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〃Ah； yes； sire； but unfortunately it has been in vain。〃
〃Why is this？〃 said the king。 〃You all wish me to interest myself in German； but it is such a barbarous language； that I often have quires of writing sent me； of which I do not understand a word。 Why is it not otherwise？〃
〃If your majesty cannot reform this； I certainly cannot；〃 said Gellert； smiling； 〃I can only advise； but you can command。〃
〃But your poems are not written in this stiff； pompous German。 Do you not know one of your fables by heart？〃
〃I doubt it； sire； my memory is very treacherous。〃
〃Well； try and think of one。 In the mean while I will walk backward and forward a little。 Well； have you thought of one？〃
〃Yes； your majesty；〃 said Gellert； after a brief silence； 〃I believe I remember one。〃
〃Let us hear it；〃 said the king； and； seating himself upon the fauteuil； he gazed fixedly at Gellert； who； standing in the middle of the room； his clear glance turned toward the king； now began his recitation。
〃THE PAINTER。〃
〃A painter； Athens his abode； Who painted less for love of gain Than crowns of laurel to obtain； Mars' portrait to a connoisseur once showed； And his opinion of it sought。 The judge spoke freely what he thought； Twas wholly not unto his taste； he said； And that； to please a practised eye； Far less of art should be displayed。 The painter failed not to reply； And though the critic blamed with skill； Was of the same opinion still。〃
〃Then in the room a coxcomb came； To scan the work with praise or blame。 He with a glance its worth descried； 'Ye gods！ A masterpiece' he cried。 'Ah； what a foot！ what skilled details； E'en to the painting of the nails！ A living Mars is here revealed； What skillwhat art in light and shade Both in the helmet and the shield； And in the armor are displayed！'〃
〃The painter blushed with humbled pride； Looked at the judge with woful mien； 'Too well am I convinced' he cried； 'Unjust to me thou hast not been。' The coxcomb scarce had disappeared； when he his god of battle smeared。〃
〃And the moral；〃 cried the king； with vivacity； as Gellert ceased for a moment。
〃Here is the moral； sire：〃
〃If what you write offends the critic's rules； It is an evil sign； no doubt； But when 'tis lauded to the skies by fools； 'Tis time； indeed； to blot it out。〃
〃That is beautifulvery beautiful； you have something gallant in your person。 I understand every thing you say。 I received a translation of 'Iphigenia' by Gottsched； and Quintus read it to me。 I had the French with me； and I did not understand a word。 He also brought me a poem by Pietsh； but I threw it aside。〃
〃I threw it aside； also；〃 said Gellert； smiling。
The king smiled pleasantly。 〃Should I remain here； you must come often and bring your fables to read to me。〃
Gellert's brow clouded slightly。 〃I do not know whether I am a good reader；〃 he said； in some embarrassment。 〃I have such a sing…song； monotonous voice。〃
〃Yes； like the Silesians；〃 said the king； 〃but it sounds pleasantly。 You must read your fables yourself。 No one else can give the proper emphasis。 You must visit me soon again。〃
〃Do not forget the king's request；〃 said Quintus Icilius； as he escorted Gellert to the door。 〃Visit him soon； and be assured you shall never come in vain。 I will take care that the king receives you always。〃
Gellert looked up smilingly at the major。 〃My dear sir； in many respects I am quite an old…fashioned man； for example； I have read a great deal in the Old Scriptures for instruction。 I have read； 'Put not your trust in princes。' These words seem wise to me； and you must allow me to interpret them literally； and act accordingly。〃
Gellert withdrew； and hastened home。 The major returned to the king； admiring； almost envying； Gellert's modest； independent； and beautiful character。
〃Quintus；〃 said the king； 〃I thank you sincerely for my new German acquaintance。 The poet is better than the philosopher。 Gellert is the wisest and cleverest poet of his timea much worthier man than Gottsched； with all his pompous knowledge。 Gellert's fame will outlive his。 He is perhaps the only German who will not be forgotten。 He attempts but little； and succeeds well。〃
CHAPTER XIV。
THE KING AND THE VILLAGE MAGISTRATE。
In the little village of Voiseilvitz； near the Silesian frontier； there was a great stir and excitement。 The quartermaster of the army had just arrived and announced the king's approach。 He then went on to the next village to seek quarters for the army。 After their many sufferings and wants； the weary soldiers were much in need of rest and refreshment。 They had passed many； many miserable weeks； during which the most patient had become disheartened。 The king alone had retained his courage； his presence of mind； his activity and energy。 He had borne； without complaint； every want and privation。 Surrounded by powerful enemies； his great and clear mind had contrived the intrenchments which encompassed his camp； and which had filled his enemies with wonder。 Neither Daun； Loudon； Butterlin； nor Ternitschow； dared attack the camp that had suddenly become a strong fortress。 They gazed in wild amazement at their daring； invincible enemy； whom they had so often thought to ruin； and who had continually with his lion strength broken the nets they had laid for him。 Not daring to attack him with their cannon and their swords； the allies relied upon another much more fearful weapon hunger！ It was impossible for the king； surrounded as he was by enemies； to obtain food for his troops and fodder for the horses。 But Frederick did not cease to hope： he turned night into day and day into night； thus he was prepared for any movement。 During the day he could observe all that passed in the enemy's camp； a few slight guards were placed in the intrenchments； while the rest of the army slept。 But at night they did not sleep； as soon as evening came； all the tents were taken down； the cannon were planted； and behind them the regiments were placed in line of battle。 Thus they stood listening in breathless silence for any sound or movement that would announce the enemy's approach。 All were ready and waiting for them； determined to die rather than surrender。
In spite of privations； want of rest and food； the army remained hopeful； for their king shared their danger； wants； and sleepless nights。 He was always with themhe hungered and worked with them。 If the soldiers were deprived of their rations； they had at least the consolation of knowing that the king suffered likewise。 This strengthened and encouraged them。
The Prussians had fortitude to bear their sufferings； but their enemy had not the patience to wait。 Butterlin； the Russian commander； tired of watching Frederick； withdrew to Poland； and Loudon； not feeling secure now in his isolated position； retired also。
After four weeks of agony and want； the Prussian army could leave their encampment and seek both food and rest。 They were to recruit themselves in the villages in the vicinity of Strehlen； the king and his staff were to rest at Voiseilvitz。 The house of the magistrate had been chosen as the only dwelling…place fit for these noble guests。 The magistrate； elated at the honor； was marching from room to room； scolding； imploring his servants to have every thing clean and orderly。
〃Remember；〃 said he； 〃a king is to inhabit this house； he will be enraged if there is the least spot or stain upon the floors or windows； for of course he wears beautiful garments； covered with pearls and diamonds； and embroidered in gold and silver。 How fearful； then； would it be were he to ruin them at my house！ He would be infuriated； for money is scarce now； and I dare say as hard for him to get as for us。〃
At last； thanks to threats and entreaties； the house was in readiness for the king。 The front room was beautifully clean； and white blinds were at the windows。 The deal table was covered with a snow…white damask cloth。 Beside a window in which were placed some bright plants； an old leathern arm…chair was standing； whi