“Quantz, Quantz, you shall prove that to me,” to which Quantz replied with dignity:
“Your Majesty, I am ready for any test.”
A few days afterwards, Quantz was to play a solo on his flute, during the evening concert. On going to his desk, he found on his music a large sheet of paper on which was written: “Quantz is an ass! Frederick II.”
Not in the least disturbed, Quantz quietly folded the paper and was going to put it into his pocket, when the King who had been watching him, cried:
“Here, Quantz, what are you hiding there? Let me see what it is!”
“Your Majesty,” replied the former, “some one has been trying to have a poor joke at my expense. It is not worth taking notice of.”
“Well,” said Frederick, apparently surprised, “you must read it, Quantz; you ought to let me hear what has been written to you!”
Quantz bowed, and unfolding the paper, said:
“If your Majesty wishes it, I cannot refuse.” Then, sharply accenting each word, he read aloud: “Johann Quantz is an ass; Frederick the second!”
Everybody grew pale; some grasped their swords, but the King went smiling up to Quantz, patted him on the shoulder and said: