Answer me, Pollnitz, did you
not know the law of the Tobacco Club, forbidding you to arise from
your seat?"
"I know it, sire, but thought I might be allowed to make an
exception of the prince royal."
"So thought we all," said General Schwerin, in a steady voice.
The king struck with doubled fist on the table, and the pitchers and
beer-mugs trembled.
"You thought that," said the king, "and yet knew that no exception
was ever made for me! But certainly the prince royal is of more
consequence than the king. The prince royal is the future sovereign,
the rising sun! What the king was not able to give, the prince royal
may bestow. From the king there is nothing left to hope, nothing to
fear; for this reason you turn to the prince royal; for this reason
you ridicule the laws of the father to flatter the son. The son is a
fine French cavalier, who loves ornament and courtesy, to whom the
question of etiquette is important. You stand up also when the
prince royal enters, although you know in this room all are equal,
and here you have often forgotten that I am king. Yes, the king can
be forgotten--the prince royal never; he may soon be king!"
"God grant your majesty a long and happy life," said the prince
royal.
During this passionate speech of the king, he had stood silent and
immovable behind his chair.
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