noon
If he stands at the head of our army , the Prussian people will rally exultingly round the standards , and the diminished regiments be replaced by new ones that will rush into the field , because they know that there is at their head a hero in whose breast there is room for only two sentiments -- love of country and hatred of the French ; and who serves , without fear , his God , his king , and his fatherland , impelled by this very hatred and love , without any secondary motives -- nay , perhaps , even without personal ambition . '' `` If Blucher is really such a hero as you depict him , '' cried Alexander , `` it would be a crime not to place him at the head of the Silesian army . Had you told the king all you have told me , he would certainly not have hesitated a moment as to the general who should be appointed commander-in-chief . '' `` Sire , I did tell him all that my heart and my head prompted me , and to-day at noon I was still convinced that the king would appoint General Blucher as soon as he should have satisfied himself that he thereby would not act contrary to the will and wishes of your majesty . But the little scene at the hall a few minutes ago has unfortunately shaken my conviction , for the king seemed offended at the rough and somewhat impetuous bearing of the hussar general . '' `` And this very bearing of the hussar general , as you call Blucher , has impressed me very favorably , for he who relies so firmly on his own strength must feel sure of victory . I like to see , towering above the crowd of the fawning courtiers surrounding us , men who do not bend their backs , nor sink into the dust , before our so-called ` divine rights , ' but who stand erect , and fear no one , because they are true to themselves . ''