obtain,
Mars' portrait to a connoisseur once showed,
And his opinion of it sought.
The judge spoke freely what he thought,
Twas wholly not unto his taste, he said,
And that, to please a practised eye,
Far less of art should be displayed.
The painter failed not to reply,
And though the critic blamed with skill,
Was of the same opinion still."

"Then in the room a coxcomb came,
To scan the work with praise or blame.
He with a glance its worth descried;
'Ye gods! A masterpiece' he cried.
'Ah, what a foot! what skilled details,
E'en to the painting of the nails!
A living Mars is here revealed,
What skill--what art in light and shade--
Both in the helmet and the shield,
And in the armor are displayed!'"

"The painter blushed with humbled pride,
Looked at the judge with woful mien,
'Too well am I convinced' he cried,
'Unjust to me thou hast not been.'
The coxcomb 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 beautiful--very 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