The heavy
taxes imposed upon her were the only evidence that she belonged to
the Austrian dominions. Breslau did not hesitate to receive this
young and handsome king, who as he marched into the city gave a
kindly, gracious greeting to all; who had a winning smile for all
those richly-dressed ladies at the windows; who had written with his
own hand a proclamation in which he assured the Silesians that he
came not as an enemy, and that every inhabitant would be secured in
their rights, privileges, and freedom in their religion, worth, and
service. The ties which bound the beautiful province of Silesia to
Austria had long ago been shattered, and the prophecy of the king
had already been fulfilled--that prophecy made in Krossen. As the
king entered Krossen with his army, the clock of the great church
tower fell with a thundering noise, and carried with it a portion of
the old church. A superstitious fear fell upon the whole Prussian
army; even the old battle-stained warriors looked grim and
thoughtful. The king alone smiled, and said:
"The fall of this clock signifies that the pride of the house of
Austria will be humbled. Caesar fell when landing in Africa, and
exclaimed: 'I hold thee, Africa!'"
Those great men would not allow themselves to be influenced by evil
omens.
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