Page:Poet Lore, volume 33, 1922.pdf/198

 hordes of the enemy. Any moment might bring us the news of the fall of Prague. (With stress) and with the fall of Prague, the entire state will be torn asunder!

Beauvalle.—You see things through a dark glass. If all the troops of Marie Teresa will but unite, they can yet defeat the enemy!

Dejm.—Excuse me, Beauvalle, if I cannot share your opinion. If it were only Bavaria and France against us,—perhaps, then, our forces would be sufficient to overpower them.

Beauvalle.—They are powerful enough. There are no other enemies.

Dejm.—Within five days, Frederick of Prussia fell into Silesia.

Beauvalle (Overcome).—Frederick of Prussia made peace with Marie Teresa!

Dejm (With emphasis).—And violated the treaty! And do you realize that France is continually increasing its Anti-Austrian Society? Do you realize that with France are now combined the powers of Saxony and Bavaria, Poland, Spain, Sicily and Sardinia? Do you not know that the powers of the enemy will continually increase?

Beauvalle (Astonished).—That is news indeed! Into our remote province, reports travel very slowly!

Dejm.—And even if the forces of Marie Teresa could prevent the taking of Prague, even then the throne is doomed and is bound to be overthrown. It is to our advantage to choose, in place of the Empress, whomever we see fit to select for king.

Beauvalle.—King of this country?

Dejm.—That is the case,—and our decision must not be long delayed.

Beauvalle.—A changed dynasty,—an overthrown throne! Then the state will have but a short time to outlive the last descendant of the Hapsburgs!

Dejm (Seriously).—King Charles died, and with him the whole state is dying! And from her grave is springing up a whole series of states, out of one former power. And it behooves us, Count, it is an advantage that belongs to our order, to hasten the resurrection of our state.

Beauvalle.—And upon whom, think you, the leadership should fall?

Dejm.—Charles Albert will accept and hold it. He is to be our future King!