________________________________________________
_ Madam,
You have graciously conveyed to me the intelligence that during
the weary weeks spent far from his home--in alternate hope and
fear, in suffering and mortal trial--a Prince whose memory all men
must reverence, the Emperor Frederick, found pleasure in the
reading of my stories: that "they interested and fascinated him."
While the world was watching daily at the bedside of your
Majesty's Imperial husband, while many were endeavouring to learn
courage in our supremest need from the spectacle of that heroic
patience, a distant writer little knew that it had been his
fortune to bring to such a sufferer an hour's forgetfulness of
sorrow and pain.
This knowledge, to an author, is far dearer than any praise, and
it is in gratitude that, with your Majesty's permission, I venture
to dedicate to you the tale of Eric Brighteyes.
The late Emperor, at heart a lover of peace, though by duty a
soldier of soldiers, might perhaps have cared to interest himself
in a warrior of long ago, a hero of our Northern stock, whose days
were spent in strife, and whose latest desire was Rest. But it may
not be; like the Golden Eric of this Saga, and after a nobler
fashion, he has passed through the Hundred Gates into the Valhalla
of Renown.
To you, then, Madam, I dedicate this book, a token, however slight
and unworthy, of profound respect and sympathy.
I am, Madam,
Your Majesty's most obedient servant,
H. Rider Haggard.
November 17, 1889.
To H.I.M. Victoria, Empress Frederick of Germany. _
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