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第101节

frederick the great and his family-第101节

小说: frederick the great and his family 字数: 每页4000字

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〃He is a Prussian!〃 cried the waiters。 〃Evviva il Re di Prussia!〃 cried the gondoliers; as they raised the trunk and carried it nimbly up the steps。

The saloon into which the host conducted his guest was certainly different from the small; unclean rooms he had shown him before。 All was elegance; and with a feeling of pride he led the stranger to the balcony which offered a splendid view of the imposing and glorious Canale Grande; with its proud churches and palaces。

〃And now; signor;〃 said the host; humbly; 〃command me。 If I can serve you in any manner; I shall do so with pleasure。 Any information you desire; I am ready to give。 Perhaps your excellency has?〃

〃No;〃 said the stranger; quickly; 〃I have no political mission; and my letter to the prior is of a very innocent nature。 I am a merchant; and by chance have become possessed of several costly relics; and hope that the prior of the cloister may purchase them。〃

〃Ah; relics; 〃said the host; with a contemptuous shrug of his shoulders; 〃do you know; sir; that no one now is enthusiastic about such things? Politics leave us no time for piety; the Pope has lost his influence; and even the Romans are good Prussiani; and care not for Frederick the Great being a heretic。 The Pope blesses his enemies and celebrates their victories with brilliant masses and costly presents。 The Romans are indifferent to all this; and pray for their hero…king; the Great Frederick; and in spite of the Pope desire him to triumph。〃

〃Ah;〃 said the traveller; with apparent sadness; 〃then I shall certainly not succeed with my relics; but I hope I shall do better in the city with my fans; for them I desire your advice。 Will you please tell me the names of a few large commercial houses where they might buy some of my beautiful fans? But they must be good Prussiani; as you will soon see。〃 He stepped to his trunk; unlocked it; and took from it an etui containing a number of fans。

〃Look here; sir。 I saw these fans in Geneva; and thinking I might perhaps do a good business with them in Italy; I bought several dozen。 Examine the charming and tasteful paintings。〃 He opened one of the fans; it was of white satin; with quite an artistic painting of a large Prussian eagle about to devour a white lily。

The host clapped his hands with delight。 〃Delicious!〃 he cried; laughing。 〃The Prussian eagle devouring the French lily; this is charming prophecy; a wonderful satire。 You bought these fans in Geneva; there are Prussians in Geneva also; then。〃

〃Every lady in Geneva has such a fan; and there are no better Prussians in Berlin than in Geneva。〃

〃I am delighted; truly delighted;〃 cried the Italian; enthusiastically。〃 The time will come when all the people of Europe will be Prussians and only princes Teresiani。〃

〃Nevertheless; the people will have to obey their princes;〃 said the stranger; with a watchful glance; 〃and if they command it; will war against the great king。〃

〃Not we; not the Italians;〃 cried the host; violently; 〃our Doge would not dare to side with the Teresiani; for he knows very well that would occasion a revolution in Venice and; perhaps; endanger his own throne。 No; no; signor; our exalted government is too wise not to adopt a neutral position; while secretly they are as good Prussians as we are。〃

〃But the Lombardians and the Sardinians?〃 asked the stranger; expectantly。

〃They also are Prussians; even if their king is a Teresiano; as they say; his people are Prussians like ourselves。〃

〃And the Neapolitans?〃

〃Well; the Neapolitans;〃 said the host; laughing; 〃the Neapolitans are; as you know; not renowned for their bravery; and if they do not love the great Frederick; they fear him。 The Neapolitans are the children of Italy; knowing only that Naples is a beautiful city; and fearing a barbarian might come and devour it。 In their terror they forget that no one is thinking of them; and that they are separated by Italy and the Alps from all warlike people。 The king of Naples thinks it possible that Frederick may one day ascend Vesuvius with his conquering army and take possession of Naples。 Since the king's last victories; Ferdinand has increased the number of his troops and doubled the guard in his capital。〃

The host laughed so heartily at this account; that the stranger was irresistibly compelled to join him。

〃The King of Naples is but a boy nine years old。 His ministers are older than himself; and should know a little more geography; signor。 But corpo di Bacco; here I am talking and talking of politics forgetting entirely that your excellency is doubtless hungry; and desires a strengthening meal。〃

〃'Tis true; I am a little hungry;〃 said the stranger; smiling。

〃In a quarter of an hour the most splendid dinner; that the celebrated White Lion can prepare; shall be ready for you; signor;〃 cried the host; as he rushed hastily from the room。

The stranger gazed thoughtfully after him。 〃It appears to me that I have been very fortunate in coming here; the good host seems to be a good Prussian; and I have learned more from him in a quarter of an hour than I would have done in a long journey through Italy。 I shall now be able to act with zeal and energy。 But I must not forget the role I have to play。 I am a merchant trading with fans; curiosities; and relics; and very anxious to bring my wares to market。〃

The entrance of the waiter interrupted him; and soon the savory dishes invited the traveller to refresh himself。




CHAPTER II。

FREDERICK THE GREAT AS A SAINT。


〃And now to business;〃 said the Traveller; when he had finished dining。 〃It is high time I were on my way; if I am to leave this place to…day。〃 He hastened to his trunk and took from it several bundles and packages; some of which he put in his pockets and some; like a true merchant; he carried under his arm。 Then putting on his large; black felt hat; he turned to leave the room。 In passing the mirror he looked at himself; and broke out into a merry laugh at his appearance。

〃Truly;〃 said he; 〃I look like a veritable shop…keeper; and he who takes me for any thing else; must be of a more political turn of mind than my host; Signor Montardo; the Prussiano。〃

He turned and left the room to obtain the address of some merchants and a guide from his host。 In spite of remonstrances Signer Montardo insisted on accompanying him。

〃Otherwise;〃 said he; 〃some one might address you who is not on our side; and if you were then to show him your fans; there would be a fearful scandal; the other party is quite as hot…headed as we are; and many a pitched battle has taken place between the Teresiani and the Prussiani。 Come; sir; I must accompany you。 We will not go by the canal; but through the small by…streets; they will lead us quickest to the Riva di Schiavoni; and then to the Rialto; which is our destination。〃

〃Is that far from the convent of San Giovanni e Paolo?〃 asked the stranger。

〃Ah; you are still determined to offer your relics to the abbot?〃 said the host; laughing。

〃Yes; and hope to sell them。〃

〃Well; I wish you luck。 The Rialto is not far from there。 I will go with you until within the vicinity of the convent; but not farther。〃

〃And why not?〃

〃Because the door…keeper is a raging Teresiano; and would undoubtedly close the door in your face; were I at your side。〃

〃But did you not tell me the abbot was a Prussia; no?〃

〃Yes; the abbot; but the porter is not; nor are many of the monks; I am sorry to say。〃

〃Ah; even the monks are occupied with politics?〃

〃Signor;〃 cried the host; pathetically; 〃every one here interests himself in politics; and when you hear that our little children are divided into Teresiani and Prussiani; you will credit me。 There was a slight revolution yesterday in the Riva Peschiera。 It was occasioned by a fishwoman's refusing to sell my cook some beautiful trout; she declared God had not created fish for the Prussiani; which; in her opinion; was another name for heathen and unbeliever。 My cook insisted on having the fish; and; as unfortunately there were many Prussiani among the fishwomen; it soon came to hard words and still harder blows; and was terminated by the arrest of the principal disturbers。〃

They were now entering the Riva di Schiavoni; and the talkative Signor Montardo was continuing his merry tales when he was interrupted by cries and shouts of laughter and derision; and they were almost surrounded by a large crowd of excited men。

〃We are fortunately at the end of our walk;〃 said Signor Montardo; 〃for there is the house of my worthy friend Cicernachi; dealer in fancy goods; and it is to him we are going。 Let us press forward to see what this crowd means。 I presume my friend Cicernachi has prepared another surprise for the good people of Venice。〃

He made a way for himself and friend with his broad shoulders; and soon stood in front of the shop around which the crowd was collected。 A cry of astonishment escaped the stranger; and he pointed to the entrance of the shop。 〃You see there;〃 said he; 〃a speaking likeness of Frederick the Great。〃

There hung at the front of the store a large engraving in a rich golden frame。 It was the portrait of Prussia's hero kingof Frederick the Greatand beneath burnt a bright lamp; its light shedding a r

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