Frederick the Great and His Cou

l with his advisers. As they left him he called Jorda

have often called me a bold eagle, now we shall see if my wings have strength to bear me to great deeds, and if my claws are sharp enough to pluck

is pleased to look upon Prussia as her vassal; whose emperor considered it beneath his dignity to extend his hand to

d the arts, must be given up. The favorite of Apollo will become the son of Mars; we who are left behind can o

ld. I believe in God, and I leave my fate confidently in His hands. The ball which strikes me comes from Him; and if I escape the battle-field, a murderous hand can reach me, even in my bed-chamber; and surely that would be a less honorable, less famous death. I must do something great, decisive, and wor

ubjects, and the enthusiastic tenderness of your frien

you have listened to her intoxicating whispers, you cannot cast her off. Speak not, then, of exposure, or care,

heir reasons and their lives. The field of battle is truly the golde

use I must go into the rough field, while you amuse yourself with Horace, study Pausanias, and laugh and make merry with Anacreon. I envy you not. Fame beckons me with her alluring glance. My youth, the fire of passion, the thirst for renown, and a mysterious and unconquerable power, tears me from this life of indol

king's

l have passed away-but where will my spirit be? When I stand near you and look upon you, I know that the spirit is immortal. The soul, noble and god-like, will be ev

es, Jordan, we have need of each other, we belong to each other; and it would be cruel, indeed, to rob me of a treasure which we, poor kings, so rarely possess, a faith

which came panting from his breast. A sad presentiment took possession of his heart, the smile vanished from his lips, he could not conceal his emotion, and walking to the window he leaned his hot brow upon the glass and shed tears which none but God s

ad upon the window; he did not dare to disturb him, and yet he had importa

oughts before the battle, and when he thinks of death he must greet him with laughter, for death is his ally and his adjutant; and

ath news to give me," said he curtly, leaning against th

ll accustom your majesty to such trials, that your heart may not

who is dead," said Fr

, your bes

grasping the arms convulsively, he leaned his h

is last letter to your highness; his brother sen

ter. As he read it he sighed and sobbed aloud: "Suhm is dead! Suhm is dead! the friend who loved me so sincerely, even as I loved him. That noble man, who combined intellect, sincerity, an

iumphant; my friend has been offered up as a victim. Jordan, Jordan, my wound bleeds, but I will bind it up, and no man shall see even the blood-stained cloth with which I cover it. I have overcome death, and now will I offer battle and conquer as become a hero, and a king. What cares the world that I suffer? T