This eBook was produced by David Widger, widger@cecomet.net
Translated from the German
Illustrated
The glorious battle of Leipzig effected a great change in the conductof Gustavus Adolphus, as well as in the opinion which both friends andfoes entertained of him. Successfully had he confronted the greatestgeneral of the age, and had matched the strength of his tactics and thecourage of his Swedes against the elite of the imperial army, the mostexperienced troops in Europe. From this moment he felt a firmconfidence in his own powers—self-confidence has always been the parentof great actions. In all his subsequent operations more boldness anddecision are observable; greater determination, even amidst the mostunfavourable circumstances, a more lofty tone towards his adversaries, amore dignified bearing towards his allies, and even in his clemency,something of the forbearance of a conqueror. His natural courage wasfarther heightened by the pious ardour of his imagination. He saw inhis own cause that of heaven, and in the defeat of Tilly beheld thedecisive interference of Providence against his enemies, and in himselfthe instrument of divine vengeance. Leaving his crown and his countryfar behind, he advanced on the wings of victory into the heart ofGermany, which for centuries had seen no foreign conqueror within itsbosom. The warlike spirit of its inhabitants, the vigilance of itsnumerous princes, the artful confederation of its states, the number ofits strong castles, its many and broad rivers, had long restrained theambition of its neighbours; and frequently as its extensive frontier hadbeen attacked, its interior had been free from hostile invasion. TheEmpire had hitherto enjoyed the equivocal privilege of being its ownenemy, though invincible from without. Even now, it was merely thedisunion of its members, and the intolerance of religious zeal, thatpaved the way for the Swedish invader. The bond of union between thestates, which alone had rendered the Empire invincible, was nowdissolved; and Gustavus derived from Germany itself the power by whichhe subdued it. With as much courage as prudence, he availed himself ofall that the favourable moment afforded; and equally at home in thecabinet and the field, he tore asunder the web of the artful policy,with as much ease, as he shattered walls with the thunder of his cannon.Uninterruptedly he pursued his conquests from one end of Germany to theother, without breaking the line of posts which commanded a secureretreat at any moment; and whether on the banks of the Rhine, or at themouth of the Lech, alike maintaining his communication with hishereditary dominions.
The consternation of the Emperor and the League at Tilly's defeat atLeipzig, was scarcely greater than the surprise and embarrassment of theallies of the King of Sweden at his unexpected success. It was beyondboth their expectations and their wishes. Annihilated in a moment wasthat formidable army which, while it checked his progress and set boundsto his ambition, rendered him in some measure dependent on themselves.He now stood in the heart of Germany, alone, without a rival or withoutan adversary who was a match for him. Nothing could stop his progress,or check his pretensions, i