e of your zeal, and it pleases me that you are a faithful
knight, sans peur et sans reproche. I do not ascribe its poverty to the
German nation, who have as much spirit and genius as any nation, the
mental development of which has been retarded by outward circumstances,
which prevented her rising to an equality with her neighbors. We
shall one day have classical writers, and every one will read them
to cultivate himself. Our neighbors will learn German, and it will
be spoken with pleasure at courts; and it can well happen that our
language, when perfectly formed, will spread throughout Europe. We
shall have our German classics also." [Footnote: The king's words--see
"Posthumous Works," vol. III.]

The king smiled, well pleased, as he observed by stolen glances the
noble, intelligent face of Herzberg brighten, and the gloomy clouds
dispersed which had overshadowed it.

"Now, is it not true that you are again contented?" said the king,
graciously.

"I am delighted with the prophecy for the German language, your majesty;
and may I add something?"

"It will weigh on your heart if you do not tell it," said the king.

"I prophesy that this Goethe will one day belong to the classic authors,
and therefore I would beg once more of your majesty to grant him a
gracious look, and invite him to your presence. If you find no pleasure
in 'The Sorrows of Werther,' Goethe has created other beautiful works.
He is the author of the tragedy of 'Stella.'"

"That sentimental, immoral piece, which we forbid the representation of
in Berlin, because it portrays a fellow who made love to two women at
once, playing the double role of lover to his wife and his paramour,
while he had a grown-up daughter! It is an immoral piece, which excites
the tear-glands, and ends as 'Werther,' by the hero blowing his brains
out. It is directed against all morals, and against marriage; therefore
it was forbidden." [Footnote: The tragedy of "Stella" was represented in
Berlin with great applause, and denounced by the king as immoral, in
the year 1776, and the further representation forbidden.--See Plumke,
"History of the Berlin Theatres."]

"But, sire, Herr Goethe has not only written 'Stella,' but 'Clavigo'
also, which--"

"Which he has copied exactly from the 'Memoires de Beaumarchais,'"
interrupted the king. "That is not a German, but a French production."

"Allow me to cite a genuine German production, which Johann Wolfgang
Goethe has written. I mea