reath that remains I have need of for the
government; and, moreover, I have no superfluous time for the future,
but must live and work only for the present."

"But the blessing of your exertions will be felt in the future. The
deeds of a great man are not extinguished with his death, but shine like
a star, disseminating light beyond his grave!"

"This light is just what the Rosicrucians will take care to extinguish
like a tallow candle with too long a wick, and it is good fortune that
the astronomers have awarded me a little glorification in the heavens,
and accorded me a star, for the Rosicrucians would not let it shine here
below. I must console myself with this, and recall that when it is dark
and lowering here, I have a star above in the sky!"

"This star is Frederick's honor," cried Herzberg. "It will beam upon
future generations, and become the guiding light of the sons and nephews
of your house, and they will learn to be as sagacious and wise as the
Great Frederick."

"There you have made a great error, Herzberg," replied the king,
quickly. "Future generations are newer taught by the past--grandchildren
think themselves wiser than their grandparents. The greatest of heroes
is forgotten, and his deeds buried in the dust of ages. You have given
me a glorious title of honor, and I know how little I deserve it."

"A title which will be confirmed in centuries to come, for every history
will speak of Frederick the Second as Frederick Great."

"In history it may be, but the people will speak of me as 'Old
Fritz'--that will be on the lips of those who love me, and expression of
endearment; on the lips of those who hate me, one of disaffection. I am,
indeed, 'Old Fritz,' which the Bischofswerders and Woellners also call
me, and try to make the crown prince believe that I have outlived my
period, and do not understand or esteem the modern time. In their eyes
I am a dismantled ship of state, which the storms of life have rendered
unseaworthy. They would refit the vessel, and give it a new flag,
sending Old Fritz, the helmsman, to the devil! The day of my death they
will hoist this flag, with 'Modern Time' inscribed upon it in large
letters. I shall then be united in Elysium with Voltaire, Jordan, Suhm,
and all my other friends, as we were wont to be at Sans-Souci, and look
down with a pitying smile upon the Modern Time and Old Folly!--Vale!"

CHAPTER XXXVII. THE ESPOUSALS.

Both Bischofswerder and Woellner h