frederick the great and his family-第84章
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When the pope called Frederick the 〃heretical Marchese di Brandenburgo；〃 the king returned the compliment by calling him the 〃Grand Lama；〃 and delighted himself over the assumed infallibility of the vicegerent of the Most High。
But the king not only scourged the pope with his satirical penthe modest and prudish Empress Maria Theresa was also the victim of his wit。 He wrote a letter； supposed to be from the Marquise de Pompadour to the Queen of Hungary； in which the inexplicable friendship between the virtuous empress and the luxurious mistress of Louis was mischievously portrayed。 This letter of Frederick's was spread abroad in every direction； and people were not only naive enough to read it； but to believe it genuine。 The Austrian court saw itself forced to the public declaration that all these letters were false； that Field…Marshal Daun had not received a consecrated wig； but a hat； and that the empress had never received a letter of this character from the Marquise de Pompadour。 ＇Footnote： In this letter the marquise complained bitterly that the empress had made it impossible for her to hasten to Vienna and offer her the homage； the lore； the friendship she cherished for her in her heart。 The empress had established a court of virtue and modesty in Vienna； and this tribunal could hardly receive the Pompadour graciously。 The marquise； therefore； entreated the empress to execute judgment against this fearful tribunal of virtue； and to bow to the yoke of the omnipotent goddess Venus。 All these letters can be seen in the 〃Supplement aux OEuvres Posthumes。〃＇ These Fliegende Blattern； as we have said； were the weapons with which King Frederick fought against his enemies when the rough； inclement winter made it impossible for him to meet them in the open field。 In the winter quarters in 1758 most of those letters appeared； and no one but the Marquis d'Argens； the most faithful friend of Frederick； guessed who was the author of these hated and feared satires。
The enemies of the king also made use of this winter rest to make every possible aggression； they had their acquaintances and spies throughout Germany； under various pretences and disguises； they were scattered abroadeven in the highest court circles of Berlin they were zealously at work。 By flattery； and bribery； and glittering promises； they made friends and adherents； and in the capital of Prussia they found ready supporters and informers。 They were not satisfied with thisthey were haughty and bold enough to seek for allies among the Prussians； and hoped to obtain entrance into the walls of the cities； and possession of the fortresses by treachery。
The Austrian and Russian prisoners confined in the fortress of Kustrin conspired to give it up to the enemy。 The number of Russian prisoners sent to the fortress of Kustrin after the battle of Zorndorf； was twice as numerous as the garrison； and if they could succeed in getting possession of the hundred cannon captured at Zorndorf； and placed as victorious trophies in the market…place； it would be an easy thing to fall upon and overcome the garrison。
This plan was all arranged； and about to be carried out； but it was discovered the day before its completion。 The Prussian commander doubled the guard before the casemates in which three thousand Russian prisoners were confined； and arrested the Russian officers。 Their leader； Lieutenant von Yaden of Courland； was accused； condemned by the court…martial； and； by the express command of the king； broken upon the wheel。 Even this terrible example bore little fruit。 Ever new attempts were being madeever new conspiracies discovered amongst the prisoners； and whilst the armies of the allies were attacking Prussia outwardly； the prisoners were carrying on a not less dangerous guerilla warthe more to be feared because it was secretnot in the open field and by day； but under the shadow of night and the veil of conspiracy。
Nowhere was this warfare carried on more vigorously than in Berlin。 All the French taken at Rossbach； all the Austrians captured at Leuthen； and the Russian officers of high rank taken at Zorndorf； had been sent by the king to Berlin。 They had the most enlarged liberty； the whole city was their prison； and only their word of honor bound them not to leave the walls of Berlin。 Besides this； all were zealous to alleviate the sorrows of the 〃poor captives；〃 and by fetes and genial amusements to make them forget their captivity。 The doors of all the first houses were opened to the distinguished strangerseverywhere they were welcome guests； and there was no assembly at the palace to which they were not invited。
Even in these fearful times； balls and fetes were given at the court。 Anxious and sad faces were hidden under gay masks； and the loud sound of music and dancing drowned the heavy sighs of the desponding。 While the Austrians； Russians； and Prussians strove with each other on the bloody battle…field； the Berlin ladies danced the graceful Parisienne dances with the noble prisoners。 This was now the mode。
Truly there were many aching hearts in this gay and merry city； but they hid their grief and tears in their quiet； lonely chambers； and their clouded brows cast no shadow upon the laughing； rosy faces of the beautiful women whose brothers； husbands； and lovers； were far away on the bloody battle…field If not exactly willing to accept these strangers as substitutes； they were at least glad to seek distraction in their society。 After all； it is impossible to be always mourning； always complaining； always leading a cloistered life。 In the beginning； the oath of constancy and remembrance； which all had sworn at parting； had been religiously preserved； and Berlin had the physiognomy of a lovely； interesting； but dejected widow； who knew and wished to know nothing of the joys of life。 But suddenly Nature had asserted her own inexorable laws； which teach forgetfulness and inspire hope。 The bitterest ears were driedthe heaviest sighs suppressed； people had learned to reconcile themselves to life； and to snatch eagerly at every ray of sunshine which could illumine the cold； hopeless desert； which surrounded them。
They had seen that it was quite possible to live comfortably； even while wild war was blustering and raging withoutthat weak； frail human nature； refused to be ever strained； ever excited； in the expectation of great events。 In the course of these three fearful years； even the saddest had learned again to laugh； jest； and be gay； in spite of death and defeat。 They loved their fatherlandthey shouted loudly and joyfully over the great victories of their king they grieved sincerely over his defeats； but they could not carry their animosities so far as to be cold and strange to the captive officers who were compelled by the chances of war to remain in Berlin。
They had so long striven not to seek to revenge themselves upon these powerless captives； that they had at last truly forgotten they were enemies； and these handsome； entertaining； captivating； gallant gentlemen were no longer looked upon even as prisoners； but as strangers and travellers； and therefore they should receive the honors of the city。 ＇Footnote： Sulzer writes： 〃The prisoners of war are treated here as if they were distinguished travellers and visitors。〃＇
The king commanded that these officers should receive all attention。 It was also the imperative will of the king that court balls should be given； he wished to prove to the world that his family were neither sad nor dispirited； but gay； bold； and hopeful。
CHAPTER II。
THE THREE OFFICERS。
It was the spring of 1759。 Winter quarters were broken up； and it was said the king had left Breslau and advanced boldly to meet the enemy。 The Berlin journals contained accounts of combats and skirmishes which had taken place here and there between the Prussians and the allies； and in which； it appeared； the Prussians had always been unfortunate。
Three captive officers sat in an elegant room of a house near the castle； and conversed upon the news of the day； and stared at the morning journals which lay before them on the table。
〃I beg you；〃 said one of them in French〃I beg you will have the goodness to translate this sentence for me。
