Frederick the Great and His Cou

this is not the way to vanquish our Hercules or to influence him. He has no

which is far worse. Women are always too ready to meet him; too many hea

patient, and obedient: is there no way to tame this king of beasts and hold him in bondage? Unless we can ensnare him, we will be less than nothing, subject to his arbitrary temper, an

cunning old courtier like myself unite our forces the r

this shall not be. It would be a

y, a king without a powerfu

e places are vacant, it is but natural

and maintain our position. You called the king a

love of

o sleep by voluptuous feasts. Call to mind how the Roman Emperor Heliogabalus ki

r friend, and I confess without blushin

ed from without. They continued to drink and sing merrily; suddenly a glass door in the ceiling was opened, and the voice of Heliogabalus was heard, saying: 'You were never satisfied with your power and glory, you were always aspiring after new laurels; this noble thirst shall now be satisfied.' A torrent of laurel wreaths and branches now fell upon the senators. At first they laughed, and snatched jestingly at the flying laurels. The most exquisite flowers were now added, and there seemed to be no end to the pelting storm. They cried out, 'Enough, enough,' in vain; the wreaths and bouquets still poured upon them in unceasing streams; the floor was literally a bed of roses. At last, terror took possession of them; they wished to escape, and rush

st have been poetical; but I do not see the

ample. We will intoxicate this mighty king with enervating pleasures,

te for them," said

ut he enjoys good living-that will make one link in his fetters. Then he loves pomp and splendor; he has so long been forced to live meanly that wealth will

pastime, in the ordering of which he could n

laces and planning new amusements, I will rule, a

se," said Pollnitz. "My finances are in an unhealthy state, and my landlord threatens to sell my furniture and my jewels, because for more than a year I have not paid my rent. You see now, Fredersdorf,

king will give it to you as a reward for t

e seen

papers are in his desk, and n

d together for far different purposes! This Boden," said Pollnitz thoughtfully, "will be our most dangerous opponent: you may believe this; I am somewhat versed in physiognomy. I have studied his countenance; he is a bold, determined man, who, when irritated, would even brave the king. All the other ministers agree with our plans, and will not stand in our way. They a

er speaks to him or notices him, while he loves to chat with his other ministers? Frederick did not dismiss him from office at once, because the old king loved him. Boden was his treasurer and confidential friend, from whom he had no secrets;

said Po

sury; he must respect the royal order. If he does, he is an unscrupulous officer, and the king can no longer put faith in him. If he dares oppose the royal command, he is a traitor, and the king, who demands silent and unconditional obedience from his officers, will dismiss him. The

y in the land. Only think how all the courtiers will bow before us! The king will do nothing without our advice. I will make more debts. I will be as generous as Fouquet, and as lavish and luxurious a

be sustained by him. This tamed lion shall be drawn by prancing steeds in gilded chariots; we will anoint him with honey and feed him with nightingales' tongues; he shall bathe in Lachrymae Christi, and all that the most fantastic dream and the wildest flights of fancy can imagine shall be set before him. Those good epicurean Romans, who threw young maid

ss to announce m

t for you?" said Fre

ay to his majesty that I am come to s

iumphant and malicious smile: "The king says he will send for you when he wishes to

usual grave, composed manner: "The king may not desire to see me; but I, as an officer and m

spectful words," said P

ly report to his majes

ill pay dearly for this s

me," said Boden, w

t the door. Boden walked proudly by Fredersdorf, casting upo

he whispered, as the

"I am surprised and somewhat anx

ly so clear, was heavily clouded; this betokens storms; may they break upon Boden's devoted h

it by the oc

he door and pushed the curtains carefully