That is assuredly a work worthy of a Prince endowed with such gifts! To reverse the sad posture of affairs, nobly repairing what others have spoiled; to defend his country against furious enemies, reducing them to beg Peace, instead of scornfully rejecting it when offered: never was more glory acquirable by any King! I shall admire whatsoever this great man [CE GRAND HOMME, Louis XV., not yet visibly tending to the dung-heap, let us hope better things!] may achieve in that way; and of all the Sovereigns of Europe none will be less jealous of his success than I:"-- there, my spheral friend, show that! [_OEuvres de Frederic,_ xxii.

139: see, for what followed, _OEuvres de Voltaire,_ lxxiii.

129 (report to Amelot, 27th October).] Which the spheral friend does.

Nor was it "irony," as the new Commentators think; not at all; sincere enough, what you call sincere;--Voltaire himself had a nose for "irony"! This was what you call sincere Panegyric in liberal measure; why be stingy with your measure?
It costs half an hour: it will end Voltaire's importunities; and so may, if anything, oil the business-wheels withal.

For Friedrich foresees business enough with Louis and the French Ministries, though he will not enter on it with Voltaire.