So it is, if a man works hearty in the order of
nature, he gets bread and he receives comfort, and whatever he
touches breeds. And it humbly appears to me, if that Prince was to
labour on his throne, as I have laboured and wrought in my farm, he
would find both an increase and a blessing.'
'I believe with you, sir,' Otto said; 'and yet the parallel is
inexact. For the farmer's life is natural and simple; but the
prince's is both artificial and complicated. It is easy to do right
in the one, and exceedingly difficult not to do wrong in the other.
If your crop is blighted, you can take off your bonnet and say,
"God's will be done"; but if the prince meets with a reverse, he may
have to blame himself for the attempt. And perhaps, if all the
kings in Europe were to confine themselves to innocent amusement,
the subjects would be the better off.'
'Ay,' said the young man Fritz, 'you are in the right of it there.
That was a true word spoken. And I see you are like me, a good
patriot and an enemy to princes.'
Otto was somewhat abashed at this deduction, and he made haste to
change his ground. 'But,' said he, 'you surprise me by what you say
of this Prince Otto. I have heard him, I must own, more favourably
painted. I was told he was, in his heart, a good fellow, and the
enemy of no one but himself.'
'And so he is, sir,' said the girl, 'a very handsome, pleasant
prince; and we know some who would shed their blood for him.
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