"ThereisastrangerfromBerlin，"hesaid，"whobeggedmeurgentlytoadmithinttoDr。Haydn，Mr。Schmid，themanagerofthetheatre，iswithhim，andrequestsyoutoseethestranger，who，hesays，isacelebratedpoet。"
"IfSchmidiswithhim，letthemcomein，"saidHaydn，mildly;"itwilldoubtlessbethelasttimeIshallseemydearold—friendonearth。"
Conradthrewopenthedoor，andbeckonedthegentlemen，whowerestandingoutside，tocomein。Thetwocrossedthethresholdsoftlyontiptoe，andwithfacesexpressiveofprofoundreverence;asifseizedwithcompassionorpiousawe，theystoodstillatthedoor，andgazedwitheyesfulloftendernessuponHaydn，who，atthismoment，overcomeperhapsbythespringair，hadclosedhiseyes，andnotheardtheentranceofthevisitors。
"Thatishe，"whisperedoneofthetwo，amanofatall，erectform，withafaceradiantwithunderstandingandsagacity。"Thatishe！"
herepeated，fixinghisardenteyesonthecomposer。
"Yes，thatisJosephHaydn，"saidtheother，inalowvoice，andanexpressionofprofoundgriefoverspreadhisbroad，good—naturedface。"Buthush！heopenshiseyes。"
AndheapproachedHaydn，whoheldoutbothhishandstohim，andgreetedhimwithagentlesmile。
"Doyoucometobidfarewelltoyouroldfriendoncemoreprevioustohisdeath？"heasked，mildly。"Doyouwishtotakeleaveofme，mydearfriendSchmid？"
"No，Idonotcometobidyoufarewell，butwishyougood—day，"saidSchmid，warmly，"andprayyoutoreceivethisgentlemanherekindly。
ItisIffland，thecelebratedactorandpoetfromBerlin。HehadcometoViennabeforetheFrenchtookthecity，andafteritscapturehecouldnolongergetout:theydetainedhim，anditwasnotuntilnowthat，bydintofthemostpressingsolicitations，hereceivedpermissiontoreturntoBerlin。"
"ButIcouldnotleaveViennawithoutseeingthegreatHaydn，"
exclaimedIffland，inhisfine，sonorousvoice。"WhatwouldthepeopleofBerlinthinkofmeifIhadnotseenthemostillustriousgeniusofourtime？"
"Sir，"saidHaydn，withasigh，"lookatme，andlearnfrommyweaknesshowfragilemaniswithallhisglory。"
"Manaloneisfragile，butgeniusisimmortal，"exclaimedIffland，"andJosephHaydnisageniuswhoseglorywillneverdie。"
"Letmyfootmantellyouthegloryofthenightingaleandtheparrot，"saidHaydn，withafaintsmile。"Theworksofmanareperishable，buttheworksofGodlastforever。"
"ButtheworksofmancomelikewisefromGod，foritwasHewhogavehimthestrengthtocreatethem，"repliedIffland，warmly。"DidnotthegreatandgloriouscreationsofyourgeniuscomejustasmuchfromGodastheflowerswhichyouholdinyourhand，andtheperfumesofwhichdelightyousovisibly？"
"Yes，theseflowersarebeautiful，"saidHaydn，musingly。
"Thebouquetisdoubtlessagiftfromoneofthemanyfairadmirersofourmaestro？"askedSchmid，laughing。
Haydnlookeduptohimsmilinglyandshookhisheadgently。"No，"hesaid，"itisthelastsouvenirofNature，towhichIhavebiddenfarewell。Iworshippedto—dayintheopenair，andthisistherosarywithwhichIwillpray。Ah，IloveNaturesopassionately！"
"AndyouhavetaughtthosewhoseeyesandearswereclosedagainsttheholycharmsofNature，howtoseeandhear，"saidIffland。"Your`Seasons'isthemostglorioushymnonGod'ssplendidworld。"
"Yes，the'Seasons，'"criedHaydn，almostvehemently，"gavemethedeath—blow。Itwassodifficultformetoderiveenthusiasmfromthewordsofthetext。Thewordssaidsolittle，reallysoverylittle！
Frequentlyasinglepassagecausedmeagreatdealoftroubleforseveraldays，andIdidnotsucceedafterallinexpressingtheideaIwishedtoconveytothehearers。Thewordswereadeadweightonmymusic。Well，itisallovernow。Yes，yousee，itisallovernow。The`Seasons'istoblameforit，foritexhaustedmylaststrength。Ihavehadtoworkhardallmylifetime;Ihadtosufferhunger，thirst，andcoldinmywretchedattic，whenceIhadtodescendahundredandthirtystepsbeforereachingthestreet。
Privations，hardwork，hunger，inshort，allthatIsufferedinmyyouth，arenowexertingtheireffectsonmeandprostratingme。Butitisanhonorabledefeat——itishardworktowhichIamsuccumbing。
However，Godassistedme。Ineverfeltitmorestrikinglythanthisveryday，andthereforeIamsohappy，oh！sohappy，thatImustshedtearsofblissfulemotion。Donotlaughatmeonthisaccount。
Iamaweakoldman，andwhenanythingaffectsmeprofoundly，I
mustweep。Itwasotherwiseinformeryears。Ah，informeryears！"
Heturnedhistearfuleyestowardthewindow，andgazedintovacancy。"Informeryearsmymindwasstrongandvigorous，"hesighed，"andwhenIwrotemy'Creation，'amanlyfirefilledmyheart。"
"Yourenthusiasmisimprintedonyourgreatwork，anditwillneverdisappearfromit，"saidIffland。"JosephHaydn's'Creation'isimmortalandfullofeternalyouth。TheVienneseprovedittoyouonhearingyoursublimemusictheotherday。"
"ButIprovedtothemthatIhadbecomesofeeblethatIcouldnolongerbearlisteningtomyownmusic。Ihadtoleavetheroomlongbeforetheperformancewasatanend。"
"Yououghtnottohavegonetotheconcertatall，"saidSchmid。
"Theexcitementmighthavebeeninjurioustoyourhealth。"
"Itwasinjurioustome，"saidHaydn，"butconsiderationsofhealthhadnorighttopreventmefrombeingpresent。ItwasnotthefirsttimethathomagehadbeenrenderedtoHaydn，andIwishedtoshowthatIwasabletobearitthistimetoo。Ah，itwasagloriousevening，andneverdidIhearabetterperformanceofmy'Creation。'"
"Itwasthegreatcomposer'sapotheosiswhichthemusiciansandsingerswerecelebrating，"saidIffland，deeplymoved……
"ItistruetheViennesehavedoneagreatdealforme。Theyaresogood，andtheylovemedearly。"
"Oh，theViennesearenotaheadofthepeopleofBerlininthisrespect，"exclaimedIffland。"InBerlin，too，everyoneknowsandlovesthegreatJosephHaydn，andhis'Creation'islikewiserecognizedthereasamasterpiece。ItwasperformedinBerlinquiterecentlyatacharityconcert，thereceiptsofwhichamountedtoovertwothousanddollars——"
"Overtwothousanddollarsforthepoor，"saidJosephHaydn，withbeamingeyes;"oh，mywork，thengavethepooragoodday。Thatissplendid，thatisthemostbeautifulrewardforalifeoftoilsandprivations。But，"headded，afterabriefpause，"itisallovernow。Icannolongerdoanything。Iamaleaflesstree，whichwillbreakdownto—dayorto—morrow。"
"ThefallofthistreewillmovethewholeofGermanyasagreatcalamitybefallingeveryloverofhiscountry。"
"Yes，itistrue，muchlovehasbeenmanifestedforme，muchhomagehasbeenrenderedtome，"saidHaydn，musingly。
"Allnationsandallprinceshaverenderedhomagetoyou，"exclaimedIffland。"Thelaurel—wreath，forwhichweotherpoetsandartistsarcstrugglingallourlifetime，andwhichisgenerallybestoweduponusonlyafterweareinthegrave，waslongsincegrantedtoyouinthemostflatteringandgratifyingmanner。Europehaspresentedyou，notwithone，butwithmanylaurel—wreaths，andyoumaylookbackonyourlifelikeavictorioushero，foreachofyourexploitswasatriumphforwhichyoureceivedlaurel—wreathsandtrophies。"
"Yes，Ihavemanysouvenirsofmypast，"saidHaydn，smilingly。"I
willshow。themtoyou。——Conrad，givememytreasures。"
Conradopenedthedrawerofthelargewriting—tablewhichwasstandingclosetoHaydn，andwhichcontainedagreatmanylargeandsmalletuis，casketsandboxes。
"Youshallseemytreasuresnow，"exclaimedHaydn，cheerfully。Inthefirstplace，heshowedthemabeautifulcasketmadeofebonyandgold。ItwasagiftwithwhichtheyoungPrincessEsterhazyhadpresentedthebelovedandadoredfriendofherhouseonlyafewweeksago，andonwhoselidwaspaintedasplendidminiaturerepresentingthesceneatthelastperformanceof"TheCreation，"
whenHaydnreceivedtheenthusiastichomageoftheaudience。Hethenshowedthemthelargegoldmedalsenthim;in1800，fromParis，bythetwohundredandfiftymusicianswho，onChristmaseveninginthatyear，hadperformed"TheCreation，"andtherebydelightedallParis。Thenfollowedmanyothermedalsfrommusicalsocietiesandconservatories，andvaluablediamondrings，snuff—boxes，andbreastpinsfromkingsandemperors。Last，Haydnshowedthem，withpeculiaremotion，thediplomaofcitizenshipwhichthecityofViennahadconferredonhim:Itwascontainedinasilvercase，anditssightcausedhiseyesevennowtoflashwiththemostintensesatisfaction。
Hehadplacedonthetablebeforehimeverypiece，aftershowingittothemandexplainingitsmeaning;andnowthatallthetreasureswerespreadoutbeforehim，hecontemplatedthemwithablissfulsmile，andnoddedtothemasiftodearoldfriends。
"Donotlaughatme，"hesaid，liftinghiseyestoIffland，almostbeseechingly。"Iamfondlyattachedtothesethings，andhenceitdelightedmetolookatthemfromtimetotimewithmyfriends。Youwillsaytheyaretheplaythingsofanoldman。Buttheyaremorethanthattome;onbeholdingthem，Ithinkofmypastlife，andmyrecollectionsrendermeyoungagainforafewmoments。Aftermydeathallthesethingswillpassintodearhands，andIhopethat，whenIamslumberinginmygrave，mysouvenirswillbecarefullypreservedandhonoredifonlyformysake。"[Footnote:HaydnbequeathedallhistrinketsandmanuscriptstotheEsterhazyfamily，whohadhonoredhimsohighlyduringhiswholelife。]
"IhopethedayisdistantwhenGermanywillhavetolamentthedeathofherfavorite，JosephHaydn，"exclaimedIffland。
"Thatdayiscloseathand，"saidHaydn，calmly;"Ifeelto—daymoredistinctlythaneverbeforethatmyendisdrawingnigh。Mystrengthisexhausted。"
"Letusgo，"whisperedSchmid，pointingtoHaydn，whohadfeeblysunkbackintohiseasy—chair，andwasleaninghispaleheadagainstthecushions。
Ifflandfixedhiseyesforalongtimewithanexpressionofheart—
feltgriefonthegroaning，brokenformreposingintheeasy—chair。
"Andthatisallthatisleftofagreatcomposer，ofageniuswhodelightedthewholeworld！"hesighed。"Ah，whatafragileshellourbodyis，amiserabledwellingforthesoullivinginit！Come，myfriend，letussoftlyleavetheroom。OnlyIwouldliketotakeasouvenirwithme，aflowerfromthebouquetwhichHaydnheldinhishands。MayIventuretotakeone？"
AtthismomentHaydnopenedhiseyesagain，andfixedthemwithagentleexpressiononIffland。"Iheardallyousaid，"heremarked;
"butIwastoofeebletospeak。Youwishtogetoneofmyflowers？
No，youshallhavethemall。"
Hetookthebouquet，lookedatittenderly，andburiedhiswholefaceforamomentintheflowers，andthenhandedittoIfflandwithagentlesmile。
"Farewell，"hesaid;"remembermeonlookingattheseflowers。I
wouldIhadknownyouinhappierdays，whenIshouldhavebeenabletoenjoyyourgeniusandadmireyourart。Youmustbeagreatactor，foryouhaveawonderfullysonorousandpliablevoice。Ishouldliketohearyoudeclaim，eventhoughyoushouldrecitebutafewverses。"
"Permitme，then，torecitethelinesinwhichWielandcelebratedyour'Creation，'"saidIffland;and，advancingafewsteps，holdingthebouquetinhishand，andfixinghisgleamingeyesonHaydn，whogazedathimwithagentlesmile，IfflandrecitedinhisfullsonorousvoiceWieland'sbeautifullines:
"Wiestroem'tdeinwogenderGesangInuns'reHerzenein！WirsehenDerSchoepfungmaecht'genGang，DenHauchdesHerrnaufdemGewaesserwehen;
JetztdurcheinblitzendWortdasersteLichtentstehen，UnddieGestirnesichdurchihreBahnendrehen;
WieBaumundPflanzewird，wiesichderBergerhebt，UndfrohdesLebenssichdiejungenThiereregen。
DerDonnerrolletunsentgegen;
DerRegensaeuselt，jedesWesenstrebtIn'sDasein;undbestimmt，desSchoepfersWerkzukroenenSehnwirdaserstePaar，gefuehrtvonDeinenToenen。
Oh，jedesHochgefuehl，dasindemHerzenschlief，Istwach！Werrufetnicht:wieschoenistdieseErde？
Undschoener，nunihrHerranchdichin'sDaseinrief，AufdassseinWerkvollendetwerde！"
[Footnote:
"ThywondroussonginmeltingstrainsToourmuteheartsswiftentrancegains;
Bymagicalyetunfeltforce，Weseecreation'smightycourse:
Thefirmamentappearsinspace——
Godbreathesuponthewater'sface。
Oneflashingwordbidsprimallightappear，Revolvingstarsbegintheirvastcareer;
Upheavingmountainsnowareseen，Talltreesandtenderherbagegreen;
Younganimalstobeingrise，Andanimatebylivingcries;
Wehearthemightythunderroar，Andrainsingushingtorrentspour。
Allcreaturesstruggleintolife;andstandBeforeoureyes，freshfromtheirMaker'shand，Thefirstpair，ledbythysweettones。
Nowwakedbyinspiration'sart，Enthusiasmstirsourheart。
Whocriesnot，'Earthispassingfair！'
YetfarmorefairherMakeris，Howperfecteveryworkofhis！"
Afterconcludinghisrecitation，Ifflandapproachedtheoldmanquickly，kneltdownbeforehimandimprintedakissonhisclaspedhands。Then，withoutaddinganotherword，herose，and，walkingbackwardasifbeforeaking，approachedthedoor，openeditsoftly，andwentout，followedbySchmid。[Footnote:ThewholeaccountofthisinterviewbetweenJosephHaydnandIfflandisinstrictaccordancewithIffland'sownreportofitinhis"Theatre—Almanac，"
pp。181—207。]
"Farewell！"exclaimedHaydn，inadeeply—movedvoice，andsankbackintheeasy—chair。Profoundsilencenowreignedaroundhim;butallatoncethissilencewasbrokenbyathunderingcrash，whichcausedthewindowstorattleandshookthewalls。Thedeafeningnoisewasrepeatedagainandagain，androlledthroughtheairliketheangryvoiceofGod。
Andnowthedooropened，andConradandKate，theagedservant—
woman，rushedintotheroom。"Ah，master，master，itisallupnow，andwearealllost！TheAustriansandtheFrenchareinforceclosetoVienna，andthebattlehasalreadycommenced。"
"Thebattlehascommenced！"exclaimedJosephHaydn，risingfromhiseasy—chair，andliftinghishandtoheaven。"Thebattlehascommenced！GoodandgreatGodinheaven，protectourfatherland，andgrantAustriaagloriousvictoryoverherarrogantfoe！DonotallowAustriaandGermanytosuccumb;helpustodefeattheproudenemywhohashumiliatedandoppressedussolong！OLordmyGod，shieldthehonorofGermanyandAustria！Protecttheemperor！"
AndJosephHaydnwalkedthroughtheroomwiththevigorandalacrityofayouth，droppedhishandsonthekeysofthepiano，andbegantoplayinfullconcordsthemelodyofhisimperialhymn，"GotterhalteFranzdenKaiser！"ConradandKatestoodbehindhim，singinginalow，tremuloustone;butoutside，theboomingofartillerycontinuedincessantly，andtheyheardalsothecriesofthepeoplewhowerehurryingindismaythroughthestreets，andthetollingofallthechurch—bells，whichcalledupontheViennesetopraytoGod。
AllatonceHaydnpausedinthemiddleofthetune;hishandsdroppedfromthe。keys，alongsighburstfromhislips，andhesankfaintingintothearmsofhisfaithfulConrad。Hisservantscarriedhimtohiscouch，andsoonsucceededinrestoringhimtoconsciousness。Heopenedhiseyesslowly，andhisfirstglancefelluponConrad，whostoodweepingathisbedside。
"Thenightingalewasright;myendisdrawingnigh，"hesaid，withafaintsmile。"ButIwillnotdiebeforelearningthattheAustrianshavedefeatedtheenemy，andthatmyemperorhasgainedabattle。"
AndintruthJosephHaydn'sstrongwilloncemoreover—powereddeath，whichhadalreadytouchedhimwithitsfinger。Heraisedhimselfuponhiscouch;hewouldnotdiewhileAustriawasstrugglingonthereeking，goryfieldofbattlefortheregenerationorherend。
Twodaysfollowed，twodreadfuldaysofuncertaintyandterror;theyheardincessantlytheboomingofartillery;butalthoughtheViennesegazeddownfromtheirchurch—steeplesallday，theywereunabletodiscernanything。Tremendouscloudsofsmokecoveredthecountryallaround，andwrappedthevillagesofAspernandEsslingandtheislandofLobauinanimpenetrableveilofmist。
JosephHaydnpassedthesedays，the21stand22dofMay，insilentgriefandgentleresignation;heprayedoften，andplayedhisimperialhymnthreetimesaday。
Thusthemorningofthe22dofMayhadcome。Conradhadgoneintothestreettoaskfornews，fortheboomingofartilleryhadceased，andthebattlewarsover。"Whichsidewasvictorious？"Thatwasthequestionwhichcausedalltotremble，andwhichfilledallheartswithintenseanxiety。
Haydn'sheart，too，wasfullofgraveanxiety，and，toovercomehisimpatiencetillConrad'sreturn，hehadcausedKatetoconducthimtohispiano。
"Iwillplaymyimperialhymn，"hesaid，hastily;"Ihaveoftenderivedcomfortandrelieffromitinthedaysofuneasinessandanxiety;andwhenIplay，itmyheartisalwayssomuchatease。Itsstrengthwillnotfailmeto—dayeither。"[Footnote:Haydn'sownwords。——See"Zeitgonosson，"vol。iv。，thirdseries，p。36。]
Hecommencedplaying;ablissfulsmileilluminatedhisfeatures;heliftedhisradianteyestoheaven，andhismusicgrewlouderandfierier，andhisfingersglidedmorepowerfullyoverthekeysofthepiano。Suddenlythedoorwasthrownopen，andConradrushedin，pantingfromtherapidrun，flushedwithexcitement，butwithajoyfulface。
"Victory！"heshouted。"Victory！"AndhesankdownatHaydn'sfeet。
"Whichsidewasvictorious？"askedHaydn，anxiously。
"TheAustrianswerevictorious，"saidConrad，pantingly。"OurArchdukeCharleshasdefeatedtheEmperorNapoleonatAspern;thewholeFrencharmyretreatedtotheislandofLobau，whenceitcannolongerescape。ThousandsofFrenchcorpsesarefloatingdowntheDanube，andproclaimingtotheworldthatAustriahasconqueredtheFrench！Hurrah！hurrah！Ourhero，theArchdukeCharles，hasdefeatedthevillainousBonaparte！Hurrah！"
"Hurrah！hurrah！"repeatedtheparrotonitspole;andthecatraiseditsheadfromthecushiononwhichithadlain，andgazedwithkeen，searchingeyesattheparrot，asifithadunderstoodPaperl'sjubilantnotes。
JosephHaydnsaidnothing，butclaspedhishandsandlookedrapturouslyupward。Afterapauseheexclaimed，inaloudandjoyousvoice:"LordGod，IthankTheefornotdisappointingmyfirmtrust，butprotectingAustriaandhelpinghertovanquishherfoe。Iknewfullwellthatthejustcausewouldtriumph，andthejustcauseisthatofAustria;forFrance，hypocriticalFrancealoneprovokedthiswar，andAustriadrewtheswordonlytodefendherhonorandherfrontiers。Thejustcausecouldnotbuttriumph，andhenceAustriahadtoconquer，andFrance，hadtosuccumbinthisstruggle。GodprotecttheEmperorFrancis！Imaylaydownnowanddie。Austriaisvictorious！Thatisthelastjoyfulgreetingwhichtheworldsendstome。WiththisgreetingIwilldie——ay，die！Deathisalreadydrawingnigh。ButDeathwearsalaurel—wreathonitshead，anditseyeisradiantwithtriumphantjoy。GlorytoAustria！GlorytotheGermanfatherland！"
ThesewereJosephHaydn'slastwords。Hefaintedaway。Itistruethephysicianssucceededinrestoringhimtolife，andhebreathedyetforsixdays;buthisliferesembledonlythelastfeebleflickerofthedyingflame，andinthenightofthe30thofMaydeathcametoextinguishthisflickeringflame。
CHAPTERXXIV。
THEARCHDUKEJOHNATCOMORN。
Theunheard—ofevent，then，hadtakenplace。NapoleonhadbeendefeatedbytheAustrians。TheArchdukeCharleshadgainedabrilliantvictory;NapoleonhadtransferredhiswholearmytotheislandofLobau;hehimselfpassedhistimeinmoodybroodingsatthecastleofEbersberg，andtheunexpecteddisasterwhichhadbefallenhimandwhichatthesametimehadbroughtaboutthedeathofoneofhisfavorites，MarshalLannes，seemedtohavesuddenlydeprivedtheemperorofallhisenergy。Hedidnotspeak，hedidnoteat;hesatforwholedaysinhiscabinet，staringatthemapsspreadoutbeforehimonhistable，andyetforgettingtocoverthem，asheusedtodoonconceivingtheplansofhiscampaigns，withthecoloredpinswhichrepresentedthedifferentarmies。
VictoryhadnolongerbeenabletosoftenthismarbleCaesareanface，butdefeatcausedhisfeaturesnowtowearanexpressionofprofoundangerandgrief。Nevertheless，hedidnotcomplain，andneverdidheconfesseventohisconfidantsthathewassuffering。
Onlyonce，forabriefmoment，heliftedtheveilconcealinghisfeelings，andpermittedhismarshalstoseeintotheinnermostrecessesofhissoul。Marmonthaddaredtopraytheemperor，inthenameofallthemarshals，toyieldnolongertohisgriefatwhathadoccurred，butbearinmindthatitwasincumbentonhimtopreservehimselfforthewelfareofhissubjectsandthegloryofhisfuture。Napoleonhadansweredwithafaintsmile:"YouthinkI
amsittingheretobroodovermymisfortune？Itistrue，Iamburyingmydead，and，asthereareunfortunatelyagreatmanyofthem，ittakesmealongtimetodoit。ButoverthetombofthedeadofEsslingIamgoingtoerectamonumentwhichwillberadiantwiththesplendorofvictory，andonitsfrontispieceshallbereadtheword'Vengeance！'TheEmperorofAustriaislost。HadIdefeatedhiminthisbattle，Ishould，perhaps，haveforgivenhisarroganceandperfidy;butashedefeatedme，Imustandshallannihilatehimandhisarmy。"
WhileNapoleonwasthusburyinghisdead，andreflectingonhis"monumentofvengeance，"theutmostrejoicingsreignedattheheadquartersoftheArchdukeCharles，thevictorofAspern;andallAustria，allGermanyjoinedintheserejoicings，andblessedthegloriousdayofBonaparte'sfirsthumiliation。
AndthisvictorywassoonfollowedbythenewsofatriumphhardlylessgloriousthanthebattleofAspern。TheTyrolese，thosedespisedpeasants，hadgainedabrilliantvictoryovertheFrenchveterans，andtheirBavarianauxiliaries，onthe21stofMay，onMountIsel，nearthecityofInnspruck。AndreasHofer，commander—in—
chiefoftheunitedforcesoftheTyrolese，jointlywithSpeckbacher，Wallner，andtheCapuchinHaspinger，hadagaindefeatedtheBavariansandFrench，whohadre—enteredtheTyrol，anddeliveredtheprovinceasecondtimefromtheenemy。
CountNugent，quartermaster—generaloftheArchdukeJohn，hadenteredthelatter'sroomwiththisjoyfulnews，andtoldhimwithsparklingeyesoftheheroicdeedsoftheTyrolese;ofHofer'spiouszeal;oftheboldexploitsofWallnerandSpeckbacher，whosedeedsrecalledtheancientheroesofHomer;oftheintrepidCapuchinfriar，Haspinger，who，withahugewoodencrossinhishand，ledontheattack，andanimatedhisfollowersnotlessbyhisexamplethantheassurancesofDivineprotectionwhichheheldforth。CountNugenthadrelatedalltheseheroicdeedswithfervideloquencetothearchduke，andyet，tohisutterastonishment，thelatter'sfacehadremainedgloomy，andnotarayofjoyhadilluminatedit。
"Yourimperialhighness，then，doesnotsharemyexultation？"heasked，mournfully。"Youreceivethenewsquitecoldlyandindifferently，andyetIamspeakingofyourbelovedTyrolese，ofyourheroes，AndreasHofer，JosephSpeckbacher，andAnthonyWallner？
TheyandtheirheroicmenhavedeliveredtheTyrolasecondtimefromtheenemy，andyourimperialhighnessdoesnotrejoiceatit？"
"No，mydearCount，"saidthearchduke，sighing，"fortheywillloseitagain。Allthisbloodwillhavebeenshedinvain，andmypoorTyrolwillbelostinspiteofit。"
"Youbelieveso？——youwhocalledupontheTyrolesetotakeuparms，whoinviteditsheroesandchampionstosuchdaringefforts，whoarereadyyourselftofightforthecourageousmountaineerstothelastextremity？"
"Yes，Iamalwaysreadytodoso，"criedJohn，laughingbitterly，"butwhatgoodwillitdo？Theywillwindcunningshacklesenoughroundmyfeettomakemefalltotheground;theywillmanaclemyhandsagain，andputmywillintothestrait—jacketofloyaltyandobedience。IcannotdowhatIwantto;Iamonlyatoolinthehandsofothers，andthiswillcausebothmyruinandthatoftheTyrol。I
amwillingtosacrificemylifefortheTyrol，andyetIshallbeunabletosaveit。Fortherest，myfriend，IknewalreadyalltheseparticularsofthebattleonMountIsel。AcourierfromHormayrhadjustreachedmeandbroughtmefulldetails。IwasabletosendbackbythecourierafinerewardforthebraveTyrolese，aletterfromtheemperor，myaugustbrother，whichIreceivedthismorningwiththeordertoforwardittothem。Ikeptacopyoftheimperialletter，fortheremaybeadaywhenitwillbenecessaryformetoremindtheemperorofthisletter。Hereisthecopy。Readitaloud，thatImayhear，too，howfinetheimperialwordssound。"
ThearchdukehandedapapertoCountNugent，whoreadasfollows:
"Afterourarmshadsufferedheavyreverses，andaftertheenemyhadcapturedeventhecapitaloftheempire，myarmysucceededindefeatingtheFrencharmyunderNapoleononthe21stand22dofMay，ontheMarshfield，anddrivingitindisorderacrosstheDanube。ThearmyandpeopleofAustriaareanimatedwithgreaterenthusiasmthanever;everythingjustifiesthemostsanguinehopes。TrustinginGodandmyjustcause，IdeclaretomyloyalprovincesoftheTyrolandVorarlberg，thattheyshallneveragainbeseparatedfromtheAustrianempire，andthatIwillsignnopeacebutonewhichwillindissolublyincorporatetheseprovinceswithmyotherstates。Yournobleconducthassunkdeepintomyheart;Iwillneverabandonyou。
Mybelovedbrother，theArchdukeJohn，willspeedilybeamongyou，andputhimselfatyourhead。FRANCIS。"
[Footnote:Hormayr，"DasHeervonInner—OesterreichunterdenBefehlendesErzherzogsJohann，"p。189。]
"Andyourimperialhighnessdoubts，evenafterthissolemnpromisegiventotheTyrolesebyhismajestytheemperor？"
"Myfriend，"saidthearchduke，castingalong，searchinglookroundtheroom，"wearealone，noonewatches，and，Itrust，noonehearsus。Letme，therefore，foronce，speakfranklywithyou;letmeunbosomtoyou，myfriend，whatIhavehithertosaidtoGodalone;
letmeforgetforaquarterofanhourthatIamasubjectoftheemperor，andthathismajestyismybrother;permitmetoexaminethesituationwiththeeyesofanimpartialobserver，andtojudgeofmenasaman。Well，then，ImustconfesstoyouthatIcannotsharetheuniversaljoyattherecentevents，and——mayGodforgiveme！——IdonotbelieveeveninthepromiseswhichtheemperormakestotheTyrolese。Hehimselfmayatthepresenthourbefirmlyresolvedtofulfilthem;hemayhavemadeuphismindnevertosignanypeacebutonewhichwillindissolublyincorporatetheTyrolwithhisempire;buttheevents，andespeciallymen，willassuredlycompelhimtoconsenttoanothertreatyofpeace。Youknowfullwellthattherearetwopartiesabouttheemperor，andthatthereisaconstantfeudbetweenthesetwoparties。Onewantswar，theotherwantspeace;andthepeace—partyisunfortunatelyheadedbytheArchdukeCharles，thegeneralissimoofourarmy。YouknowthefawningandsubmissiveletterwhichthegeneralissimoaddressedtoNapoleonafterthedefeatofRatisbon，andwhichNapoleondisdainedtoanswer。[Footnote:TheArchdukeCharleswrotetoNapoleononthe30thofApril，1809:"YourMajestyannouncedyourarrivalbyasalvoofartillery;Ihadnotimetoreplytoit。But，thoughhardlyinformedofyourpresence，IspeedilydiscovereditbythelosseswhichIexperienced。Youhavetakenmanyprisonersfromme，sire，andIhavetakensomethousandsfromyouinquarterswhereyouwerenotpersonallypresent。Iproposetoyourmajestytoexchangethem，manforman，rankforrank;and，ifthatproposalprovesagreeabletoyou，pointouttheplacewhereitmaybepossibletocarryitintoeffect。Ifeelflattered，sire，incombatingthegreatestcaptainoftheage;butIshouldesteemmyselfmuchhappierifHeavenhadchosenmetobetheinstrumentofprocuringformycountryadurablepeace。Whatevermaybetheeventsofwar，orthechancesofanaccommodation，Iprayyourmajestytobelievethatmydesireswillalwaysoutstripyourwishes，andthatIamequallyhonoredbymeetingyourmajestyeitherwiththeswordortheolive—
branchinyourhand。"]Thewar—partyisheadedbytheempressandCountStadion。Buttheempresshasunfortunatelylittleinfluenceoverherhusband，andCountStadionisnomoreinfluentialthanhermajesty。Hisgenerousenthusiasmandfieryimpetuosityarerepugnanttotheemperor，whowillremovehimsosoonashehasdiscoveredamoresubmissiveandobsequioussuccessorwhohasasmuchworkinhimasStadion。Butthereisonepointastowhichtheseincessantlyquarrellingpartiesareagreedandjoinhands，andthatistheircommonhostilityagainstthearch—dukes，theemperor'sbrothers;sovirulentisthishatred，thatthepeace—partydesertsitsleaderinordertooperatewiththewar—partyagainsthimandhisinterests。
TheAustriannobilityhasalwaysclaimedtheprivilegeoffillingallsuperioroffices，anditisfuriousatseeingthearchdukesanimatedwiththedesireofdedicatingtheirabilitiestotheirfatherlandandtheiremperor。Hence，thenobilityisdecidedlyopposedtothesuccessofthearchdukes，whichmightsetboundstoitsoligarchy。Itopposesmeaswellastheotherarchdukes，whetherthisoppositionmayendangertheinterestsofthefatherland，andeventheemperor，ornot。Thingswouldbeevenmoreprosperousinthiscampaign，ifthegeneralsservingunderthearchdukeshadcarriedouttheordersoftheirsuperiorswithgreaterzeal，promptness，andwillingness。Buttheyhavebeenintentionallyslow;