History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 13Carlyle, Thomas
History
History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 13
Carlyle, Thomas
Frederick II, King of Prussia, 1712-1786; Prussia (Germany) -- History -- Frederick II, 1740-1786; Social problems
"The Hungarian Session is not on record for me, Hall of meeting, Magyar
Parliamentary eloquence unknown; nor is any point conspicuously visible,
exact and certain, except these [alas, not even these]: That it was the
11th of September; that her Majesty coming forward to speak, took the
child in her arms, and there, in a clear and melodiously piercing voice,
sorrow and courage on her noble face, beautiful as the Moon riding among
wet stormy clouds, spake, as the Hungarian Archives still have it, a
short Latin Harangue; in substance as follows:... 'Hostile invasion of
Austria; imminent peril, to this Kingdom of Hungary, to our person,
to our children, to our crown. Forsaken by all,--AB OMNIBUS DERELICTI
[Britannic Majesty himself standing stock-still,--blamably, one thinks,
the two swords being only at HIS throat, and a good way off!]--I have
no resource but to throw myself on the loyalty and help of Your renowned
Body, and invoke the ancient Hungarian virtue to rise swiftly and save
me!' Whereat the assembled Hungarian Synod, their wild Magyar hearts
touched to the core, start up in impetuous acclaim, flourish aloft their
drawn swords, and shout unanimously in passionate tenor-voice, 'MORIAMUR
(Let us die) for our Rex Maria Theresa!' [_Maria Theresiens Leben_ (which
speaks hypothetically), iv, 44; Coxe, iii. 270 (who is positive, "after
examining the Documents").] Which were not vain words. For a general
'Insurrection' was thereupon decreed; what the Magyars call their
'Insurrection,' which is by no means of rebellious nature; and many
noblemen, old Count Palfy himself a chief among them, though past
threescore and ten, took the field at their own cost; and the noise
of the Hungarian Insurrection spread like a voice of hope over all
Pragmatic countries."--
A very beautiful heroic scene; which has gone about the world,
circulating triumphantly through all hearts for above a Century past;
and has only of late acknowledged itself mythical,--not true, except as
toned down to the following stingy prose pitch:--
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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