is, that the result of my
success may not be to destroy the human feelings and virtues which I
have always owned; may my friends always find me such as I have been."
At the end of the war he writes: "See, your friend is a second time
conqueror. Who would, some years ago, have said that a scholar in the
school of philosophy would play a military _role_ in the world--that
Providence should have chosen a poet to upset the political system of
Europe?"[13] So fresh and young were the feelings of Frederic when he
returned in triumph to Berlin from the first war.

He goes forth a second time to maintain Silesia. Again he is conqueror;
he has already the quiet self-confidence of an experienced General;
lively is his satisfaction at the excellence of his troops. "All that
is flattering to me in this victory," he writes to Frau von Camas.[14]
"is, that by rapid decision and bold man[oe]uvres, I have been able to
contribute to the preservation of many brave men. But I would not have
one of the most insignificant of my soldiers wounded for idle fame,
which no longer dazzles me."

But in the middle of the struggle the death of two of his dearest
friends occurred, Jordan and Kayserlingk. Touching are his
lamentations. "In less than three months I have lost my two most
faithful friends--people with whom I have daily lived, agreeable
companions, estimable men, and true friends. It is difficult for a
heart so sensitive as mine to restrain my deep sorrow. When I return to
Berlin I shall feel almost a stranger in my own Fatherland, isolated in
my home. It has been your fate also to lose at once many persons who
were dear to you; but I admire your courage, which I cannot imitate. My
only hope is time, which brings all things in nature to an end. It
begins by weakening the impressions on our brains, and only ceases by
destroying ourselves. I now dread every place which recals to me the
sorrowful remembrance of friends I have for ever lost." And again, a
month after, he writes to a friend, who endeavoured to comfort him:
"Do not think that the pressure of business and danger distracts one's
mind in sorrow? I know from experience that it is unsuccessful. Alas! a
month has passed since my tears and my sorrow began, but since the
first vehement outburst of the first days I feel as sorrowful and as
little comforted as in the beginning." And when his worthy tutor,
Duhan, sent him some French books of Jordan's, which the King had
desired, in th