第6章

“Idesireyounottointerruptme，“commandedFrauvonWerrig；“I

havelistenedtoyou，andnowyoushalllistentome。Ipromiseyoutospeakwithmorebrevitythanyouhave。Iwillnottroubleyouwithuselessphrasesandtediouslamentations。Iwillspeaktothepoint。MarieisthedaughterofGeneralWerrigvonLeuthen，whosenamewouldbecomeextinctifthegraceandfavorofthekinghadnotpreventedit，bypermittingthehusbandwhomwehavechosenforourdaughtertotakeourname，andtherewithbecomeourson。Youmaythink，inyourarroganceofcommoner，andtheprideyoutakeinhavingwontheloveofthedaughterofGeneralvonLeuthen，thatyoucouldbethishusbandandson-in-law。Buttwothingsfailyou:

first，thenecessaryfortune；and，secondly，theking\'sconsent，andthatofherfather。Ifyouwererich，itmightbepossiblethatweshouldbetouchedbythetenderamorousnessofourdaughter，andconquerouraversiontoyouforhersake。Youareoflowbirth，andtakeasubordinatepositioninsociety。ItwouldbeextremelylaughablefortheschoolmasterMoritztochangesuddenlyintoaHerrvonWerrigLeuthen。Ourson-in-lawmustbearichman，inordertobeabletogivehisnewtitleconsideration；and，fortunately，thewooerofmydaughter\'shandpossessesthisqualification，andthereforewehavegivenourconsent。Thekinghasapprovedourchoice，andpermitstherichbankerLudwigEbenstreittobecomeourson-in-law，andtakeourname。Thekinghasinthiscommunication，whichliesuponthetable，andwhichMariehasheardread，givenhisassurancetoennobleEbenstreitupontwoconditions:first，thatthebankershouldgiveuphisbusiness，andliveuponhisincome；and，secondly，thatthemarriageshouldnottakeplaceuntilthepapersofnobilityaremadeoutandpublished，sothatthedaughterofGeneralvonWerrigshouldnotmakeamisalliance。Youknowallnow，andyouwillatlastunderstandthatthereisbutonethingforyoutodo——conqueryourfoolishpresumption，andbegtobeexcusedforyourunheard-ofboldnessinforcingyourselfintoourhouse，andthenwithdrawquickly。Ifmyeardoesnotdeceiveme，youraccomplicehasopenedthedoors。IthinkIheardrightly，ifmyhearthasnoears，myheadpossessesbetter。Wehavefinished。I

wouldagainenjoinuponyouthedutyofbeggingforpardon，andthenIclosethisunrefreshingscenewiththesamewordswithwhichitopened——thereisthedoor——goout！“

“Yes，thereisthedoor——gooutofit！Iwanttobequiet——go！MydaughteristhebetrothedoftherichbankerHerrEbenstreit；shewillbehiswifeassoonasthepapersaremadeoutandpublished——

Go！“criedthegeneral。

Theyoungcouplestillstoodthere，handinhand，lookingatthegeneral，untilnowtheireyesmet，beamingwithtenderestaffectionforeachother。“Isittrue，Marie?Speak，mybeloved，isittrue，willyoubethewifeofthisrichmanwhomyourparentshavechosenforyou?“

“No，Philip，“shecalmlyandfirmlyreplied。“No，Iwillnot，forI

donotlovehim，Iloveonlyyou；andhere，inthepresenceofGodandmyparents，IsweartoyouthatIwillbeconstanttodeath！

Theycanpreventmybecomingyourwife，buttheycannotforcemetowedanother。Iswear，then，thatifIcannotbeyours，Iwillnevermarry！“

“Ireceiveyouroath，andGodhashearditalso！“saidMoritz，solemnly。

“Ihavealsoheardit，andItellyou，“saidFrauvonWerrig，“thatthisromanticheroinewillbecomeaperjurer，forIwillfindmeanstomakeherbreakhersillyoath。”

“Wewill，perhaps，findmeanstodelaythemarriage，“saidMoritzproudly，“or，muchmore，preventthemarriageceremony。”

“Iamverycurioustoknowthemeans，“saidFrauvonWerrig。“FromthishourMarieisthebetrothedofHerrEbenstreit，andtheweddingwilltakeplacesosoon——“

“Sosoonasthetitleofnobilityispublished。Thatisit，istheclausetobefilled；andthereforeItellyou，beloved，waitandhope！Thiswomaniswithoutpityandwithoutmercy；butGodisinheaven，andFredericktheGreatontheearth。Waitandhope。Befirminhope，andconstantinlove。Donotlosecourage，andletthemforceyoutocompliancebythreatsandanger。Ihaveonlyyoutoconfideinandtoloveintheworld，andyouaremyhope，mygoal，andthehappinessofmylife。Ifyouforsakeme，Ilosemygoodangel，andamalost，miserableman，whomitwouldbebettertohurlintothedeepestabyssthanlethimsufferthetormentsofhatedexistence。Theknowledgeofyourlovegivesmestrengthandcourage；

itwillinspiremetofightlikeahero，towinthedear，belovedwife，towhomIwouldyieldmylifeinordertoreceiveitanewfromherpurifiedandsanctified。TheknowledgethatIhadlostyou，wouldruinme。”

Layingbothhandsuponhisshoulder，Marielookedathimwitheyesbeamingwithaffection，renewinghervowthatshewouldneverloveormarryanother。“Wewillbecourageousinhope，andbraveinconstancy。Listentome，mybeloved；listen，mymother——Ibetrothedmyselftothisdearman！Youcanpreventmybecominghiswifenow，butinfouryearsIamofage，andthenIshallbemyownmistress。

Then，mydearPhilip，Iwillbeyourwife。Letuswaitandhope！“

“Yes，Marie，wewillwaitandhope——Farewell！DonotforgetthatthereisagreatGodinheaven，andagreatkinguponearth——

Farewell！“

Hepressedthehandclaspedinhisownpassionatelytohistips，andfeltfromthepressureofherdelicatefingersarenewedvowofconstancy。Buoyedwiththishopeinthesadhourofparting，theywerehappyandjoyful。Marieaccompaniedhimtothedoor——stillhandinhand。

“Presumenottogoastepfarther，“commandedhermother，andMarie，obedienttoherwishes，remainednearthedoor，bowedtoMoritz，andneverceasedtoregardhim，withlovebeaminginhereyes，untilthedoorclosed。OutsidestoodoldTrude，totellhimthatshewouldbeatthebaker\'satseveno\'clockeverymorning，andwaitforhiscommissions，“andmaybeIshallhavesomethingtobringyou，“shesaid。“Sodocome！“

“Iwill，mygoodTrude；youaretheonlypersonwhoisfriendlytous。Watchovermyangel，consoleherwithyouraffection，andwhentheyaretooharduponher，cometome。”

“Isurelywill，butlisten——theyarealreadyquarrellingwithmygoodangel。Iwillgoin，toserveasalightning-rodfordearMarie。Ioftendoit，anditpleasesmewhenthelightningstrikes，anddashesmyhardoldheadtotheground，butdoesnothurtmeatalL——Farewell，HerrMoritz，thelightning-rodmustgoin。”

Trudeenteredsuddenlyandnoiselesslythesitting-room，andinterruptedtheangryreproacheswhichFrauvonWerrighurledagainstMarieinafuriousstreamofwords。Thecountess\'srageturnedagainstTrude，whostaredasiftochallengeher。“Whatdoyouwant?Howdareyouenteruncalled?“

“IthoughtyouwerecallingdeafoldTrude，orwhydidyouscreamso?“repliedTrude，tartly。

“Perhapsitwasthegeneral。Ah！thereliesthepoor，dearoldman，groaningandcrying，andnobodyhasanypityforhim。”

“Ah！Trude，itisgoodluckthatyouarehere，“whinedthegeneral。

“Noonetroubleshimselfaboutme。Quick，bringwarmcoveringformyleg，thepainisfearful！“

“Poor，dearfather，Iwilltakecareofyou，Iwillnurseyou，“saidMarie，hasteningtohim。Hermotherpushedherbackviolently。“Notastepfarther；youhavenorighttogonearhim，youarehismurderess。Onyourheadwillfalltheguilt，ifthesedreadfulscenesshouldcausehisdeath。”

“No，no，thegeneralwillnotdiequiteyet，“saidTrudebusyingherselfabouthisarm-chair。“But，Fraulein，youhavegotsomethingelsetodothanstayhere。Theyhavealreadysentfortheflowerstwice，andtheFrenchladyiswaitingup-stairstoparlez-vous。”

Marielookedherfriendlythanks，andquietlyandquicklylefttheroom。

“Now，boldwoman，Ihavealastwordtosaytoyou。Wholockedthedoorwhenthatcreaturecame?““I，madame，“answeredTrude，whowasjustbringingagreatcushionfromtheback-roomtocoverthegeneral\'sfeet。

“Youacknowledgethatyoulockedthedoorintentionally?“

“Now，mydear，goodFrauvonWerrig，onedoesnotlockadoorbymistake。IdidnotwantHerrMoritztorunawaywithfright，beforeyouhadgivenhimyourmind，andsethisheadstraight。Hewouldcertainlyhaveescaped，andonlyheardthehalfofyourbeautifultalk，forhehadnoideawhatamiserablefellowheis。SoIlockedbothdoors，andhewasobligedtolistentoyou，andhasgoneawaycontriteandrepentant。There，there，mypoor，deargeneral，isyourfoothighenough?ShallInotbringthefoot-warmer?“

“Youshallnotbringanything，nordoanythingmore。Youareahypocrite，whoconniveswithMoritz。Leavemyhousethisveryhour！

Youaredismissedmyservice。Gopackupyourthingsandbeoff！“

criedFrauvonWerrig。

“Oh，donotgo，Trude，formercy\'ssake，forthenIhavenoonetohelpme，“criedthegeneral。

“Icannotdootherwise，shehasgivenmemydismissal。”TrudeapproachedFrauvonWerrigrespectfully，saying，“SoImustpackupandgoawayatonce?“

“Immediately，youdeceitfulcreature！“

“Immediately！butFrauvonWerrigwillbesogoodastogivememywages。”

“Yes，“sheansweredinaslowerandmoresubduedvoice。“Thatshallbedonepresently。”

“Itwillnotbesoverydifficulttoreckonthem，Ihavebeenheretwentyyears；justasmanyyearsasMarieisold，forIcameaschild\'snurse，andhavehelpedherlearntotalkandwalk，andplayedmothertothedearchildabit。ThenIobtainedmywages，fortheyweregoodtimes；butthepension-timecame，andwehadnocookorservantbutme。\'Theratsrunawayiftheshipspringsaleak，\'

buttheoldmoleTrudestayed。Mankindisintheworldtowork，I

said，andwhyshouldnotIbethecookandwaiting-maidtoo，thatmylittleMarieshouldnotwantanything?SoIbecamemaid-of-all-workandhavestayedhereeversince。Then，youtoldmeyouwoulddoublemywages，andgivemetwentythalersayear，andfourthalersatChristmas。Isitnotso，FrauvonWerrig?“

“Ibelievethatwastheagreement。”

“Iamquitecertainaboutit，“criedthegeneral，whobegantounderstandthedriftofTrude。“Yes，Trudewastohavetwentythalersayear，andweareowinghermanyyears\'wages。Youknow，wife，Ihavealwayskeptanaccount-bookforthedebts，andonlyafewdaysago——Oh！oh！thepain！Trude，helpmecoverupthefootwarmer！——wereckoneditupafewdaysago，andweoweTrudeonehundredandthirtythalers。”

“Onehundredandthirtythalers，“repeatedTrude，clappingherhands，astonished。“Isittrue?oh，thatissplendid。Ishallberich，andgetahusbandyet。Iprayyougiveittome，FrauvonWerrig，rightaway。”

“Notsoquickly，“saidshe，proudly。“Wewillreckontogetherhowmuchyouhavesaved——because——“

“Oh！“interruptedTrude，“howgoodyouaretomakemekeepsomuch；

youaremysavingsbank，whereIcandepositmymoney。”

“Because，“shecontinued，withemphasis，withoutnoticingtheinterruption，“ourfutureson-in-lawwillpayyourwages，therichbanker，HerrEbenstreit。Yes，thewealthyloverofourdaughter。AtthemomentIhavenotsomuchcashinthehouse。”

“YourgracewillallowmetostayuntilHerrEbenstreitismarried，and，inyourname，paysmemywages?“

“Yes，Trude，Iwillallowyoutostay，“shereplied，verygraciously。“Youwillbecunning，Trude，ifyoutrytopersuadeMarietoaccepttherichsuitor，forwhenshedoesIwillgiveyoutwohundredthalers。”

“IwilldoallIcantogetit。CanIremainhereuntilMarieismarried?“

“Yes，youhavemypermissionforthat。”

“Ithankyou，FrauvonWerrig。Now，general，Iwillbringyousomewarmcoveringsrightaway。”

CHAPTERXVI。

CHARLESAUGUSTUSANDGOETHE。

“Nowtellme，Wolf，“askedDukeCharlesAugustus，stretchinghimselfcomfortablyonthesofa，puffingcloudsofsmokefromhispipe——“

areyounotwearyofdawdlingaboutinthisinfamouslysuperbpileofstones，calledBerlin?Shallweanylongerelegantlyscrapetotherightandtotheleft，withabominablesweetspeechesandmereflatteringphraseology，inthismonsterofdustandstone，ofsandandsun，paradesandgaiters?Haveyounotenoughofblusteringgenerals，ofaffectedwomen?andofrunningaboutthestreetslikeonepossessedtoseehereamiserablechurch，orthereamagnificentpalace?Areyounotwearyofcrawlingaboutasoneofthemany，whileathomeyoustrideaboutastheonlyoneofthemany?AndwearyalsoofseeingyourfriendandpupilCarlAugustputoffwithfairpromisesandhollowspeecheslikeaninsignificant，miserablemortal，withoutbeingabletoanswerwiththunderinginvectives。Ah！

breathfailsme。IfeelasifIcouldloadapistolwithmyself，andwithaloudreportshootovertodearWeimar。Wolf，dotalk，Ibegyou，Iamtiredout；answerme。”

“Ireply，Ishoot，mydearCarl，“criedGoethe，laughing。“Iwasoutofbreathmyselffromthatlongspeech。Wasitoriginalwithmydearprince，ordidhememorizeitfromKlinger\'sgreat\'Sturm-und-Drang\'

tragedy?Itremindedmeofit。”

“Doyoumeantoaccusemeofplagiarism，wickedfellow?Igrantthatyouareright，mycunningWolf，itwasalapsus。IdidthinkofKlinger，andIsympathizedwithhisyouthfulheroWild，whodeclaredthat，amongthesweetestpleasures，hewouldliketobestretchedoveradrum，orexistinapistol-barrel，thehandreadytoblowhimintotheair。”

Goetheshovedasidethebreakfast-table，straightenedhisdelicateform，withhisnobleheadproudlyerect，andonefootinadvance，extendedhisrightarm，givingoneloudhurrah！“Now，foronce，atumultandnoise，thatthoughtmayturnaboutlikeaweathercock。

Thissavagenoisehasalreadywroughtitsownbenefit。Ibegintofeelalittlebetter。Rageandexpand，madheart，quickenyourselfinhurly-burly-burly-burly！“[Footnote:FromKlinger\'stragedy“SturmundDrang。”]

“Bravo！bravo！“laughedtheduke。“IsthatKlinger，orwhoisitthatrefresheshimselfinhurly-burly?“

“ItisIwhoameverything，“repliedGoethe，stridingandswaggeringupanddown。“Iwasanassistant，inordertobesomething——livedupontheAlps，tendedthegoats，layunderthevaultofheavendayandnight，refreshedbythecoolpastures，andburnedwiththeinwardfire。Nopeace，norestanywhere。See，I

swellwithpowerandhealth！Icannotwastemyselfaway。Iwouldtakepartinthecampaignhere；thencanmysoulexpand，andiftheydometheservicetoshootmedown，wellandgood！“[Footnote:FromKlinger\'stragedy“SturmundDrang。”]

“Bravo！Wild，bravo！“criedtheduke。“Hei！thatthunderedandrolled，andstruckfire！Itdoesmegoodtohearsuchvigorouswordsfromanableraregeniusinthemidstofthismiserable，starchedelegance。ThepowerfulGermansarehealthyfellows。SomethingofthePrometheanfireblazesforthinthem。Theywereforcedtocome，thosejolly，uproariousboys，aftertheaffectedcueperiod；theywerethefull，luxuriousplants，andmyWolfgang，thefavoriteofmyheart，mypoetandteacher，isthedivineblossomofthisplant。Letthemprevail，these\'SturmerundDranger，\'fortheyarethefathersandbrothersofmyWolfgang。Domethesolepleasurenottorefineyourselftoomuch，butletthisdivinefireburstforthinvolcanicflames，andleavethethunderingcrateruncovered。SometimeswhenI

seeyousosimpering，somodestandceremonious，Iaskmyself，withanxiety，ifitisthesameWolfgangGoethe，whousedtodrink\'Smollis\'withmeatmerrybacchanalsoutofdeath-skulls?——thesamewithwhomIusedtopractisewhip-crackinguponthemarket-placehourslong，totheterrorofthegoodcitizens?——thesamewhousedtodancesonimblythetwo-steps，andwasinexhaustibleinmadpranks。Nowtellme，HerrWolfgang，areyouyourself，orareyouanother?“

“Iammyself，andnotmyself，“answeredGoethe，smiling。“Therestillremainsagoodportionoffollyinme，anditmustsometimesthunderandflash，butIhopetheatmosphereofmysoulwillbecomeclearer，andoverthecrateramorelovelygardenwillspreadout，inwhichbeautiful，fragrantflowerswillbloom，usefulandprofitableformyfriendsandmyself。SometimesIlongforthisasforthepromisedland；thenagainitfoamsandthundersinmelikefermentingmust，which，defyingallcoversandhoops，wouldfrothuptoheaveninanimmensesourceofmadexcitement！“

“Letitfrothandfoam，andspringthecovers，andbursttheoldcasks，“criedtheduke；“Idelightinit，andeveryinfernalnoiseyoumake，theprouderIamtorecognizethatfromthisfoamingmustwillclearitselfamarvellouswine，adeliciousbeverageforgodsandmen，withwhichtheworldwillyetrefreshitself，whenwearelonggonetothekingdomofshades——tothesomethingornothing。Youknow，Wolf，Iloveyou，andIamproudthatIhaveyou！ItistruethatIpossessonlyalittleduchy，butitislargeenoughtoleadanagreeableandcomfortableexistence——largeenoughforalittleearthlyduke，andthegreatkingofintellects，JohannWolfgangGoethe。Letusreturntoourdearhome，forIacknowledgetoyouI

sighforWeimar。Ilongforthedearlittleplace，whereeveryoneknowsmeandgreetsme，andevenformydogsandhorses。”

“AndI，“saidGoethe，“IreallymournformyTusculum，whichIowetothegenerous，kindduke；forthebalconyofmylittlecottage，where，canopiedbytheblue，starryvaultofheaven，IdreamawaythelonelyMaynights。”

“Istherenothingelseyousighforbutthesummer-houseatWeimar?“

“No！“criedGoethe，andanindescribableexpressionofraptureanddelightwasmanifestinhiswholemanner。

“No，whyshouldIdenyit，howcouldI?ItwouldbetreasontotheHighestandmostGlorious。No，Ilongformymuse，mymistress，my——“

“Beloved！“interruptedtheduke。“Iprayyounottobesoprudish，soreserved。Havethecouragetosnapyourfingersatthisinfamouslydeceitfulmoralcode，andproudanddistinguishedasyouare，elevateyourselfabovewhatthesemiserableearthwormscallmorality。Fortheeaglethereisadifferentlawthanforthepigeon。Iftheeaglesoarsaloftthroughtheethertohiseyry，bearingalambinhispowerfulclaws，hashenotarighttoit——therightofsuperiorityandpowerbyGod\'sgrace?Hashenotasmuchrighttothelambasthepigeontothepeawhichshefindsinthedust?Ifthepigeonbychanceseestheeaglewithhislamb，shecries，\'Zeter！mordio！\'withthepeainherownbill，asifshewereinapositiontojudgetheeagle。”

“Abeautifulpicture，“criedGoethe，joyfully——“apicturethatwouldinspiremetoinditeapoem。”

“Writeone，andcallitforasouvenir\'TheEagleandtheDove。\'

Makeitareality，myeagleyouth，bearoffthewhitelambtoyoureyry，andlettheworld，withitsaffectedmorality，saywhatitlikes。Howcanyoubeartoseetheoneyouloveatthesideofanotherman?Tellme，confesstome，isnotthebeautifulCharlottevonSteinyourbeloved?“

“Notinthesenseyoumean，duke，notinthevulgarsenseoftheword。Iloveher，Iadoreher，withapureandholysentiment。I

wouldnotthatCharlotteshouldhavecausetoblushbeforeherchildrenonmyaccount。ShewouldbedesecratedtomeifI，inmyinmostsoul，couldimaginetheblushofshameuponhercheek，orthathereyecouldbrightenatotherthangreat，beautiful，andnobleacts。Iadoreher，andtomesheistheidealofthepurestandsweetestwomanhood。Irejoicethatsheisassheis，likeclearmountaincrystal——transparentandsobrightlypure，thatonecouldmirrorhimselftherein。Shestandsaboveallotherwomen，andtoherbelongallmythoughts，andwould，evenifIwereweddedtoanother。

Tomesheisthemostbeautifulofthebeautiful，thepurestofthepure，themostgracefulofthegraceful，andallmythoughtsareinperfectharmonywithhers。Now，duke，ifitisagreeabletoyou，knowingmyfeelings，tocallCharlottevonSteinmybeloved，sheissointhemostelevatedsenseoftheword。”

“Ah！youpoets，youpoets，“sighedtheduke，smiling。

“Astreakofmadnessinyouall，thoughIwillgrantthatitisdivine。”

“SayratherthatWhit-Sundaycomestouseveryday，andthedivineSpiritdescendsdailyuponuspoets，andcausesustospeakinunknowntongues。”

“IwillsaythatyouarethegodApollodescendedfromheaven，andwithgodsonemaynotdaretodispute。Theyactdifferentlyintheirspherethanwemortalsuponearth。Iwillbecontentedifourwayscrossfromtimetotime，andwecanonceinawhilewalkontogetheragoodpiecethewayoflifeinfriendshipandharmony。IfitwouldpleasemyWolf，IproposetoturntowardbelovedWeimar，thedearplace，halfvillage，halfcity。FormypartIamfinishedhere，mybusinesswithGeneralyonMollendorfisaccomplished。AsItoldyoupreviously，Ihavehadmadeknowntothekingmyrefusaltoallowrecruitinginmyduchy。Icouldnotconsentforthepresent。Inshort，IhavespokenasmysecretaryWolfgangGoethehasrecorded。[Footnote:Thismemorialuponrecruitingisfound。

“CorrespondenceoftheGrandDukeCarlAugustandGoethe，“part，i。，p。4。]GeneralMollendorfhaswaivedhisdemandforthepresent——andto-daywehavehadtheconcludingconference，andifitisagreeabletomysecretary，wemightsetoffthisafternoonandpassadayatDessau，andthenontoWeimar。”

“Oh，gladlywillIdoit；itseemsasifastarfromheavenhadtwinkledtometofollowit，foratWeimariscentredallmyhappiness！Ipreferalowlycabintheretoallthesplendorandpalacesofacity。”

“Thenyouagreewithme，thatthismagnificentlyvileBerlindoesnotenchainyouinhermagicnet?“

“No，sheholdsmenot，thoughithasbeenpleasanttotakeapeepintoit(likeachildintoacuriosity-box)。Ihaveseen\'OldFritz。\'Hischaracter，hisgold，andhissilver，hismarbles，hisapesandparrots，andevenhistowncurtainspleaseme。Itispleasanttobeattheseatofwarattheverymomentthatitthreatenstobreakforth。Ithasgratifiedmetowitnessthesplendoroftheroyalcity，thelife，order，andabundance，thatwouldbenothingifthousandsofmenwerenotreadytobesacrificed；themedleyofmen，carriages，horses，artillery，andallthearrangements。Allaremerepinsinthegreatclock-work，onlypuppetswhosemotionisreceivedfromthegreatcylinder，FredericusRex，whoindicatestoeachonethemelodytheymustplay，accordingtooneofthethousandpinsintherotarybeam。”[Footnote:Goethe\'sownwords——SeeGoethe\'s“CorrespondencewithFrauvonStein，“parti。，p。168。Riemer，“CommunicationsaboutGoethe，“partii。，p。60。]

“Youarerighttocomparethegreatmantothechiefcylinderinthemachineofstate，“noddedtheduke“Herulesandsetsallinmotion，andcaresnotwhethertherabblearesuitedornot。Ithasenragedmesometimestohearthefellowscursehim，andyetIactedasifI

heardthemnot。LetusreturntoWeimar——mankindseemsbetterthere，Wolf。”

“Atanyrate，moreregardfulofusthantheyarehere，duke。Thegreatertheworldtheuglierthefarce；noobscenitiesandfooleriesofthebuffoonaremoredisgustingthanthecharactersofthegreat，mediocreandinsignificant，allmingledtogether。Iprayedthismorningforcouragetoholdouttotheend，andtohastentheconsummation。Iamgratefulforthebenefitofthejourney——butI

praythegodsnottoconductthemselvestowardusastheirimage-

man，forIshouldsweartothemeternalhatred。”[Footnote:Goethe\'sownwords——SeeGoethe\'s“CorrespondencewithFrauvonStein，“parti。，p。169。]

“Thenyouarereadytodepart，Wolf?“

“Almost，dearCarl，or，ifyouwillit，quiteready。AfewvisitsI

wouldmake，thatthepeopleshallnotbetoosevereuponmeandcryoutagainstmyprideandarrogance。”

“Becausetheythemselvesareproudandsupercilious，theyareboldenoughtosupposeWolfgangGoetheislikethem。IhopeyouwillnotvisittheverylearnedHerrNicolai，theinsipidprosaist，thepuffed-uprationalist，whobelievesthathisknowledgepermitshimtopenetrateeverything，andwhoisaveritableass。”

“No，IamnotgoingtoNicolai，Rammler，orEngel，or，astheyshouldbenamed，thewiseauthorsofBerlin。IshallvisittheartistChodowiecki，goodKarschin，occasionalpoetess，andthephilosopherMendelssohn。Then，ifitpleasesyou，wewillsetoutthisafternoon，shakingthesandofBerlinfromourfeet。”

“Ishallpreparewhilstyoumakeyourvisits。Willyoutakemycarriage?Youknowthereisonefromtheroyalstablesalwaysatmyservice，whichstandsatthedoor。”

“Beware！theywouldshriekifIshoulddrivetotheirdoorsinaroyalcarriage。Theywouldaccusemeofthrowingasidethepoet，andbeingonlysecretaryoflegation。Iwillgoonfoot；itamusesmetopushmywaythroughthecrowd，andlistentotheBerlinjargon。”

CHAPTERXVII。

GOETHE\'SVISITS。

Takingleaveofhisducalfriend，Goethebetookhimselfthestreet，tocommencehisvisits。GoingfirsttoChodowiecki，therenowneddelineatorandengraver，whosefamehadalreadyspreadthroughoutGermany。WhenGoetheentered，theartistwasbusyinhisatelier，workinguponthefiguresofthecharactersinthe“Mimic，“thelatestworkofProfessorEngel。“Master，“saidhe，smilingly，extendinghimhishand，“Ihavecometothankyouformanybeautiful，happyhourswhichIowetoyou。Youpaintwiththechiselandpoetizewiththebrush。AnartistbyGod\'sgrace。”

“IfthepoetGoethesaysthat，theremustbesomethinginit，“repliedChodowiecki，witharadiantface。“Ihavetothankyouforthemostbeautifulandbesthoursofmylife，andIamproudanddelightedtohavebeenableintheleasttoreturnthepleasure。TheonlyblissfultearsamongmanybitteronesthatIhavewept，wereshedoverthe\'SorrowsofWerther。\'\'GotzvonBerlichingen\'soinspiredmethatheappearedtomeinmydreams，andleftmenopeaceuntilIroseinthenighttodrawGotz，ashesattalkingwithbrotherMartinonthebenchintheforest。Wait，Iwillshowyouthedrawing；youmustseeit。”

Goetheexamineditattentively，andexpressedhispleasureatthecorrectnessanddramaticalconceptionofthedesign，anddidnotremark，orperhapswouldnot，thattheartistwasbusilyoccupiedwithcrayonandpaper。“Howwonderfullyyouhavereproducedmy\'GermanKnight，\'“criedGoethe，afteralongobservationofit。“Themiddleagesentire，proudandfullofstrength，aremirroredinthisfigure，andifIhadnotwritten\'GotzvonBerlichingen，\'Iwouldhavebeeninspiredtoit，perhaps，fromthisdrawing。Oh！youartistsaretobeenvied。Weneedmanythousandwordstoexpresswhatafewlinesrepresent，andastrokesufficestochangeasmilingfaceintoaweepingone。Howfeebleislanguage，andhowmightythepencil！IwishIhadthetalenttobeapainter！“

“AndI，“criedChodowiecki，“wouldthrowallmypencils，brushes，andchiselstothedevil，orsellhimmysoul，ifIcouldcopewiththegeniusandintellectofthepoet，WolfgangGoethe。Whataman！

Whataprofilethegodshavegivenhim！There！look——haveyoueverseenamanwithsuchaface?“HehandedGoethethedrawing，whichprovedtobeaspeakingprofile-portraitofhimself，dashedoffwithafewstrokesfullofgenius。

Goethelookedatitwiththeairofacritic。“Itistrue，“saidhe，perfectlyserious，“therearenotmanysuchprofiles，butIamnotofyouropinionthatthegodsfashionedit。Thosesharpfeatureslookasifthejoinerhadcutthemoutofoak，andtheyleadmetoinferaverydisagreeablecharacter。Inaturallydonotknowwhothepicturerepresents，butImusttellyou，master，thatthismancouldneverpleaseme，althoughIcouldswearitisaspeakinglikeness。

Thissharp，bowednosehassomethingimpudent，self-sufficientinit。Thebrowisindeedhigh，whichbetokensthought，buttheretreatinglinesprovethatthethoughtsonlycommence，andthenlosethemselvesinamaze。Themouth，withitspoutinglips，hasaninsupportableexpressionofstupidgood-natureandsentimentality；

andthewell-defined，protrudingchinmightbelongtotherobber-

captainCartouche。Thegreatwide-openeyes，withtheiraffectedpassionateglances，provewhatapuffed-updandythemanmustbe，whoperhapsimaginesallthewomeninlovewithhisface。No，no，I

amstilloftheopinionthattheoriginalcouldneverpleaseme，andifthephysiognomistLavatershouldseeit，hewouldsay:\'Thatistheportraitofapuffed-up，quaint，powerfulgenius，whoimagineshimselfsomethingimportant，andwhoisnothing！Thelikenessofabombasticfellow，withanemptyheadbehindthepretentiousbrow，andmeaninglessphrasesonthethicklips。\'“

“IfLavatersaysso，heisafoolandanass，“criedChodowiecki，furiously，“andhecanhidehimselfintheremotestcorneroftheearth。LichtenbergofGottingenisquiterightwhenhesaysthatthisempty-headedLavaterhasmadehimselfridiculousthroughoutGermanywithhiswonderfulphysiognomyofdogs\'tailsandhisprofilesofunknownpigtails。IfLavaterisreallysonarrow-mindedasnottobeabletodistinguishacrowfromaneagle，itishisownaffair；butheshallneverpresumetolookatthisportrait，andyou，too，arenotworthy，youscorner，thatIshouldgetangrywithyou。ThelikenessissobeautifulthatJupiterhimselfwouldbesatisfiedtohaveitimputedtohim。Itissolike，thatyouneednotpretendyoudonotknowthatitrepresentsWolfgangGoethe。Asyouinsultit，andregarditwithscornandcontempt，Iwilldestroyit。”

“Formercy\'ssakedonottearit，“criedGoethe，springingtowardChodowiecki，andholdinghimfastwithafirmgrasp。“Mydeargoodman，donottearit；itwouldbelikesplittingmyownhead。”

“Ah，ah！“shoutedChodowiecki。“youacknowledgethelikeness?“

“Idoacknowledgeit，withjoy。”

“Andwillyouadmitthatitistheheadofanoble，talentedpoet，afavoriteoftheMuses?Sayyes，orIwilltearit，andyouwillhaveterriblepainsinyourheadyourlifelong！“

“Yes，yes！allthatyouwish。Iamcapableofsayingthemostflatteringthingsofmyselftosavethisbeautifuldesign。Giveittome，youcuriousfellow！“

“No，“saidChodowiecki，earnestly，“Iwillnotgiveittoyou。Suchaportraitisnotmadetobeputinadustyportfolio，orframedfortheboudoirofyourlady-love。AllGermany，alltheworldshouldenjoyit，andcenturieslatertheGermanwomenwillstillseeWolfgangGoetheashelookedinhistwenty-ninthyear，andhanganengravingonthewallintheirparlor，andsighingandpalpitatingacknowledge——\'Thereneverwasbutonesuchgodlikeyouth，andthereneverwillbeanother。IwishthatIhadknownhim；Iwishhehadlovedme！\'Sowilltheyspeakcenturieslater，forIwillperpetuatethisdrawinginasteelengravingofmymostbeautifulartisticwork。”[Footnote:ThisengravingfromtheartistChodowieckistillexists，andtheauthorofthisworkpossessesabeautifulcopy，whichOttillevonGoethesenther。Itisabustinprofile，themostbeautifulofhisyouth。]

“Youareasplendidfellow，andImustembraceyou，andrejoicetobeimmortalizedbyyou，forthisportraitpleasesmeexceedingly。I

mightwellbeproudthatthisheadwiththerareprofileisacounterpartofmyown。Nowwearegoodfriends。BeforeIsayfarewell，letmeseetheworkatwhichIjustdisturbedyouuponentering。”

Goethewasabouttoraisethecloth，whenChodowieckiwavedhimback。“Donotlookatit，“saidhe，quickly；“Idisliketoappearasamechanicbeforeyou，asIwishthatyoushouldhonoronlytheartist。Wepoortoilersarebadlyoff，astheoldproverbiseverprovingtruewithus，\'Artgoesforbread。\'Wemustbemechanicsthechiefpartofourlives，inordertohaveafewhoursfree，inwhichweareallowedtobeartists。Ihavetoillustratethemostmiserableworkswithmyengravings，tobuythetimetopursueworksofart。”

“Thatistheinterest，friend，whichyoupaytheworldforthegreatcapitalwhichthegodsconfidedtoyou。Believeme，theartistChodowieckiwouldhavebutamorseltoeatifthemechanicChodowieckididnotservehimatemptingmeal，payingthebill。Donotbevexedaboutit；manmusthaveatradetosupporthim，asartisneverremunerated。[Footnote:Goethe\'swords——SeeG。H。Lewes\'s“Goethe\'sLifeandWritings，“vol。1。，p。459。]Ihopethemechanicwillbewellpaid，thattheartistmaycreatebeautifulandrareworksforus。Thisismyfarewellvisitto-day，friend。Ifyouwillhearawelcomefrommeverysoon，cometoWeimar，andseehowonehonorstheartiststhere，andhowwellappreciatedChodowieckiis。”

Goetheembracedandkissedtheartist，whoregardedhim，hisfaceradiantwithjoy，andwouldnotbepreventedfromaccompanyinghimtothehousedoor，asifhewereaprinceoraking。“NowtoMadameKarschin，“saidGoethetohimself，ashehastenedthroughthestreetsinthatdirection。“ThegoodwomanhaswelcomedmewithsomanyprettyversesthatImustmakemyacknowledgments，inspiteofmydecisiontokeeptheBerlinauthorsatadistance。”

FromWilhelmStreet，whereChodowieckilived，tothetilt-yard，wasnotfar，andGoethesoonreachedtheold，antiquatedhousewherethepoetesslived。Aftermanyquestioningsandinquiriesatthelowerstoriesandmoresplendidapartmentsofthehouse，hefoundtheabodeofthepoetess，andclimbedupthesteepstairstotheslantingattic-room。ThedimlightofasmallwindowpermittedGoethetoreaduponagraypieceofpaper，pasteduponthedoor，\'AnnaLouisaKarsch，Germanpoetess。\'Heknockedmodestlyatthedooratfirst，thenlouder，andasthevoiceswithinneverceasedforamomenttheiranimatedconversation，heopenedit，andenteredtheobscureroom。

“Iwilldoit，sir，“saidthelittlewomansittinginthewindow-

nichenearatabletoayoungmanstandingnearher。“Iwilldoit，thoughImusttellyoualbumwritingisverycommon。Butyoumustpromisemetoreturnhere，andletmeseewhatHerrRammlerwrites，andtellmewhathesaysaboutme。Thesearemyconditions。”

“FrauKarschin，Ipromiseyou，uponthewordofhonorofaGermanyouth，whocanneverlowerhimselftobreakhisword。”

“Verywell！thenIwillwrite。”

Therewasperfectsilence。Theyouthwatchedthelittle，dryhandwhichguidedthepen，withadevotionalmien，andGoethewitheagercuriosity，who，unobserved，stoodlikeasuppliantatthedooroftheobscurelittleroom，theshabbyfurnitureofwhichbetrayedthenarrowcircumstancesoftheGermanpoetess。Itharmonizedwiththeoccupant，alittle，bony，meagrefigure，wearingatight-fittingblue-floweredchintzdress。Uponthegrayhair，which，partedinthemiddle，encircledthelowforehead，wasacap，whichhadlostitswhitenessandwas，therefore，moreinharmonywiththeruffaboutheryellow，thinneck。Hersharp，angularfeatureswereredeemedbylarge，darkeyes，flashingwithmarvellousbrilliancyfromunderthethick，grayeyebrows，andwithquick，penetratingglancesshesometimesturnedthemtotheceilingthoughtfullyasshewrote。

“There，sir，ismypoem，“saidshe，layingdownthepen。“Listen:

\'Governyourwill；Ifithindersduty，Itfettersvirtue；ThenenvybeguilesIntofault-finding。\'“

“Oh，howbeautiful，criedtheyoungman，enraptured。“Ithankyouathousandtimesforthosegloriouswords，andtheyshallhenceforthbetheguidingstarofmyexistence。”

“GotoProfessorRammler，and:thenreturnandshowmewhathewrites，forIamconvinced。Oh，Heavens！thereisastranger，“shecried，asshediscoveredGoethe，whohadremainedstandingbythedoor。

“Yes，astranger，“saidGoethe，smiling，andapproaching，asthehappypossessorofthealbumwithdrew——“astrangerwouldnotleaveBerlinwithoutvisitingtheGermanpoetess。”

“Andwithoutversesinyouralbum；isitnotso?Ihavebecomethefashion，andifIcouldonlylivebyimmortalizingmyselfinyouralbums，Ishouldbefreefromcare。NowIhavedivinedit——youwishanautograph?“

“No！onlyagoodword，andafriendlyshakeofthehand，forI

possessapoemandaletterwhichthegoodFrauKarschinsentmeatWeimarsomesixmonthssince，writtenbyherself。”

“IsitGoethe?“shecried，claspingherhandsinastonishment。“ThepoetJohannWolfgangGoethe，therenownedauthoroftheworkwhich——“

“Costyoumanytears，“brokeinGoethe，laughing。“Ibegyousparemethesephrases，whichfollowmeuponmyjourneyastheFuriesOrestes。Iknowthat\'Werther\'hasbecomethefavoriteofthereadingpublic；hehasopenedallthetear-ductsandmadeallloversofmoonlightassoftasaswaddling-cloth。Icouldpunishmyselfforhavingwritten\'Werther。\'“

FrauKarschinlaughedaloud。“Thatisglorious！Youpleaseme！Youareafamouspoetandagenius，foronlygeniusescanreviseandridiculethemselves。Welcome，Germany\'sgreatestpoet，welcometotheatticofthepoetess！Thereisthegoodwordwhichyouwouldhave，andhereisthehand。DidyouthinkitworthwhiletovisitpoorKarschin?Iamrejoicedatit，forIseethattheyaccusedyouunjustlyofarroganceandpride！“

“Dotheyaccusemeofit?“askedGoethe，smiling。“CantheBerlinpoetsandauthorsneverforgivemethatIliveatacourt，andamhonoredwiththefavorofaprince?“

“Theywouldwillinglyforgiveyouiftheyhadthepowertopushyouoneside，andtakeyourplace。Theyareangrywithyou，becausetheyenvyyouandarenotaccustomedtobeesteemed。Ourprinceandruler，asgreataheroandkingasheotherwiseis，careslittleforGermanpoetry，andforallhewouldcare，theBerlinauthorsmightstarve，oneandall；hewouldtroublehimselfnomoreaboutthemthanthefliesdancinginthesunlight。”

“Thegreatkingisstillthesame，then?HewillneverknowanythingofGermanliterature?“

“No！hedeclaresthatitisthelanguageofbarbariansandbear-

catchers；scoldsaboutus，anddespisesus，andyetknowsaslittleofusasthemaninthemoon。HeadoreshisVoltaire。OldFritzknowstheFrenchpoetbyheart，butLessingheknowsnothingof。Heabuses\'GoetzvonBerlichingen，\'and\'Werther\'sSorrows。\'“

“Oh！Iknowitall——Iknowtheking\'sadjutant-general，vonSiedlitz。Ioftendinewithhim，andreadaloudmypoemstohim，whenherelatestomewhatthekingsaystoenrageme。YoumustknowwhenIamangryIspeakinverse。IaccustomedmyselftoitduringmyunhappymarriagewiththetailorKarsch。Whenhescolded，I

answeredinverse，andtriedtoturnmythoughtstootherthings，andtomakethemostdifficultrhymes。Ashewasalwaysscoldingandquarrelling，Ialwaysspokeinrhyme。”

“Andinthiswayyouledaverypoeticalmarriage?“smiledGoethe。

“Yes，indeed，poetical，“shesaid，andherlargebrillianteyesweredimmed。“Ifitistruethattearsarethebaptismofpoets，thenI

wasbaptizeddailyfortwelveyears，andoughttobeanextraordinarypoetess。”

“Thatyouare，indeed，“saidGoethe，“whowoulddisputeit?Youhavegivenevidenceofgreatpoeticaltalent，andIreadyourheroicpoemupontheGreatFrederickwithrealdelight。”

“Doyouknowwhathedid?“sheasked，bitterly。“Iturnedtohim，beggingforassistance；forwhoshouldapoetturnto，buthisGodandhisking?Moreover，hehadpromisedittomepersonally。”

“Youhavespokenwithhim，then，yourself?“askedGoethe。

“Yes，eightyearsago；GeneralvonSiedlitzprocuredmeanaudience。

Thekingwasverygracious，andamongotherthings，askedmeaboutmylife；andasIexplainedtohimmypovertyandwant，hemostkindlypromisedtohelpme。”[Footnote:ThisinterviewwhichFrauKarschinhadwiththekingisfoundin“AnecdotesandTraitsofCharacterofFredericktheGreat。”vol。ii。，p。72。]

“Anddidhenotfulfilhispromise?“

“No，haditbeengiventotheleastoftheFrenchwritershewouldhavekeptit，buttoaGermanpoetitwasnotworthwhile。WhatisanativepoettothegreatGermanking?Aphantomthatheknowsnot，andbelievesnot。Asgreatasheis，thekingshowedhimselfverysmalltome。Isanghimasapoetessandhebestowedapittanceuponmeasonewouldtoabeggarintattersbythewayside。”

“Isitreallytrue，uponyoursupplication——“

“Sentmetwothalers！Yes，thatisindeedtrue，andIseebyyoursmilethatyouknowit，andknowalsothatIreturnedittohim。I

hadratherdiewithhungerthantakeabeggar\'spenny。Butletmerelatetoyouwhathappenedtwoweekssince。Ihadbornepatientlytheaffairofthetwothalers，andforgottenit。Iammorecomfortablenow；thebooksellerspaymeformysongsandpoemsverywell，andanumberofpatronsandfriends，atwhoseheadisthePrinceofPrussia，givemeasmallpension，fromwhichIcanatleastlive——thoughpoorly。OneofmypatronssentmeastripoflandontheSpreenotfarfromtheHerculesBridge，whereIwouldgladlybuildmealittlehouse，atlasttohaveasureabiding-placewhereIcouldretire——thatwouldbearefugeagainstallthetroublesandsorrowsoflife。AsIthoughtitover，theoldconfidenceandimperishableloveforthegreatkingroseagainwithinme，andasI

esteemedhimIalwayshopedforthefulfilmentofhispromise。I

appliedtohimagain，andbeggedhimtodoformewhathehadgrantedtosomanycobblersandtailors，asthekinggivesbuilding-

moneytohelpthosewhowillbuild。AllthehousesoftheGensdarmen-marktarebuiltbyroyalaid，andsometimesthekingdesignsthefacades，ashedidforthebutcherKuhn\'sgreathouse；

andsenthimadesigntoornamentthefriezeofninety-nine，sheeps\'

heads，onlyninety-nine，forhesaidthebutcherhimselfwastheonehundredth。Thebutcherremonstrated，buthewasobligedtokeepthem，ifhewouldhavethebuilding-money。”

“Really，“criedGoethe，laughing，“thekingisaningeniousandextraordinarymanineverything，andnooneislikehim。”

“Nooneislikehim，andnoonewouldhavetreatedmeashedid。I

addressedtohimapoem，begginghimwithtrueinspirationandemotiontoletaGermanpoetessfindfavorinhissight——andthathewouldbeformeaMaecenas，ifIwerenotaHorace。Myheartbledwithsorrow，thatImustsobegandpray，andmytearswetthepaperuponwhichIinditedmybegging，rhymingpetition。Howmuchmoneydoyouthinkthegreatkingsentmeformyhouse?Thinkofthesmallestsum。”

“Ifitwassmall，yetforbuilding-moneyhewouldsendyouatleasttwohundredthalers。”

Thepoetessburstintoascornfullaugh。“Hesentmethreethalers！

ThegreatFredericksentmethreethalerstobuildahouse！“

“Whatdidyoudo?Didyoutakethem?“

“Yes，“sheanswered，proudly，“andIwillleavethemasalegacytomydaughter，asanhistoricalsouvenirforsucceedinggenerations，whowillrelatethebenevolenceoftheGermankingfortheGermanpoetess。Isentthekingareceipt——Iwillreadittoyou。

\'Hismajestycommanded，Insteadofbuilding-money，Tosendmethreethalers。Theorderwasexactly，Promptlyfulfilled。Iamindebtedforthanks，ButforthreethalerscanNojoinerinBerlinMycoffinmake。Otherwiseto-morrowIwouldorderSuchahousewithouthorrorWherewormsfeast，And，feasting，quarrelOverthelean，care-wornOldwoman\'sremainsThatthekingletsighaway。\'[Footnote:See“LifeandPoemsofLouisaKarschin，“editedbyherdaughter。]

“Whydoyounotlaugh?“saidFrauKarschin，raisingherflashingeyestoGoethe，whosatlookingdownearnestlyandquietlybeforeher。

“Icannot，“hegentlyanswered。“Yourpoemmakesmesad；itrecallsthekeensorrowofapoet\'sexistence，theoft-repeatedstrugglebetweenIdealityandReality。Theblessedofthegodsmusthumblethemselves；thoughtheymayraisetheirheadstoheaven，theirfeetmuststillrestuponearth；andtofindtheirwayuponit，andwalkhumblytherein，theymustagainlowertheirinspiredheads。”

“Oh，thatmakesmefeelbetter，“criedKarschin，withtearsinhereyes；“thatisbalsamformywounds。Youareagreatpoet，Goethe，I

feelittobeso。Youareagreatman，foryourheartisgoodandfilledwithpity。Howunjustlytheycallyoucoldandproud！Onlybealittlemoreyielding，andcallupontheBerlinpoetsandwriters。

Youcanimaginethatthenewsofyourarrivalranlikewild-firethroughthetown。Nicolai，Rammler，Engel，Mendelssohn，andalltheotherdistinguishedgentlemenhavestayedathomelikebadgersintheirkennels，watchingforyou，soasnottomissyourvisit。Atlasttheybecamedesperate，andscoldedfuriouslyoveryourarroganceandprideinthinkingyourselfbetterthanthey。Whyhaveyounotcalleduponthem?“

Therewasaloudknockingatthedoor，andtheyoungmanwithhisalbumentered，almostbreathless。“HereIam，“saidhe，“IcamedirectlyfromProfessorRammlerhere，asIpromisedyou。”

“Yousawhim，then?Hashewrittensomethingforyou?“

“Yes，Isawhim，andhegrantedmyrequest。”

“Andabusedme，didhenot，withhisnoseturnedup?Youmustknow，Goethe，thatProfessorRammlerdespisesmypoems，becauseIamnotsolearnedinGreekandRomanmythologyasheis。Nowtellme，myyoungfriend，whatdidhesayaboutme?“

“Ipromisedyou，uponmywordofhonor，totellyoueverything，butIhopeyouwillreleasemefromthepromise。”sighedtheyoungman。

“No，thatIwillnot。Muchmore，uponthestrengthofyourwordofhonor，Idesireit。Youpromised，wordforword，torelateittome。”

“Ifitmustbe，then，letitbe。IwentatoncetoProfessorRammler\'s。HeaskedmeimmediatelyifIhadnotbeenhere。”

“JustasIaskedyou，“laughedKarschin。

“Iaffirmedit，sayingthatyoushowedmehishouse。Uponwhichheasked，\'Didshesayanythingagainstme?Sheisaccustomedtodoitbeforestrangers，likealloldwomen。\'Hethenturnedovermyalbum，andashesawthelinesyouwrotehereddened，andstrikingthebook——\'Iseeit，sheknewshehadsaidsomethingaboutme。ShetellseverystrangerthatIthinksheiscensorious。Whatshehaswrittenisaimedatme。\'Uponthathewrotesomelinesoppositeyours，shutthebook，andhandedittome。Ihavenotevenhadthetimetoreadthem。”

“Readthemnow，quickly。”

“\'Hewhoslandersandlistenstoslander，lethimbepunished。Shemaybehungbythetongue，andhebytheears。\'“[Footnote:Thisscenetookplaceliterally，andmaybefoundin“CelebratedGermanAuthors，“vol。II。，p。340。]

“Thatisshameful——thatismean！“saidFrauKarschin，whileGoethere-readthecuttingepigram。“ThatisjustlikeRammler；histongueislikeatwo-edgedswordforeveryonebuthimself，andhefanshisownglories，anddoesnotknowthatheisafool。FredericktheGreathimselfcalledhimso。Oneofhisgeneralscalledhisattentiontohim，uponwhichFrederickturnedhishorse，ridingdirectlyuptohim，asking，\'IsthisthedistinguishedRammler?\'

\'Yes，yourmajesty，Iamhe，\'thelittleprofessorproudlybowed。

\'Youareafool！\'calledoutFrederick，veryloud，androdeaway，asallaroundthe\'GreatRammler\'laughedandsneered。Therearemanysuchstories。ShallItellyouhowLessingteasedhim?“

“No，dearwoman，tellmenothingmore。IperceiveyourBerlinwritersandpoetsareamalicious，contentioussetofpeople。Imaywellfearyou，andshallbegladtoescapeunharmed。Thinkkindlyofme，andhavepityuponme；iftheothersaretoosevere，raiseyourdearhandandholdbackthescourgethatitmaynotfalluponpoorWolfgangGoethe。Adieu，dearFrauKarschin。”

Goethebowed，andhasteneddownintothestreet。“WiththeauthorsandpoetsofBerlinIwishnothingmoretodo，butwiththephilosophersImaybemorefortunate，andwiththemfindthewisdomandforbearancewhichfailthepoets。”

GoethebenthisstepstoSpandauerStreet，inwhichthemerchantandphilosopherMosesMendelssohnlived；hastenedupthestairs，andknocked，whichwasansweredbyanoldservant，towhomGoetheannouncedhimself。Theservantdisappeared，andthepoetstoodinthelittle，narrowcorridor，smilinglylookingtothestudy-door，andwaitingforthe“gatesofwisdom“toopenandlettheworldlingenterthetempleofphilosophy。

Thecrookedlittleman，thegreatphilosopher，Moses，sonofMendelssohn，stoodbehindthedoor，turningoverinhismindwhetherhewouldreceiveGoetheornot。“WhyshouldI?TheproudsecretaryoflegationhasalreadybeeninBerlineightdays，andwishestoprovetomethathecareslittleforBerlinphilosophers。Mynoblefriend，thegreatLessing，cannotabide\'GotzvonBerlichingen；\'andNicolai，Rammler，andEngelarethebitteropponents，theveryantipodesoftheraregeniusandsecretaryoflegationfromWeimar。

Ifhewishestoseeme，whydidhecomesolate，so——“

“HerrGoetheiswaiting——shallheenter?“askedtheservant。

Thephilosopherraisedhishead。“No，“criedhe，loudly。“No！tellhimyouweremistaken。Iamnotathome。”

Theoldservantlookedquitefrightenedathismaster——thefirsttimehehadheardanuntruthfromhim。“WhatshallIsay，sir?“

“Sayno，“criedMoses，veryexcitedandill-humored。“SaythatIamnotathome——thatIamout。”

Withadetermined，defiantmannerthephilosopherseatedhimselftoworkuponhisnewbook，“Jerusalem，“sayingtohimself，“Iamrighttosendhimaway；hewaitedtoolong，istoolate。”[Footnote:FromLudwigTieckIlearnedthisanecdote，andheassuredmethatMosesMendelssohntoldittohim——See“GoetheinBerlin，LeavesofMemory，“p。6——TheAuthoress。]

CHAPTERXVIII。

FAREWELLTOBERLIN。

“Whatisthematter，mydearWolf?“criedtheduke，asGoethereturnedfromhisvisits。“Whatmeanthoseshadowsuponyourbrow?

Havethecursedbeaux-espritsinBerlinannoyedandtorturedyou?“

“No，duke，I——“andsuddenlystopping，heburstintoaloudringinglaugh，andsprangabouttheroom，boundingupanddown，shouting，“Hurrah！hurrah！Longlivethephilosophers，vivatthephilosophers！“

“Theyshalllive——live——live，\'\'shoutedtheduke！

“Vivatthephilosophers！hurrah！TotheMay-sportsupontheBlockbergtheyrideuponalittleasswithgoldenhorns——withPharisaicalmien，prayingwiththeireyes，\'IthankThee，OLord，thatIamaphilosopher，thatIamnotastheworld\'schildren，vain，proud，andarrogant。\'Hey，goodCarlAugustus，todayagreatrevelationhasbeenmadeknowntomebyaphilosopher。Wisdomflowedfromhismouth。Allthespidersintheirgray，self-wovennets，whisperedandsanginhiscorridor，\'Weweaveatthefountainoflife，wespintheweboftime。\'Thelittlemicecreptoutfromthecorners，whispering，Hallelujah！HerelivesthegreatphilosopherMoses，whohasdevouredwisdom，andisunknowingofearthlyvanities。Oh！themiceandthespiderswaltztogetheruponthethresholdofthegreatphilosopher。Hey，ha！awaltzwewilldance！“

Goethecaughtthedukewithbotharmsaroundthewaist，andtorearoundinagiddywhirl，bothlaughing，bothshrieking。Wolfshund，theduke\'sdog，asleepinthecorner，spranguphowlingandbarkingattheirwildboundsandgoat-likesprings，andjoinedthedancers。

AsGoethefelttheribbonwhichconfinedhiscuegiveway，heshookwildlyhiscurly，powderedhairanditfellinmadconfusion。Bothheandthedukenowsankexhaustedtothefloor，pantingandlaughing。

“Heavenbepraised，Wolf，“saidtheduke，“themusthasoncemorefermented，andsprungafewofthehoopsofdignity?“

“Yes，“answeredGoethe，whosuddenlyassumedagrave，seriousmien，“themusthasfermented，andItrustafinewinewillclearitselffromit。”

“Canyounotsetoff，Wolf?“askedtheduke，springingup。“HaveyouhadsufficientoftheBerliners?“

“Ihavedonewiththem，“repliedGoethe，“notonlywiththeBerliners，butitmaybewithalltherestofhumanity。Ifeel，myduke，thatthebloomofconfidence，candor，andself-sacrificinglovefadesdaily；onlyforyou，andthefriendwhomIlove，istherestillattractionandflagrancy。Oh！youdearones，becharitable，anddonotconsentthattheyfadeforyou。LetthegoodnesswhichI

readinyoureyes，mydearCarl，andthesunnyraysoffriendshipstrengthenthepoorlittleblossom，thatitdoesnotentirelyfadeandwitheraway！“Withpassionateearnestnesshethrewhisarmsaroundtheduke，pressinghimtohisbosom。

“Oh！Wolf，mydearWolf，youhaveachild\'sheartandapoet\'ssoul。

Areyoufaint-heartedanddispirited?Doyounotknowthatyouarethesunwhichbringsforththeflowersforus，andshinesforusall?Letnocloudsovershadowyou，Wolf！Letyourfresh，youthfulvigor，anddivinebrilliancy，penetratethem。Inthethick，sandyatmosphereofBerlinIconfessthesunitselflosesitsforceandbrightness！Come！letusbeoff。Oursteedsstampwithimpatience。”

Thedukedrewhisfriendfromtheroomandjoyfullytheysprangdownthestairstothecarriage，thegreatdogfollowing，howlingandbarkingafterthem。“Forward，then，forward！Blow，postilion，blow！

Agaylittleair！Letitpealthroughthestreets，afarewellsong！

Blow，postilion，blow！andIwillmoistenyourthroatatthegateswiththethin，whitestuff，whichyouhavetheboldnesstocallbeer。”Thepostilionlaughedforjoy，andtheGermansongresoundedinquiveringtones——“Threeridersrodeoutofthegate。”Heblewsolongandloudly，thatthedogsetupamournfulhowl，andamidthepealsofthepostilion，andthedistressedcryofWolfshund，theydrovethroughthelong，hotstreetsofBerlin，throughtheLeipsicGate，andthesuburbswiththeirsmall，lowhouses。Thewagon-wheelssanktothespokesintheloose，yellowsandofthehilltheysoonmounted，and，arrivingatthetopofwhich，thepostilionstoppedtolethishorsestakebreath，andturnedtoremindhisaristocraticpassengersthatthiswastheirlastviewofthecity。

“Andwillbeseennomore，“repeatedtheduke。“Come，letustakeafarewelllookatBerlin，Wolf！“andawaytheysprangwithoutwaitingforthefootmantodescend，andwadedthroughthesandtoarisinginthefallowfields。Theretheystood，arminarm，andviewedthetownwithitstowersandchimneys，houses，barracks，andpalacesstretchedattheirfeet。Athick，gray，cloudofvaporandsmokehoveredoverit，andveiledthehorizonindustandfog。“Farewell，Berlin，youcityofarroganceandconceit！“criedtheduke，joyfully。“Ishakeyourdustfrommyfeet，andstrewthesandofyourfieldsovereverysouvenirofyouinmemory，“andsuitingtheactiontohiswords，hetossedahandfulofitintheair。

“Farewell，MusesandGracesofsandanddust！“criedGoethe，ashisfieryeyeflashedfaroutoverthefog-envelopedroofs。“Farewell，Berlin，voidofnatureandwithoutverdure！theabodeofpoeticart，butnotofpoesy。YouBabylonofwisdomandphilosophy，Ihaveseenyouwithyourpaintedcheeksandcoquettishsmile，yourvoluptuousformandseductivecharms。Youshallneverensnaremewithyourdeceitfulbeauty，andsuckthemarrowfrommybones，ortheconsciousnessofpurehumanityfrommysoul。Beautifulmayyoubetoenslavedintellects，buttothefree，theyturntheirbackstoyouandthricestrewashesonyourhead。Farewell，Berlin，mayIneverseeyouagain！“[Goethe，infact，nevervisitedBerlinagain，thoughhewasofteninvitedthere，particularlywhenthenewtheatrewasopened，withapoeticprologuewrittenbyhimself。TheyinauguratedthefestivitywithGoethe\'s“Iphigenia，“thefirstrepresentation，andPrinceRadzwillurgentlyinvitedthepoet，throughCountBruhl，tovisitBerlinatthistime，andresideinhispalace。ButGoetherefused；hewasseventy-twoyearsold(1826)，andexcusedhimselfonaccountofhisage。]Goethestoopedandthrewahandfulofsandintheair。

Thepostilion，tiredofstandingintheburningsun，blewloudlytheairofthesoldier\'ssong:“Now，adieu，Louisa，wipeyourface，everyballdoesnothit。”Mournfullythemelodysoundedinthestillness，likeaccusingspiritswhowepttheinsultoftheprinceandthepoet。

“Now，ontoourdearWeimar，Wolf！“Thecarriagerolleddownthesandyhill，andBerlindisappearedtothetravellers，lostindreamythought。Slowlytheyadvanced，inspiteofrelaysandfreshhorsesateverystation。Nightspreadoutherstarrymantleovertheworld，andthesleeperswhorestedfromtheburdensandcaresoftheday。

Goethealonewaswakefulandvigilant。Withhisbeautifuleyes，asbrilliantasfallenstars，upliftedtoheaven，toGod，hismanlybosomheavingwithnoblethoughtsandgloriousaspirations，hereviewedthepast，andrecalledwithjoythathehadaccomplishedmuchandwell。Hepeeredintothefuture，andpromisedhimselftodomoreandbetter。“Yes，Iwill，“whisperedhesoftly，pointingtothestars；“sohighaspossibleshallthepyramidofmybeingrise。TothatIwillconstantlybendmythoughts，neverforgettingit，forI

darenottarry；withtheyearsalreadyonmyhead，fatemayarrestmysteps，andthetowerofBabylonremainunfinished。Atleasttheymustacknowledgetheedificewasboldlydesigned，andifIlive，Godwilling，itshallrise。”

BOOKIII。

STORMANDPRESSURE

CHAPTERXIX

THEKINGANDTHEAUSTRIANDIPLOMAT。

FrederickcommencedthecampaignagainstthehouseofHapsburgwithalltheenergyandboldcourageofformerdays。Thediplomatshadoncemorebeenpermittedtoseektheartsofnegotiation，and，thesehavingfailed，thekingadvancedrapidly，andenteredBohemiawithhisadvance-guard。Theimperialarmy，informedoftheapproachoftheenemy，retiredhurriedlytotheirintrenchmentsatKoeniggratz，beyondtheElbe，withoutadecisivebattle。IntheskirmishesattheoutpoststhePrussianshadbeenvictorious。OntheoppositeshoreoftheElbe，atWelsdorf，thekingtookuphisheadquarters。Whydidhenotpursuehisboldrunofvictory?Whydidhenotsurprisetheimperialarmy，whichheknewwasscattered，andnotinapositiontoresistthestrengthofthePrussianforces?Moreover，thesecondcolumnofthePrussianarmy，underthecommandofPrinceHenry，hadalsoenteredBohemia，andfortifiedacampnearRimburg，havingunitedwiththeSaxonallies，whichcausedtheimperialistsunderField-MarshalLoudontoseekprotectionbeyondtheIser，nearMuenchengratzandYung-bunzlau。Whydidthekingthenstopinthemidstofhisvictoriouscareer?Hehadadvancedtothefieldwithhisfresh，youthfulfire，ashiningexampletoall。Hewasalwaysmounted，shunningnodanger，buttakingpartinthehardshipsandfatigueincidenttothechanginglifeofwar；evenshowinghimselfpersonallyactiveatthediscoveryofforaging-parties。Whydidhesuddenlyhesitateandlieinactiveincamp?Whydidhenotsummonhisgeneralsandstaff-officerstohisquarters，insteadofhisMinistervonHerzberg?Everyoneaskedhimselfthequestion，andeveryoneanswereditdifferently——Somesaid，“BecausetheEmpressofRussiahadraisedobjectionstothiswarofGermanbrothers；“

others，that“theKingoftheFrenchhadofferedtosettlethequarrelasintermediator。”Athirdsaid，the“empress-queen，MariaTheresa，wasterrifiedattherapidadvanceofthePrussians，andhadimmediatelycommencednegotiationsforpeace。”

WhilethewisepoliticiansofGermanyandallEuropereandpondered，Fredericktarriedquietlyinhispeasant-house，inwhichhehadtakenuphisquarters，andwhichhadbeenarrangedverycomfortablywithcarpets，camp-stools，andcurtains。Hesatinhiscabinetuponthehigh，leather-coveredarm-chair，whichhadbeenbroughtforhimfromtheneighboringparsonage。Alkmenelayuponhisknee，andDianaathisfeet。Hiscountenancewaspale，andbetrayedfatigue，buthiseyebeamedwithundimmedbrilliancy，andaroundhismouthplayedanironicalsmile。“Well，somattersstand；therefore，IhavesummonedyoutoWelsdorf，“saidFredericktohisminister，VonHerzberg。“Theempress-queenis，aboveallthings，amosttendermother。Sheisfearfullyanxious，nowthatthedearyoungEmperorJosephhasleftforthearmy，andwillbeexposedtothedangersofwar。MygoodfriendsinViennainformmethatmyentranceintoBohemiacreatedasensationatthebrilliantcapital，andhadsomuchalarmedtheempress-queen，thatshewasseriouslythinkingofnegotiatingforpeace。AsIlearnedthisfromareliablesource，Ihaltedandencamped，thattheempressshouldknowwheretofindme，andsenttosummonyouimmediately。Ihadnotbeenherethreedays，whentheempress\'sambassador，BaronvonThugut，appearedtomakeoffers，andconsultaboutanarmisticeoftwoweeks。Imadeknownmyconditions，andpromisedtheempress，throughhernegotiator，thatIwouldsocalculatemymovementsthathermajestywouldhavenothingtofearforherbloodandhercherishedemperor。[Footnote:Theking\'swords——See“Prussia，FredericktheGreat，“vol。iv。，p。102。]

Voila，moncherministre，youknowallnow。IftheAustriandiplomatcomesasecondtime，youcannegotiatewithhim。”

“Isyourmajestyalsoinclinedtopeace?“askedHerzberg。

Thekingshruggedhisshoulders。“Whenitcanbearrangedwithhonor，yes，“saidhe。“Iwillacknowledge，Herzberg，toyou，thecampaignishardforme。Theoldfellowofsixty-eightfeelstheburdenoflife，andwouldgladlyrestquietly，andenjoythelastfewyearsasphilosopherandwriterinsteadofsoldier。”

“Yourmajestyhasyetmanyyearstolive，Godwilling，“criedHerzberg。“ItwouldbeagreatmisfortunetoPrussiaifshecouldnotyetowetohergreatkingalongandhappyreign。”

“Hem！“repliedtheking，“thereareinPrussiaverymanywhothinkotherwise，andwishmetothedevil。ButIhavenointentionofseekingmonsieursosoon，fortherearesufficientdevilishdeedstoendureinthisearthlyvaleofsorrowtoprepareforoneaverydecentpurgatory，andgivehimhereafterwell-foundedhopesofheaven。ThereforeIcountuponremainingherebelowawhile，andtokneadwithyouthisleavenoflifethatmayyieldtomysubjectsaneatablebread。Youmusthelpme，Herzberg，whenIamthebaker，toprovidetheflourformypeople；youmustbetheassociatetokneadthebread。Inorderthattheflourshouldnotfail，andthebreadgiveout，itmaybenecessary，ifpossible，tomakepeace。”

“WillyourmajestybesograciousastoinformmewhatstepsImaytake，anduponwhatconditions?“

“Takethispaper，“saidtheking，extendingawrittendocumenttoHerzberg。“Ihavethereinexpressedmywishes，andyoucanactaccordingly。Iampreparedforpeaceuponanytermswhichcanbemadewithhonor，andwhichdonotfrustratetheaimIhaveinview。

YouwellknowthatthisisthesecurityofGermanyagainstAustria\'sambitiousloveofterritorialaggrandizement！IcannotandIwillnotsufferthatthehouseofHabsburgshouldstriveforunjustpossessioninGermany，andappropriateBavariatoherselfwhilealawfulheirexists。IwellknowthatIplaytheroleofDonQuixote，andamabouttofightfortherightsofGermanyastheChevalierdelaManchafoughtforhisDulcineadelToboso。Mais，quevoulez-vous，itisnecessaryformyfameandreposethatIenterthearenaoncemoreagainstAustriatoprovetoherthatIexist。ItakethissteponaccountoftheprestigeIhavegainedintheGermanempire，andwhichIshouldloseifIhadnotfacedAustriainthisBavariancontest。Andbesides，itisagreeabletometoaccustommysuccessortothethunderofcannon，andwitnesshisbearingonthefieldofbattle。”

“HewillcertainlydohonortotheheroicraceofHohenzollern，“

answeredHerzberg，bowing。

Asuddenflashfromtheking\'sfieryeyesmetthecalmpalefaceofHerzberg。“Merewordsandflattery，whichprovethatyouarenotsatisfied，Herzberg！Nay，nay，donotdenyit；youdonotlikethatIshouldtarryandtreat，andsetthepeninmotioninsteadofthesword。Youareamanofdeeds，andifyouhadhadyourway，Ishouldhavealreadywonadecisivebattle，andbeontheroadtoViennatobesiegetheempressinhercitadel，anddictateanhumiliatingpeacetoher。”

“Yourmajesty，Icanassureyou——“

“Well，well，donotquarrel！“interruptedtheking；“doyousupposeIcannotreadyourhonestandobstinateface?DoyousupposeIdidnotmeanwhatIsaid?AcknowledgethatIamright！confessit，I

commandyou！“