Chapter XVII. - THE SILVER-WARE.
It was a dark, still night. As the clock struck ten the night might really be said to begin in Berlin. The streets were not lighted except by accidental rays from the windows and the carriage-lamps, and the glare of torches carried by the servants who accompanied their masters to places of amusement. By eleven o'clock the streets were deserted. Pollnitz was therefore sure to meet no one on his way to the castle. He directed his steps to that door which opened upon the River Spree, as Fredersdorf had advised him.
Silence reigned in the palace. The sentinel stepped slowly backward and forward in the courtyard, and in the distance was heard the baying of two hounds, entertaining each other with their melancholy music. The master of ceremonies began to be impatient; he thought that, the impertinent private secretary had been indulging in some practical joke or mystification at his expense; but as he drew near to the Spree, he heard the light stroke of oars in the water. Pollnitz hastened forward, and his eyes, accustomed to the darkness, discovered a skiff drawn up near the Elector's Bridge.
„This is the point! here we must wait,“ whispered a manly voice.
„I think we will not have to wait long,“ said another. „I see lights in the windows.“
The side of the castle next the Spree was now suddenly lighted; first the upper story, then the lower, and a pale light was now seen in the vestibule.
„Truly, I have not been deceived; something is going on,“ said Pollnitz, hastening forward.
As he entered the court, a curious train was seen descending the steps. In front were two servants with torches; they were followed by twelve heyducks, their shoulders weighed down with dishes, cans, cups, plates, whose silver surface, illumined by the golden glare of the torches, seemed to dance and glimmer along the wall and steps like „will o' the wisps.“ Two servants with towels brought up the rear, and behind these the pale, sad face of Fredersdorf was seen.
„You are punctual,“ said he to Pollnitz; „you wish to convince yourself that the king has no gold?“
„Certainly! though this conviction will deprive me of my last hope, and one does not adopt such a course eagerly.“
„I think you will be fully convinced. Come, let us follow the heyducks.“
He took the arm of the baron, and they soon reached the border of the Spree. The large skiff, which had been lying so dark and still, was now lighted by the torches of the servants, who ranged themselves on each side; it was brilliantly lighted, and great activity prevailed. The twelve heyducks, bending under their heavy burden, entered the skiff, and piled up the silver-ware, then sprang again ashore.
„We are going to the treasure-room, will you follow us?“ said Fredersdorf.
„Certainly; if not, you may perhaps expect to leave me here as sentinel.“
„That is not at all necessary; there are some soldiers with loaded muskets in the skiff. Come.“
Silently and hastily they all mounted the steps and reached at last the large room where the royal silver had been kept; the door was open, but guarded by sentinels, and Melchoir, who had had the silver in charge, now walked before the door with a disturbed and sad visage.
„May I enter, Melchoir?“ said Pollnitz to his old acquaintance, greeting him with a friendly smile.
„There is no necessity to ask,“ said Melchoir, sadly. „My kingdom is at an end, as you see, when the silver is gone; there is no necessity for a steward, and the old Melchoir will be set aside, with all those who yet remain of the good old times of the ever- blessed Frederick William!“
Pollnitz entered the room with Fredersdorf, and his eye wandered over the rich treasures spread out before him, and which the heyducks were now packing in large sacks.
„Oh, if these plates and dishes could speak and converse with me, what curious things we would have to confide with each other!“ said Pollnitz, twirling one of the plates between his fingers. „How often have I dined from your rich abundance! Under the first pomp-and- splendor-loving Frederick, you furnished me with gala dinners; under the parsimonious Frederick William, with solid family dinners! How often have I seen my smiling face reflected in your polished surface! how often has this silver fork conveyed the rarest morsels to my lips! I declare to you, Fredersdorf, I think a dinner plate fulfils a noble mission; within its narrow bound lie the bone and sinew, as also the best enjoyments of life. But tell me, for God's sake, how can you bear that these rascals should handle the king's silver so roughly? Only look, now, at that heyduck, he has completely doubled up one of those beautiful salad-bowls, in order to force it into the mouth of the sack.“
„What signifies, dear baron? That said salad-bowl will never again he used for salad, henceforth it is only silver.“
„You speak in riddles, and I do not understand you. Well, well, those fellows have already filled their twelve sacks, and this room is now as empty and forlorn as the heart of an old bachelor. Now tell me what you are going to do with all these treasures?“
„Can you not guess?“
„I think the king, who now lives in Potsdam, needs his silver service, and as he does not wish to make a new purchase, he sends to Berlin for this. Am I right?“
„You shall soon know. Let us follow the heyducks, the room is empty. Adieu, Melchoir, your duties will be light hereafter; you need not fear the robbers. Come, baron.“
They soon reached the skiff, and found that the twelve sacks had been placed beside the huge pile of dishes, plates, etc.
„Alas!“ said Fredersdorf, gloomily, „all this might have been avoided if I had already reached the goal I am aiming at; if I had fathomed the great mystery which God has suspended over mankind, upon whose sharp angles and edges thousands of learned and wise men have dashed their brains and destroyed their life's happiness! My God! I have accomplished so much, so little remains to be done! let me only find a sufficiently hardened substance, and the work is done. I shall have laid bare God's great mystery--I shall make gold!“
„Do you think ever of this, Fredersdorf?“
„I think ever of this, and shall think only of this as long as I live. This thought swallows up all other thoughts; it has destroyed my love, my rest, my sleep, my earthly happiness! But wait, Pollnitz, only wait; one day I shall lift the philosopher's stone, and make gold. On that day you will love me dearly, Baron Pollnitz. On that day I will not be obliged to prove to you, as I have just done, that the king has no money.“
„I have seen no proof yet,“ said Pollnitz.
„You shall have it now, baron,“ said Fredersdorf, springing into the skiff. „Will you not go with us? Forward, forward at once!“
„But--what is your destination?“
„Come nearer, that I may whisper in your ear.“
Pollnitz bowed his head.
„We are going to the mint,“ whispered Fredersdorf. „All this beautiful silver will be melted. The king will give no more dinners, he will give battle. The king changes his dishes and plates into good thalers to feed his brave army. And now, are you not convinced that the king has no money to pay your debts?“
„I am convinced.“
„Then farewell. Take the rudder, boys, and go forward; enter the arm of the Spree which flows by the mint, and there anchor. The mint is our goal.“
„The mint is the goal,“ murmured Pollnitz, with a grim look, gazing after the skiff, which moved slowly over the water, and which, lighted by the torches, shone brilliantly in the midst of the surrounding darkness. The golden light, playing upon the rich liveries of the heyducks and the tower of silver in their midst, formed a scene of wonder and enchantment.
Pollnitz watched them until the torches seemed like little stars in the distance. „There go all the pomp and glory of the world, the joys of peace and luxurious rest. The silver will be melted, iron and steel will take its place. Yes, the iron age begins. Alas! it begins also for me--why cannot I go into the mint and be melted down with these plates and dishes?“
Silence reigned in the palace. The sentinel stepped slowly backward and forward in the courtyard, and in the distance was heard the baying of two hounds, entertaining each other with their melancholy music. The master of ceremonies began to be impatient; he thought that, the impertinent private secretary had been indulging in some practical joke or mystification at his expense; but as he drew near to the Spree, he heard the light stroke of oars in the water. Pollnitz hastened forward, and his eyes, accustomed to the darkness, discovered a skiff drawn up near the Elector's Bridge.
„This is the point! here we must wait,“ whispered a manly voice.
„I think we will not have to wait long,“ said another. „I see lights in the windows.“
The side of the castle next the Spree was now suddenly lighted; first the upper story, then the lower, and a pale light was now seen in the vestibule.
„Truly, I have not been deceived; something is going on,“ said Pollnitz, hastening forward.
As he entered the court, a curious train was seen descending the steps. In front were two servants with torches; they were followed by twelve heyducks, their shoulders weighed down with dishes, cans, cups, plates, whose silver surface, illumined by the golden glare of the torches, seemed to dance and glimmer along the wall and steps like „will o' the wisps.“ Two servants with towels brought up the rear, and behind these the pale, sad face of Fredersdorf was seen.
„You are punctual,“ said he to Pollnitz; „you wish to convince yourself that the king has no gold?“
„Certainly! though this conviction will deprive me of my last hope, and one does not adopt such a course eagerly.“
„I think you will be fully convinced. Come, let us follow the heyducks.“
He took the arm of the baron, and they soon reached the border of the Spree. The large skiff, which had been lying so dark and still, was now lighted by the torches of the servants, who ranged themselves on each side; it was brilliantly lighted, and great activity prevailed. The twelve heyducks, bending under their heavy burden, entered the skiff, and piled up the silver-ware, then sprang again ashore.
„We are going to the treasure-room, will you follow us?“ said Fredersdorf.
„Certainly; if not, you may perhaps expect to leave me here as sentinel.“
„That is not at all necessary; there are some soldiers with loaded muskets in the skiff. Come.“
Silently and hastily they all mounted the steps and reached at last the large room where the royal silver had been kept; the door was open, but guarded by sentinels, and Melchoir, who had had the silver in charge, now walked before the door with a disturbed and sad visage.
„May I enter, Melchoir?“ said Pollnitz to his old acquaintance, greeting him with a friendly smile.
„There is no necessity to ask,“ said Melchoir, sadly. „My kingdom is at an end, as you see, when the silver is gone; there is no necessity for a steward, and the old Melchoir will be set aside, with all those who yet remain of the good old times of the ever- blessed Frederick William!“
Pollnitz entered the room with Fredersdorf, and his eye wandered over the rich treasures spread out before him, and which the heyducks were now packing in large sacks.
„Oh, if these plates and dishes could speak and converse with me, what curious things we would have to confide with each other!“ said Pollnitz, twirling one of the plates between his fingers. „How often have I dined from your rich abundance! Under the first pomp-and- splendor-loving Frederick, you furnished me with gala dinners; under the parsimonious Frederick William, with solid family dinners! How often have I seen my smiling face reflected in your polished surface! how often has this silver fork conveyed the rarest morsels to my lips! I declare to you, Fredersdorf, I think a dinner plate fulfils a noble mission; within its narrow bound lie the bone and sinew, as also the best enjoyments of life. But tell me, for God's sake, how can you bear that these rascals should handle the king's silver so roughly? Only look, now, at that heyduck, he has completely doubled up one of those beautiful salad-bowls, in order to force it into the mouth of the sack.“
„What signifies, dear baron? That said salad-bowl will never again he used for salad, henceforth it is only silver.“
„You speak in riddles, and I do not understand you. Well, well, those fellows have already filled their twelve sacks, and this room is now as empty and forlorn as the heart of an old bachelor. Now tell me what you are going to do with all these treasures?“
„Can you not guess?“
„I think the king, who now lives in Potsdam, needs his silver service, and as he does not wish to make a new purchase, he sends to Berlin for this. Am I right?“
„You shall soon know. Let us follow the heyducks, the room is empty. Adieu, Melchoir, your duties will be light hereafter; you need not fear the robbers. Come, baron.“
They soon reached the skiff, and found that the twelve sacks had been placed beside the huge pile of dishes, plates, etc.
„Alas!“ said Fredersdorf, gloomily, „all this might have been avoided if I had already reached the goal I am aiming at; if I had fathomed the great mystery which God has suspended over mankind, upon whose sharp angles and edges thousands of learned and wise men have dashed their brains and destroyed their life's happiness! My God! I have accomplished so much, so little remains to be done! let me only find a sufficiently hardened substance, and the work is done. I shall have laid bare God's great mystery--I shall make gold!“
„Do you think ever of this, Fredersdorf?“
„I think ever of this, and shall think only of this as long as I live. This thought swallows up all other thoughts; it has destroyed my love, my rest, my sleep, my earthly happiness! But wait, Pollnitz, only wait; one day I shall lift the philosopher's stone, and make gold. On that day you will love me dearly, Baron Pollnitz. On that day I will not be obliged to prove to you, as I have just done, that the king has no money.“
„I have seen no proof yet,“ said Pollnitz.
„You shall have it now, baron,“ said Fredersdorf, springing into the skiff. „Will you not go with us? Forward, forward at once!“
„But--what is your destination?“
„Come nearer, that I may whisper in your ear.“
Pollnitz bowed his head.
„We are going to the mint,“ whispered Fredersdorf. „All this beautiful silver will be melted. The king will give no more dinners, he will give battle. The king changes his dishes and plates into good thalers to feed his brave army. And now, are you not convinced that the king has no money to pay your debts?“
„I am convinced.“
„Then farewell. Take the rudder, boys, and go forward; enter the arm of the Spree which flows by the mint, and there anchor. The mint is our goal.“
„The mint is the goal,“ murmured Pollnitz, with a grim look, gazing after the skiff, which moved slowly over the water, and which, lighted by the torches, shone brilliantly in the midst of the surrounding darkness. The golden light, playing upon the rich liveries of the heyducks and the tower of silver in their midst, formed a scene of wonder and enchantment.
Pollnitz watched them until the torches seemed like little stars in the distance. „There go all the pomp and glory of the world, the joys of peace and luxurious rest. The silver will be melted, iron and steel will take its place. Yes, the iron age begins. Alas! it begins also for me--why cannot I go into the mint and be melted down with these plates and dishes?“
Dieses Kapitel ist Teil des Buches Berlin and Sans-Souci; or, Frederick the Great and his friends. Book II.