FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   129   130   131   132   133   134   135   136   137   138   139   140   141   142   143   144   145   146   147   148   149   150   151   152   153  
154   155   156   157   158   159   160   161   162   163   164   165   166   167   168   169   170   171   172   173   174   175   176   177   178   >>   >|  
had once been Marquis d'Argens's" (who is now dead, and buried far away, good old soul);--when, at last, about half-past 4, Catt came jumping in, breathless with joy; snatched me up: "His Majesty wants to speak with you this very moment!" Zimmermann's self shall say the rest. "I hurried, hand-in-hand with Catt, along a row of Chambers. 'Here,' said Catt, 'we are now at the King's room!'--My heart thumped, like to spring out of my body. Catt went in; but next moment the door again opened, and Catt bade me enter. "In the middle of the room stood an iron camp-bed without curtains. There, on a worn mattress, lay King Friedrich, the terror of Europe, without coverlet, in an old blue roquelaure. He had a big cocked-hat, with a white feather [hat aged, worn soft as duffel, equal to most caps; "feather" is not perpendicular, but horizontal, round the inside of the brim], on his head. "The King took off his hat very graciously, when I was perhaps ten steps from him; and said in French (our whole Dialogue proceeded in French): 'Come nearer, M. Zimmermann.' "I advanced to within two steps of the King; he said in the mean while to Catt: 'Call Schmucker in, too.' Herr Schmucker came; placed himself behind the King, his back to the wall; and Catt stood behind me. Now the Colloquy began. KING. "'I hear you have found your health again in Berlin; I wish you joy of that.' EGO. "'I have found my life again in Berlin; but at this moment, Sire, I find here a still greater happiness!' [ACH!] KING. "'You have stood a cruel operation: you must have suffered horribly?' EGO. "'Sire, it was well worth while.' KING. "'Did, you let them bind you before the operation?' EGO. "'No: I resolved to keep my freedom.' KING (laughing in a very kind manner). "'Oh, you behaved like a brave Switzer! But are you quite recovered, though?' EGO. "'Sire, I have seen all the wonders of your creation in Sans-Souci, and feel well in looking at them.' KING. "'I am glad of that. But you must have a care, and especially not get on horseback.' EGO. "'It will be pleasant and easy for me to follow the counsels of your Majesty.' KING. "'From what Town in the Canton of Bern are you originally?' EGO. "'From Brugg.' KING. "'I don't know that Town.' [No wonder, thought I!] KING. "'Where did you study?' EGO. "'At Gottingen: Haller was my teacher.' KING. "'What is M. Haller doing now?' EGO. "'He is concluding his literary career
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   129   130   131   132   133   134   135   136   137   138   139   140   141   142   143   144   145   146   147   148   149   150   151   152   153  
154   155   156   157   158   159   160   161   162   163   164   165   166   167   168   169   170   171   172   173   174   175   176   177   178   >>   >|  



Top keywords:
moment
 

French

 

operation

 

Berlin

 

Haller

 
Majesty
 
Schmucker
 

feather

 
Zimmermann
 

suffered


horribly

 

career

 
literary
 

health

 
Colloquy
 

concluding

 
happiness
 
teacher
 

greater

 

behaved


thought

 

pleasant

 

horseback

 

Canton

 

originally

 

follow

 

counsels

 

Switzer

 

Gottingen

 

recovered


manner

 
freedom
 

laughing

 

wonders

 

creation

 
resolved
 

Chambers

 
hurried
 

thumped

 
spring

middle
 

opened

 
buried
 
Argens
 

Marquis

 

snatched

 
breathless
 

jumping

 
graciously
 

Dialogue