comb scarce had disappeared； when he his god of battle smeared。〃
〃And the moral；〃 cried the king； with vivacity； as Gellert ceased for a moment。
〃Here is the moral； sire：〃
〃If what you write offends the critic's rules； It is an evil sign； no doubt； But when 'tis lauded to the skies by fools； 'Tis time； indeed； to blot it out。〃
〃That is beautifulvery beautiful； you have something gallant in your person。 I understand every thing you say。 I received a translation of 'Iphigenia' by Gottsched； and Quintus read it to me。 I had the French with me； and I did not understand a word。 He also brought me a poem by Pietsh； but I threw it aside。〃
〃I threw it aside； also；〃 said Gellert； smiling。
The king smiled pleasantly。 〃Should I remain here； you must come often and bring your fables to read to me。〃
Gellert's brow clouded slightly。 〃I do not know whether I am a good reader；〃 he said； in some embarrassment。 〃I have such a sing…song； monotonous voice。〃
〃Yes； like the Silesians；〃 said the king； 〃but it sounds pleasantly。 You must read your fables yourself。 No one else can give the proper emphasis。 You must visit me soon again。〃
〃Do not forget the king's request；〃 said Quintus Icilius； as he escorted Gellert to the door。 〃Visit him soon； and be assured you shall never come in vain。 I will take care that the king receives you always。〃
Gellert looked up smilingly at the major。 〃My dear sir； in many respects I am quite an old…fashioned man； for example； I have read a great deal in the Old Scriptures for instruction。 I have read； 'Put not your trust in princes。' These words seem wise to me； and you must allow me to interpret them literally； and act accordingly。〃
Gellert withdrew； and hastened home。 The major returned to the king； admiring； almost envying； Gellert's modest； independent； and beautiful character。
〃Quintus；〃 said the king； 〃I thank you sincerely for my new German acquaintance。 The poet is better than the philosopher。 Gellert is the wisest and cleverest poet of his timea much worthier man than Gottsched； with all his pompous knowledge。 Gellert's fame will outlive his。 He is perhaps the only German who will not be forgotten。 He attempts but little； and succeeds well。〃
CHAPTER XIV。
THE KING AND THE VILLAGE MAGISTRATE。
In the little village of Voiseilvitz； near the Silesian frontier； there was a great stir and excitement。 The quartermaster of the army had just arrived and announced the king's approach。 He then went on to the next village to seek quarters for the army。 After their many sufferings and wants； the weary soldiers were much in need of rest and refreshment。 They had passed many； many miserable weeks； during which the most patient had become disheartened。 The king alone had retained his courage； his presence of mind； his activity and energy。 He had borne； without complaint； every want and privation。 Surrounded by powerful enemies； his great and clear mind had contrived the intrenchments which encompassed his camp； and which had filled his enemies with wonder。 Neither Daun； Loudon； Butterlin； nor Ternitschow； dared attack the camp that had suddenly become a strong fortress。 They gazed in wild amazement at their daring； invincible enemy； whom they had so often thought to ruin； and who had continually with his lion strength broken the nets they had laid for him。 Not daring to attack him with their cannon and their swords； the allies relied upon another much more fearful weapon hunger！ It was impossible for the king； surrounded as he was by enemies； to obtain food for his troops and fodder for the horses。 But Frederick did not cease to hope： he turned night into day and day into night； thus he was prepared for any movement。 During the day he could observe all that passed in the enemy's camp； a few slight guards were placed in the intrenchments； while the rest of the army slept。 But at night they did not sleep； as soon as evening came； all the tents were taken down； the cannon were planted； and behind them the regiments were placed in line of battle。 Thus they stood listening in breathless silence for any sound or movement that would announce the enemy's approach。 All were ready and waiting for them； determined to die rather than surrender。
In spite of privations； want of rest and food； the army remained hopeful； for their king shared their danger； wants； and sleepless nights。 He was always with themhe hungered and worked with them。 If the soldiers were deprived of their rations； they had at least the consolation of knowing that the king suffered likewise。 This strengthened and encouraged them。
The Prussians had fortitude to bear their sufferings； but their enemy had not the patience to wait。 Butterlin； the Russian commander； tired of watching Frederick； withdrew to Poland； and Loudon； not feeling secure now in his isolated position； retired also。
After four weeks of agony and want； the Prussian army could leave their encampment and seek both food and rest。 They were to recruit themselves in the villages in the vicinity of Strehlen； the king and his staff were to rest at Voiseilvitz。 The house of the magistrate had been chosen as the only dwelling…place fit for these noble guests。 The magistrate； elated at the honor； was marching from room to room； scolding； imploring his servants to have every thing clean and orderly。
〃Remember；〃 said he； 〃a king is to inhabit this house； he will be enraged if there is the least spot or stain upon the floors or windows； for of course he wears beautiful garments； covered with pearls and diamonds； and embroidered in gold and silver。 How fearful； then； would it be were he to ruin them at my house！ He would be infuriated； for money is scarce now； and I dare say as hard for him to get as for us。〃
At last； thanks to threats and entreaties； the house was in readiness for the king。 The front room was beautifully clean； and white blinds were at the windows。 The deal table was covered with a snow…white damask cloth。 Beside a window in which were placed some bright plants； an old leathern arm…chair was standing； which the magistrate intended for a throne。 The walls were covered with some portraits of the royal family of Prussia。 Around a wretched engraving of Frederick a wreath of immortelles and forget…me…nots was woven。 In a corner stood a large bed with clean white curtains in readiness for the king。 When every thing was arranged； with a last proud look at his handsome dwelling； the magistrate hurried to the front door； waiting anxiously for his guest。 His heart beat high with expectationhis whole being was in commotionhe was to see a king for the first time； and he asked himself how this king would look。 〃How glorious his eyes must be！ I think he must radiate like the sun。 It must almost blind the eyes to dwell upon his splendor。〃
Lost in these thoughts； he did not observe a cavalcade consisting of three riders passing through the street。 The foremost one was enveloped in an old faded blue mantle； his large three…cornered hat hung far over his brow； shading his eyes and his thin； pale countenance。 His heavy army boots were in need both of brushing and mending。 His two companions formed an agreeable contrast to him。 They wore the rich； glittering uniforms of Prussian staff officers。 All about them was neat and elegant； and pleased the magistrate right well。 The cavalcade now stopped at his house； and； to the amazement of the villagers； the two spruce young officers sprang to the groundand hastened to assist the man in the blue mantle to alight from his horse。 But he waved them aside； and springing lightly from the saddle； advanced to the house door。 The magistrate blocked up the way； and looking haughtily at the stranger； said：
〃You undoubtedly belong to the servants of the king； and think； therefore； to enter my house。 But that cannot be。 The king alone will dwell with me。 If you are what I suppose you to be； you must go next door。 My neighbor may have quarters for you。〃
The stranger smiled。 Fixing his large； brilliant eyes sternly upon the magistrate； he caused him to draw back almost in terror； feeling as if the sun had really blinded him。
〃I am not one of the king's servants；〃 said the stranger； gayly； 〃but I am invited to dine with him。〃
〃Then it is all right；〃 said the magistrate； 〃you can enter。 But you must first go into that little side…room and brush your shoes before the king sees you； for he would surely be enraged to find you in dusty boots。〃
The king laughed gayly； and entered the house。 〃I will go to the king's chamber at once。 I think he will forgive my shoes。〃 He beckoned to the two officers and entered his room； the door of which he left open。
The magistrate took no more notice of him； but remained outside； looking eagerly for the king。
Frederick still did not come to illuminate the street with his splendor。 In his stead came generals and officers； with gold epaulets and bright stars sparkling on their coats； and entered the king's chamber； without a word to the magistrate。
〃They are all waiting for the king；〃 murmured he； 〃but I shall see him first。 How splendid and magnificent are all these officers！ How grand； how glorious then must the king be； who is far nobler than they！