onrad," said Gellert, complainingly, "what good will it have done
me to have declined the position of regular professor, that I might
be in no danger of becoming rector, and being obliged to see kings and
princes?"

"It will show the world," said Conrad, "that a poet need not be a
regular professor in order to be called into the society of kings and
princes. You must go--the king expects you; and if you do not go, you
will appear as the Austrians do, afraid of the King of Prussia."

"That is true," said Gellert, whose excitement had somewhat subsided;
"it will look as though I were afraid."

"And so distinguished a man should fear nothing," said Conrad, "not even
a king."

"Well, so be it," said Gellert, smiling, "I will go to the king to-day,
but I must first eat something; if I went fasting to the king I might
faint, and that would disgrace you forever, Conrad."

"I will run and bring the coffee," said the delighted old servant.

CHAPTER XIII. THE POET AND THE KING.

Gelbert had scarcely finished his frugal meal, and arranged his toilet
a little, when Major Quintus arrived and asked the poet if he were still
too unwell to accompany him to the king.

"I am still indisposed," said Gellert, with a sad smile, "but my
indisposition is of a kind that leaves me neither to day, to-morrow nor
any day; it is therefore better for me to gratify the king's commands at
once. I am ready to accompany you, sir; let us depart."

He took his three-cornered hat, which Conrad handed him with a
delightful smirk, and followed the major to the splendid house where the
king had taken his quarters for the winter.

"Allow me a favor, sir," said Quintus, as they mounted the steps; "the
king is prejudiced against German poets and philosophers, and it would
be of the greatest advantage to the literary and political world of
Germany for these prejudices to disappear, and for the great Frederick
to give to Germany the sympathy and encouragement which until now he has
lavished upon the French and Italians. Think of this, sir, and endeavor
to win the king by your obliging and pleasing manner."

"Oh, major!" sighed Gellert, "I do not understand the art of pleasing
the great ones of this world. I cannot utter words of praise and
flattery; my heart and manners are simple and not showy."

"Exactly, this is beautiful and attractive," said the major, smiling:
"the king cannot endure pretension or conceited wisdom. Be simply
yourself; i