frederick the great and his family-第15章

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　A　murmur　of　approval　was　heard；　the　rough　faces　beamed　with　friendly　smiles。

The　king　did　not　observe　this；　he　was　still　occupied　with　the　poor　woman；　and；　while　appearing　to　play　with　the　children；　gave　each　of　them　a　gold　piece。　But　their　little　hands　were　not　accustomed　to　carry　such　treasures；　and　could　not　hold　them　securely。　The　two　gold　pieces　rolled　to　the　ground；　and　the　ringing　noise　announced　the　rich　gift　of　Frederick。　Loud　cries　of　delight　were　heard；　and　the　men　waved　their　hats　in　the　air。　The　king　reddened；　and　looked　down　in　confusion。

The　peasant；　who　had　first　been　so　violent　toward　the　king；　and　at　whose　feet　the　money　had　fallen；　picked　it　up　and　gave　it　to　the　children；　then；　with　a　loud　laugh；　he　offered　his　big；　rough　hand　to　the　king；　and　said　something　in　a　kindly　tone。

〃The　good　man　is　thanking　you；　sir；　〃said　the　stranger　〃He　thinks　you　a　clever；　good…hearted　fellow；　and　begs　you　to　excuse　his　uncalled…for　violence。〃

The　king　answered　with　a　silent　bow。　He　who　was　accustomed　to　receive　the　world's　approval　as　his　just　tribute；　was　confused　and　ashamed　at　the　applause　of　these　poor　people。

The　king　was　right　in　saying　he　left　his　royalty　on　Prussian　soil；　he　really　was　embarrassed　at　this　publicity；　and　was　glad　when　Deesen　announced　that　lunch　was　prepared　for　him。　He　gave　Balby　a　nod　to　follow；　and　withdrew　into　the　cabin。

〃Truly；　if　every…day　life　had　so　many　adventures；　I　do　not　understand　how　any　one　can　complain　of　ennui。　Through　what　varied　scenes　I　have　passed　to…day！〃

〃But　our　adventures　arise　from　the　peculiarity　of　our　situation；〃　said　Balby。　〃All　these　little　contretemps　are　annoying　and　disagreeable；　but　seem　only　amusing　to　a　king　in　disguise。〃

〃But　a　disguised　king　learns　many　things；〃　said　Frederick；　smiling；　〃from　to…day；　I　shall　be　no　longer　surprised　to　hear　the　police　called　a　hateful　institution。　Vraiment；　its　authority　and　power　is　vexatious；　but　necessary。　Never　speak　again　of　my　god…like　countenance；　or　the　seal　of　greatness　which　the　Creator　has　put　upon　the　brow　of　princes　to　distinguish　them　from　the　rest　of　mankind。　Mons。　Niclas　saw　nothing　great　stamped　upon　my　brow；　to　him　I　had　the　face　of　a　criminalmy　passport　only　made　an　honest　man　of　me。　Come；　friends；　let　us　refresh　ourselves。〃

While　eating；　the　king　chatted　pleasantly　with　Balby　of　the　charming　adventures　of　the　day。

〃Truly；〃　he　said；　laughing；　as　the　details　of　the　scene　on　deck　were　discussed；　〃without　the　interference　of　that　learned　Dutchman；　the　King　of　Prussia　would　have　been　in　dangerous　and　close　contact　with　the　respectable　peasant。　Ah；　I　did　not　even　thank　my　protecting　angel。　Did　you　speak　to　him；　brother　Henry？　Where　is　he　from；　and　what　is　his　name？〃

〃I　do　not　know；　sir；　but　from　his　speech　and　manner　he　appeared　to　me　to　be　an　amiable　and　cultivated　gentleman。〃

〃Go　and　invite　him　to　take　a　piece　of　pie　with　us。　Tell　him　Mr。　Zoller　wishes　to　thank　him　for　his　assistance；　and　begs　the　honor　of　his　acquaintance。　You　see；　my　friend；　I　am　learning　how　to　be　polite；　to　flatter；　and　conciliate；　as　becomes　a　poor　travelling　musician。　I　beg　you；　choose　your　words　well。　Be　civil；　or　he　might　refuse　to　come；　and　I　thirst　for　company。〃

Balby　returned　in　a　few　moments；　with　the　stranger。

〃Here；　my　friend；〃　said　Balby。　〃I　bring　you　our　deliverer　in　time　of　need。　He　will　gladly　take　his　share　of　the　pie。〃

〃And　he　richly　deserves　it；〃　said　the　king；　as　he　greeted　the　stranger　politely。　〃Truly；　monsieur；　I　am　very　much　indebted　to　you；　and　this　piece　of　pie　that　I　have　the　honor　to　offer　you　is　but　a　poor　reward　for　your　services。　I　believe　I　never　saw　larger　fists　than　that　terrible　peasant's；　a　closer　acquaintance　with　them　would　have　been　very　disagreeable。　I　thank　you　for　preventing　it。〃

〃Travellers　make　a　variety　of　acquaintances；〃　said　the　stranger；　laughing；　and　seating　himself　on　the　bench　by　the　king's　side；　with　a　familiarity　that　terrified　Balby。　〃I　count　you；　sir；　among　the　agreeable　ones；　and　I　thank　you　for　this　privilege。〃

〃I　hope　you　will　make　the　acquaintance　of　this　pie；　and　find　it　agreeable；〃　said　the　king。　〃Eat；　monsieur；　and　let　us　chat　in　the　mean　whileHenry；　why　are　you　standing　there　so　grave　and　respectful；　not　daring　to　be　seated？　I　do　not　believe　this　gentleman　to　be　a　prince　travelling　incognito。〃

〃No；　sir；　take　your　place；〃　exclaimed　the　stranger；　laughing；　〃you　will　not　offend　etiquette。　I　give　you　my　word　that　I　am　no　concealed　prince；　and　no　worshipper　of　princes。　I　am　proud　to　declare　this。〃

〃Ah！　you　are　proud　not　to　be　a　prince？〃

〃Certainly；　sir。〃

〃It　appears　to　me；〃　said　Balby；　looking　at　the　king；　〃that　a　prince　has　a　great　and　enviable　position。〃

〃But　a　position；　unfortunately；　that　but　few　princes　know　how　to　fill　worthily；〃　said　the　king；　smiling。　〃Every　man　who　is　sufficient　for　himself　is　to　be　envied。〃

〃You　speak　my　thoughts　exactly；　sir；〃　said　the　stranger；　who　had　commenced　eating　his　piece　of　pie　with　great　zeal。　〃Only　the　free　are　happy。〃

〃Are　you　happy？〃　asked　the　king。

〃Yes；　sir；　at　least　for　the　moment　I　am。〃

〃What　countryman　are　you？〃

〃I　am　a　Swiss；　sir。〃

〃A　worthy　and　respectable　people。　From　what　part　of　Switzerland　do　you　come？〃

〃From　the　little　town　of　Merges。〃

〃Not　far；　then；　from　Lausanne；　and　the　lonely　lake　of　Geneva；　not　far　from　Ferney；　where　the　great　Voltaire　resides；　and　from　whence　he　darts　his　scorching；　lightning…flashes　to…day　upon　those　whom　he　blessed　yesterday。　Are　you　satisfied　with　your　government？　Are　not　your　patrician　families　a　little　too　proud？　Are　not　even　the　citizens　of　Berne　arrogant　and　imperious？〃

〃We　have　to　complain　of　them；　sir；　but　very　rarely。〃

〃Are　you　now　residing　in　Holland？〃

〃No；　I　am　travelling；〃　answered　the　stranger；　shortly。　He　had　held　for　a　long　time　a　piece　of　pie　on　his　fork；　trying　in　vain　to　put　it　in　his　mouth。

The　king　had　not　observed　this；　he　had　forgotten　that　kings　and　princes　only　have　the　right　to　carry　on　a　conversation　wholly　with　questions；　and　that　it　did　not　become　Mr。　Zoller　to　be　so　inquisitive。

〃What　brought　you　here？〃　he　asked；　hastily。

〃To　complete　my　studies；　sir；〃　and；　with　a　clouded　brow；　the　stranger　laid　his　fork　and　pie　upon　his　plate。

But　the　king's　questions　flowed　on　in　a　continued　stream。

〃Do　you　propose　to　remain　here？〃

〃I　believe　not；　or　rather　I　do　not　yet　know；〃　answered　the　stranger；　with　a　sarcastic　smile；　that　brought　Balby　to　desperation。

〃Are　not　the　various　forms　of　government　of　Switzerland　somewhat　confusing　in　a　political　point　of　view？〃

〃No；　for　all　know　that　the　cantons　are　free；　as　they　should　be。〃

〃Does　that　not　lead　to　skepticism　and　indifference？〃

The　stranger's　patience　was　exhausted；　without　answering　the　king；　he　pushed　back　his　plate　and　arose　from　the　table。

〃Sir；　allow　me　to　say　that；　in　consideration　of　a　piece　of　pie；　which　you　will　not　even　give　me　time　to　eat；　you　ask　too　many　questions。〃

〃You　are　right；　and　I　beg　your　pardon；〃　said　the　king；　as　he　smilingly　nodded　at　Balby　to　remain　quiet。　〃We　travel　to　improve　ourselves；　but　you　have　just　cause　of　complaint。　I　will　give　you　time　to　eat　your　piece　of　pie。　Eat；　therefore；　monsieur；　and　when　you　have　finished；　if　it　is　agreeable；　we　will　chat　awhile　longer。〃

When　the　stranger　arose　to　depart；　after　an　animated　and　interesting　conversation；　the　king　offered　him　his　hand。

〃Give　me　your　address；〃　he　said；　〃that　is；　I　beg　of　you　to　do　so。　You　say　you　have　not　yet　chosen　a　profession；　perhaps　I　may　have　the　opportunity　of　being　useful　to　you。〃

The　Swiss　gave　him　his　card；　with　many　thanks；　and　returned　to　the　deck。

The　king　gazed　thoughtfully　after　him。

〃That　man　pleases　me；　and　when　I　am　no　longer　a　poor　musician；　I　shall　call　him　to　my　side。Well；　brother　Henry；　what　do　you　think　of　this　man；　who；　as　I　see；　is　named　Mr。　Le　Catt？〃

〃I　find　him　rather　curt；〃　said　Balby；　〃and　he　appears　to　be　a　great　republican。〃

〃You　mean　because　he　hates　princes；　and　was　somewhat　rude　to　me。　Concerning　the　first；　you　must　excuse　it　in　a　republican；　and　I　confess　that　were　I　in　his　place　I　would　probably　do　the　same　as　to　the　last；　he　was　right　to　give　Mr。　Zoller　a　lesson　in　manners。　Poor　Zoller　is　not　yet　acquainted　with　the　customs　of　the　common　world；　and　makes　all　manner　of　mistakes　against　bon　ton。　I　believe　to…day　is　not　the　first　time　he　has　been　reproved　for　want　of　manners。〃

〃Mr。　Zoller　is　every　inch　a　king；〃　said　Balby；　laughing。

＇NOTE。The　king's　conversation　with　Mr。　Le　Catt　is　historical　（see　Thiebault；　vol。　1。；　p。　218）。　The　king　did　not　forget　his　travelling　adventure；　but　on　his　return　to　Prussia；　called　Le　Catt　to　court　and　gave　him　the　position　of　lecturer；　and　for　twenty　years　he　enjoyed　the　favor　and　confidence　of　the　king。＇




CHAPTER　XIV

IN　AMSTERDAM。


Wearied；　indeed　utterly　exhausted；　the　king　and　Balby　returned　to　the　hotel　of　the　Black　Raven；　at　that　time　the　most　celebrated　in　Amsterdam。　They　had　been　wandering　about　the　entire　day；　examining　with　never…ceasing　interest　and　delight　the　treasures　of　art　which　the　rich　patricians　of　Amsterdam　had　collected　in　their　princely　homes　and　the　public　museums。　No　one　supposed　that　this　small　man　in　the　brown　coat；　with　dusty　shoes　and　coarse；　unadorned　hat；　could　be　a　kinga　king　whose　fame　resounded　throughout　the　whole　of　Europe。　Frederick　had　enjoyed　the　great　happiness　of　pursuing　his　journey　and　his　studies　unnoticed　and　unknown。　He　had　many　amusing　and　romantic　adventures；　and　the　joy　of　being　an　independent　man；　of　which　he　had　heretofore　only　dreamed；　he　was　now　realizing　fully。

The　king　was　compelled　now　to　confess　that　his　freedom　and　manhood　were　completely　overcome。　Hunger　had　conquered　himhunger！　the　earthly　enemy　of　all　great　ideas　and　exalted　feelings。　The　king　was　hungry！　He　was　obliged　to　yield　to　that　physical　power　which　even　the　rulers　of　this　world　must　obey；　and　Balby　and　himself　had　returned　to　the　hotel　to　eat　and　refresh　themselves。

〃Now；　friend；　see　that　you　order　something　to　rejoice　and　strengthen　our　humanity；〃　said　Frederick；　stretching　himself　comfortably　upon　the　divan。　〃It　is　a　real　pleasure　to　rue　to　be　hungry　and　partake　of　a　good　meala　pleasure　which　the　King　of　Prussia　will　often　envy　the　Messieurs　Zoller。　To　be　hungry　and　to　eat　is　one　of　life's　rare　enjoyments　generally　denied　to　kings；　and　yet；〃　whispered　he；　thoughtfully；　〃our　whole　life　is　nothing　but　a　never…ceasing　hungering　and　thirsting　after　happiness；　content；　and　rest。　The　world　alas！　gives　no　repose；　no　satisfying　portion。　Brother　Henry；　let　us　eat　and　be　joyful；　let　us　even　meditate　on　a　good　meal　as　an　ardent　maiden　consecrates　her　thoughts　to　a　love…poem　which　she　will　write　in　her　album　in　honor　of　her　beloved。　Truly　there　are　fools　who　in　the　sublimity　of　their　folly　wish　to　appear　indifferent　to　such　earthly　pleasures。　declaring　that　they　are　necessary　evils；　most　uncomfortable　bodily　craving；　and　nothing　more。　They　are　fools　who　do　not　understand　that　eating　and　drinking　is　an　art；　a　science；　the　soul　of　the　soul；　the　compass　of　thought　and　feeling。　Dear　Balby；　order　us　a　costly　meal。　I　wish　to　be　gay　and　free；　light…　minded　and　merry…hearted　to…day。　In　order　to　promote　this　we　must；　before　all　other　thin