“Ifyourmajestycommandsit，thenIwillacknowledgeit。Yes，IdidwishthatyourmajestyhadnotempoweredBaronvonThuguttoreturnforfurthernegotiations。ItwouldhavebeenwellifyourmajestyhadmarchedvictorioustoVienna，tolettheproudHapsburgersseeforoncethatFrederickofPrussiadoesnotstandbehindthem，butattheirside；thathehascreatedaneworderofthings；thattheold，mouldy，rottenstatutesoftheimperialsovereigntyhavefalleninthedustbeforeFredericktheGreat；thatGermanymustbenewlymappedout，inordertogiveroomneartheoldmanAustriaforyoungPrussia。Yes，yourmajesty，Icouldhavewishedthatyouhadevenbeenlessgenerous，lessnobletowardthesupercilious，insolentenemy，andhaveacceptednoconditionsbutthoseof'equalityforPrussiawithAustriaintheGermanempire！'“
“Mydearsir，Iamtrulyastonishedatthevigorwithwhichyouexpressyourself；Iamverygladtofindyousoenthusiastic，“saidFrederick，noddingtohisminister；“butlisten——IwillconfidetoyouthatwhichIdonotwishyoutorepeat:Iamnolonger，tomyregret，whatyousoflatteringlycallme，'FredericktheGreat，'butonly'OldFritz。'Doyouunderstandme?thelatterisadeplorable，worn-outsoldier，whonolongerfeelspowerorvigor。ThelinesofBoileauoftenrecurtomeonmountingmyhorse:
'Unfortunateone，leavethysteedgrowingoldinpeace，Forfear，that，pantingandsuddenlyoutofbreath，Infalling，hemaynotleavehismasteruponthearena！'
Itisthemiseryoflifethatmanwillgrowold，andthatthebody，whenwornandweary，willevensubduethespirit，andforcehertofoldherwingsandsuffer。Ididnotrealizethatithadgonesofarwithme，andIimaginedthatthewingedsoulcouldraisetheold，decayedbody。ThereforeIrisked，inspiteofmylazyoldage，toundertakethiswar，forIrecognizeditasaholydutytoenterintoit，forthehonorandjusticeofourcountry，andprovetotheEmperorofGermanythathecouldnotmanageandruleathiswillintheGermanempire。I1ongnotforthehonorofnewlaurels，butI
shouldbesatisfied，asfatherofmysubjects，togainacivilcrown。
Thereyouhavemycreed。Ihaveassincerelyconfessedtoyouasmyrespectablecousin，theempress-queen，toherconfessor；onlyIdidnotfalluponmykneestoyou，andyoudonotasthesaidconfessor，betraymetotheHolyFatheratRome。”
“Yourmajestywellknowsthateverywordwhichyouhavethegracetoconfidetome，isengraveduponmyinmostsoul，andthatnopoweruponearthcouldforcemetorevealit。”
“Iknowthatyouareatrueandzealousservantofyourkingandcountry，“saidFrederick。“OncemoreIsaytoyou，otherthananhonorablepeaceIwillnotmake；andifempress-queendoesnotaccepttheabandonmentofBavariaasthebasisofpeace，thenImustconquermyaversiontowar，andtheswordmustarrangewhatthepenhasfailedtodo。Andnow，passonsladessus！UntilThugutarrives，letusspeakofotherthings。Ihavebeentolerablyindustrious，andhaveimprovedtheleisureofcamp-lifeasmuchaspossible。IhavewrittenapanegyricuponVoltaire，andwhenitisrevisedandcorrectedyoushallarrangeananniversaryinmemoriam，attheBerlinAcademy，andreadmyeulogy。”
“AllGermanyandallEuropewillbesurprisedatthemagnanimityoftheroyalmindwhichcouldoccupyitselfinthecampwiththemuse，anderectanimperishablemonumenttothemanwhowitnessedsuchingratitudeandbasenesstohisbenefactorandprotector。”
“Vousalleztropvite，moncher；vraiment，tropvite，“criedFrederick，ardently。“ItistrueVoltairewasamiserablefellow，buthewasagreatpoet。HereturnedmeannessandingratitudetomeforthemanykindnessesIshowedtohim，forItreatedhimmorelikeafriendthanaking。Voltairewasmybenefactor，insofarthatI
owedtohimthemostagreeableandelevatinghoursofmyyouth，InmemoryofthesehoursIhavewrittenthiseulogy。Itisnotworthyofparticularmention，andtheAcademieFrancaisewilldoubtlessseverelycriticisemyknowledgeoftheirlanguage。Butitisimpossibletowritewell，onemomentincampandanotheronthemarch。Ifitisunworthyofhimwhomitwasintendedtocelebrate，I
haveatleastavailedmyselfofthefreedomofthepen，andwillcausetobepubliclyreadinBerlinwhatonedaresnotwhisperinParis。”[Footnote:Theking'sownwords——“PosthumousWorks，“vol。
xv。，p。109。ThiseulogyuponVoltaire，whichthekingwroteincamp，Herzbergread，intheNovemberfollowing，beforetheAcademy。]
“Ishallbemosthappytobetheinstrumenttomakeknownthisgenerousexpressionofyourmajesty'sgood-will，“remarkedHerzberg，bowing。
Fredericksmiled，adding:“ButwiththeotherworkwhichIhavecommenced，youarenotquitesatisfied。YouaresuchanenthusiasticGerman，thatyoupresumetoassertthattheintolerableGermanjargonisabeautifulandexpressivelanguage！“
“AndIabidebythisdecision，yourmajesty，“zealouslycriedHerzberg。“TheGermanlanguageiseuphonious，andprolificinideas，anditiswellcapableofrivallinginbrevityandclearnessthoseoftheancients。”
“Thatyouhavealreadyasserted，andIhavecontestedit，andagainIcontestitto-day。DonottroublemewithyourGermanlanguage。Itwillonlydeservenoticewhengreatpoets，distinguishedorators，andadmirablehistorians，havegivenittheirattentionandcorrectedit，freeingitfromsuchdisgustingandeffeminatephrasesasnowdisfigureit，andcauseonetouseamassofwordstoexpressafewideas。Atpresentitisonlyanaccumulationofdifferentdialects，whicheverydivisionoftheGermanempirethinkstospeakthebest，andofwhichtwentythousandcanscarcelyunderstandwhattheothertwentythousandaresaying！“[Footnote:Theking'sownwords——See“PosthumousWorks，“vol。xv。]
“Sire，“criedHerzberg，withvehemence，“shouldaGermankingthusspeakofhisnativetongue，atthesametimethathetakesthefieldtovindicatethehonorofGermany，andsubmitstoallthemiseriesandhardshipsofwar?Yourmajestycannotbeinearnest，todespiseourbeautifullanguage。”
“Idonotdespiseit；Ionlysaythatitmustbereformed，andshornofitsexcrescences。UntilthenwemustusetheFrench，whichisto-
daythelanguageoftheworld，andinwhichonecanrenderallthemaster-worksoftheGreeksandtheLatins，withthesameversatility，delicacy，andsubtlety，astheoriginal。YoupretendthatonecanwellreadTacitusinaGermantranslation，butIdonotthinkthelanguagecapableofrenderingtheLatinauthorswiththesamebrevityastheFrench。”
“Sire，tomyjoy，Icangiveyouprooftothecontrary。aBerlinsavant，ConrectorMoritz，atmyrequest，hastranslatedafewchaptersofthefourteenthbookofthe'AnnalsofTacitus，'wordforword，mostfaithfullyintoGerman。Hehaswrittenitintwocolumns，thetranslationatthesideoftheoriginal。Ihavetakenthelibertytobringthisworkwithmeandyouwillseehowexactly，andwithwhatbrevity，LatinauthorscanberenderedintoGerman，andthatthereareyounglearnedmenwhohaveseizedthespiritofourlanguageandknowhowtouseitwithgraceandskill。”
“Indeed，giveittome，“criedtheking，zealously。“IamtrulycurioustoadmiretheGermanlinguist'sworkwhohassoboldlyundertakentotranslateTacitus。”
“Sire，“saidHerzberg，raisinghiseyesknowingly，withamild，imploringexpressiontotheking'sface——“sire，Ijoinarequestwiththistranslation。”
“Whatisit?Iamverycuriousaboutapetitionfromyou，itissoseldomthatyouprofferone。”
“Yourmajesty，myrequestconcernsthetranslatorofthisverychapterofTacitus。HeisConrectorMoritz，attachedtotheGrayCloisterinBerlin——anunusuallygiftedyoungman，whohasundoubtedlyabrilliantfuturebeforehim。Hehasalreadywrittenmanyeminentworks。TheDirectorGedickerecommendedhimtomeasamostdistinguished，scholarlyperson，andIhavelearnedtoknowandappreciatetheyoungmanbythismeans。”
“Iseeit，“noddedtheking。“Youspeakofhimwithgreatenthusiasm，andaswhatyousowarmlyrecommendisgenerallyableandwellqualified，IbegintobeinterestedinthisHerrMoritz。
WhenIreturntoBerlin——andHeavengrantthatitmaybesoon！——I
willatonceempoweryoutopresentthisluminary。Areyousatisfied?“
“Sire，dareIaskstillmore?Iwouldbegyourmajestytograntthisyoungmananaudienceatonce。”
“How，atonce！Isthisphoenixhere，whosointerestsmyMinisterHerzberg?Whereishefrom，andwhatdoeshewish?“
“HeisfromBerlin；Imethimmakingthejourneyonfoot。Hesatuponastone，bythewayside，eatingapieceofbread，withaglowingface，andsoabsorbedtalkingtohimselfinLatinthatheheardnotthecreakingofmycarriagethroughthesand。Irecognizedhimimmediately，andcalledhimbyname。Heturned，perfectlyunembarrassedandnotatallashamedtohavebeendiscoveredinsuchanhumbleandpoorposition。”
“Thatistosay，heisagoodcomedian，“saidtheking。“Heknewthatyouwoulddrivepastthere，andplacedhimselfexpresslytocallyourattentiontohim。”
“Ibegpardon，sire；ConrectorMoritzcouldnothaveknownthatI
wouldtakethisjourney。Youwillrecollectthatthecourierarrivedatmidnightwithyourmajesty'scommands，andtwohourslaterIwasontheroad，andhavesincetravelleddayandnight。AsImettheyoungmanonlyfivemilesfromthisplace，hemusthavesetoutmanydaysbeforeIthoughtofleavingBerlin。”
“Itistrue，“saidtheking，“itwasafalsesuspicion。Youinvitedhimintoyourcarriage，didyounot?“
“Ididverynaturally，sire，ashetoldmehewasgoingtobeganaudienceofyourmajesty。Atfirstherefuseddecidedly，ashewishedtotravelonfoot，likethepilgrimstothepopeatRome。”
“Anoriginal，atrulyoriginalgenius，“criedtheking。
“Heissoindeed，andissocalledbyallhisfriends。”
“Hasheanyfriends?“askedtheking，withanincreduloussmile。
“Yes，sire，manywarmandsympathizingfriends，whoaremuchattachedtohim，and，onaccountofhisdistinguishedandbrilliantqualities，arewillingtoindulgehispeculiarities。”
“Herzberg，youarecharmed，andspeakofthismanasayounggirlinlove！“
“Sire，ifIwereayounggirl，IshouldcertainlyfallinlovewiththisMoritz，forheishandsome。”
“Diable！Ibegintofearthissubject。Yousayheishandsome，learned，wise，andgood，althoughhebelongstotheairy，puffed-upBerliners。DidyouletHerrMoritzwanderoninhispilgrimage?“
“No，sire，Ipersuadedhimatlasttoacceptaseatinmycarriage，byexplainingtohimthatyourmajestymightsoonleaveWelsdorf，andhewouldruntheriskofnotarrivinginseason。Uponnoconditionwouldhegetinside，butclimbedupbehind，for，saidhe，withafirm，decidedmanner，'Igotothekingasabeggar，notasadistinguishedgentleman。'“
“Indeeditisanoriginal，“thekingmurmuredtohimself。“Doyouknowwhatthemanwants?“heaskedaloud。
“No，yourmajesty；hesaidthathisbusinessconcernedthehappinessoftwohumanbeings，andthathecouldonlyopenhishearttohisGodandhisking。”
“Whereisyourprotege?“
“Hestandsoutside，anditismyhumblerequestthatyourmajestywillgranthimanaudience，andpermitmetocallhim。”
“Itisgranted，and——“
Justatthatmomentthedooropened，andthefootmanannouncedthattheprivatesecretaryofhishighnessPrincevonGalitzinhadarrived，andmostrespectfullybeggedanaudience。
“Itishe——itisthebaron，“saidtheking。“Tellyourprotegehemustwait，andcomeagain。BidthePrincevonGalitzinenter。”
AstheMinistervonHerzbergwithdrew，theBaronvonThugutappeared，theextraordinaryandsecretambassadoroftheEmpressMariaTheresa。
“Well，HerrBaron，youarealreadyreturned，“saidtheking，ashescarcelynoddedtotheprofoundlyrespectfulbowsoftheambassador。
“Iinfer，therefore，thatyourinstructionsarenotfromtheempress，butfromtheco-regent，theEmperorJoseph，whohasbetakenhimselftotheAustriancamp。”
“Sire，“answeredThugut，laconically，“Ihavedrivendayandnight，andhavereceivedmyinstructionsdirectlyfromtheempress。”
Thekingslowlyshookhishead，andanimperceptiblesmileplayedaroundhislips。
“Doestheyoungemperorapproveoftheseinstructions?“
“Sire，hismajesty，theemperor，isonlytheco-regent，“answeredThugut，hastily。“Itisnotthereforenecessary，thatmysovereignshouldmakeherdecisionsdependentuponherson'sconcordance。”
“Theempresswillnegotiateforpeace，“saidthekingtohimself，“buttheemperordesirestowinlaurelsinthewar，andwilltrytocutoffthenegotiationsofhismotherbyacoupdemain。Onemustbeonhisguard！“
JustthenthedooropenedandHerzbergreturned。
“YouperceiveIexpectedyou，BaronvonThugut，“saidtheking，“andIorderedheremyministerofstate，HerrvonHerzberg。ThisistheBaronvonThugut，mydearminister，theambassadoroftheempress-
queen，whocarriesinhispocketpeaceorwar，asitmaybe。”
“Sire，Imustprotestagainstbeingsoimportantapersonage，aspeaceandwaralonedependuponyourmajesty。ItalonedependsupontheloftyKingofPrussiawhetherhewillgivepeaceandtranquillitytoGermany，orsuffertheguiltofpermittingthebloodyscourgeofcivilwaragaintotearinpiecestheunhappyGermannation。”
“Thatsoundsverysentimental，“criedtheking，smiling。“TheBaronvonThugutwillappealtomyheart，whenwehaveonlytodowiththehead。AustriawishestobetheheadofGermany，andassuchwoulddevouroneGermanstateafteranother，asaverypalatablemorsel。
Butifyouwillbethehead，MonsieurleBaron，youcannotrepresentthestomachalso，for，asIhavebeentold，itonlyexistsinthosesoftanimalsoftheseawhoseheadisintheirstomach，andwhichthinkanddigestatthesametime。Austriadoesnotbelongtothisclass，buthasratheraveryhardandimpenetrableshell。Wecannotletherdevourasstomachwhatastheheadshehaschosenasbooty。
ThattheelectorateofBavariaisnottobedevoured，isthenecessaryandfundamentalpreliminaryuponwhichthetempleofpeacemaybeerected。Ifyou，orrathertheempress-queen，agreetoit，thenegotiationscanbeconcludedbyyoutwogentlemen。Butifyouthinktoerectatempleofpeaceuponanyotherbasis，yourpropositionswillbeinvain。Ihavenottakenthefieldtomakeconquests，buttoprotecttherightsofaGermanprince，andnotsufferotherstoappropriateaGermanstate。Iknow，asyouhavesaid，thatwarisabloodyscourgeforthenation；but，sir，wewillnotlookatitinasentimentallight，andtalkofcivilwar，whenAustriaherselfcompelsustotakethefield。Or，perhaps，youimaginetoprovetomygoodPomeranians，Markers，andmyotherGermanstates，thattheCroatians，Pandurians，Hungarians，Wallachians，Italians，andPolanders，areourGermanbrothers，whichimperialAustriaopposestous。Ithinkthisbrotherhoodmaybetracedtoourcommonancestor，Adam，andinthissenseallwarsareindeedcivilwars。Inanycasewarisascourgeforman，andIamconvincedthattheempress-queenwouldjustaswillinglyspareherCroatians，Pandurians，Wallachians，andGalicians，asIallmyGermansubjectscollectively。”
“Alsoyourmajesty'sPolishsubjects，asmaybeexpected，“addedBaronyonThugut。
“MyPolishsubjectsaretheminimumportion，andareaboutinproportiontotheGermanpopulationasinimperialAustriatheGermanistotheforeign。Butenoughofthis；ifIdonotrecognizethisasacivilwar，itisindeedagreatmisfortune。Iwoulddoeverythingtoavoidit——everythingcompatiblewiththehonorandgloryofmyhouse，aswellasthatofGermanyingeneral。ThereforeletusknowtheViewsoftheempress-queen！“
“Sire，“answeredVonThugut，asheslowlyuntiedandunfoldedthedocuments，“Ibegpermissiontoreadaloudtoyourmajestytheactsrelativetothesepoints。”
“No，baron，“answeredthekingquickly，“themoreminutedetailsgivetomyminister；Iwishonlythecontentsinbrief。”
“Atyourmajesty'scommand。Theempress-queendeclaresherselfreadytorenouncetheconcludedtreatyofinheritancetothesuccessionofBavariaatthedeathofElectorCharlesTheodore；alsotogiveupthedistrictseized，ifPrussiawillpromisetoresignthesuccessionoftheMargravesofAnspachandBaireuth，andletthemremainindependentprincipalities，governedbyself-dependentsovereigns。”
“Thatmeans，thatAustria，whowillunjustlyaggrandizeherselfbyBavaria，willdeprivePrussiaofalawfulinheritance！“criedtheking，hiseyesflashinganger。“Iwillnotheedtheafter-cause，butIwishtosatisfactorilyunderstandthefirstpartoftheproposition，thatAustriawillcedeherpretensionstoBavaria。”
“Sire，uponconditionsonlywhicharesufficientforthehonor，thewishes，andnecessitiesofmyloftymistress。”
“Youhear，mydearHerzberg，“saidtheking，smiling，andturningtohisminister，“c'esttoutcommecheznous。Itwillnowbeyourtasktofindouttheseconditions，whichtoocloselyaffectthehonorofoneortheother。ForthispurposeyouwillfindtheadjacentCloisterBraunaumoreconvenientthanmypoorcabin。Attheconferencesofdiplomatsmuchtimeisconsumed，whilewemilitarypeoplehavelittletimetospare。Ishallmoveonwithmyarmy。”
“How，then！willyourmajestybreakuphere?“criedThugut，withevidentsurprise。
Thekingsmiled。“Yes，Ishalladvance，asmyremainingmightbeconstruedequaltoaretreat。Theartsofdiplomacymaydragonuntiltheimperialistshaveassembledalltheirforeignsubjectstotheso-calledcivilwar。Thenhastenthenegotiations，BaronyonThugut，foreverydayofdiplomaticpeaceisonedaymoreofforagingwar，andIknownotthatyoucounttheBohemiansintheGermanbrotherhood，towhomthecalamityofwarisruinous。YouhavenowtodealwiththeBaronyonThugut，mydearHerzberg，andIhopethebaronwillacceptsomediplomaticcampaignswithyouinCloisterBraunau。”
“Sire，Iaccept，andifyourmajestywilldismissme，Iwillgoatoncetothecloister，“answeredBaronyonThugut，whosemannerhadbecomegraverandmoreserioussincetheking'sannouncementoftheintendedadvance。
“Youareatlibertytowithdraw。Thegoodandhospitablemonkshavealreadybeenapprisedofyourarrivalbyanexpresscourier，andhavedoubtlessagoodsupperandasoftbedawaitingyou。”
“Hadyourmajestythegracetobeconvincedofmyreturn?“askedThugut。
“Iwasconvincedofthetenderheartoftheempress-queen，andthatshewouldgraciouslytryoncemore，inherChristianmercy，toconvertsuchanoldbarbarianandhereticasIam。Gonowtothecloister，andwhenIpassbyinthemorning，withmyarmy，Iwillnotfailtohavethemplayapiousairfortheedificationofthediplomats——suchas，'Mysoul，liketheyoungdeer，criesuntoThee，'
or，'Oh，master，Iamthyolddog，'orsomesuchheavenlysongtoexcitethediplomatstopiousthoughts，andtherewithIcommendyoutoGod'scare，BaronyonThugut。”
ThekingchargedHerryonHerzbergtoplaytheroleofgrand-
chamberlain，andaccompanytheambassadortohiscarriage，smiling，andslightlynoddingafarewell。
Thebaronwasonthepointofleaving，whenthekingcalledtohim。
“Hadyourmajestythegracetocallme?“askedThugut，hastilyturning。
“Yes！“answeredFrederick，smiling，andpointingtothestringwhichhadservedtobindthebaron'spapers。“Youhaveforgottensomething，mylord，andIdonotliketoenrichmyselfwithothers'
property。”[Footnote:Historical。Theking'swords——SeeHormayr。]
BaronvonThuguttookthislastwell-aimedstabofhisroyalopponentsomewhatembarrassed，andhastenedtopickupthestring，andwithdraw。
CHAPTERXX。
THEKINGANDTHELOVER。
Thekingsmiled，glancingattheretreatingfigureofthebaron，andapproachedthewindowtopeepthroughthelittlegreenglasspanestoseehimashepassedby。
“Aslyfox，“saidhe，smiling，“butIwillprovetohimthatweunderstandfox-hunting，andarenotdeceivedbycunningfeints。”
“Willyourmajestyreallybreakupto-day?“askedVonHerzberg，uponreturning。
“Yes，mydearminister。Thatistosay，Idonotwishto，butI
must，inordertogivethenegotiationsforpeaceawar-likecharacter。Theenemyasksfordelaytofinishtheirpreparationsforwar——notpeace。Thenegotiationsforthelatteremanatefromtheempress，buttheconditionsconcerningAnspachcomefromtheemperor。ItistheEris-apple，whichhecastsuponthetable，bywhichhisimperialmotherandIwouldgladlysmokethepipeofpeace。Itisincumbentuponyou，Herzberg，tonegotiateforpeace，whileIpickuptheappleandbalanceitalittleuponthepointofmysword。Ishallleaveearlyto-morrow，butIwouldspeakwithyoubeforeIsetout。Youmustbewearywiththejourney，sorestawhilenow，thendinewithme，andafterwardgototheconference。”
“Sire，willyounotreceivemyprotege，ConrectorMoritz?“
“Didyounotsaythathebeggedforasecretaudience?“
“Yes，sire，hehasforthispurposetravelledthelongdistancefromBerlin，andIassureyourmajesty，uponmywordofhonor，thatI
havenottheleastsuspicionwhathispetitionmaybe。”
“Ehbien，saytoyourprotegethatIgranthimthesought-forinterviewonyouraccount，Herzberg。Youaresuchacuriousfellow——
youarealwayspetitioningforothersinsteadofyourself，andthebenefitswhichyououghttoreceivegotothem。LetMoritzenter，andthentrytosleepalittle，thatyoumaybewideawaketoconferwithBaronvonThugut。”
MinistervonHerzbergwithdrew，andimmediatelythepale，earnestfaceofConrectorPhilipMoritzappearedintheroyalpresence。
Thekingregardedhimwithaprolongedandsearchingglance，thenoble，resolutefaceofwhomwaspallidwithdeepgrief，butfromwhoseeyestherebeamedcourageousenergy。“AreyouthetranslatorofthechaptersfromTacitus，whichmyMinisterHerzberghandedme?“
askedtheking，afterapause。
“Yes，sire，“gentlyansweredMoritz。
“Iamtoldthatitisablydone，“continuedhismajesty，stillattentivelyobservinghim。“YouwillacknowledgethatitisexceedinglydifficulttorendertheconcisestyleofTacitusintotheprolix，long-windedGerman?“
“Pardonme，sire，“repliedMoritz，whoseyouthfulimpetuositycouldwithdifficultybedivertedfromtherealobjectofhispilgrimage。
“Ourlanguageisbynomeanslong-winded，andthereisnodifficultyintranslatingLatinauthorsintoGerman，whichequalsanylivingtongueinbeautyandsonorousness，andsurpassesthemallindepthofthought，power，andpoesy。”
“Diable！“criedtheking，smiling；“youspeaklikeanincarnateGermanphilologist，whoconfoundsthesoundofwordswithprofoundthought。Youwillacknowledgethatuntilnowourlanguagehasnotbeenmuchknown。”
“Sire，“answeredMoritz，“MartinLuther，inhistranslationoftheBiblethreehundredyearssince，employedhundredsofbeautiful，expressiveformations。”
“Heisnotonlyalearnedman，“saidthekingtohimself，“butheseemsanhonorableone；andnow，asIhaveprovedhisscholarlyattainments，Imustindulgehisimpatience。”Theking'spenetratingglancesoftened，andhisfeatureschangedtheirsevereexpression。
“TheMinistervonHerzberginformedmethathefoundyoubytheroadside，andthatyouwouldjourneyhitheronfoot。”
“Itistrue，sire。”
“Whydidyoutravelinthatmanner?“
“Sire，Idesired，asthepoor，heavily-ladenpilgrimsofthemiddleages，tomakethepilgrimagetotheHolyFatheratRome，whowasthekingofkings。Everystepinadvanceseemedtothemtolightentheirburdenandenhancetheirhappiness。Yourmajestyisinourdaywhatthepopewasheldtobeinthemiddleages，thereforeIhavewanderedasapilgrimtomyking，whohasthepowertobindandtoloose，andfromwhomImustnotonlyimplorepersonalhappiness，butthatalsoofagoodandamiableyounggirl。”
“Ah！itconcernsalove-affair。AsInowlookatyou，Icanunderstandthat。Youareyoungandpassionate，andthemaidenshaveeyes。HowcanIhelpyouinsuchanadventure?“
“Sire，bynotgrantingatitletoacertainperson，orifitmustbegranted，annultheconditionsattendantuponit。”
“Idonotunderstandyou，“answeredtheking，harshly。“Speaknotinriddles。Whatdoyoumean?“
“GeneralWerrigvonLeuthenhasaddressedhimselftoyou，sire，prayingfortheconsentofyourmajestytothemarriageofhisdaughterwiththebankerEbenstreit。Yourmajestyhasconsented，andaddedthatHerrEbenstreitshalltakethenameofhisfuturefather-
in-law，andthemarriageshalltakeplaceassoonasthetitleofnobilityhasbeenmadeout。”
Thekingnodded。“Forwhichthenew-madenoblemanhastopayahundredlouisd'orstotheInvalidsatBerlin。Butwhatisthattoyou?AndwhatconnectionhasHerrEbenstreit'stitletodowithConrectorMoritz?“
Moritz'sfacebrightened，and，deeplymoved，heanswered:“Sire，I
lovethedaughterofGeneralvonLeuthen，andshereturnsmylove。
BynotennoblingEbenstreit，itliesinyourpower，mostgraciousmajesty，tomaketwopersonsthemostblessedofGod'screatures，whodesirenothingmorethantowanderhandinhandthroughlife，lovingandtrustingeachother。”
“Isthatall?“askedtheking，withasearchingglance。
Moritzquailedbeneathit，andcastdownhiseyes。“No！“hereplied。
“AsInowstandinthepresenceofyourmajesty，Iamsensibleoftheboldnessofmyundertaking，andwordsfailmetoexpresswhatisburninginmysoul。Oh！sire，Ionlyknowthatweloveeachother，andthatthisloveisthefirstsunbeamwhichhasfallenuponmygloomyandthornypathoflife，andawakenedinmylonelyheartallthebloomoffeeling。Yousmile，andyourgreatspiritmaywellmockthepoorhumanbeingwhothinksofpersonalhappiness，whenforanideamerelythousandsarekilleduponthefieldofbattle。Mylife，sire，hasbeenagreatcombat，inwhichIhavestrivenwithallthedemonsescapedfromPandora'sbox。Ihavegrownupamidprivationsandneed。Ihavelivedandsuffered，untilGodrecompensedmyjoyless，toiling，hungeredexistencebythisreciprocatedlove，whichisabeautifulornamenttomylife，andislifeitself，andtorenounceitwouldbetorenouncelife。Iamyoung，sire，andIlongfortheunknownparadiseofearthlyhappiness，whichIhaveneverentereduntilnow，andwhichIcanonlyattainledbythehandofmybeloved。Iyearnjustonce，asotherprivilegedmen，tobaskinthesunshineofhappinessalong，beautifulsummerday，andthenatthegoldensunsettosinkuponmykneesandcry，'IthankThee，OGod，thatinThygoodnessIhaverecognizedThysublimity，andthatThouhastrevealedthyglorytome。'Allthisappearsoflittleimportancetoyourmajesty，fortheheartofakingisnotlikethatofothermen，andthepersonalhappinessofindividualsappearsamatteroflittleaccounttohimwhothinksandworksforthegoodofanentirenation。Butthefly，sire，whichissunningitselfupontheplumesofthehelmetofavictoriousking，hasitsrighttohappiness，forGodcreateditwiththesamecareandlovethatHecreatedthenoblestofHiscreatures——man！anditwouldbecrueltokillitwithoutnecessity。Sire，Idonotextolmyself。IknowthatinyoureyesIamnomorethantheflyuponyourhelmet，butIonlyimploreyoutograntmemylife，forGodhasgivenittome。”
“YoumeanbythisthatIshallforbidGeneralvonLeuthentomarryhisdaughtertotherichmanwhoseeksher，andtowhichmarriage，understandmewell，Ihavealreadygivenmyconsent。”
“Sire，Ionlyknowthatthisuniondrivesnotonlymetodespair，butoneofthenoblestandbestofGod'screatures。FrauleinvonLeuthendoesnotlovethebridegroomforceduponher；shedetestshim，andshehasgoodreasonto，forthebankerEbenstreitisacold-hearted，purse-proudman，enfeebledbyavoluptuous，viciouslife，andseeksnothingnoblerandmoreelevatedintheyounggirltowhomhehasofferedhishand，thanthetitleandnoblenamewhichshecanprocureforhim。Yourmajesty，Iimplorenotformyself，butforthedaughterofamanwhooncehadthegoodfortunetosaveyourlifeinbattle！Havepityuponher，anddonotsacrificehertoaninconsolablyhopelesslifebythesideofanunlovedanddetestedhusband！“
Thekingslowlyshookhishead。“YouforgetthatthegeneraltowhomIamindebtedforthisfavorhasbeggedmyconsenttothismarriage，andthatIhavegrantedit。”
“Sire，Iconjureyontorecallit！UponmykneesIimploreyounottograntit！Donotmaketwopeopleunhappy，whoonlybegofyourmajestythepermissiontoloveandlivewitheachother！“Moritzthrewhimselfattheking'sfeet，prayingwithclaspedhands，hisfaceflushedwithdeepemotion，andhiseyesdimmedwithtears。
“Rise！“commandedFrederick，“rise，donotkneeltomeastoaGod。
Iamafeeblemortal，subjecttothesameillswhichthreatenyouandthewholehumanrace。Rise，andanswermeonequestion——areyourich?“
“No，“answeredMoritz，proudlyraisinghishead；“no，Iampoor。”
“DoyouknowthatFrauleinvonLeuthenispoor?HerfatherisworseoffthanJob，forheisindebt。”
“IfGeneralvonLeuthen'sdaughterwererich，orevenmoderatelywelloff，Ineverwouldhavepresumedtoaddressyourmajestyonthesubject，forfearthatyoumightmisconstruemyintentions，andsupposethatmylovewasinspiredbyself-interest。Fortunately，Mariepossessesnothingbuthernoble，beautifulself。Sheleadsajoylessexistenceundertheseveredisciplineofhercold-heartedparents；andthereforeIcantruthfullysay，thatwithmeshewilllosenothing，butgainwhatshehasneverknown——atranquil，happylife，protectedbymylove。”
“Howmuchsalarydoyoureceiveasteacher?“
“Majesty，asconrectorofthecollegeattachedtotheGrayMonastery，threehundredandfiftydollars。”
“Doyouexpecttoliveuponthatyourself，andsupportafamilybesides?“
“Sire，Ishallearnmoneyinotherways，asIhavealreadydone。I
shallwritebooks。ThepublisherstellmethatIamafavoriteauthor，andtheypaymewell。”
“Ifonthemorrowyoushouldfallill，yourincomewouldvanish，andyourfamilyandyouwouldstarvetogether。No！no！youareanidealist，youdreamhowlifeshouldbe，andnotasitisintruth！I
havelistenedtoyou，thinkingthatyouwouldpresentsomeforcibleargumentuponwhichtofoundyourpretensions，butIhearonlytheravingsofalover，whobelievestheworldturnsupontheaxisofhishappiness。Letmetellyouthatloveisanephemera，whichmerrilysportsinthesunlightafewshorthours，anddiesatsunset。Shouldakingforfeithiswordforsuchashort-livedbliss?
Shouldherewardamantowhomheisindebtedbydeprivinghimofarichson-in-law，whoisagreeabletohim，andsubstitutingapoorone，fromwhomhecanneverhopetoreceiveacomfortablemaintenance?Youyoungpeopleareallalike。Youthinkonlyofyourselves，anditisamatteroflittleconsequencetoyouiftheagedpineawayanddie，providedyoubuilduphappinessontheirgraves！Iaskyou，whohavetalkedsomuchaboutyourownwishes，andthoseofyourbeloved，whereisitwrittenthatmanmustbehappy，thatthereisanecessitytomakehimso?DoyousupposethatIhaveeverbeenhappy——whohavealong，activelifeinretrospection?MankindhavetakengoodcarethatIshouldnotsipthisnectarofthegods，andhavetaughtmeearlytorenounceit。
Lifeisnotconsumedinpleasure，butintoil，andIbelieveitsonlyhappinessconsistsinthefactthatatlast，whenwearyandworn，wewillsinkintothegrave——toaneternalrest！Everyhumanbeingmustworkaccordingtohisabilities，andinthepositionwhichFatehasassignedtohim。Tomaintainthisposition，hishonorisatstake——thebestandmostsacredgiftconfidedtoman。Youwillnotdesertit——notdespairinlifebecauseyourdreamofblissisnotrealized。”
“Sire，“answeredMoritz，withacryofanguish，“itisnodream，butareality！“
“Happinessisonlyideal，“saidtheking，slowlyshakinghishead。
“Whatwesighforto-day，wecurseonthemorrowasamisfortune。
Letthisserveasalessontoyou。Toilon——youareascholar；wooScienceforyourbride。Hercharmswillneverfade。Inyouthasinoldageshewillattractyoubyherbeautyandconstancy——thatwhichyoucannothopeforfromwomen。”
“Sire，“askedMoritz，indeepdejection，“willyounotgrantthepetitionofmyheart?Willyoucondemnthispoor，innocentyounggirlwhopraysyourmajestythroughme，toalong，joylessexistence，toadaily-renewingsorrow?“
Thekingshruggedhisshoulders。“Ihavealreadysaidthathappinessisimaginary；Imighthaveaddedunhappinessalso。GeneralvonLeuthen'sdaughterwillaccustomherselftothemisfortuneofbeingarichman'swife，andfinallywilldrivewithasmilingfaceinherfour-in-handgildedcarriage！“
“Sire，Isweartoyouthatyoumistakethisdear，noble-heartedyounggirl，you——“
“Enough！“interruptedtheking。“IhavegivenmyconsenttoGeneralvonLeuthen，andIcannotrecallit。Moreover，themarriageofthedaughterofmygeneralwithyouwouldbeamisalliance——ridiculous。
Intherepublicofintellectandscience，youmayhaveaveryhighposition，butinmyearthlykingdomyouholdtoomodestaonetopresumetoraiseyoureyestoanobleyounglady。IregretthatI
canofferyounootherconsolationthantolistentoreason，andberesigned。Aswecannotbringdownthemoontoearth，wemustcontentourselveswithalamptolightupoursmallearthlyabode。Ifthisevershouldfailyou，thencometomeandIwillassistyou。I
cannot，tobesure，giveyouthemoon，forthatbelongsaslittletomeasthebrideoftherichHerrEbenstreitvonLeuthen。Onecannotgiveawaythatwhichonedoesnotpossess。Farewell！returntoBerlin，andresignyourselfbravelytoyourfate。AccustomyourselftothethoughtthatinfourteendaysFrauleinvonLeuthenwillbecomethewifeofyourwealthyrival。Theweddingceremonyawaitsonlythepapersofnobility，forwhichmyorderhasalreadybeenforwardedtoBerlin。Imoreoverproposetoyounottoreturntothecollegeatonce，buttravelfortwoweeks。Iwillberesponsibleforyourabsence，andprovideyouwiththenecessarymeans。Nowtellmewhetheryouacceptmyproposal?“
“Thankstoyourmajesty，Icannot，“answeredMoritz，withcalmdignity。“Thereisbutonebalmwhichmykingcouldgrantme。Moneyisnotaplastertosootheandhealawoundedheart。Sire，Ibegyoutodismissme，forIwillreturnatoncetoBerlin。”
“Ihopethatyouhavenotthefoolishideatoreturnonfoot，“saidtheking。“Mycourierwillleaveinanhour，andtherearetwoplacesinthecoupe，acceptoneofthem。”
“Sire，“saidMoritz，gloomily，“I——“suddenlythewordsdiedonhislips，andhiseyesbeamedwithanunnaturalfire，whichpaledundertheobservingglanceoftheking。“Ithankyou，“saidMoritz，gasping，“Iwillacceptit。”
Thekingnodded。“Aurevoir，inBerlin！WhenIreturnafterthecampaignIwillsendforyou。Youwillthenhavelearnedtoforgetyourso-calledmisfortune，andsmileatyourpilgrimage！“
“Icannotthinkso，sire。”
“Iamconvincedofit。Farewell。”
Moritzansweredtheroyalsalutationwithamutebow，andwithdrewwithdroopingheadandsorrowfulheart。Thekingcontinuedtoregardhimwithanexpressionofdeepsadness。“Ah！“hesighed，“howenviablearethosewhocanstillbelieveinlove'sillusion，andwhohavenotawakenedfromtheirdreamofblissbysadexperienceorage！HowlongsinceIhavebanishedthesedreams——howlongI——“
Thekingceased，hisheadsankbackuponhischair，hislarge，fieryeyes，peeringintothedistance，asifhewouldre-peopleitwiththememoriesofyouth，withthedelusionsfromwhichhehadsolongawakened。Thoselovely，charmingformsflittedbeforehimonebyonewhichhadthencaptivatedhim:thebeautifulFrauvonWrechem，hisfirstlove，andtowhomhehadvowedeternalconstancy；anothersweet，innocentfacethatsufferedshameanddegradationforhim——
“oh！Doris，Doris，dreamofmyyouth，flypast！“——andnowthefacewiththelargeeyesandenergeticfeatures，whichturnedsotenderlytohim，thatofhissisterFrederika，whofromaffectiontothecrownprincehadsacrificedherselftoanunlovedhusbandinordertoreconcilethesonwiththefather，andpreserveforhimtheinheritancetothethrone；stillanothercalmandgentleface，withtheexpressionofsorrowfulresignationinthedeep-blueeyes，thatofhiswife，whohadsopassionatelylovedhim，andhadfadedawayathissideunloved！Allpast——past。Anewfacearose，theprettyLeontinevonMorien，thetourbillonoftheprincelycourtatRheinsberg，whopinedawayinsighs。Nowpassedthesweetestandloveliestofall。Theking'seyes，whichstaredintoemptyspace，nowbeamedwithgladrecognition。Theheartwhichhadgrownoldandsoberedbeatwithfeverishrapidity，andthecompressedlipswhispered，sighing，“Barbarina！“Shestoodbeforehiminherbewitchingbeauty，withthecharmingsmileuponherrubylips，andpassionatelovebeamingfromherflashingeyes。“Oh，Barbarina！“Thekingrose，acoldchillcreptoverhim。Helookedaroundsostrangelyinthedesolate，darkenedroom，asifhecouldstillseethisformwhichgreetedhimwiththesadsmileandtearfulglance。
Noonewasthere。Hewasquitealone。Onlythefeebleechooffar-
distantdaysrepeatedthedeviceofhisyouth——ofhislife:“Soffrietaci！Resignationalonehasremainedtruetome。Butno——thereisstillanotherfriend，myflute。Come，youfaithfulcompanionofmylife！Youhavewitnessedmysorrows，andfromyouIhavenothingtoconceal！“Hetenderlyregardedit，foritwaslongsincehehadtakenitfromitscase。Thesorrowsandcaresoflife，thesufferingfromthegoutwhichragedinhisteeth，andsad，soberingoldage，hadcausedhimtolayitaside，butwiththehabitofaffectionhecarriediteverywhere。Frederickfelthimselfgrowyoungagainwiththesouvenirsofformerdays，andessayedtorecalltheechooftendererfeelingsuponhisflute。Themusicofhisheartwashushed，themelodioustonesofformerdayswouldnotreturn。Thekinglaiditasidewithanimpatientmovement。“Nothingislastinginlife，“
hemurmured。Aflourishoftrumpets，apealofdrumsannouncedthattheregimentwaspassingwhichwouldparadebeforetheking。Whataretheyplaying，whichrousesthelonelykingwithbrightmemoriesandshoutsofvictory?ItisthemarchwhichhismajestycomposedafterthebrilliantvictoryofHohenfriedberg。Thekingraisedhiseyesgratefullytoheaven，repeatingaloud:“Thereissomethinglastinginlife。Loveceasesandmusicdiesaway，butthegoodwehaveaccomplishedremains。Themostgloriousofearthlyrewardsisgrantedtothosewhohaveachievedgreatdeeds——themortalbecomesimmortal——thegodscedingtohimthatwhichismoreelevatingthanloveorhappiness——fame。YetrumpetsofHohenfriedberg，yewillstillquiverwhenIamgone，andrelatetosucceedinggenerationsabout'OldFritz。'Suchtalesarewellworthytoliveandsufferfor！Iamcoming，yetrumpetsoffame。”Withyouthfulactivityandbeamingfacethekingwentouttoreceivehisgenerals，whosalutedhimwithsilentreverence，andhissoldiers，whogreetedtheirbelovedcommanderandkingwithanexultantshout。
CHAPTERXXI。
INWEIMAR。
“ThereliesdearWeimar，encircledinitswreathofgreen。Doyounotseeit，Wolf?Iwillrefreshmyheartwithitsview；sohalt，postilion，halt，“criedtheduke。“Itismorebeautifultomethanstately，proudBerlin。Thoughapoor，graynest，Icouldpressittomyheart，withallitsuntidylittlehouses，andtediousoldpedants。Letuswalkdownthehill，Wolf。”
“Mostwillingly，“criedGoethe，stretchingforthhisarmstothelittletown，nestledinthepeacefulvalley，“bewelcome，youlovelyparadise，withyourangelsandserpents；wepressontowardyouwithallourheartandsoul，astotheseven-sealedbook，filledwithmysteries，andwewoulddrawgloriousrevelationsfromyourhiddencontents。”
“Andgrant，yegods，thattheinspiredonemayatlastbreakthesealwhichacruelfriendhasplaceduponherlips，thathemaynotdrinkthekissofloveglowingbeneath，“saidtheduke，smiling。“Doyounotseethegrayroofyonder，withitsbackgroundoftalltrees，that——“
“Thehousewheredwellsmybeloved，mydearestfriend，mysister，andthemistressofmyheart，“interruptedGoethe。“Sheisallthis，forsheismyallinall。ThefountainsofblissandlovewhichhereandthereIhavedrawnfrom，refreshingmyheartandoccupyingmymind，flowtowardher，unitedinonebroad，silverystream，withheavenandearthmirroredtherein，andrevealingwonderfulsecretsinitsrushingwaves。”
“Ah，Wolf！“criedtheduke，“youareahappy，enviablecreature，freeandunfettered，sendingyourlovewhereitpleasesyou。MydearWolf，Iadviseyounevertomarry，for——“
Goethehastilyclosedtheduke'smouthwithhishand。“Hush！notawordagainstthenobleDuchessLouisa，mymasterandfriend。Sheisanexampleofrefined，womanlydignity；andyou，Charles，aretobeenviedtheloveofsoestimableawifeandsweetmotherforyourchildren。”
“IndeedIam，“criedtheduke，enthusiastically。“Icouldnothavefoundamorehigh-minded，lovelywife，oramoreexcellent，virtuousmotherformydescendants。Butyouknow，Wolf，thatyourCharleshasstillanotherheart，verysusceptibleandtender，whichseeksforanaffinitytocallitsown，andventitselfinthepleasuresofyouth，ingloriousflirtations，melancholysigns，andblissfullongings。
Youcannotexpectmeattwenty-twotoplaythegrandfather，andhavenoeyesorheartforothercaptivatingwomen，thoughIlovemyyoungwifemostaffectionately，andblessFatethatIamboundwithsilkencordstoHymen'scart——thoughIamforeverbound，andyou，Wolf，arehappilyfree！“
“BecausegrimFaterefusestounitemetomybeloved。Oh，Charlotte，ifyouwerefree，howblessedwouldIbe，enchainedbyyou！Notto'Hymen'scart，'asthefortunatemockersays，buttothechariotofVenus，drawnbydoves，enthroneduponwhichyouwouldbearmetoheaven！“
“Donotblaspheme，Wolf，“criedtheduke；“ratherkneelandthankthegodsthatyouarenotfetteredandyourwingsclipped。Theywishtopreservetoyoulove'sdelusion，becauseyouareafavorite，anddenyyoutheobjectadored。BewareoftheinstitutionwhichtheFrenchactress，SophieArnould，hassowittilycalledthe'consecrationofadultery。'YouwillagreewithmethatwehavemanysuchlittlesacramentsinourdearWeimar，andImustlaughwhenI
reflectforwhatpurposethoseamiablebeautieshavemarried，asnotoneofthemlovetheirhusbands，buttheyallpossessafriendbesides。”
“Thehumanheartisastrangething，“saidGoethe，astheydescendedthehill，arminarm，“andaboveallawoman'sheart！Itisasacredriddle，whichGodhasgivenHimselftosolve，andthatonlyaGodcouldunravel！“
Atthisinstantaflashoflightning，followedbyheavy-rollingthunder，washeard。
“Hear，Wolf——onlyhear！“laughedCharles——“Godinheavenresponds，andconfirmsyourstatement。”
“Orpunishesmeformyboldspeech，“criedGoethe，asthehailstonesrattledaroundhimhittinghisfacewiththeirsharppoints。“Heaveniswhippingmewithrods。”
“Andourcarriagehasdescendedwithaquicktrotintothevalley，“
saidtheduke。“Iwillcallit。”Hesprangintothemiddleoftheroad，makingaspeaking-trumpetofhishands，andshoutedinafull，powerfulvoice，“Oho，postilion！here，postilion！“
Thecontinuedrollingofthethunder，thewhistlingwind，andrattlinghail，madeallattemptsinaudible。Thetwogentlemensoughtshelterunderthethickcrownsoftheoak-treesbythewayside，whichformedanimpenetrablerooftothefloodofrain。
“Iknownothingmoresublimethanathunder-storm，“saidGoethe，lookingupasifinspired；“whenthethunderrollsinsuchawfulmajestyandwrath，itseemsasifIheardPrometheusinangrydisputewiththegods。InthedarkcloudsIseetheTitan，envelopedinmist，overspreadingtheheavens，andraisinghisgiant-armtohurlhismightywrath。”Atthisinstantaflashoflightning，followedbyadeafeningpealreverberatedinoneprolongedechothroughthehills。
“Doyounothearhim，Charles?“criedGoethe，delighted——“hearallthevoicesofearthunitedinthegrumblingthunderofhiswrath?
See，therehestands，yonderinheaven——hisformdarkasmidnight。I
hearit——hecalls——Overshadowtheheavens，OJupiter，Withthyvaporousclouds！Cutofftheoakandmountain-topsAsaboyplucksthethistle。LeavemeearthandmycabinWhichthouhastnotbuilt，Andmyhearth-side，Theglowofwhichthouenviestme！IknownaughtsomiserableAsyougods——you——“
AgainthemightypealsilencedGoethe，wholookedtoheavenwithdefianceflashingfromhiseyesandhisclinchedhandupraised，asifhewerePrometheushimselfmenacingthegods。
“Proceed，Wolf，“criedtheduke，astheechodiedaway。“Howcanyou，yourselfagod，besoexcitedwiththeangeroflikebeings?
Proceed！“
Theupliftedarmofthepoetsankathisside，andthefieryglancewassoftened。“NohumanwordiscapableofexpressingwhatPrometheusjustspokeinthunder，“saidGoethe，musingly，“andI
humblyfeelhowweakandinsignificantweare，andhowgreatwethinkourselves，whileourvoiceislikethehummingbeetleincomparisontothisvoicefromtheclouds。”
“Benotdesponding，Wolf，yourownwillringthroughoutEurope；
everyearwilllistenandeveryheartwillcomprehend，andcenturieslateritwilldelightwithitsfreshnessandbeauty。Thestormpassesanddiesaway，butthepoetlivesinhisheavenlymelodiesthroughalltime。Youmustfinish'Prometheus'forme，Wolf。I
cannotpermityoutoleaveitasafragment。Iwillhaveitinblackandwhite，torefreshmyselfinitsbeautybright。Asparkofyourdivinetalentisinfusedintomysoul，andIbegintorhyme。Ah，Wolf，allthatiselevatedwithinmeIowetoyou，andIblessFateforaccordingyoutome。”
“AndIalso，dearCharles，“saidGoethe，feelingly。“For，fosteredandprotectedbyyournoblemindandnature，myinmostthoughtsdevelopandblossom。Wegiveandreceivedailyfromeachother，andsomingletherootsofourbeingthat，Godwilling，wewillbecometwobeautifultrees，liketheoakwhichnowarchesoverus。Butsee，therainisfastceasing，andthesunlooksoutbytheclinchedhandofPrometheus。Wecannowtravelontothelovedspot。”
“Oh，Wolf，areyouinlove?Nonebutalovercouldsaytherainhasceased，whenitpoursdownsothatweshouldbedrenchedbeforewecouldarriveatWeimar。Buthark！Ihearacarriageinthedistance；
wemaybefavoredwithashelter。”
Thedukesteppedoutfromunderthetrees，andlookedalongthehighwaywithhissharphunter'seye。“Avehicleapproaches，butnochanceforus，asitappearstobeafarm-wagon，crowdedwithmenandwomen。”
“Indeeditdoes，“saidGoethe，joininghim；“averymerrycompanytheyaretoo，singinggayly。Now，granttherainrainhasceased——“
“CharlottevonSteinisatWeimar，“interruptedtheduke。“Givemeyourarm，andwewillwalkon。”
Theyadvancedbrisklyarminarm。Astrangermeetingthemwouldhavesupposedthattheywerebrothers，somuchalikeweretheyinform，manners，anddress，forthedukeaswellasGoetheworetheWerthercostume。
Astheydescended，thecarriagecamenearerandnearer。Theduke'skeeneyehadnotbeendeceived。Itwasafarm-wagon，filledwithafrolicsomeparty，sittingonbagsofstrawforcushions。Theywerechattingandlaughingabsorbedinfun，anddidnotobservethetwofoot-passengers，whoturnedasidefromthem。Asuddencryofsurprisehushedtheconversation；aformrose，halfmanandhalfwoman，envelopedinaman'scoatofgreenbaize，crownedwithaneatlittlehatofawoman。“Oh，itisCharles！“criedtheform，andatthesameinstantthedukesprangtothewagon。“Isitpossible，mydearmother?“
“TheDuchessAmelia！“criedGoethe，astonished。
“Yes，“laughedtheduchess，greetingthemwithanaffectionatelook。
“Theproverbprovesitself——'Likemother，likeson。'Onthehighwaymotherandsonhavemet。Youshouldhavedonethehonorsinastatelyequipage。”
“MayIbepermittedtoaskwhereyoucomefrom?“askedtheduke。
“Andthedress，ofwhatorderdoyouwear?“
“WewalkedtoZiefurt，andintendedtowalkback。Thusneldaissodelicateandweak，thatshecomplainedofherfairyfeetpainingher，“answeredtheduchess，laughing。
“Ah，duchess，mustIalwaysbethebutt?“criedtheladybehindtheduchess，crouchingbetweenthestraw-sacks。“MustIpermityoutofollowinmyfootsteps，whileI——“
“Hush，Goechhausen——hush，sweetPhilomel，“interruptedtheduke，“ortheDelphicriddleofthiscostumewillbeapparent。”
“Itiseasilyexplained，“saidtheduchess。“Nootherconveyancewastobehad，andmygoodWielandgavemehisgreenovercoattoprotectmefromthepouringrain。”[Footnote:Trueanecdote——SeeLewes'
“Goethe'sLifeandWritings，“vol。1。，p。406。]
“Andfromto-dayforthitwillbeapreciouspalladium，“criedthelittlemanwithamild，happyfaceonthestrawbytheduchess。
“AndthereisKnebeltoo，“shoutedtheduketothegentlemanwhojustthenpulledthewethoodofhiscloakoverhispowderedhair。
“OurtreasurerBertuch，CountWerther，andBaronvonEinsiedelalso。”
“Doesnotyourhighnessaskafterourbewitchingcountess?“askedGoechhausen，inherfine，sharpvoice。“Thecountessisquiteill——
isshenot，CountWerther?“
“Ibelieveso，theysayso，“answeredthecount，ratherabsent-
minded。“Ihavenotseenherforsomedays。”
“Whatisthematter?“askedtheduke，asGoethewasengagedinalivelyconversationwiththeduchess。“Isthedearcountessdangerouslyill?“
“Oh，no，“answeredGoechhausen，“notveryill，onlyinlovewithgenius，amaladywhichhasattackedusallmoreorlesssincethatmadfellowWolfgangGoethehasragedinWeimar，andmadeitaplaceoftormenttohonorablepeople。Oh，Goethe——oh，Wolf！withwhatlamb-likeinnocencewewanderedincomfortablesheep'sclothinguntilyoucameandfleecedus，andinfecteduswithyour'SturmundDranger'malady，andmadeusfallinlovewithyourworks！“
“Goechhausen，holdyourmalicioustongue，anddonothideyourownjoybeneathjestandmockery，“criedtheduchess。“Acknowledgethatyouarerejoicedtoseeyourfavorite，andthatyouwillhastentowritetoMadamAja，'Ourdeardukehasreturned，andmyangel，myidol，Wolfgang，also。'Iassureyou，Goethe，Thusneldalovesyou，andwasexceedinglymelancholyduringyourabsence。Ifaskedthecauseofhersadness，sheweptlike——“
“Likeacrocodile，“saidtheduke。“Oh，IknowthosetearsofFrauleinGoechhausen；Icouldrelatestoriesofhercrocodilenature。Mother，howcanyouhavesuchamonsterinyoursociety?Whynotmakethecornes，thatthelittledevilsmayflyaway?“
“Verygood，“criedthelittle，crookedlady。“Iseeyourhighnesshasnotchangedbythisjourney。Wherehaveyoubeen，dearduke?Oh，Iremember；youflewovertheRhine，andhaveflownhomeagainquiteunchanged。”
Alllaughed，thedukelouderthananyone。“Goechhausen，youareagloriouscreature，andtheArminiusistobeenviedwhoappropriatesthisThusnelda。Oh，Iseethecharmingyouthbeforeme，whohasthecouragetomakethisGermanwifehisown！“
“Iwillscratchhiseyesout?“criedGoechhausen，“andthentheCountessWerthercanplayAntigone，andleadhimaroundasOedipus。
Whyshutyoureyes，Einsiedel?Idonotscratchquiteyet。”
“Iwasnotthinkingofthat，“saidthebaron，astonished。
“Youneverthinkthateveryoneknows；butdidyounotdoitsosoonasyouunderstoodtheCountessWerthershouldleadblindOedipusasAntigone?“
Beforethecountcouldanswer，thecourtladyturnedagaintotheduke。“Whatdidyourhighnessbringme?Ihopeyouhavenotforgottenthatyoupromisedmeahandsomepresent。”
“No，Ihavenotforgottenit；IhavebroughtmyThusneldaasouvenir——suchagift！“
“Whatisit，yourhighness?“
“Asurprisewhich，ifThusneldaisclever，shemustthinkaboutallnight——But，Goethe，isitnottimetoleavetheladies?“
“Wait，Icommandyouboth，“saidtheDuchessAmelia，extendingherhandtoherson，whopressedittohislipsmostaffectionately。“I
havegivenoutinvitationsforasoiree，forthisevening。Mydaughter-in-law，theDuchessLouisa，hasaccepted，duke，andFrauvonSteinalso，Goethe。IhopetoseeyouatBelvedere，gentlemen。
ThepoetGleimisintown，andwillreadhislate'MuseAlmanach。'
MayInotexpectbothofyou?“
Theyjoyfullyconsented，gazingafterthemerrysocietyasitdroveaway。“Thisisagoodbiteforthepoisonoustonguesofthehonorable，“criedtheduke。“Mymotherinafarm-wagon，withWieland'sgreenovercoaton，andthereigningduke，withhisGoethe，enteringhiscapitalonfootlikeajourneymanmechanic，afteralongjourney！“
“Iwishwewerethere，mydearestfriend，“sighedGoethe。
“Oh，lovemakesyouimpatient！Comeon，then。Butlisten，wemustplayGochhausenatrick；Ihavepromisedherasurprise。Willyouhelpme，Wolf?“
“Withpleasure，duke。”
“Ihavethoughtofsomethingverydroll，andyourservantPhilipmusthelpus；heisacleverfellow，andcankeephisowncounsel。”
“Heissilentasthegrave，duke。”
“Thatisnecessaryforsuchagentlemanasthewomenallrunafter。
Letusskipdownthemountain，andthenforwardwhereourheartsinclineus。ThisafternoonIwillgoforyouandbringyoutoBelvedere，andthenwecantalkoverthesurprise。”Theyrandownthedeclivityintothesuburb，totheterrorofthegoodpeople，wholookedafterthem，sayingthattheyoungdukehadreturnedwithhismadprotege。The“madfavorite“seemedmorecrazythaneverto-day，forafterabrieffarewelltotheduke，heboundedthroughthestreetsacrosstheEnglishpark，tothelovedhouse，theroofofwhichhehadsolonginglygreetedfromthehillside。Thedoorstoodopen，asiscustomaryinsmalltowns，andtheservantinthevestibulecametomeethim，andrespectfullyannouncedthathermasterhadgonetohisestateatHochberg，butthatFrauvonSteinwasmostprobablyinthepavilion，inthegarden，asshehadgonethitherwithherguitar。“Isshealone?“askedGoethe。Theservantansweredintheaffirmative，andthroughthecourthastenedthelover——notthroughtheprincipalentrance，ashewouldsurpriseher，andreadinhersweetfacewhethershethoughtofhim。Softlyheopenedthelittlegardengate，andapproachedthepavilionbyaside-alley。Dohisfeettouchtheground，orfloatoverit?Heknewnot；heheardmusic，accompaniedbyasweet，melodiousvoice。ItwasCharlotte's。Goethe'sfacebeamedwithdelightandhappiness。Hegazedatherunseen，notalonewithhiseyes，butheartandsoulwentforthtoher。Shesatsidewaystothedoor；uponatablelayhernotes，andtheguitarresteduponherarm。Shesang，inarich，sweetvoice，Reinhardt'sbeautifulmelody:
“I'dratherfightmywaythroughsorrowsThanbearsomanyjoysinlife；
Allthisaffinityofhearttoheart，Howstrangelyitcausesustosuffer！“
Sheceased，asifoverpoweredwithherownthoughts，theguitarsankuponherlap，andherfingersglidedoverthechords，sothatthetonesdiedawayimperceptibly。Herdeep-blueeyesgazedpensivelyinthedistance，andthesweetlipsrepeatedsoftly，“Howstrangelyitcausesustosuffer！“Nearthegardenentrance，throughwhichtheodorofsweetflowersandthesongofbirdswaswaftedwitheverygentlezephyr，stoodGoethe，lookingatthewomanwhomhehadsopassionatelylovedforthreeyears，soabsorbingly，thattoherwereconsecratedallhisthoughts。
Hecouldcontainhimselfnolonger；herushedforwardandthrewhimselfatherfeet。“Oh，Charlotte，Iloveyou，onlyyou，andoncemoreIambyyourside！“
Ashriek！wasitacryofsurpriseordelight?Wholettheguitarfalltothefloor，heorshe?Whoembracedtheotherinaffectionatehaste，heorshe?Whopressedthelipssolovinglytotheotherlips，heorshe?Andwhosaid，“Iloveyou?Whatblisstoagainreposeinyouraffection，Iwouldfaindienow。Inthismomentawholelifehasbeenconsecrated，forlovehasrevealedtousourotherself。”
Shesatuponthetabouret，andGoethestillkneltbeforeher，claspingherfeetandpressingthemtohisbosom。Hiseyesbeamedwithinexpressibledelightasheregardedtheface，usuallysocalmandindifferent——todayglowingassunrise。
“Oh，tellme，Charlotte，haveyouthoughtofme?Butratherspeaktomewithyoureyes，andmaytheybemorethanthecruellipswhichrefusetoconfess。Oh，shadenotthoselovedorbs，whicharemystarsshininguponme，whithersoeverIwander。Theyaremylight，myspring-time，andmylove。Theywillneverceasetobeamuponme，aslightandlovenevergrowold。Letmereadeternalyouthinthoseeyes，andthesecretswhichrestaspearlsinthedepthsofyourheart。Onlytellme，isthepearloflovetobefoundthere，andisitmine?“
“Itwouldbeamisfortuneifitwerethere，“shewhispered，withasweetsmile。“Pearlsaretheresultofamalady，andmyheartwouldbeillifthepearloflovewerefoundthere。No，no，rise，Wolf，dearWolf，wehavegivenawayatthefirstmomentofmeeting；letusnowbereasonable，andspeakinadignifiedmannerwitheachother，asitbecomesamarriedwomanandherfriend。”
“Friend?“repeatedGoethe，impetuously；“forevermustIlistentothishated，hypocriticalword，which，likeapriest'srobe，shallcoverthesacredglowinmyheart?Ihavetoldyou，Charlotte，thatIamnotyourfriend，andInevershallbe。Thereisnottheleastsparkofthisstill，calmfireoftheearthlymoderationinme，bywhichonecouldcookhispotatoes，orhisdailyvegetables，butbywhichonecouldneverpreparefoodforthegods，orthatwhichcouldrefreshapoet'sheartorquickenhissoul。No，inmeburnsthefirewhichPrometheusstolefromthegods，originatinginheavenandglowinguponearth。Thisheavenlyandearthlyloveunitesinoneflame。Again，Isay，Charlotte，banishthishypocriticalword'friendship！'ItisonlylovewhichIfeelforyou，letthissentimententerateveryavenueofyourheart，anddonotfeignignoranceofit，sweethypocrite。Surprisehastornawaythemask！
Thepassionatekiss，whichstillburnsuponmylips，wasnotgivenbyafriendorsister；butovercomebyjoy，thetruthhasbeenacknowledged！“
“Doyouwishthatthekissofmeetingshouldbethatofpartingalso?“saidCharlotte，sadly，assheraisedherblueeyeswithalanguishinglooktothehandsome，ardentfaceofthemanwhostoodbeforeher。“Doyouwishtoseparateforever?Imustrecalltoyouourlastconversation:'Onlywhenyouareresolvedtomoderatethisimpetuousmanner，andcurbthisoverflowoffeeling，whichreasonandcustomimposesuponus，shallIbeabletoreceiveyouandenjoyyoursociety。'“
“Yes，withtheseunmeaningphrasesyoubanishedme。Cruelandhard-
heartedwereyoutothelast。Oh，Charlotte！youknowwhatI
sufferedatourlastwalk，withyourreasoningremonstrancesandcold-heartedreproaches；theypiercedmyheartlikepoisonedarrows。
Ifthedukeandduchesshadnotbeenwalkingbeforeus，Ishouldhaveweptmyselfweary。Mywholebeingcriedwithinme:'Oh！cruelandinexorablewoman，tobegofme，whosounutterablylovesher，tocallherfriendandsister！'Irepeatedthewordsdailyduringmyabsence，andsoughttoclotheyourbelovedimagewithmeaning。Theydisfiguredyou，andtheangelwhomIadorewasnolongerrecognizable。Icannotcallyoufriendorsister。”
“ThenIcanbenothingtoyou，dearWolfgang，“sighedCharlotte。“Inthishourofmeetingwewillpart，andtoavoidachanceencountereven，IwillgotomyhusbandatKochberg，andremaintherethewholesummer。”
Goetheseizedher，holdingherfastinhisstrongarms，staringherinthefacewithafierce，angrylook。“Areyouinearnest?Wouldyoureallydoit?“
“Goethe，Ibegyoutoloosenyourhold；youhurtmyarms。”
“Doyounotalsohurtme?Withyourcoldindifferencedoyounotpiercemyheartwithred-hotdaggers，andthensmileandrejoiceatmytorture，whichisaprooftoyouofmyunboundedlove?Whileyouonlyplaywithme，andattachmetoyourtriumphalcar，todisplaytotheworldthatyouhavesucceededintamingthelion，andhavechangedhimintoagood-natureddomesticanimal。Go！youdonotdeservethatIshouldloveyou，cold-hearted，cruelwoman！“
Hethrewherarmsfromhim，withtearsinhiseyes。CharlottevonSteinregardedhimwithangerandindifference。
“Farewell，secretaryoflegation。Itseemstopleaseyoutoinsultandoffendapoorwoman，whohasnootherprotectionthanherhonorandvirtue。Farewell！Iwillnotexposemyselftosuchoffences；
thereforeIwillretire。”
Sheturnedslowlytowardthedoor，butGoetheboundedforwardlikeatiger，interruptedherpath，fallinguponhisknees，imploringpityandbeggingforpardon。“Oh，Charlotte，Iwillbegentleasachild，Iwillbereserved，IknowthatIamasinner！Itiswarringagainstone'sownhearttoseekcomfortinoffendingwhatisdearesttoitinamomentofill-humor。ButIhaveagainbecomeachild，withallmythoughts，scarcelyrecognizableforthemoment，quitelosttomyself，asIconsenttotheconditionsofotherswiththisfireragingwithinme。Oh，belovedCharlotte，forgiveme！Isubmittoallthatyouwish。”[Footnote:Goethe'swords——See“LetterstoCharlotteyonStein，“roll。，p。358。]
“Willyoubesatisfiedtolovemeasyourfriendandsister?“
“Iwillbe，“hesighed。“Onlyinthefutureyoumustendeavortopersuadeyourselfintosuchasisterlywaythatyouwillbeindulgenttomyrudeness，otherwiseIshallhavetoavoidyouwhenI
needyoumost。Oh，Charlotte，itseemsterribletomethatIshouldmarthroughanguishthebesthoursofmylife，theblissfulmomentsofmeetingwithyou，forwhomIwouldpluckeveryhairfrommyheadifitwouldmakeyouhappy。Andyettobesoblind，sohardened！
Havepityuponme。AgainIpromiseyouthatIwillbereasonable。Donotbanishmefromyourpresence。Extendtomeyourhand，andpromisemethatyouwillbemyfriendandsister！“[Footnote:
Goethe'swords——See“LetterstoCharlottevonStein，“roll。，p。
358。]
“Thenhereismyhand，“saidshe，withacharmingsmile。
“Iwillbeyourfriendandsister，and——“
“Whatnow，myCharlotte?dofinish——whatisit?“
Shelaidherhandgentlyuponhisshoulder，andherwordsfellonhisearlikesoftmusic。“Whenmydearfriendandmuch-belovedbrotherhasconductedhimselfveryprudentlyfortwoorthreehappyweeks，Iwillsendhimaringletofmyhair，whichhehassolongbeggedfor，andakisswithit。”
Goethespokenot，butpressedherblushingfacetohisbosom，andlaidhishandgentlyuponherhead。Asmileofdelight——ofperfecthappiness——playedaroundhislips。