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the
Bay of Honduras, nor any consideration what-
ever, could move the
Catholic monarch ‘to draw the sword in favor of heretics.’
1
As spring opened, Frederic hastened to meet the
Austrian army in Bohemia.
They retired, under the command of Charles of
Lorraine, abandoning well stored magazines, and, in May, 1757, for the preservation of
Prague, risked a battle under its walls.
After terrible carnage, the victory remained with Frederic, who at once framed the most colossal design that ever entered the mind of a soldier,—to execute against
Austria a series of measures like those against
Saxony at
Pirna, to besiege
Prague and compel the army of Charles of
Lorraine to surrender.
But the cautious
Daun, a man of high birth, esteemed by the empress
queen and beloved by the Catholic Church, pressed slowly forward to raise the siege.
Dazzled by hope, Frederic, leaving a part of his army before
Prague, went forth with the rest to attack the Austrian commander, and, on the eighteenth of June, attempted to storm his intrenchments on the heights of Colin.
His brave battalions were repelled with disastrous loss.
Left almost unattended, as he gazed at the spectacle, ‘Will you carry the battery alone’ demanded one of his lieutenants; on which, the hero rode calmly towards the left wing and ordered a retreat.
The refined, but feeble,
August William,
Prince of
Prussia, had remained at
Prague.
‘All men are children of one father;’ thus Frederic had once reproved his pride of birth; ‘all are members of one ’
