"Kneel," they commanded, permitting him to enter, "and thrice summon in a loud voice the names of three departed, who will answer your questions. Beware of approaching them, for their glance is death and their breath destruction! Therefore remain kneeling, as it becomes a mortal in the presence of an immortal. Hope and pray, brother!"As the door closed upon the prince, and he found himself in such impenetrable darkness, he sank upon his knees, for he dared not advance, and retreat was impossible, in spite of heart-quakings.
The shrill, penetrating music ceased, and a voice from a distance called: "Summon thrice those that thou desirest to see.""Marcus Aurelius, Leibnitz, and the distinguished elector," called the prince in a loud voice.
"Who summoned me?" was responded in hollow, sepulchral tones, and directly over the crown prince a blue, vaporous light was visible--at first only a cloud, then by degrees increasing and condensing itself into a human shape, until it took the form of a Roman warrior of the olden time; no other than Marcus Aurelius, in helmet and coat-of-mail, with a pale, earth-colored face and glaring eyes.
"Who summoned me?" repeated the figure. The prince's lips refused to respond, and shuddering he gazed upon the corpse-like face, so exact in feature to the old Roman emperor.
"You answer me not!" thundered the voice, "but I will tell you who you are--one lost in sin and an apostate!--the crown prince of Prussia, a future king, who will be called to govern a people, and knows not self-government! Turn from the path of vice while it is yet time; rise from the dust, that the ashes of retribution do not bury you in a living tomb, like the sinful Pompeians. No monument marks the place of the sinful; he sinks into the night of oblivion, or he is cursed by succeeding generations. Therefore turn from the errors of sin. Rise to virtue, that the blessed may approach you. Ishudder in your presence. Woe to you! woe! woe!"The cloud-portrait vanished, and darkness reigned for a moment. The prince cried in anguish: "I will hear no more; this air oppresses me--open the door--I renounce communion with the spirits; I will go out!"The light reappeared in the dark room and another form hovered over the prince--of grave, obscure face, with a great peruke, staring at him. He recognized the distinguished philosopher Leibnitz, whom he had desired to see, but who now filled him with unspeakable terror.
Like the former spirit, he also, when unanswered, reproached the erring prince, conjuring him to return to virtue.
As the menacing ghost disappeared, the prince felt for the door, and shook it with the power which terror lends, crying, "Open, open!" It opened not, and the third summoned, the great elector, Frederick William, appeared, with high, up-lifted arm, glittering eyes, advancing with angry mien, shaking his lion's mane against the erring son of his house, whom he menaced with curses and revenge, if he did not renounce the courtesan who had seduced him to vice and unchastity.
"I will become better," groaned the prince. "I will perform the wish of the spirits. Only have mercy on me--free me. Help! help! Open the door, Bischofswerder, I will do better. Open the door!"This time it really opened, and a long train of dark, masked forms entered the dusky room surrounding the prince, wringing their hands, imploring him to turn from sin, and forsake the unholy woman.
They whimpered, they implored, sinking upon their knees, beating their clinched hands, and weeping: "Turn, beloved elect! Renounce Wilhelmine Enke; renounce vice! Repulse the seductress, and turn your countenance to Virtue which you have seen in all her beauty!""I will perform that which you demand," wept the prince, as the deathly terror and nervous excitement made him yielding.
"Swear!" cried the chorus of masks.
"I swear that Wilhelmine Enke shall no longer be my mistress. Iswear by all that is holy that I will renounce her! I--"Voice failed him; there was a ringing and buzzing in his ears; every thing swam before his eyes, and he sank fainting. The prince awoke after long unconsciousness, and found himself upon his bed in the new palace at Potsdam, Bischofswerder at his side, watching him with the tenderest sympathy. He bent over him and pressed his hand to his lips with a cry of delight. "Heaven be praised; my dear prince, you have awaked to commence a new life! You now belong to the virtuous and honorable, whom the Invisible Fathers bless!""Is it true, Bischofswerder," said the prince, languidly, "that Ihave sworn to renounce Wilhelmine Enke, and never to love her more?""You have sworn it by all that is holy, and all in heaven and on earth have heard your oath, and there is joy thereat."The prince turned his head, that Bischofswerder might not see the tears streaming down his cheeks.