church；　wished　for　the　destruction　and　death　of　the　great　Frederick。　My　brother　is　the　minister　of　a　king；　whose　land　is　neither　rich　enough　in　gold　to　pay　subsidies；　nor　in　men　to　place　an　army　in　the　field。〃

〃Well；　then；　we　must　take　occasion　to　increase　the　territory　of　the　King　of　Sardinia！〃　said　Baron　Cocceji。　〃We　must　give　him　so　large　a　realm；　that　he　will　be　a　dangerous　neighbor　to　France　and　Austria。　This　is　the　plan　and　the　intention　of　my　king。　Upon　these　points　turn　the　proposals　I　will　make　in　Turin；　for　the　furtherance　of　which；　I　pray　your　assistance。　The　King　of　Sardinia　has　well…　grounded　claim　to　Milan；　to　Mantua；　and　to　Bologna；　by　the　treaty　of　Aix…la…Chapelle；　why　not　make　himself　King　of　Lombardy？　Unhappy　Italy　is　like　unhappy　Germanytorn　to　pieces。　In　place　of　obeying　one　master；　they　must　submit　to　the　yoke　of　many。　The　dwellers　in　Italy；　instead　of　being　Italians；　call　themselves　Milanese；　Venetians；　Sardinians；　Tuscans；　Romans；　Neapolitans；　and　I　know　not　what。　All　this　weakens　the　national　pride；　and　takes　from　the　people　the　joyful　consciousness　of　their　greatness。　Italy　must　be　one　in　herself；　in　order　to　be　once　more　great　and　powerful。　Let　the　King　of　Sardinia　take　possession　of　Upper　Italy；　and　he　will；　with　his　rightful　inheritance；　and　as　King　of　Lombardy；　be　a　powerful　prince…　…feared　by　his　enemies；　and　welcomed　by　his　allies。〃

〃And　do　you　think　that　Naples　would　look　quietly　on　and　witness　this　rapid　growth　of　Sardinia？〃　said　the　prior；　laughing。

〃We　will　give　to　Naples　an　opportunity　at　the　same　time　to　enlarge　her　borders　the　young　King　of　Naples　has　energy；　he　has　proved　it。　When　his　father；　Don　Carlos；　was　called　by　right　of　succession　to　the　Spanish　throne；　he　had　himself　declared　King　of　Naples；　not　regarding　the　right　of　the　Duke　of　Parma；　to　whom；　according　to　the　treaty　of　Aix…la…Chapelle；　the　Neapolitan　throne　rightly　belonged。　King　Ferdinand　is　already　a　usurper！　Let　him　go　on；　even　as　successfully　in　the　same　pathhe　has　taken　Napleslet　him　take　Tuscany　and　the　States　of　the　Church；　and；　as　King　of　Lower　Italy；　he　will　be　as　powerful　as　the　King　of　Sardinia。　In　order　that　both　may　obtain　possession　of　these　lands　uninterrupted　and　uninjured；　will　the　King　of　Prussia　so　completely　occupy　the　attention　of　Austria　and　France　in　Germany　and　Flanders　as　to　make　it　impossible　for　them　to　interfere　with　Naples　and　Sardinia？〃　＇Footnote：　Preuss；　〃History　of　Frederick　the　Great。〃＇

〃By　Heaven！　a　great　and　bold　idea；　altogether　in　harmony　with　the　energetic　spirit　of　Frederick；〃　cried　the　prior。　〃If　the　two　Italian　kings　resemble　the　great　Frederick；　they　will　adopt　this　plan　with　enthusiasm。〃

He　had　risen；　and　stepped　hastily　backward　and　forward；　now　and　then　murmuring　a　few　disconnected　words；　he　then　drew　near　the　table　and　stood　earnestly　regarding　the　maps。

Cocceji　did　not　dare　to　interrupt　him　by　word　or　sound；　he　watched　him；　however；　closely。　At　last；　however；　the　inward　struggle　seemed　to　be　over；　he　stood　quietly　before　the　baron；　and；　fixing　his　dark；　earnest　eyes　with　a　thoughtful　expression　upon　him；　he　said；　softly：　〃You　have　confided　to　me　a　great　and　dangerous　enterprise。　If　I　did　my　duty　as　the　unconditional　subject　of　the　Pope；　and　as　a　priest　of　the　holy　Church；　of　which　Frederick　is　the　bitter　antagonist；　I　should　arrest　you　here；　as　a　dangerous　negotiator　and　enemy；　and　above　all；　I　should　give　speedy　notice　of　this　conspiracy；　which　not　only　threatens　Clement　as　head　of　the　Church；　but　as　sovereign　of　the　States　of　the　Church。　Butwhat　would　you　have？I　was　not　born　a　priest；　and　my　heart　and　my　spirit　have　never　been　able　to　accommodate　themselves　fully　to　the　discipline　of　my　order。　I　have　always　remained；　I　fear；〃　said　he；　with　a　graceful　smile；　〃the　true　brother　of　the　free…thinking　Abbe　Bastiani；　and　it　appears　to　me；　it　lies　in　our　blood　to　love　and　pay　homage　to　the　great　and　intellectual　King　of　Prussia。　I　will；　therefore；　listen　to　and　follow　the　voice　of　my　blood　and　of　my　heart；　and　forget　a　little　that　I　am　a　priest　of　the　only　church　in　which　salvation　can　be　found。　As　far　as　it　lies　in　my　power；　I　will　promote　your　object。　I　will　give　you　letters　to　Turin；　not　only　to　my　brother　Giovanni；　but　to　Father　Tomaseo；　the　king's　confessor。　He　is　my　most　faithful　friend；　and　sympathizes　fully　with　me。　If　you　can　win　him　and　my　brother　Giovanni；　you　have　won　the　king；　and　he　will　lend　a　willing　ear　to　your　proposals。　Your　plans　are　bold；　but　my　brother　and　Father　Tomaseo　are　daring；　undaunted　men；　the　progress　of　Italy　and　the　greatness　of　their　king　lies　nearest　their　hearts。　They　are　both　influenced　by　my　judgment；　and　when　you　hand　them　my　letters；　you　will　at　least　be　a　most　welcome　guest。〃

He　gave　the　baron　his　hand；　and　listened　with　a　kindly　smile　to　the　enthusiastic　thanks　of　the　over…happy　soldier；　whose　first　diplomatic　mission　seemed　to　promise　so　favorably。

〃Be；　however；　always　prudent　and　discreet；　signor；〃　said　the　prior；　laughing。　〃Play　your　role　as　merchant；　do　not　lay　it　aside　for　one　moment　while　in　Turin。　Leave　Venice　as　quickly　as　possible；　no　doubt　the　brother　guardian；　who　was　sent　from　Rome　as　a　spy；　who　watches　not　only　all　my　actions；　but　my　words　and　thoughts；　has　remarked　our　long　interview；　and　is　already　suspicious。　As　he　has　a　fine　nose；　he　may　soon　discover　a　part　of　your　secret！　Do　not　return　to　the　cloister。　During　the　day　I　will　send　you　the　promised　letters　by　a　faithful　brother。　As　soon　as　you　receive　them；　be　off！　My　best　wishes　and　my　prayers　accompany