t sort of an existence have
I? My life is full of work, full of sorrow, nothing else! I work for my
subjects; they do not thank me, and will greet and welcome my successor
some day, be he ever so mean and contemptible, as they once greeted
and welcomed me. The love of a people for their king is a love full
of egotism and self-interest. Who has ever loved me otherwise than
selfishly? I met my friends with an open heart--when with them I forgot
that I was a king, but they never forgot it; not one, not a single one
loved in me the man. The foolish populace call me a hero, and speak of
the laurels that crown my brow, but of the thorns they have woven in it
they know nothing. Would I need have no more to do with men, for they
have poor, slavish souls! They deceive themselves--they all deceive me."

As the king ceased speaking, he felt his foot touched. Somewhat
startled, he looked down. His greyhound Diana was lying at his feet,
gazing at him with her large, intelligent eyes. A soft smile crossed
Frederick's countenance. Stooping to caress her, he said:

"You come to remind me that there is still love and truth upon the
earth, but one must not be silly enough to look for it among men. Come
here, Diana, my little companion; I was wrong to call myself solitary,
for are you not here? and then have I not my flute? Is she not a loving,
trustworthy friend, to whom every thing can be confided? You two shall
be my sole companions this evening."

Raising his flute, he commenced to play softly, walking up and down his
room. Diana followed him slowly, listening in seeming devotion to the
long, wailing tones of her rival.

Sad and wonderful to hear was the music of this solitary king; like
broken, dying sighs and sobs were its tones; and the howling wind,
rushing in through the window, added its mournful wail to Federich the
Great's song of woe.

End of Project Gutenberg's Frederick The Great and His Family, by L. Muhlbach

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