eir knees, "ACH IHRO MAJESTAT!" unable to deny their
handwriting; yet anxious to avoid death on the scaffold, as Friedrich
said was usual under such behavior; and were sent home, after a few
hours of arrest. [Orlich, i. 134; _Helden-Geschichte,_ ii. 228.]
Schwerin (as King's substitute till the King himself one day arrive)
continued to take the Homaging, and to make the many new arrangements
needful. All which went off in a soft and pleasantly harmonious
manner;--only the Jesuits scrupling a little to swear as yet; and
getting gently sent their ways, with revenues stopt in consequence.
Otherwise the swearing, which lasted for several days, was to appearance
a joyful process, and on the part of the general population an
enthusiastic one, "ES LEBE KONIG FRIEDRICH!" rising to the welkin
with insatiable emphasis, seven times over, on the least signal given.
Neipperg's Adventure, and Orthodox Female Parliament, have issued in
this sadly reverse manner.

Robinson and Hyndford have to witness these phenomena; Robinson to shoot
off for Presburg again, with the worst news in the world. Queen and
Hofraths have been waiting in agony of suspense, "Will Friedrich bargain
on those gentle terms, and help us with 100,000 men?" Far from it, my
friends; how far! "My most important intelligence," writes the Russian
Envoy there, some days ago, ["5 August, 1741," not said to whom (in
Ranke, ii. 324 n.).] "is, that a Bavarian War has broken out, that
Kur-Baiern is in Passau. God grant that Monsieur Robinson may succeed in
his negotiation! All here are in the completest irresolution, and total
inactivity, till Monsieur Robinson return, or at least send news of
himself."

Chapter IV. -- FRIEDRICH TAKES THE FIELD AGAIN, INTENT ON HAVING NEISSE.

This Breslau Adventure, which had yielded Friedrich so important
an acquisition, was furthermore the cause of ending these Strehlen
inactivities, and of recommencing field operations. August 11th,
Neipperg, provoked by the grievous news just come from Breslau, pushes
suddenly forward on Schweidnitz, by way of consolation; Schweidnitz,
not so strong as it might be made, where the Prussians have a principal
Magazine: "One might at least seize that?" thinks Neipperg, in his
vexed humor. But here too Friedrich was beforehand with him; broke out,
rapidly enough, to Reichenbach, westward, which bars the Neipperg
road to Schweidnitz: upon which,--or even before which (on rumor of it
coming, which was