\"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