n that case, he has got Neisse; stands
prepared for meeting them again; and, in the mean while, has freedom to
deny that there ever was such a bargain.

Of the Political morality of this game of fast-and-loose, what have we
to say,--except, that the dice on both sides seem to be loaded; that
logic might be chopped upon it forever; that a candid mind will settle
what degree of wisdom (which is always essentially veracity), and what
of folly (which is always falsity), there was in Friedrich and the
others; whether, or to what degree, there was a better course open
to Friedrich in the circumstances:--and, in fine, it will have to be
granted that you cannot work in pitch and keep hands evidently clean.
Friedrich has got into the Enchanted Wilderness, populous with devils
and their works;--and, alas, it will be long before he get out of it
again, HIS life waning towards night before he get victoriously out,
and bequeath his conquest to luckier successors! It is one of the tragic
elements of this King's life; little contemplated by him, when he went
lightly into the Silesian Adventure, looking for honor bright, what he
called "GLOIRE," as one principal consideration, hardly a year ago!--

Neipperg, according to covenant, broke up punctually that day week,
October 16th; and went over the Mountains, through Jagerndorf, Troppau,
towards Mahren; Prussians hanging on his rear, and skirmishing about,
but only for imaginary or ostensible purposes. After a three-weeks
march, he gets to a place called Frating, [Espagnac, i. 104.]
easternmost border of Mahren, on the slopes of the Mannhartsberg
Hill-Country, which is within wind of Vienna itself; where, as we can
fancy, his presence is welcome as morning-light in the present dark
circumstances.

Friedrich, on the morrow after Neipperg went, invested Neisse (October
17th); set about the Siege of Neisse with all gravity, as if it had been
the most earnest operation; which nobody of mankind, except three or
four, doubted but it was. Before opening of the trenches, Leopold young
Dessauer took the road for Glatz Country, and the adjoining Circles of
Bohemia; there to canton himself, peaceably according to contract; and
especially to have an eye upon Glatz, should the Klein-Schnellendorf
engagement go awry in any point. The King in his Dialogue with Neipperg
had said several things about Glatz, and what a sacrifice he made there
for the sake of speedy pace, the French having guaranteed him