at ease whenever I do so, and even a good while afterward."--
"Iffland's Theatrical Almanac for 1855," p. 181.]

"And now run, Conrad, and ask Herr von Swieten to finish the poem
quickly, and you, women, leave me. I feel the ideas burning in my
head, and the melodies gushing from my heart. The hymn has inspired
me with genuine enthusiasm; and now, with God and my emperor, I will
commence my Creation! But you, you must not despair--and whenever
you feel dejected, sing my imperial hymn, and pour consolation and
courage into your hearts--into the hearts of all Austrians who will
sing it. For not only for you, but for Austria, I have sung my hymn,
and it shall belong to the whole Austrian people!"




CHAPTER VII

GENERAL BONAPARTE


At length peace was to be concluded. For several weeks had the three
Austrian plenipotentiaries been at Udine; the Austrian court having
sent with Count Meerveldt and Count Louis Cobenzl the Marquis de
Gallo, who, although Neapolitan ambassador at Vienna, and therefore,
not in the imperial service, acted as their adviser.

General Bonaparte was at Passeriano: he alone had been authorized by
the great French Republic to conclude peace with Austria, or to
renew the war, just as he saw fit.