"AndI，"saidCharles，"requestedyoutopostponethedeclarationofwar，becauseIdonotbelievethatwearesufficientlypreparedforthecontest;but，likemybrother，Ishallsubmitsilentlyifyourmajestyshouldtakeadifferentresolution。"
"Indeed，willyoudoso，archdukes？"askedtheemperor，inascornfultone。"Willyoubemindfulofyourdutiesassubjects，and，insteadofgivingmeunnecessaryadvice，obeymesilently？"
Thetwoarchdukesbowedtoindicatetheirsubmissiveness。Theemperoradvancedafewsteps，andproudlyraisinghishead，helookedathistwobrotherswithasternandimperiousexpression。
"Letmetellyou，then，archdukes，whatI，yourlordandemperor，haveresolved，"saidFrancis，sternly。"Ihaveresolvedtodeclarewar！"
Twoloudcriesresoundedwithoneaccord;acryofjoyburstfromJohn'slips，acryofdismayfromthoseofCharles。Pale，reelinglikeadrunkenman，thegeneralissimoapproachedtheemperorandheldouthishandstohimwithabeseechingexpression。
"Yourmajesty，"hesaid，"youhaveresolvedtodeclarewar，butyoudonotmeantosaythatitistocommenceimmediately？"
"ThatiswhatImeantosay，"repliedtheemperor，sarcastically。
TheArchdukeCharlesturnedstillpalerthanbefore;astrangetremorpassedthroughhisframe，hisheaddroppedonhisbosom，andadeepgroanissuedfromhisbreast。
TheArchdukeJohn，forgetfulofhisquarrelwithhisbrotherCharles，atthesightofthelatter'sprofoundgrief，hastenedtohim，andtenderlygraspedbothhishands。
"Brother，"heasked，anxiously，"whatisthematter？Areyouunwell？"
"Iam，"saidCharles，wipingfromhisforeheadthelargedropsofsweatstandingonit。"Iamunwell，butImustsayafewadditionalwordstotheemperor。ImustdisclosetohimamelancholysecretofwhichIheardonlyanhourago。——Yourmajesty，Iimploreyouoncemore，postponethewaraslongaspossible;for——hearmyterriblesecret——wehavebeeninfamouslydefraudedbyCommissary—GeneralvonFassbender。"
"Yourintimatefriend？"interposedtheemperor，withascornfullaugh。
"Yes，myintimatefriend，"exclaimedthearchduke，inaloud，shrillvoice;"hedeceivedmemostshamefully。Allthearmycontractshadbeenintrustedtohim，andheassuredmehehadfilledtheminthemostconscientiousmanner。Ibelievedhim，anditisonlynowthatI
findoutthathehasshamefullydeceivedmeandhisemperor。Allhisbillsforthesupplieswhichhepretendedtohavefurnishedareinmyhands，butthetroopsdidnotgetthesupplies。Thescoundrelsentonlysourflour，badlinen，andmoth—eatenuniformclothtotheregiments，andyethedrewenormoussumsofmoneyforthefullamountofhiscontracts。"
"Weshallcompelthethieftodisgorgehisill—gottengains，"criedtheemperor。
"No，yourmajesty，"saidCharles，withagroan;andleaningmorefirmlyonhisbrother'sarm，inordernottosinktothefloor，headded:"no，yourmajesty，thecriminalisbeyondthereachofyourpower。Heescapedfromhumanjusticebycommittingsuicideanhourago。Thecriminalhasfledfromhisjudges，buthiscrimesremain，andourarmysuffersinconsequenceofthem。Nowyourmajestyknowsall，youwilltakebackyourword，andsaynolongerthatyouwilldeclarewar。Youwillbegraciousenoughtogivemetimetorepairtheinjuryresultingfromthecrimesofthecommissary—general，andtoprovidethearmywithallthatisunfortunatelywantingtoitasyet。"
"No，"criedtheemperorvehemently，"Iwillnot！Iwillnottakebackmyword，andIhadalreadymadeupmymindbeforeyou，mybrothers，enteredheretoassistmesogenerouslybyyourwisdom。
Warwillbedeclaredimmediately;myresolutionisirrevocable。I
havealreadyinformedtheFrenchambassadorofit，andorderedhimtoleaveViennathisveryday。YourwarningscomejustasmuchtoolateasdidJohn'sentreaties。IdidwhatImyselfdeemedbest;andIdeemeditbesttodeclarewaragainstBonaparte，inreplytohisintolerablearrogance。Everythingisfixedandsettled;warwillcommencewithoutdelay:andyou，ArchdukeCharles，arethegeneralissimoofmyarmy。"
TheArchdukeCharlesmadenoreply;heutteredapainfulgroanandsanktothefloorbyJohn'sside。Allhislimbstrembledandquivered;hispalefacebecamedistorted，heclinchedhisfists，andhiseyeswereglassyasthoughheweredying。
"Hehasoneofhisfits，"saidtheemperorcalmly，lookingdownonhisbrother。"Callhisservantsandhisdoctor，ArchdukeJohn，thattheymayremovethegeneralissimotoanotherroomandadministermedicinetohim。"
Johnrushedtothedoor，andsoontheservantsandthephysician，whoalwaysaccompaniedtheArchdukeCharles，hastenedintotheroom。
Theyliftedwithpractisedhandsthearchduke，whowasstillwrithinginconvulsions，andcarriedhimtenderlyoutoftheroom。
John，who，withtouchingsolicitude，hadremainednearthesufferer，wouldhaveaccompaniedhim;butawordfromtheemperorcalledhimback。
"Stayamoment，archduke，"saidFrancis;"theArchdukeCharlesonlyhashisfits，andhisservantswilltakecareofhim。Ihaveyettospeakafewwordswithyou。Thiswillbeaformidablewar，brother，andwemustseetoitthatitbreaksoutatthesametimeinallquartersofourempire，andthatthepeoplerisewithoneaccordandtakeuparms。Wehavemadeourpreparationseverywhere，andouremissarieshavedonetheirduty;theyhaveeverywhereenlistedfriendsofourcause，andestablishedcommitteeswhichhavemadeallnecessarydispositionsforthedefenceofthecountry。Youyourselfsentyouremissary，BaronvonHormayr，toyourbelovedTyrol;ifI
amcorrectlyinformed，hehasalreadyreturnedtoVienna。"
"Yourmajesty，hearrivedherethismorning，"saidJohn，lookingathisbrotherwithanairofsurpriseandeventerror。
Thisdidnotescapetheemperor，andasmileofsatisfactionlituphisface。
"Yousee，myagentsservemeverywell，andIamawareofallthatisgoingon，"saidFrancis，gravely。"Iknow，too，thatBaronvonHormayrhasreturnedtoViennanotalone，butaccompaniedbysomegoodfriends。Ibelieveyoudidnotcomeheretogivemeyouradvice，buttobegpermissiontoreceiveyourTyrolesefriendsatyourpalaceto—night。"
"What？"askedJohn，surprised;"yourmajestyisawareofthis，too？"
"Ihavetoldyoualreadythatmyagentsservemeverywell。Letthisbeawarningtoyounottodoorundertakeanythingthatyouwouldliketoconcealfromme。IknowthatAndreasHoferishere，toconcertwithyousomesortofplanfortheinsurrectionoftheTyrol。UnderthepresentcircumstancesIpermityoutodoso，foritisreallyimportantthattheGermanandItalianTyrolshouldrise;
andaswearegoingtohavewar，wewillstrivetorecoverourTyrol。Butwemustproceedcautiously，andtheworldmustnotfindoutthatweinstigatedtheTyrolesetoriseinarms。Thatwouldbesettingabadexampletotheothernationsofourempire。Wemayattimesprofitbypopularinsurrections，butmustbewareoflettingtheworldknowthatweourselvesbroughtthemabout。Hence，IdonotwanttoknowanythingofyourTyrolese，andshallnotgrantthemanaudience。ButIpermityoutodoso，andyoumaytellthesebraveTyrolese，too，thatIshouldbegladiftheywouldbecomeagainmydearsubjects。"
"Yourmajesty，"exclaimedJohn，joyously，"thesewordsoftheiremperorwillbethesignalforthemtoriseasoneman，taketheirrifles，andexpeltheEvilOne，thatistosay，theBavarians。"
"IshallbegladtoseetheTyrolesedoso，and，moreover，doitintime，"saidtheemperor，noddinghishead。"RepeatmywordstoAndreasHofer，brotherJohn，andpledgehimmywordthat，ifwerecovertheTyrolthistime，weshallnevergiveitupagain。ButAndreasHofermustbehavewithgreatprudence，andnotshowhimselftothepublichere，butkeepinthebackground，thatthepolicemaywinkathispresenceinVienna，andactasthoughtheydidnotseehimandhisfriends。Andnow，brother，farewell，andinquireifthegeneralissimohasrecoveredfromhisfit。Itwouldbebad，indeed，ifthesefitsshouldbefallhimonceinthemidstofabattle。Well，letushopeforthebestforusall，andespeciallyfortheTyrol。
Youhavenowagreattaskbeforeyou，John，foryouwillreceiveacommand;youshallassisttheTyroleseinshakingofftheforeignyoke。"
"Oh，mylordandemperor，"exclaimedJohn，witharadiantfaceandfieryglance，"howkindandgraciousyouareto—day！Itistheheartofabrotherthatspeaksoutofyourmouth——ofabrotherwhowishestomakemehappy，andknowshowtodoso。Yes，sendmewithacorpstotheassistanceoftheTyrolese;letmebringfreedomandsalvationtomybelovedmountaineers。Thatisataskwhichfillsmewithboundlessecstasy，andforwhichIshallalwaysbegratefulanddevotedtoyou，brother。"
"Bedevotedtoyouremperor，archduke，"saidFrancis，smiling;"thebrotherswillgetalongwellenough;theyhavenothingtodowithpoliticsandpublicaffairs。Farewell，John。But，remember，weshallmeetagainto—day，forIshallsummontheministersandgeneralstoaconsultation，andyouwill，ofcourse，bepresent。Oncemore，then，farewell！"
Henoddedrepeatedlytothearchdukeandlefttheroomwithunusualquickness。Theemperorwalkedhastilyandwithagloomyfacethroughtheadjoiningroom，andenteredhiscabinet，thedoorofwhichheclosedrathernoisily。"Iamtolethimbringfreedomandsalvationtohisbelovedmountaineers，"murmuredFrancistohimself——"toHIS
mountaineers！Ibelievehewouldbegladiftheyreallywerehis，andifhecouldbecomeKingoftheTyrol。Well，weshallsee。IhavelulledhissuspicionbypermittinghimtoholdintercoursewiththeTyrolese，andconcertplanswiththem。Weshallseehowfarmybrotherwillgo，andwhathisgratitudeanddevotionwillamountto。
Itisatroublesomeburdenformetohavesuchdangerouslyambitiousandrenownedbrothers，againstwhomImustbeconstantlyonmyguard。IwouldIcouldpickthemoffasquicklyasIremovethefliesfromthiswall。"
Sosaying，hetookfromthetabletheflyflapwhichhadalwaystolieonitinreadiness，andentereduponhisfavoriteamusement，thepursuitofthefliesonthewallandfurniture，whichhisservantstookgoodcarenottodrivefromtheemperor'scabinet，becauseFranciswouldneverhavepardonedthemforspoilinghissport。
Walkingalongthewallswitharapidstep，theemperorcommencedkillingtheflies。
"Ha！"heexclaimed，strikingafly，"ha！brotherCharles，thisstrokeisintendedforyou。Really，thereliestheflywrithing，asthegeneralissimodid，onthefloor。Buthehasatougherlifethanthefly;fortheflywillwritheuntilitisdead，butthegeneralissimoalwaysrevives;andwhenhehasnofits，heisaverybraveandillustriousman，beforewhomhisemperormusthumblystandaside。Icannottakethefly—flapandstrikehiswrithinglimbsasI
dothismiserablefly，thelittleArchdukeCharles，thatiswrithingonthefloorthere。So，nowyouaredead，confoundedlittlebrotherCharles，andwewillhuntforyourbrotherJohn。See，see，therehesitsonthewall，cleaninghiswingsandmakinghimselftidyandpretty。There！Thereisanaffectionateblowfromyourimperialbrother，andyouaredonefor。NowyouwillneverflytoYOUR
mountaineersandBRINGthemfreedomandsalvation。Youwill，onthecontrary，sticktothewallofyouremperor'sroom，andlearnthatyourbrotherisyourmaster。Why，thisismostamusingsporttoday！
IshallnotstopbeforekillingadozenArchdukesCharlesandJohn！"
AndFrancishuntedeagerlyonthewallsandthefurnitureforotherflies，whichhepursuedandkilledwithhisfly—flap，alwaysapplyingthenameofCharlestoone，andthatofJohntothenext。
Intheexcitementofthisstrangesporthehadnotnoticedthat，soonafterheenteredthecabinet，thedoorhadopened，andCounsellorvonHudelisthadcomein。FrancisdidnotrememberatthatmomentthathehadgivenexpressorderstoHudelisttore—enterthecabinetassoonasheheardtheemperorreturntoit;hehadfixedhisthoughtsexclusivelyonthecruelpleasureofkillingthefliesCharlesandJohn，andHudelisttookgoodcarenottodisturbhiminthispleasantpastime。Hestoodleaningagainstthewallclosetothedoor;hissmall，flashingeyesfollowedeverymotionoftheemperorwithraptattention，andwheneverFrancis，onkillingafly，pronouncedthenameofeitherofhisbrothersinatriumphanttone，amalicioussmileoverspreadthepaleanduglyfaceofthecounsellor。
Now，however，Francis，inhuntingforflies，hadarrivedattheextremeendoftheroom。Untilthen，hisbackhadbeenturnedtoHudelist。Ifheshouldturnnowandcontinuehissportontheothersideoftheroom，hewoulddiscoverhim，andbedisagreeablysurprisedathispresence。Therefore，beforetheemperorturned，Hudelistopenedoncemorethedoornearwhichhewasstanding，andcloseditrathernoisily。
Theemperorturnedandaskedgayly:"Well，whatisit，Mr。
Counsellor？"
"YourMajestyorderedmetoreturntothecabinetassoonasyoushouldbeback。"
"ButIreturnedsometimeago，"saidFrancis，castingadistrustful，searchingglanceonHudelist。
"Pardonme，yourmajesty，IbelievedIheardyouonlyjustnowclosethedoor，andhaduntilthenvainlywaitedforsomesoundinthecabinet，"repliedHudelist，withaperfectlyinnocentexpressionofcountenance。"Theseconddoorseparatingtheconference—roomfromyourmajesty'scabinetissoheavilylinedwithcushionsastorenderitalmostimpervioustosound，andIbegyourpardonagainfornothavinghearddespitethemosteagerattention。"
Theemperor'sfacehadagainentirelyclearedup。"Nevermind，"hesaid;"Iamgladthatthoseintheadjoiningroomcannothearwhatisgoingonhere。Iliketohaveearsforall，butdonotlikeanybodytohaveearsforme。NowletmehearwhatyouhavebroughtformefromParis。"
"Aboveallthings，yourmajesty，Isucceededinobtainingforaconsiderablesumofmoney，thereceiptformakingSpanishsealing—
wax，fromaSpanishrefugee，whowasformerlyemployedattheroyalsealing—waxfactoryofMadrid，andwasperfectlyfamiliarwiththeformulaformakingit。Yourmajestyknowsthatthisreceiptisasecret，andthattheofficersandworkmenemployedatthefactorymustevenswearanoathnottodivulgeit。"
"Andyouobtainedthereceiptnevertheless，andbroughtitwithyou？"inquiredtheemperor。
"Hereitis，yourmajesty。"
FrancishastilyseizedthepaperwhichHudelisthandedtohimwitharespectfulbow。
"See，see，thisisaverykindservicewhichyouhaverenderedme，andIshallbegratefulforit！"heexclaimed。"Youshalltestthereceiptwithmealone;wewilltryitrightaway。Butholdon;I
mustfirsttellyousomegravenews。Weshalldeclarewar。IhavealreadytoldtheFrenchambassadortoleaveViennato—day，andMetternichcancomehometoo。Iwillholdacounciloftheministersandgeneralsto—day。Tellthefunctionariesatthechancerytoinformtheministers，archdukes，andgeneralsthatIwishtoseethemintheconference—roomatfour。Makehaste，andthencometomylaboratory。WewilltrytheSpanishreceipt。"
CHAPTERV。
THEPERFORMANCEOF"THECREATION。"
Abrilliantfestivalwastotakeplaceto—nightinthelargeaulaoftheViennaUniversity。Allthecomposers，musicians，dilettanti，andamateursofVienna，hadjoyouslyconsentedtoparticipateinit。ThemostdistinguishednamesofthearistocracyandtheartisticcirclesofViennawereattheheadofthecommitteeofarrangements。AmongthosenameswerethoseofthePrincesLichnowskyandLichtenstein，theCountessesKaunitzandSpielmann，ofBeethovenandSalieri，KreutzerandClementi，andfinally，thoseofthepoetsCollinandCarpani。
Everyonewishedtoparticipateinthisfestival，whichwastorenderhomagetotheveteranGermancomposer，thegreatJosephHaydn，ontheoccasionofthetwenty—fifthperformanceofthemaestro'sgreatwork，"TheCreation。"Tenyearshadelapsedsincethefirstperformanceof"TheCreation"atVienna，andalreadythesublimecompositionhadmadethetourofEurope，andhadbeenperformedamidthemostenthusiasticapplauseinLondonandParis，inAmsterdamandSt。Petersburg，inBerlin，andallthelargeandsmallcitiesofGermany。Everywhereithadexcitedtransportsofadmiration;everywheredelightedaudienceshadgreetedwithrapturousenthusiasmthisbeautifulmusic，sofullofholyardorandchildlikepiety，thisgreatworkoftheGermancomposer，JosephHaydn。
To—daythetwenty—fifthperformanceof"TheCreation"wastotakeplaceatVienna，andJosephHaydnhimselfwastobepresentattheconcert。Thecommitteeofarrangementshadinvitedhim，andhehadacceptedtheinvitation。Althoughhisseventy—sevenyearswererestingheavilyonhishead，andhadparalyzedhisstrength，becouldnotwithstandthehonorablerequestofhisfriendsandadmirers，andhehadrepliedwithatouchingsmiletothecommitteeofarrangements，whosedelegateshadconveyedtheinvitationtohim"Ishallcometotakeleaveoftheworldwithmy'Creation，'andbidalastfarewelltomydearViennese。YOUwilloftenyetsingmy'Creation，'butIshallhearitforthelasttime！"
"Forthelasttime！"Thesewerethewordswhichhadthrilledallthefriendsandadmirersofthemaestro，andfilledthemwiththeardentdesiretogreethimoncemore，andrenderhimhomageforthelasttime。ForallfeltandknewthatHaydnhadspokenthetruth，andthathisendwasdrawingnear。All，therefore，longedtotakepartinthislasttriumphofthecomposerof"TheCreation，"whomdeathhadalreadytouchedwithitsinexorablefinger。
Hence，therewasaperfectjaminfrontoftheuniversitybuilding;
theequipagesofthehighnobilityformedtwoimmenselinesdownthelongstreet;likeablack，surgingstream，risingfrommomenttomoment，thepartoftheaudiencearrivingonfootmovedalongthehousesandbetweenthedoublelineofcarriagestowardtheentranceofthebuilding。Thousandshadvainlyappliedforadmissionattheticket—office;therewasroomonlyforfifteenhundredpersonsintheaulaandtheadjoiningrooms，andperhapsasmanythousandshadcometoheartheconcert。Astheycouldnotbeadmittedintothehall，theyremainedinthestreetinfrontofthebuilding;astheycouldnothearHaydn'smusic，theywishedatleasttoseehisfaceandcheerhimonhisarrivalatthedoor。
Buttherewasasurgingcrowdalsointhefestively—decorateduniversityhall。Allhadcomeintheirholidayattire，andjoyandprofoundemotionbeamedfromallfaces。Friendsshookhandsandgreetedeachotherwithradianteyes;andeventhosewhodidnotknoweachotherexchangedkindlygreetingsandpleasantsmilesonseatingthemselvessidebyside，andlookedateachotherasthoughtheywerefriendsandacquaintances，andnotentirestrangers。
Forallfeltthegreatimportanceofthishour;allfeltthemselvesGermans，owingtothehomagewhichtheyweretorendertotheGermanmaestroandtoGermanmusic;andallknewthatthisfestivalwouldbelookeduponbeyondtheRhineasahostiledemonstrationoftheGermansagainstFrenchprideandarrogance。TheywishedtoshowtoFrancethat，althoughGermanywasdismembered，theheartoftheGermansthrobbedforGermanyandGermanart，andthattheydidnotfeelatallalarmedatthegrandiloquentthreatsoftheEmperoroftheFrench，butyieldedwithundisturbedequanimitytotheenjoymentofGermanart。WhilethethreateningwordsoftheEmperorNapoleonwereresounding，likeringingwar—fanfares，fromParis，theViennesedesiredtorespondtohimbythebeautifulnotesofsublimemusic;
and，regardlessofthegrowlsofthelionbeyondtheRhine，theywishedtodelightinthesoul—stirringharmoniesof"TheCreation。"
Allpreparationswerenowcompleted。Thehallwasallablazewiththewax—lightswhichwerebeamingdownfromthosegiganticlustres，andwhoserayswerereflectedinthelargemirrorscoveringthewalls。Theimperialboxwassplendidlyfestoonedwithrareflowers，anddecoratedwithcarpetsandgiltcandelabra，whoseenormouswax—
lightsfilledtheinteriorofthespaciousboxwithbroaddaylight。
Oppositetheimperialbox，ontheothersideofthehall，rosethelargetribunedestinedforanorchestraofeightyperformersandachoirofonehundredsingers。Allthelatter，too，wereinjoyousspirits;allwereanimatedto—day，notbytheenvyandjealousysooftentobefoundamongartistes，butbytheonegreatdesiretocontributetheirsharetothehomagetoberenderedtoGermanart。
Theydidnotwishto—daytoexhibitthemselvesandtheirartisticskill，butdesiredonlytorenderhomagetothemusicofthegreatmaestro，andtoGermanart。
Andnowthehourwasathandwhentheconcertwastocommence。Theaudiencehadtakentheirseats，theorchestraceasedtuningtheirinstruments，thesingerswereinreadiness，andthecommitteeofarrangementshadgonedowntothestreet—doortoawaitHaydn'sarrival。
Thedooroftheimperialboxopenedatthismoment，andtheemperorandempressentered，followedbythearchdukesandtheirsuites。To—
dayforthefirsttimetheaudiencetooknonoticeoftheseaugustpersons;theydidnotrisetogreettheimperialcoupleandthearchdukes。Noonehadperceivedtheirarrival，foralleyesweresteadfastlyfixedonthelargefolding—doorsbywhichJosephHaydnwastoenterthehall。
Hehadbeenexpectedalreadyforsometime，andtheaudiencebegantowhisperanxiously:"Willhe，perhaps，notcome，afterall？Willhisphysiciannotpermithimtogototheconcertbecausetheexcitementmightbeinjurioustohim？"
Butallatoncethesilencewasbrokenbyanoiseinthestreet，whichsoundedliketheroarofthestormyocean;itrenttheair，andcausedthewindowsofthehalltorattle。Andtheaudiencewasjoyfullymoved;allfacesbecameradiant，allturnedtheireyestowardthedoor。
Nowthisdooropened，andabeautifulthoughstrangegroupappearedinit。Initsmidst，ontheshouldersofeightstrongyoungmen，aroseaneasychair，festoonedwithflowers，andinthischairsatthesmall，bentformofanoldman。Hisfacewaspaleandwan，andinhisforeheadtheseventy—sevenyearsofhislifehaddrawndeepfurrows;butfromhislargeblueeyesbeamedtheeternalfireofyouth，andtherewassomethingchildlikeandtouchinginthesmileofhismouth。Ontherightsideofhiseasy—chairwasseentheimposingformofagentleman，plainlydressed，butwithaheadfullofmajesticdignity，hisfacegloomyandwild，hishighforehead，surroundedbydensedishevelledhair，hiseyesnowgleamingwithsombrefires，nowglancingmildlyandamiably。ItwasLouisvonBeethoven，whomHaydnlikedtocallhispupil，andwhosefamehadatthattimealreadypenetratedfarbeyondthefrontiersofAustria。Ontheleftsideoftheeasy—chairwasseenthefine，expressivefaceofSalieri，wholikedtocallhimselfGluck'spupil;andsidebysidewiththesetwowalkedKreutzerandClementi，andtheothermembersofthecommitteeofarrangements。
Thunderingcheersgreetedtheirappearance;thewholeaudiencerose;
eventheEmpressLudovicastartedupfromhergildedchairandbowedsmilingly;andtheArchdukeJohnadvancedclosetotherailingoftheboxtogreetagainandagainwithpleasantnodsofhisheadandwavesofhishandJosephHaydn，thusbornealongabovetheheadsoftheaudience。ButtheEmperorFrancis，whowasstandingbythesideofhisconsort，lookedwithasomewhatsneeringexpressiononthecrowdbelow，and，turningtotheempress，hesaid:"PerhapsmydearViennesemayconsiderHaydnonhiseasy—chairyondertheiremperor，andImyselfmayabdicateandgohome。Theydidnotevenlookatusto—night，andareraisingsuchafussnowasthoughGodAlmightyhadenteredtheball！"
Ineffect，theexultationoftheaudienceincreasedateverystepwhichtheprocessionadvanced，andendlesscheersaccompaniedthecomposertotheseatwhichhadbeenpreparedforhimonanestradeinfrontoftheorchestra。
Heretwobeautifulladiesofhighrankcametomeethim，andpresentedtohim，oncushionsofgold—embroideredvelvet，poemswrittenbyCollinandCarpaniandprintedonsilkenribbons。Atthesametimemanyhundredcopiesofthesepoemsflitteredthroughthehall，andallshoutedjoyously，"LongliveJosephHaydn，theGermanmaestro！"Andtheorchestraplayedaringingflourish，andthecheersoftheaudiencerenttheairagainandagain。
JosephHaydn，quiteovercome，hiseyesfilledwithtears，leanedhisheadagainstthebackofhischair。Amortalpalloroverspreadhischeeks，andhishandstrembledasthoughhehadthefever。
"Maestro，dear，dearmaestro！"saidthePrincessEsterhazy，bendingoverhimtenderly，"areyouunwell？Youtremble，andaresopale！
Areyouunwell？"
"Oh，no，no，"saidHaydn，withagentlesmile，"mysoulisinecstasiesatthishour，whichisapreciousrewardforalonglifeofarduoustoils。Mysoulisinecstasies，butitlivesinsuchaweakandwretchedshell;andbecausethesoulisallablazewiththefiresofrapturousdelight，thewholewarmthhasenteredit，andthepoormortalshelliscoldandtrembling。"
ThePrincessEsterhazytookimpetuouslyfromhershouldersthecostlyTurkishshawlinwhichherformwasenveloped;shespreaditoutbeforeHaydnandwrappeditcarefullyroundhisfeet。HerexamplewasfollowedimmediatelybythePrincessesLichtensteinandKinsky，andtheCountessesKaunitzandSpielmann。TheydoffedtheirbeautifulerminefursandtheirTurkishandPersianshawls，andwrappedthemaroundtheoldcomposer，andtransformedthemintocushionswhichtheyplacedunderhisheadandhisarms，andblanketswithwhichtheycoveredhim。[Footnote:See"Zeitgenossen，"thirdseries，vol。vi。，p。32]
Haydnallowedthemsmilinglytodoso，andthanked，withglancesofjoyfulemotion，thebeautifulladieswhomanifestedsomuchtendersolicitudeforhim。
"WhycanInotdienow？"hesaidtohimselfinalowvoice。"WhydoesnotDeathkissmylipsatthisglorioushourofmytriumph？Oh，come，Death！waftmeblissfullyintotheotherworld，forinthisworldIamuselesshenceforth;mystrengthisgone，andmyheadhasnomoreideas。Iliveonlyinandonthepast！"
"Andyetyouliveforalltimetocome，"saidthePrincessEsterhazy;enthusiastically，"andwhileGermanartandGermanmusicarelovedandhonored，JosephHaydnwillneverdieandneverbeforgotten。"
Hushednowwaseverysound。Salierihadtakenhisseatasconductoroftheconcert，andsignednowtotheorchestra。
Theaudiencelistenedinbreathlesssilencetothetumultuousnotesdepictinginsomasterlyamannerthestruggleoflightanddarkness，thechaosoftheelements。Thestruggleoftheelementsbecomesmoreandmorefurious，andthemusicdepictsitinsombre，violentnotes，whensuddenlythehorizonbrightens，thecloudsarerent，thedissonantsoundspassintoasublimeharmony，andingloriousnotesofthemostblissfulexultationresoundthroughthestrugglinguniversethegrand，redeemingwords，"Lettherebelight！"Andalljoinintherapturouschorus，andrepeatinblissfulconcord，"Lettherebelight！"
Theaudience，carriedawaybythegrandeurandirresistiblepowerofthesenotes，burstintolong—continuedapplause。
Haydntooknonoticeofit;heheardonlyhismusic;hissoulwasentirelyabsorbedinit，andliftingbothhisarmstoheaven，hesaiddevoutlyandhumbly，"Itcomesfromabove！"[Footnote:
"Zeitgenossen，"ibid。]
Theaudiencehadheardtheseloudandenthusiasticwords;itapplaudednolonger，butlookedinreverentsilencetowardtheagedcomposer，who，inthemidstofhismostglorioustriumph，renderedhonortoGodalone，andbowedpiouslyandmodestlytotheworkofhisowngenius。
Theperformanceproceeded。ButJosephHaydnhardlyheardmuchofthemusic。Hisheadleanedagainstthebackofthechair;hisface，litupbyablissfulsmile，wasdeathlypale;hiseyescastferventglancesofgratitudetowardheaven，andseemed，intheirecstaticgaze，toseethewholeheavensopened。
"Maestro，"saidthePrincessEsterhazy，whenthefirstpartoftheperformancewasended，"youmustnolongerremainhere，butreturntoyourquiethome。"
"Yes，Ishallreturntothequiethomewhichawaitsusall，"saidHaydn，mildly，"andIfeelsensiblythatIshallremainnolongeramongmen。Asweetdreamseemstostealoverme。Lettheperformerscommencethesecondpart，andmysoulwillbewaftedtoheavenonthewingsofmymusic。"
ButthePrincessEsterhazybeckonedtohisfriends。"Takehimaway，"
shesaid，"theexcitementwillkillhim，ifhestaysanylonger。"
Theyapproachedhischairandbeggedpermissiontoescorthimhome。
Haydnnoddedhisassentsilentlyandsmilingly，andhiseyesglanceddreamilyroundthehall。
Suddenlyhegaveastartasifingreatterror，androsesoimpetuouslythatthefursandTurkishshawls，whichhadbeenwrappedroundhim，felltothefloor。Hisfacecrimsonedasifinthelightofthesettingsun;hiseyeslookedupwitharadiantexpressiontotheboxyonder——tohisemperor，whomhehadlovedsolongandardently，forwhomhehadweptinthedaysofadversity，forwhomhehadprayedandsungatalltimes。Nowhesawhimwho，inhiseyes，representedfatherland，home，andhumanjustice;hefeltthatitwasthelasttimehiseyeswouldbeholdhim，andhewishedtobidfarewellatthishourtotheworld，hisfatherland，andhisemperor。
Withavigoroushandhepushedbackthefriendswhowouldhaveheldhimandreplacedhiminhischair。Nowhewasnolongeraweakanddecrepitoldman;hefeltstrongandactive，andhehastenedforwardwitharapidstepthroughtheorchestratowardtheconductor'sseatandthepianoinfrontofit。Helaidhishands，whichtremblednolonger，onthekeys，andstruckafullconcord。Heturnedhisfacetowardtheimperialbox;hiseyesbeamedwithloveandexultation，andhebegantoplayhisfavoritehymnwithimpressiveenthusiasm