On the conclusion of these two emphatical speeches, one universal shout of appla use saluted the ears of Gustavus. Having disposed his army in order of battle, that warlike monarch now took upon himself, according to custom, the particular command of the right wing, and drew his sword about nine in the morning; being attended by the duke of Saxe-Lawenburg, Crailsham, grand-master of his houshold, a body of English and Scottish gentlemen, and a few domestics. The action soon became general, and was maintained with great obstinacy on both sides. But the veteran Swedish brigades of the first line, though the finest troops in the world, and esteemed invincible, found the passing of certain ditches, which Walstein had ordered to be hollowed and lined with musqueteers, so exceedingly perplexing and difficult, that their ardour began to abate, and they seemed to pause when their heroic prince flew to the dangerous station, and, dismounting, snatched a partizan from one of the officers, and said, in an austere tone accompanied with a stern look:

"If, after having passed so many rivers, scaled the walls "of numberless fortresses, and conquered in various bat"tles, your native intrepidity hath at last deserted you, "stand firm at least for a few seconds:-have yet the courage to behold your master die—in a manner worthy of "himself!-And he offered to cross the ditch.,'

"Stop, Sire! for the sake of heaven :" cried all the soldiers" Spare that invaluable life!-Distrust us not, and "the business shall be done54,”

Satisfied, after such an assurance, that his brave brigades in the centre would not deceive him, Gustavus returned to the head of the right wing, where his presence was much wanted; and, making his horse spring boldly across the last ditch, set an example of gallantry to his officers and soldiers, which they thought themselves bound to imitate.

54. Theat. Europ. fol. 747

Having cast his eye over the enemy's left wing that op posed him, as soon as he found himself on the farther side of the fosse, and seen there three squadrons of imperial cuirassiers, completely cloathed in iron, the king of Sweden called colonel Stalhaus to him, and said, " Stalhaus! charge "home on these black fellows; for they are men that will "otherwise undo us55,"

Stalhaus executed the orders of his royal master with great intrepidity and effect. But, in the mean time, about eleven o'clock, Gustavus lost his life. He was then fighting sword in hand, at the head of the Smaland cavalry, which closed the right flank of the centre of his army, and is supposed to have outstripped, in his ardour, the invincible brigades that composed his main body. The Swedes fought like roused lions, in order to revenge the death of their king many and vigorous were their struggles: and the ap proach of night alone prevented Kniphausen and the duke of Saxe-Weymar from gaining a decisive victory 56.

During nine hours did the battle rage with inexpressible fierceness. No field was ever disputed with more obstinacy than the plain of Lutzen; where the Swedish infantry not only maintained their ground against a brave and greatly superior army, but broke its force, and almost completed its destruction. Nor could the flight of the Saxons, or the arrival of Papenheim, one of the ablest generals in the imperial service, with a reinforcement of seven thousand fresh troops, shake the unconquerable fortitude of the Swedes. The gallant death of that great man served but to crown their glory, and immortalize their triumph. "Tell Walstein," said he, presuming on the consequences that would result from the death of the Swedish monarch, "that "I have preserved the Catholic religion, and made the em"peror a free man57!"-The death of Gustavus deserves more particular notice.

55. Harte, vol. ii.

56. Id. ibid.

VOL. III.

U

57. Riccius de Bell Germ. The

The king of Sweden first received a ball in his left arm. This wound he either felt not, or disregarded for a time, still pressing on with intrepid valour. Yet the soldiers perceived their leader to be wounded, and expressed their sorrow on that account: "Courage, my comrades !" cried he, "the hurt is nothing; let us resume our ardour, and main"tain the charge 58." At length, however, perceiving his voice and strength to fail him, he desired his cousin the duke of Saxe-Lawenburg, to convey him to some place of safety.

In that instant, as the warlike king's brave associates were preparing to conduct him out of the scene of action, an imperial cavalier advanced, unobserved, and crying aloud, "Long have I sought thee !" transpierced Gustavus through the body with a pistol ball59. But this bold champion did not long enjoy the glory of his daring exploit: for the duke of Saxe-Lawenburg's master of the horse shot him dead, with the vaunting words yet recent on his lips.

Picolomini's cuirassiers now made a furious attack upon the king of Sweden's companions. Gustavus was held up on his saddle for some time; but his horse having received a wound in the shoulder, made a furious plunge, and flung the rider to the earth. His majesty's military followers were soon after utterly dispersed, but his personal attendants remained with him. His two faithful grooms, though mortally wounded, threw themselves over their master's body and one gentleman of the bed-chamber, who lay on the ground, having cried out, in order to save his sovereign's life, that he was king of Sweden, was instantly stabbed to the heart, by an imperial cuirassier.

58. Merc. Franc.

59. Harte, vol. ii.

6. Harte, vol. ii. This promptitude, and other collateral circumstanees, seem to prove, that the duke of Saxe-Lawenburg, is by no means chargeable with the death of Gustavus, notwithstanding all the attempts

that have been made to criminate him.

61, Id. Ibid.

Gustavus

Gustavus being afterwards asked who he was, replied with heroic firmness and magnanimity, "I am the king of "Sweden! and seal with my blood the Protestant religion "and liberties of Germany62," The Imperialists gave him five barbarous wounds, and a bullet passed through his head, yet had he strength to exclaim, "My God! my God !63" His body was recovered by Stalhaus, in spite of the most vigorous efforts of Picolomini, who strove to carry

it off.

No prince, ancient or modern, seems to have possessed, in so eminent a degree as Gustavus Adolphus, the united qualities of the hero, the statesman, and the commander; that intuitive genius which conceives, that wisdom which plans, and that happy combination of courage and conduct which gives success to an enterprize. Nor was the military progress of any leader ever equally rapid, under circumstances equally difficult; with an inferior force, against warlike nations, and disciplined troops, commanded by able and experienced generals. His greatest fault as a king and a commander, was an excess of valour. He usually appeared in the front of the battle, mounted on a horse of a particular colour; which, with his large and majestic stature, surpassing that of every other Swede, made him known. both to friends and foes+.

But Gustavus had other qualities beside those of the military and political kind. He was a pious Christian, a warm friend, a tender husband, a dutiful son, an affectionate father. And the sentiments suited to all these softer characters are admirably displayed, in a letter from the Swedish monarch to his minister Oxenstiern, written a few days before the battle of Lutzen: "Though the cause in which I am en"gaged," said he, " is just and good, yet the event of war, "because of the vicissitudes of human affairs, must ever be "deemed doubtful. Uncertain also is the duration of mor

62. Harte, vol. ii.

63. Id. ibid.

64. Harte, ubi sup.

"tal

"tal life; I therefore require and beseech you, in the name "of our blessed Redeemer! to preserve your fortitude of 'spirit, though events should not proceed in perfect con"formity to my wishes.

"Remember likewise," continued Gustavus, "how I "should comfort myself in regard to you, if by divine per"mission I might live till that period when you should have

occasion for my assistance of any kind. Consider me "as a man, the guardian of a kingdom who has struggled "with difficulties for twenty years, and passed through "them with reputation, by the protection and mercy of "heaven; as a man, who loved and honoured his relations, "and who neglected life, riches, and happy days, for the preservation and glory of his country and faithful subjects; 66 expecting no other recompense, than to be declared, The "prince who fulfilled the duties of that station which Pro“vidence bad assigned him in this world.

They who survive me," added he, "for I, like others, must expect to feel the stroke of mortality, are, on my ac"count, and for many other reasons, real objects of your "commiseration: they are of the tender and defenceless "sex, a helpless mother, who wants a guide, and an infant daughter, who needs a protector!-Natural affection "forces these lines from the hand of a son and a parent's."

66

The death of the king of Sweden presageth great alterations in the state of Europe. The elector Palatine, who was in hopes of being restored not only to his hereditary dominions, but to the throne of Bohemia, died soon after of chagrin. The German Protestants, now without a head,

;

65. Loccen. Hist. Suec. It is not a little surprising that Gustavus, in this memorable Letter, makes no mention of his beloved consort Eleanora ; in parting from whom, when he began his march for Saxony, he was so much affected, that he could only say, "God bless you!"-and in bewailing whose widowed condition (his ejaculation to the Deity excepted) his last words were employed-" Alas, my poor queen!" sighed he, in his dying moments--"Alas, my poor queen!" Harte, vol.ij.

became