“It will be repeated here in a moment,” said a voice from the crowd, which increased every moment, and in whose fierce waves Pollnitz and Trenck were forcibly swallowed up.  Pressed, pushed onward by powerful arms, resistance utterly in vain, the two companions found themselves at the same moment in the open space just as the drummer broke into the circle, and, playing his drumsticks with powerful and zealous hands, he called the crowd to order.

The drum overpowered the wild outcries and rude laughter of the vast assemblage, and soon silenced them completely.  Every man held his breath to hear what the public crier, who had spoken so much to the purpose by his drum, had now to declare by word of mouth.  He drew from his pocket a large document sealed with the state seal, and took advantage of the general quiet to read the formal introductory to all such proclamations:  “We, Frederick, King of Prussia,” etc., etc.

On coming to the throne, Frederick had abolished all that long and absurd list of titles and dignities which had heretofore adorned the royal declarations.  Even that highest of all titles, “King by the grace of God,” had Frederick the Second set aside.  He declared that, in saying King of Prussia, all was said.  His father had called himself King of Prussia, by the grace of God; he, therefore, would call himself simply the King of Prussia, and if he did not boast of God’s grace, it was because he would prove by deeds, not words, that he possessed it.

After this little digression we will return to our drummer, who now began to read, or rather to cry out the command of the king.

“We, Frederick, King of Prussia, order and command that no one of our subjects shall, under any circumstances, lend gold to our master of ceremonies, whom we have again taken into our service, or assist him in any way to borrow money.  Whoever, therefore, shall, in despite of this proclamation, lend money to said Baron Pollnitz, must bear the consequences; they shall make no demand for repayment, and the case shall not be considered in court.  Whosoever shall disobey this command, shall pay a fine of fifty thalers, or suffer fifteen days’ imprisonment.”

A wild shout of laughter from the entire assembly was the reply to this proclamation, in which the worldly-wise Pollnitz joined heartily, while his young companion had not the courage to raise his eyes from the ground.

“The old courtier will burst with rage,” said a gay voice from the crowd.

“He is a desperate borrower,” cried another.

“He has richly deserved this public shame and humiliation from the king,” said another.

“And you call this a humiliation, a merited punishment!” cried Pollnitz.  “Why, my good friends, can you not see that this is an honor which the king shows to his old and faithful servant?  Do you not know that by this proclamation he places Baron Pollnitz exactly on the same footing with the princes of the blood, with the prince royal?”