Part 45 (1/2)
”Well, the Prussian people have recently used such grand and magnificent language,” said Alexander, ”that we may say with heart- felt conviction, 'Vox populi vox Dei!' and that it reflects great credit on Blucher, if it is true that he speaks like the people.
But, hus.h.!.+ what does he say now?”
”The cowards have brought all our misfortunes upon us!” thundered Blucher's powerful voice. ”The hesitating men who always wish to patch up and stop the holes, instead of tearing down the old ruin and building a new house, are our curse, and have always involved Prussia in untold calamities. When I think of them I would like to have them here, to treat them as Jahn treated the other day one of the Turners at Berlin. Do you know the story?”
”No,” shouted several voices, ”we unfortunately do not.”
”Well, I will tell it to you. Jahn went with his pupils down the Linden to the Brandenburg gate to perform the usual gymnastic exercises on the drill-grounds outside the city. On the way he happened to cast his eyes on the gate, where the Victoria formerly stood, and which the French stole and carried off to Paris. Jahn, like every honest man who looks at the gate, felt his heart swell with anger. He turned to the boy who was marching by his side and asked him, 'What stood formerly over the pillars of the gate'?'-- 'The Victoria,' said the boy.--'Where is it now?' inquired Jahn.-- 'It is in Paris, where the French carried it.' Jahn asked again, 'What do you think when looking up to the vacant place on the top of the gate?'--'Well,' said the boy, with great composure, 'what should I think? I think it is a pity that the Victoria is no longer there.'
And when he said so, Jahn lifted up his hand and slapped the boy's face. 'You should think that we will fetch back the Victoria, you monkey!' he shouted. That is the whole story, but I remember it whenever I see these dear tame men who merely say, 'It is a pity that we have been so unfortunate!' and whose hearts feel only a mild regret instead of the most ardent revenge. And then my hand itches, and I would like to lift it up, like Jahn, and slap their faces.”
”Your Blucher is a splendid hussar,” said Alexander, looking at the king. ”I believe it is dangerous to stand before him when his hand is itching.”
”Yes, his hand has been itching from the days of Jena,” exclaimed the king, smiling. ”He has been anxious to fight ever since. For this reason I gave him the estate of Kunzendorf, and sent him thither. I thought he would there quietly cure himself; but it seems it was in vain; my expectations have been disappointed. I believe his hand is incurable.”
”Your majesty, therefore, had better yield to him, and allow him to fight,” said Alexander, almost entreatingly. ”The opportunity is excellent at the present time. If you place him at the head of the Silesian army, he will no longer slap the faces of his friends and neighbors on the right and left, but will rush forward and stretch out his itching hand to deal the French terrible blows.”
”I am only afraid he would be too rash in his wild hussar spirit,”
said the king, ”and spoil every thing by trying to tear down all barriers.”
”A man should be placed by his side who knows how to check his boldness,” exclaimed Alexander--”a man who does not stifle Blucher's ardor, but gives it the true direction.”
”But where shall we find such a one?”
”I believe your majesty may find him close by,” said Alexander, pointing to Scharnhorst, who was leaning against the portiere.
”Ah, sire,” cried the king, almost merrily, ”I believe yon are a magician, and understand my most secret thoughts. Scharnhorst has a great mind, and I owe him much. If he would take upon himself that difficult and ungrateful part by the side of Blucher, I believe the general's impetuosity would be less dangerous.”
”Your majesty, please ask him whether he will or not,” said Alexander.
The king called Scharnhorst to his side. ”You have influence over General Blucher, have you not?” he asked, hastily.
”I may say, at least, your majesty, that General Blucher is convinced of my love and devotion, and that he confides a little in me.”
”Could you make up your mind to occupy a secondary position by his side, and, if I should appoint Blucher general-in-chief of the Silesian army, become his chief of staff?”
”Your majesty,” exclaimed Scharnhorst, ”I would deem it a great honor to serve under the heroic old man, and I am certain that with him I would enter upon a glorious career, particularly if your majesty should grant me a request.”
”What is it? Speak!”
”If your majesty should condescend to place General Gneisenau, who will arrive to-morrow, as quartermaster-general.”
The king nodded. ”You have selected a n.o.ble companion,” he said, smiling.
”It will be a splendid trefoil, it seems to me,” cried the emperor.
”Blucher, Scharnhorst, and Gneisenau! They are three well-sounding names! But listen, sire, Blucher is still thundering. There is a way to calm this tempest.”
”What is it?” asked the king, smiling.
”Your majesty ought to be so gracious as to send for General Blucher, and tell him that you wish to confer upon him the command- in-chief of the Silesian army.”
”You advise me to do so, sire?” inquired the king. ”Your majesty, in counselling this, gives up no wish?”