ardour was damped, and their vigour wasted, before they could reach the camp of their antagonists (enemies). By a mistake in computing (reckoning) the distance, they had eight miles to march instead of five, and chiefly through fresh-ploughed lands, the passage of which was difficult beyond description; the miry ground clinging to the feet and legs of the soldiers, and reaching, in some places, as high as the knee.

Nor were these the only difficulties they had to encounter (meet with) before they arrived at Lutzen. When they came within two miles of the spot, where they hoped for a speedy termination of all their toils (labours), they found a swamp (bog), over which was a paltry (small) bridge, so narrow that only two men could march over it abreast. In consequence of this new obstacle it was sunset before the whole Swedish army could clear the pass; and Wallestein, having been by this time informed of the approach of Gustavus, was employed in fortifying his camp, and in taking every other measure for his own safety and the destruction of his enemy that military skill could suggest (prompt).

The situation of the king of Sweden was now truly perilous. He saw himself reduced to the necessity of giving battle under the most adverse circumstances, or of incurring (running) the hazard of being routed (put to flight) in attempting a retreat with the troops fatigued and almost fainting for want of food. Yet was a retreat thought expedient (necessary) by some of his generals. But Gustavus, in a tone of decision, thus silenced their arguments: "I cannot bear to see Wallestein under my beard, without making some trial with him; I long to unearth him," added he, "and to behold with my own eyes how he can acquit (conduct) himself in the open field."

Conformably (agreeably) to these sentiments, he resolved to give battle, and begin the action two hours before day. But the extreme darkness of the night rendered the execution of the latter part of his plan impracticable (unable to be performed); and when morning began to dawn, November 16th, and the sun to dispel (drive away) the thick fog that had obscured the sky, an unexpected obstacle presented itself. Across the line, in which the Swedish left wing proposed to advance, was cut a deep

ditch too difficult for the troops to pass; so that the king was obliged to make his whole army move to the right, in order to occupy the ground which lay between the ditch and the hostile camp.

This movement was not made without some trouble and a considerable loss of time. When he had completed it, Gustavus ordered two hymns to be sung; and, riding along the lines with a commanding air, he thus harangued (addressed) his Swedish troops: "My companions and friends! show the world this day what you really are. Acquit yourselves like disciplined men who have been engaged in service; observe your orders, and behave intrepidly (fearlessly) for your own sakes as well as mine. If you so respect yourselves, you will find the blessing of heaven on the point of your swords, and reap (acquire) deathless honour, the sure and inestimable reward of valour. But if, on the contrary, you give way to fear, and seek self-preservation in flight, then infamy is as certainly your portion as my disgrace, and your destruction will be the consequence of such conduct."

The king then addressed his German allies, who chiefly composed the second line of his army, lowering the tone of his voice, and relaxing his air of authority: "Friends, officers, and fellow-soldiers," said he, "let me conjure (implore) you to behave valiantly this day; you shall fight not only under me but with me. My blood shall mark the path you ought to pursue. Keep firmly, therefore, within your ranks, and second your leader with courage. If you so act, victory is ours, with all its advantages, which you and your posterity shall not fail to enjoy. But if you give ground, or fall into disorder, your liberties and lives will become a sacrifice to the enemy."

On the conclusion of these two emphatical (forcible) speeches, one universal shout of applause 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, attended by the duke of Saxe-Lawenberg, Crailtham, grand master of the household, 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 Wallestein had ordered to be hollowed and lined with musketeers, so exceedingly difficult that their ardour began to abate (diminish), and they seemed to pause, when their heroic prince flew to the dangerous station, and, dismounting, snatched a partisan (pike) from one of his officers, saying, in an austere (severe) tone, accompanied with a stern look:

"If after having passed so many rivers, scaled (climbed) the walls of numberless fortresses, and conquered in various battles, your native intrepidity (fearlessness) 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 proceeded to cross the ditch.

Stop, sire! for the sake of heaven," cried all the soldiers; "spare your valuable life! Distrust us not, we will do our duty!"

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, and making his horse spring boldly across the last ditch, set an example of gallantry (bravery) to his officers and soldiers, which they thought themselves bound to imitate.

Having cast his eye over the enemy's left wing that opposed him, he observed three squadrons of imperial cuirassiers completely clad in steel, and, calling Colonel Stalhaus to him, said, "Stalhaus! charge home these black fellows; for they are the men that will otherwise undo us."

The colonel executed the orders of his royal master with great intrepidity and effect. But in the meantime, about two hours after the commencement of the battle, Gustavus lost his life. He was then fighting, sword in hand, at the head of the Smalkand cavalry, which closed the right flank of the centre of his army, and is supposed to have outstripped (gone in advance) in his ardour the invincible brigades that composed his main (chief) body. The Swedes fought like roused lions to revenge the death of their king; many and vigorous were their struggles; and the approach of night alone prevented Kinphausen and the duke of Saxe-Weimer from gaining a decisive victory.

During nine hours did the battle rage with inexpressible fierceness. No field was ever disputed with greater courage 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 seven thousand fresh combatants, shake the unconquerable firmness of the Swedes. The death of Gustavus deserves more particular notice.

This

The king first received a ball in his left arm. wound he disregarded for a time, still pressing on with intrepid (fearless) valour. The soldiers, perceiving their leader to be wounded, expressed their sorrow on that account. "Courage, comrades!" exclaimed he, "the hurt is nothing; let us resume our ardour and maintain the charge." At length, however, when his voice and strength began to fail, he desired the duke of SaxeLawenberg to convey him to some place of safety.

In that instant, as his 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!" shot Gustavus through the body with a pistol ball. But this bold champion did not long enjoy the glory of his daring exploit, for the duke's master of the horse shot him dead with the vaunting (boasting) words yet recent on his lips.

Poccolimini's cuirassiers now made a furious attack upon the king's companions. Gustavus was held up on his saddle for some time; but his horse, having received a wound in the shoulder, made a frightful plunge, and flung the rider to the earth. His two faithful grooms, though mortally wounded, threw themselves over their master's body; and one gentleman of the bedchamber, who lay on the ground, having cried out, in order to save his sovereign's life, that he was the king of Sweden, was instantly stabbed to the heart by an imperial cuirassier.

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 the liberties of Germany!" The Imperialists gave him five wounds, and a bullet passed through his

head; yet had he strength to exclaim, "My God! my God! Alas, my poor queen! alas, my poor queen!" His body was recovered by Stalhaus, in spite of the most vigorous efforts of Piccolimini, who strove to carry it off.

READING LIV.

TERMINATION OF THE SPANISH POWER IN PORTUGAL, AND ELEVATION OF THE DUKE OF BRAGANÇA TO THE THRONE OF THAT COUNTRY.

1640.

THE Portuguese naturally disgusted with the tyrannical yoke of Spain, under which they had been reduced by Philip I1. were with one consent anxious to be again under the dominion of native princes, and with this view cast their eyes on the duke of Bragança. This prince was in the flower of his age, and grandson to John duke of Bragança, who had been competitor (rival) to Philip. His father, Don Theodosius, had been a warm friend to his country, and having opposed the first insults of the Castilians with great dignity and spirit, had by this conduct endeared himself exceedingly to the people. It was not without great difficulty that the duke, who was of a gentle and quiet temper, and rather indolent than active, was prevailed upon to enter into the views of the revolutionists; but having been ordered to repair to the court of Madrid, where suspicions of his conduct had already been excited, it became necessary for him to act with decision, and therefore after mature reflection, he thought it expedient (necessary) to send for his secretary Antonio Paez Viegas, a person of great sagacity, and to lay before him the whole state of the matter. Instead of giving his opinion, the secretary asked him, whether if the associated lords, in imitation of the United Provinces, had resolved to set up a Republic, he would not have sacrificed his own rights to the welfare of his country? "Yes," replied the Duke, "and my fortunes and my life, if necessary, to her safety." "Why then," said the