"The sight of his trouble distressed me. Spartacus was firm as one who consults an oracle. 'Lord! Lord!' said the prophet in agony, 'have mercy on us! We are in thy power. Do with us according to thy will.'
"Trismegistus reached out his hands to grasp those of his wife and son, as if he had suddenly become blind. The girls rushed in terror to his bosom, and silently clung there. Consuelo was alarmed; and Zdenko looked anxiously at his mother. Spartacus saw them not. Was the poet's vision yet before his eyes? At length he approached the group, and Consuelo warned him not to excite Albert, whose eyes were open and fixed, as if he slept a mesmeric sleep, or saw slowly fade away the dreams which agitated him. After fifteen minutes his eyes relaxed their rigidity, when he drew his wife and Zdenko to his heart. Ho embraced them for some time; and afterwards rose up, expressing himself willing to resume his travels.
"'The sun is very hot,' said Consuelo. 'Had you not rather sleep beneath these trees?'
"'The sun is pleasant,' he said, with a sweet smile; 'and unless you fear it more than usual, it will do me good.'
"Each took up his burden, the father a large bag, and the son the musical instruments, while Consuelo led her daughters by the hand.
"'We suffer thus in the cause of truth,' said Consuelo to Spartacus.
"'Do you not fear that this excitement will injure your husband?' said I. 'Let me go farther with you. I may be able to render you some assistance.'
"'I thank you for your kindness,' she said; 'but do not follow us. I apprehend nothing but a few sad hours. There was danger in the sad recollections connected with this spot, from which you have preserved him by occupying his mind. He wished to come hither, but did not remember the way. I thank you, then, for your many kindnesses, and wish you every facility for performing God's will.'
"To prolong their stay, I sought to caress the children; but their mother took them away, and I felt when she was gone as if deserted by all I held dear on earth.
"Trismegistus did not bid us adieu. He seemed to have forgotten us; and Consuelo did not arouse him. He walked firmly down the hill; and his face was expressively calm and even cheerful as he assisted his daughter to spring over the bushes and rocks.
"The young and handsome Zdenko followed with the Zingara and youngest child. We looked long after them, as they threaded their way on the gold-colored forest-path without a guide. At length they were hidden from our sight. When about to disappear, we saw the Zingara place Winceslawa on her shoulders, and hasten to join her husband. She was strong and active as a true Zingara, and as poetical as the goddess of Poverty.
* * * * * * * *
"We, too, are on the road. We walk on our journey of life, the end of which is not death, as is grossly said by materialists, but true life.
"We consoled the people of the hamlet as well as we could, and left old Zdenko to abide histo-morrow.
"We shortly after joined our friends at Pilsen, whence I write this letter; and am about to go on other business. You, too, must also prepare for the restless journey, for action without feebleness. We advance, my friend, to success or martyrdom!"[29]
[23]Probably the famous Baron Knigge known as Philo, in the Order of the Illuminati.
[23]Probably the famous Baron Knigge known as Philo, in the Order of the Illuminati.
[24]This is well known to have been the assumed name of Adam Weishaupt. Is he really referred to? All induces us to think so.
[24]This is well known to have been the assumed name of Adam Weishaupt. Is he really referred to? All induces us to think so.
[25]Certainly Zavier Zwack, who was Autic Councillor, and exiled as one of the chiefs of the Illuminati.
[25]Certainly Zavier Zwack, who was Autic Councillor, and exiled as one of the chiefs of the Illuminati.
[26]Bader, who was the medical attendant of the electress-dowager, an Illuminatus.
[26]Bader, who was the medical attendant of the electress-dowager, an Illuminatus.
[27]Massenhousen, a councillor at Munich, and an Illuminatus.
[27]Massenhousen, a councillor at Munich, and an Illuminatus.
[28]Weishaupt, it is known, and he was eminently an organizer, used material signs to explain his system, and sent to some of his pupils an explanation of his whole system, expressed by squares and circles on a small piece of paper.
[28]Weishaupt, it is known, and he was eminently an organizer, used material signs to explain his system, and sent to some of his pupils an explanation of his whole system, expressed by squares and circles on a small piece of paper.
[29]This letter was written to Martinowicz a great savant and member of the Illuminati. He, with several other Hungarian nobles, his accomplices in conspiracy, was beheaded in Buda, in 1795.
[29]This letter was written to Martinowicz a great savant and member of the Illuminati. He, with several other Hungarian nobles, his accomplices in conspiracy, was beheaded in Buda, in 1795.
Note—See note 22.—We will recall to the reader, that we may no longer have occasion to return to the subject, the rest of Trenck's story. He grew old in poverty, and busied himself in the publication of newspapers, of remarkable energy for the times. He married a woman he loved, became the father of many children, was persecuted for his opinions, his writings, and doubtless for his affiliation with secret societies. He took refuge in France when he was very old, and during the early days of the revolution was received with enthusiam and confidence. Destined, however, to be the victim of unhappy mistakes, he was arrested as a foreign agent during the Reign of Terror, and taken to the scaffold. He met his fate with great firmness. He had previously seen himself described in a drama, retracing the incidents of his life and imprisonment. He had enthusiastically welcomed French liberty, and on the fatal car, said, "This, too, is a comedy!"
For sixty years he had seen the Princess Amelia but once. When he heard of tho death of Frederick the Great, he hurried to Berlin. The lovers were terrified at the appearance of each other, shed tears, and vowed a new affection. The abbess bade him send for his wife, took the responsibility of his fortune, and wished to take one of his daughters as reader or lady-in-waiting. Before many days, however, had passed, she was dead. The memoirs of Trenck, written with the passion of youth and prolixity of age, are one of the most noble and touching items of the records of the last century.