"Never," says Frederick, "since I have had the honor to command the
Prussian troops, have they performed such deeds of daring as to-
day."
The Austrians, in viewing these deeds, cried out:
"We have found again the old Prussians!"
And still they fought so bravely, that the Prussians remarked in
amazement: "These cannot be the same Austrians!"
This was the first act of that great drama enacted by the European
nations, and of which King Frederick II. was the hero.
BOOK III.
CHAPTER I.
THE MAIDEN OF BRUNEN.
The sun was just setting, throwing its crimson glow upon the waters
of the Rhine, which appeared to flow like a river of blood between
the green meadows on either side of it.
From the little village of Brunen, whose red chimneys were visible
above a group of oak and beech trees, the sound of the evening bell
was heard, reminding the pious peasants, engaged in cutting and
garnering their golden corn, of the hour for devotion.
With the sweet sounds of the bell mingled the joyous mountain yodel
of the cowherd, who had just descended the little hill yonder, with
his herd straying here and there, in picturesque confusion.
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