Napoleon and the Queen of Prussia

by L. Mühlbach

  CHAPTER XIV.

  TRIUMPH AND DEFEAT.

  Scarcely had the emperor crossed the threshold of the audience hall,when it resounded with cheers and the constantly-repeated shout of"_Vive l'Empereur_!" He thanked the envoys of Poland for thesegreetings, and quickly approached them. They presented a magnificentspectacle in their national costume, adorned as it was with gorgeousembroidery and diamonds. "Introduce these gentlemen to me, Talleyrand,"he said; "I will cherish in my memory the names of those whom henceforthI shall regard as friends!"

  When Talleyrand presented them in succession, Napoleon listened to eachof their high-sounding old aristocratic names with a kindly nod and agracious air, which delighted the hearts of the Poles.

  "Sire," said the Count of Dombrowsky, a silvery-haired man of seventyyears--"sire, in bending our knees before your majesty, we representall Poland, which is exclaiming, 'God save Napoleon the Great!--theliberator of nations!'"

  "God save Napoleon the Great!--the liberator of nations!" echoed theothers, kneeling down and extending their arms toward the emperor.

  "Liberator of nations!" repeated Napoleon, smiling. "No one can liberatenations unless they do so themselves."

  "But, in order to liberate themselves, the nations stand in need of anoble and high-minded chieftain!" exclaimed the old count. "Sire, thePolish nation trusts in you; it is on its knees, praying your majestythat you may become the liberator whom it has so long looked for. Thegreat Napoleon has arisen upon France like a sun--he has come, seen, andvanquished the universe! O invincible Caesar! In seeing you, all mywishes and those of my countrymen are fulfilled! Already we consider ourcountry as saved, for in your person we worship the wisest and mostequitable of legislators. You will redeem us! You will not permit Polandto be dismembered. Oh, sire, Poland puts her trust in the redeemer ofnations! Poland puts her trust in Napoleon the Great, who will raise herfrom her degradation!"

  "Poland puts her trust in you," repeated the Poles; and, in theenthusiasm of their patriotism, forgetful of etiquette, they crowdedaround Napoleon, and, again kneeling, kissed his hands and the hem ofhis garment.

  Napoleon smilingly allowed them to do so, but his eyes assumed a graverexpression. "Rise now, gentlemen," he said, "I have received through youthe homage of poor, weeping Polonia, but now let me receive also in youthe brave sons of this unhappy land, and speak to the _men_ of Poland.Rise.'"

  The Poles rose, and looked with beaming eyes and in breathless suspenseat the emperor, whose face exhibited the austere regularity of a statueof ancient Rome.

  "It would afford me the liveliest pleasure to see the royal throne ofPoland restored," he said, "for it would also secure the independence ofthe adjoining states, which are now threatened by the unmeasuredambition of Russia. But words and idle wishes are not sufficient. Whenthe priests, the nobility, and the citizens, make common cause--whenthey are determined to conquer or die--then they will triumph, and maycount on my protection."

  "Sire, the nobility, priests, and citizens, are already united andresolved," exclaimed Count Dombrowsky. "We are only waiting for ourliberator to proclaim our independence."

  Napoleon assumed a very serious air. "I cannot proclaim yourindependence before you are determined, sword in hand, to defend yourrights as a nation."

  "Sire, we are so determined!" unanimously shouted the Poles.

  The emperor received this interruption with a gracious smile and added:"You have been upbraided with losing sight of your genuine interest, andof the welfare of your country, during your long-continued domesticdissensions. Taught by your misfortunes, be harmonious, and prove to theworld that the whole Polish nation is animated by one spirit."

  "Sire, we will prove it to the world," exclaimed the Poles, lifting uptheir hands, as if taking a solemn oath.

  The emperor turned his stern eyes slowly and piercingly from one toanother. He apparently wished to greet them all, and to read theinnermost recesses of their hearts. Then he said, in a loud voice, "Therestoration of Poland requires blood--blood, and again, _blood_!"

  "Sire, we are joyously ready to shed ours for the sacred cause of thefatherland," exclaimed Count Raczinsky. "We wish to know only, or atleast hope, that it will not be in vain. Sire, Poland is extending herarms toward you; she is beckoning you with a passionate love; she islongingly calling to you, 'Great Caesar, come to my aid, that the sun mayonce more beam upon me--that you may disperse the long night of mytorture, and that a happy day may again dawn for me!' Oh, sire, will youlisten to the supplications of Poland?--will you come to her and breakher chains?"

  "No," said Napoleon, "I will not go to weeping Poland, shaking herchains, and only wailing and complaining instead of acting, but I willgo to the men and heroes of Poland, who have thrown off their fetters,and shed their blood for their country! Go home and tell this to yourcountrymen, and ask _them_ when I shall come!"

  "Sire, they will say as we say now, 'God save Caesar! We clash ourswords, and dance the sacred war-dance, that he may come and let us seehis face!'"

  "As soon as it is time," said Napoleon, significantly. "Go, my friends,and tell your countrymen so. The time for weeping is past--that foraction has come. Improve it, and be wise. Return home as fast as youcan, for I should like to be with you before the present year hasexpired. Farewell!"

  He greeted them in so winning a manner that, charmed with hisaffability, they again enthusiastically shouted, "Long live Napoleon theGreat, the liberator of nations!" Amid the cheers of the sanguine Poles,Napoleon returned to the small reception-room, accompanied byTalleyrand, whom he had beckoned to follow.

  "Well," asked he when they were alone, "what do you think of it? Willthe Poles rise?"

  "I am convinced of it, sire! Your words were like the steel striking theflint, and kindling the tinder of their national ardor. It will burn,sire--burn so brightly that Russia, Austria, and Prussia, may be badlyinjured in their Polish provinces."

  "Certainly not Austria," said Napoleon, quickly; "for the rest, we shallknow how to extinguish the fire as soon as it burns too extensively.Forward your dispatch to our ambassador in Vienna to-day. He is toassure the Emperor of Austria in the most emphatic manner that I do notintend permitting the Polish insurrection to spread too far, and thathis Galician provinces, at all events, shall not be endangered.--Well,Duroc, what do you bring?" continued he, when the door opened, and thegrand marshal entered with a letter in his hand.

  "Sire, I bring two messages at the same time. In the first place, a newenvoy of the King of Prussia has just arrived; he is the bearer of thisletter which the king, who is now at Graudenz, has addressed to yourmajesty."

  "Ah," exclaimed Napoleon, "he is at Graudenz, which is still closer tothe boundary of his states. But I will drive him to the last town on thefrontier. The queen must learn what it is to provoke a war!" He took theletter, which Duroc handed to him, and opened it hastily.

  "Sire," said Duroc, "the bearer of that letter, Major von Rauch, asksthe favor of an audience, in order to lay before your majesty the wishesand requests of his king, who has orally communicated them to him."

  Napoleon turned to Talleyrand. "Receive him first," he said; "thenreport to me, and we shall see whether I can grant him an interview.But, wait a moment! Let us first see what is in the king's letter." Hebroke the seal and unfolded the paper. When about to read it, he raisedhis eyes toward Duroc.

  "Sire, Prince Augustus of Prussia has just arrived as a prisoner of war,escorted by a detachment of our soldiers. The Grand-duke of Berg sendshim to your majesty as a trophy of your victory. Colonel de Gerardaccompanies him."

  "Did the prince behave as a brave soldier?" asked Napoleon.

  "Sir, Colonel de Gerard states that even our own men admire his heroism.The prince had separated himself with a battalion of grenadiers from thecorps of the Prince von Hohenlohe, and was marching along the Uker. Ourdragoons were pursuing him, but he repulsed them repeatedly, and wouldhave succeeded in escaping, with his soldiers, if the impassablecharacter of the ground
had not detained him. He got into a marshycountry, intersected by many small canals, which greatly impeded him.The horses sank into the mud, and their riders had to alight and leadthem. The prince also was compelled to wade through on foot. He wasleading his charger by the bridle, and just as he felt firm ground underhim, and was about mounting, the horse broke from him and plunged intothe Uker to save its own life. Our dragoons succeeded then in overtakingand capturing the prince; and the Prussians, seeing that their leaderwas taken, also surrendered. The grand-duke reports this affair atlength to your majesty, because he knows that you honor bravery in anenemy, and because this living trophy would no doubt assume a highervalue in your eyes."

  "Where is the prince?" asked Napoleon, quickly.

  "Sire, he is in the anteroom, and awaits whatever disposition yourmajesty may make of him. Sire, he humbly requests your majesty to permithim to repair to his parents, to recover from his wounds."

  "I will see him. Admit him at once."

  "Sire, would not your majesty graciously permit him to arrange histoilet a little?" asked Duroc. "The prince is not dressed sufficientlywell to appear before your majesty."

  "No matter," said Napoleon. "Bring him in immediately." He waved hishand to Duroc, and then looked again at the letter which he still heldin his hand.

  Talleyrand, who was standing near him, fixed his subtle eyes on theemperor's face. He saw that it brightened up with proud satisfaction,and that gradually a cold, disdainful smile played on his lips.

  "I shall be able to impose very rigorous conditions upon the newPrussian envoys," said Talleyrand to himself; "the king seems to submitvery humbly, for the pride of a _triumphator_ is beaming on theemperor's forehead."

  Just then Napoleon threw the letter impetuously on the table. "Read it,Talleyrand," he said, carelessly. "It is always instructive to see howsmall these men are in adversity, and how overbearing in prosperity. Andsuch men desire to be sovereign princes, and wear a crown!"

  Talleyrand was extending his hand toward the letter when the dooropened, and the grand marshal entered.

  "Sire," he exclaimed, "Prince Augustus of Prussia."

  "Let him come in," said Napoleon, sitting down slowly and carelessly inthe easy-chair, covered with purple velvet, which, was standing in themiddle of the room. He beckoned Talleyrand to come to him.

  At this moment there appeared on the threshold the tall, slender form ofPrince Augustus of Prussia. Duroc was right; the prince was not in verycourtly trim to appear before the emperor. His uniform was torn andbespattered; he had but one boot, and that covered with mire; the otherhad stuck in the marshy ground near Schonermark, and he had replaced itby a heavy wooden shoe, such as those worn by German peasants; his rightarm was in a linen bandage, flecked with blood, and an oblique wound,covered with a broad black plaster, was on his forehead. Such was themiserable condition in which the nephew of Frederick the Great appearedin the brilliant halls of the royal palace of Prussia before theconqueror of his country and of his house, who received him, seated, andscarcely nodded in return to the stiff military salutation of theprince. Napoleon looked sternly at the prisoner, and his lips betrayedthe anger seething in his breast. The prince, however, apparently didnot notice this, nor feel uneasy and irritated at the singular situationin which he found himself; his eyes met those of the emperor calmly andfearlessly; he did not bow his head, but carried it erect; not a traceof fear or sorrow was to be seen in his youthful countenance; a faintsmile indeed was playing on his red, full lips when he glanced over theroom, and again at Napoleon, behind whom Talleyrand and Duroc werestanding in a most respectful attitude.

  "You are a brother of Prince Louis Ferdinand, who was killed atSaalfeld?" asked the conqueror, in a harsh voice.

  "Yes, sire, I am a son of Prince Ferdinand of Prussia," was the gravereply.

  "A nephew of Frederick II.," exclaimed Napoleon. "A nephew of the heroicking who loved France so well, that his heart and opinions were those ofa Frenchman."

  "Sire," said the prince, calmly, "history teaches, however, that thegreat king was not always the friend of that country, and that his lovefor it did not prevent him from waging war against it. His enmityagainst France gained him no less glory than his friendships for itspoets and _savants_.

  "Ah, you refer to Rossbach," said Napoleon, shrugging his shoulders. "Wehave expunged that name with the names of Jena and Auerstadt, and themonument that once stood on the battle-field of Rossbach is now on theway to Paris--a trophy of our victorious army."[24]

  [Footnote 24: On the day after the battle of Jena, the emperor said toGeneral Savary, while riding across the battle-field of Rossbach,between Halle and Merseburg: "Gallop to the left in this direction;about half a mile from here you will find the column erected by thePrussians in memory of that battle." Savary advanced in the directionindicated, and found the small column in the middle of a corn-field.Waving his handkerchief, General Savary made a sign that he hadsucceeded in discovering the monument, and Napoleon galloped with hissuite across the plain to contemplate it. The storms of half a centuryhad beaten upon it, and it was difficult to decipher the numerousinscriptions with which it was covered. The division of General Suchetjust passing the spot, the emperor ordered them to have the monumentremoved and sent to Paris. The pieces were put into a caisson, and theorders executed.--"Memoirs du Duc de Rovigo," vol. ii., p. 293.]

  The prince bent his head a little. "It is true," he said, "the goddessof victory is very fickle. The future therefore consoles those who havesuccumbed in the present."

  The emperor cast an angry glance on the prince, who met it with a bold,unflinching air.

  "I see you are, both by birth and sentiment, a brother of Prince LouisFerdinand," said Napoleon. "Like him, you belonged to the hot-headedyoung men who would have war at any price. Hard blows were required tomoderate your war-fever. I hope you are cured of it now. Your brotherhas expiated his mad arrogance on the battle-field of Saalfeld. It isyour fate to return as a prisoner of war in the most pitiful plight tothe capital of Prussia, which you left a few weeks since with suchfoolish hopes of victory. You ought to have listened in time to reason,and not to the siren voice of the queen, who, in a manner so disastrousto Prussia, inveigled all the young men to plunge into the Charybdis ofwar, and--"

  "Sire," said the prince, interrupting him in an almost threateningvoice--"sire, no reflections on the queen, if you please! Havingconquered us, you are at liberty to humiliate and abuse the vanquished,if your majesty derive pleasure from such a triumph, but the noble andunhappy queen should not be dragged into a quarrel of men. We do notclaim the excuse of having been inveigled by her, and her exalted virtuedoes not deserve that charge."

  "Ah," exclaimed Napoleon, scornfully, "like all young men, you seem tobelong to the enthusiastic admirers of the queen."

  "Sire, that proves that the young men of Prussia are still imbued withrespect for virtue. It is true we all adore the queen as our tutelarysaint; she is the radiant pattern of our mothers, our wives, anddaughters; she is the ideal of all--and those who have once been sohappy as to have seen and spoken with her, bow to her in love andadmiration."

  "Had all of you bowed less to her, Prussia would not now lie humiliatedin the dust," said the emperor, harshly. "Prussia and France aredestined by Nature to be friends, and I, who never have sought war, butalways regarded it only as a deplorable necessity, was greatly inclinedto offer my hand to Prussia in peace and friendship. But your queen andyour officers of the guard were bent on having war, and believed theywould win laurels by waging it. Now you have it with all its terrors.What has it brought upon you? You have lost a brother by it, and youyourself had to lay down your arms at Prenzlau."

  "Sire," said the prince, in generous pride, "I request your majesty notto confound me with those who concluded the capitulation of Prenzlau. Idid not capitulate; I was taken prisoner, sword in hand, but I did notsurrender it voluntarily."

  "Young man," said Napoleon, in grave, cold calmness, "beware of beingplunged into
deeper distress by your haughty spirit. The Prussianprinces are not now in a position to utter high-sounding words. Yourking is fully aware of this. Listen attentively to what I tell you: hehas begged me for peace in the most submissive manner; he is imploringme to grant him my friendship, and calls himself happy because I amdwelling in his palaces."

  "Sire, that is impossible," exclaimed the prince, carried away by hisimpulsive temper. Napoleon shrugged his shoulders, and then turned hishead a little aside toward his minister. "M. Talleyrand, please read tous the letter," he said; "I merely glanced over it.--Owing to theportentous events of the last days, you are, prince, without direct newsfrom the king. You may, then, derive from this letter some informationconcerning his situation and sentiments. Read, M. Minister! And you,prince, take a seat."

  He pointed to one of the chairs standing near the door. Prince Augustus,however, did not accept this gracious invitation. He bowed, and said,smiling, "Your majesty will permit me to stand, for my costume is hardlyin harmony with gilt chairs, and I believe it behooves a poor vagabondlike myself to stand humbly at the door. Moreover, Prussian etiquetterequires us to stand in listening to the words of our sovereign."

  "Read, Talleyrand," said the emperor, and leaning back carelessly, hetried to discover in the prince's face the impression which the king'sletter would make upon him. Talleyrand read as follows:

  "_Monsieur mon Frere_: When I begged your imperial majesty to grant mepeace, I consulted my reason, but I have now consulted my heart. Inspite of the terrible sacrifices which you have imposed on me, sire, Idesire most anxiously that the treaty, which has already been secured bythe approval of the main points, will entitle me soon to resume myamicable relations with your imperial majesty, which the war interruptedfor a moment. It is an agreeable duty for me, _monsieur mon frere_, tomanifest, by a proof of confidence, my sincere desire to cultivate yourfriendship; and I believe I do this by stopping the further advance ofthe Russian troops, without waiting for the definitive conclusion ofpeace.

  "I was anxious that your majesty should be received and treated at mypalaces in a manner agreeable to you. I have zealously taken such stepsas were necessary for that purpose, and, according to my power, in thesituation in which I am now, I hope my endeavors have been successful.In return, your majesty will permit me to recommend my capital and theprovince of Brandenburg to your generosity. This province, so littlefavored by Nature, is, as it were, a creation of my immortal ancestor. Ihope, sire, you will regard it as a monument he erected to himself; andthe numerous points in which your majesty resembles that great man, Itrust, will be an additional inducement for you to order his work to betreated in a magnanimous manner.

  "Besides, I should like to request your majesty kindly to exempt thedistrict of Halberstadt and the duchy of Magdeburg from the cruel lossesyou are imposing on me. Such an order I should regard as a preciousguaranty of your personal feelings toward me, and you may depend uponit, sire, I should zealously strive to reciprocate these feelings in themost cordial manner. I pray God to take you in his Holy keeping, andremain, _monsieur mon frere_,

  "Your majesty's obedient servant,

  "FREDERICK WILLIAM."

  While the letter was being read, Napoleon did not avert his eyes for asingle moment from the countenance of the prince. He saw that he blushedwith indignation at first, and that gradually a profound griefovershadowed his noble features.

  "Well, was I not right?" asked Napoleon, when Talleyrand had concluded."Does not your king submit to all my conditions? Does he not bid mewelcome to his palaces?"

  "Sire," said the prince, mournfully, "it does not behoove me to censurethe words of my king. When he has spoken, I must be silent. I only dareto observe that your majesty may see from this letter that the queendoes not meddle with government affairs. Had she done so, your majesty,no doubt, would not have received this letter of Count Haugwitz."

  "Of Count Haugwitz?" asked Napoleon. "Of the king, you mean?"

  "Sire, the king lent to this letter only his name and handwriting; CountHaugwitz furnished the words and the spirit it breathes."

  "Then you believe that the queen does not share the views of herhusband?" asked the emperor, hastily. "You believe she would stillinsist on the further continuation of the war if her opinion wereconsulted?"

  "Sire, I only take the liberty to state that she would not have writtensuch a letter."

  "I know it very well!" exclaimed Napoleon. "Your queen hates me; shewould die rather than beg my friendship; she would bury herself underthe ruins of her throne rather than put an end to this war and call meher brother. But I will bend that haughty soul--I will crush her heart,and make her repent of what she is doing. I will--but," he suddenlyinterrupted himself, "what is the matter with you! You turn pale! Youare tottering, prince!"

  The emperor arose and advanced a few steps; but the prince motioned himback. "It is nothing," he said faintly, "only a momentary weakness--thatis all. I have not taken rest for several days and nights, and loss ofblood has exhausted my strength. Besides--why should I shrink fromconfessing it--I am hungry, sire; I have eaten nothing for the lasttwenty-four hours."

  "Poor young man," said Napoleon, compassionately, as he approached theprince, "I deplore your misfortunes. Personally you have not deservedthem, for I know you have fought bravely, and are worthy of a betterfate than that of a prisoner of war; but will you give me your word ofhonor that you will not attempt to escape or participate again in thiswar against me?"

  "Sire," said the prince, pointing at his wounded right arm, "sire, Ibelieve I must give you my word of honor. I am your prisoner, and shallnot attempt to escape."

  "Then go to your parents. I permit you to remain at the house of PrinceFerdinand until you have recovered from your wounds. I will not depriveyour mother any longer of the pleasure of embracing her brave son. Go,then, to her!" The prince bowed and was about to withdraw.

  "Well, prince, have you not a word of thanks for me?" asked Napoleon,kindly.

  The prince smiled mournfully. "Sire," he said, bowing deeply, "sire, Ithank you for treating me so leniently."