cannot dream of warring against such powerful nations. You cannot
believe in the possibility of victory. Powerful and mighty as your
spirit is it will have to succumb before the tremendous force
opposed to it. Oh! my brother! my king! be merciful to yourself, to
us, to our country. Do not desire the impossible! Do not venture
into the stormy sea of war, to fight with your frail barks against
the powerful men of war that your enemies, will direct against you.
We cannot be victorious! Preserve to your country your own precious
life, and that of her brave sons."

The king's eyes burned with anger; they were fixed with an
expression of deep hatred upon the prince.

"Truly, my brother," said he, in a cold, cutting tone, "fear has
made you eloquent. You speak as if inspired."

A groan escaped the prince, and he laid his hand unwittingly upon
his sword. He was deadly pale, and his lips trembled so violently,
that he could scarcely speak.

"Fear!" said he, slowly. "That is an accusation which none but the
king would dare to bring against me, and of which I will clear
myself, if it comes to this unhappy war which your majesty proposes,
and which I now protest against, in the name of my rights. my
children, and my country."

"And I," said Prince Henry, earnestly--"I also protest against this
war! Have pity on us, my king. Much as I thirst for renown and
glory, often as I have prayed to God to grant me an occasion to
distinguish myself, I now swear to subdue forever this craving for