Silence prevailed for a few moments. Suddenly, here
and there a voice could be heard singing a battle-hymn, and soon,
accompanied by the band, the whole army was breathing out in song an
earnest prayer to God.
A guard, approaching the king, said:
"Is it your majesty's desire that the soldiers should cease
singing?"
The king shook his head angrily.
"No!" said he, "let them alone. With such an army, God can but give
me victory."
Nearer and nearer came the enemy, covering the plain with their
numbers, and gazing with amazement at the little army that dared to
oppose them. By the Austrian generals, smiling so contemptuously
upon their weak opponents, one thing had been forgotten. The
Austrians, confident of success, were not in the least enthusiastic;
the Prussians, aware of their danger, and inspired by love for their
king, had nerved themselves to the contest. The armies now stood
before each other in battle array. The king was at the front, the
generals were flying here and there, delivering their orders. In
obedience to these orders, the army suddenly changed its position,
and so strange, so unsuspected was the change, that General Daun,
turning to the Prince Lothringen, said:
"The Prussians are retreating! we will not attack them.
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