Count Brühl

court huntsmen passed along the wide highway that divided this ancient wilderness, accompanied by men armed with boar-spears and carrying nets; the horsemen wore

re in high spirits, and from the waggons protruded the

with lovely faces. All were dressed as for a festival, for hunting was a favourite amusem

her like his younger brother. A numerous and brilliant court surrounded the two lords. They were to pass the night at Hubertsburg, where the Prince would offer hospitality to his father, for the hunting castle belonged to him. The Princess Josepha, daughter-in-law to the King, and daughter of the Imperial house of Hapsburg, recently married to Frederic

rushed forward to dispatch the wild beast with their hunting knives, it already lay on the ground bathed in its own blood. On this, King Augustus had kissed his son on the forehead approvingly, and the Prince had pressed his father's hand to his lips, but he remained as calm and composed after the victory as he had been before. The only sign of good humour he had shown was, that he ordered a pipe to be brought him, and blew forth a larger cloud than usual. In those times men had begun to use that now universal plant--tobacco. Augustus the Strong smoked a great deal, his son, Pri

ome on benches, and others on rugs. Arrangements had been made for another hunt on the followin

e of the King. His noble carriage, and slightly effeminate figure, attracted the attention even of the most indifferent. His dress was elegant, his wig carefully arranged; his pink and white fac

oth polite and useful, there was not a more retiring person in the court. He never boasted, never attempted to

s he did not know what to do with his son he placed him in the service of the Princess Frederick Elizabeth, who generally resided at Leipzig. The Princess at that time came constantly to Weissenfelds for market days

ll from the first day, that he surpassed the older pages in his zeal and ability. The King smiled kindly on him; he was plea

ears; such a modest boy could never rise very high. He was poor, and the Brühl family, although, of ancient lineage, had so fallen, that

caped his lips. Brühl admired the lords, the dignitaries, the ladies, his equals, and even the King's lackeys, to whom he was invariably courteous, as though already aware of the great secret that the greatest things are often accom

olitary stroll to avoid being in the way of others, while, being seen of everyone, he would be in readiness for any service. Such persons are favoured by good fort

swiftly with lordly gait, having one hand placed in his richly embroidered vest and the other hidden in the shirt of his green braided h

Alexandre Sulkowski, he had been brought to the court of Frederick as a page, and was already a prominent huntsman. And this meant a great de

to be immortal, yet sooner or later the god was bound to die like any other mortal. Thus Sulkows

s though he had met the most beautiful woman in the court of the King. Sulkowski received this mute and respec

ing about in this solitude? Happy boy,

would order me

wn duties! Work for such a guest

hed sl

nued, 'the hunt

d Brühl. 'His Majesty has not been in

nt close to

les now in

t present there i

aid Sulkowski laughing

n't k

at you, the King's

ed at him,

ge should not

d Sulkowski, 'but b

ount, and whispered s

any love affairs, that have cost our dear lord so much

teps appeared to be bent, or to return to the castle. Taking Brühl's arm, an

although we are both too weary to

you, I conceived for you, my dear Count, deep respect, and permit me also to add, the most affectionate, friendship. Must I

Brühl's face, which

In the court such disinterested friendship is rare, and

s met, Br

g is fon

so?' asked B

d your zeal and intelligence. As for me, the Prince loves me, and I can say wit

ll? As for me, I am a stranger here, though I am thankful to the Princess for placing me at the King's court. I try to show my gratitude, but the parquetry of a court is very slippery. The more zeal I show f

ned with an air

ar. I observe that you have adopted an excellent method: you are modest and patient. The princ

exclaimed Brühl. 'I am indeed fo

e smiled proudly, pleased at the acknowledgment

,' he said. 'Go forward

ayer, and his face was radiant; then he extended a hand to Sulkowski in token of his

d must have meant something to the young favourite, for signin

ooking on for a moment, he turned into a side path, and walked slowly and thoughtfully to the forest. Probably he wished to be alone with his thoughts, although his youthful eyes were not suggestive of deep speculation. It might be nearer truth to think that in a court ful

es. The great majority of these were Slavs, called Wends, and they chatted quietly together in a tongue incomprehensible to the Germans. Several huntsmen kept guard over them, and whilst supper was prepared for the hounds, no on

ly evening, peaceful and bright, and had it not been for the yellow le

e noise scarcely penetrated thither; trees concealed the castl

s it. He thought he was alone, and was greatly surprised, almost frightened, at seeing two men lying beneath an enormous beech-tree. He retreated, and looked at them

rly, or noticing what clothes they wore, but after awhil

he tents and give warning of the presence of two suspicious strangers. He changed his mind however, and drawn more by instinct than reason, moved forward, and approached

ion, Brühl advanced a few step

e you do

he man. 'Is it forbidden he

and the speech indic

Majesty in person are no

e stranger, who did not appea

'but if you were noticed here, you

ow of the trees, Brühl beheld a good-looking man, with long hair and a noble mien. By hi

doing here?' B

hat in this quiet we may lull our souls to prayer,' the youth said slowly. 'Night surprised us here; we sho

were pronounced struck Brühl. The

ial position. I am Nicolaus Louis, Count and Lord of Zinzendorf and Pottendorf, at present studiosus, se

ely. The moon lit up the beautiful face of the student. They bo

rühl, his Maj

easured him

ery much,' he

d the aston

he King, I prefer to serve the King of Heaven, to love Jesus Christ, our Saviour. You found us when we we

oved away from the youth, who wen

ill ring, this must seem strange and perchance irreverent, but I consider i

ilent. Zinzendor

The brook whispers the prayer, the moon shines forth to light the prayer of natu

listened, and appear

d, whimsical society men, and you forgive their fancies; can you not then hav

Brühl. 'I am pio

t with my life and my blood. Brother in Christ, if the life of the court weigh heavily on you, for I cannot otherwise explain your solitary evening wandering, sit with us, and l

hough afraid the stran

e replied, 'besides my duties call

the direction whence

Zinzendorf. 'If we cou

r us, and order us to be put in prison, not here, for there is no prison her

, bowed lightly, and would have depar

it is forbidden to

trouble. I advise you to be off. Beyond Hubertsburg there is an

hat we may not be in the way of

d with his h

the highway but if you will accept me

dorf had had time to cool down from the state of enthusiasm in which the page had found him. It was evident that he was a man accustome

preach. The aim of my life is not only to preach, but also to set a good example. What is the use of preaching, if deeds do not follow our words? Catholics and Protestants, we are all heat

of the camp, where drinking was at its height

hear evoe! Let us hasten! I have no desire to hear and se

oon reached the highway. Having pointed out the roa

le made such an exhibition of themselves in public, as did the military councillor Pauli that evening. He was lying on the ground in the centre of the tent; beside him there st

d were splitting thei

was to be near the King ready to write his letters, to be thus overcome w

, having come to their senses, helped him, and with a great effort they put the councillor on a heap of

, I understand, I am not drunk--You

ighed and muttered, 'Hard