IAM NOVA PROGENIËS....
This was all he could distinguish.
They entered the forest of columns, and Johannes continued to follow the trio closely. Through the solemn semi-darkness all pressed gently on toward the steps that led to the higher terraces.
On the second terrace stood thousands of statues, representing the great and famous of all the ages. Johannes was delighted to hear what the sons and their father said about them. They seemed best acquainted with the composers, then with the dramatic poets, the sculptors, the painters, and the scholars. They were most at a loss concerning the statesmen.
Gerbrand said, "Here is a warrior, father—Bismarck is his name. When did he live, and what did he do?"
Then the father said to his elder son, "Do you not know when Bismarck lived, and what he did, Hugo?"
Hugo replied, "I think he lived in Bach's time, father; but what he did I do not know."
"Yes, he lived about the time of Bach, or rather, that of Brahms. He created the German Empire."
Said Gerbrand, "The German Empire, father! Where is that?"
"There is no longer a German Empire, Gerbrand, although there are millions of Germans. Such empires do not now exist; but in that day they were thought to be something very admirable."