[History of Friedrich II. of Prussia<br> Vol. XVIII. (of XXI.) by Thomas Carlyle]@TWC D-Link book
History of Friedrich II. of Prussia
Vol. XVIII. (of XXI.)

CHAPTER VIII
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DE NAPOLEON (Napoleon's _Precis des Guerres de Frederic II.,_ vii.
210).]--It is well known, Napoleon, after Jena, as if Jena had not been enough for him, tore down the first Monument of Rossbach, some poor ashlar Pyramid or Pillar, raised by the neighborhood, with nothing more afflictive inscribed on it than a date; and sent it off in carts for Paris (where no stone of it ever arrived, the Thuringen carmen slinking off, and leaving it scattered in different places over the face of Thuringen in general); so that they had the trouble of a new one lately." [Rodenbeck, _Beitrage,_ i.

299; ib.p.385, Lithograph of the poor extinct Monument itself.] From Friedrich the "Army of the Circles," that is, Dauphiness and Company,--called HOOPERS or "Coopers" (TONNELIERS), with a desperate attempt at wit by pun,--get their Adieu in words withal.

This is the famed CONGE DE L'ARMEE DES CERCLES ET DES TONNELIERS; a short metrical Piece; called by Editors the most profane, most indecent, most &c.; and printed with asterisk veils thrown over the worst passages.

Who shall dare, searching and rummaging for insight into Friedrich, and complaining that there is none, to lift any portion of the veil; and say, "See--Faugh!" The cynicism, truly, but also the irrepressible honest exultation, has a kind of epic completeness, and fulness of sincerity; and, at bottom, the thing is nothing like so wicked as careless commentators have given out.

Dare to look a little:-- "ADIEU, GRANDS ERASEURS DE ROIS," so it starts: "Adieu, grand crushers of Kings; arrogant wind-bags, Turpin, Broglio, Soubise,--Hildburghausen with the gray beard, foolish still as when your beard was black in the Turk-War time:--brisk journey to you all!" That is the first stanza; unexceptionable, had we room.


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