Gustavus Vasa, AND OTHER POEMS.
BY
W.S. WALKER.
London:
PRINTED FOR LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, AND BROWN, PATERNOSTER ROW.
1813.
J.G. BARNARD, SKINNER-STREET, LONDON.
TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE BARONESS HOWE.
It would be a sufficient reason for sanctioning this work with your Ladyship's name, that it is an offering of gratitude, presented because there is nothing worthier to give.
But there is another cause. He who celebrates a patriot, cannot address himself to any one more properly than to the daughter of a patriot; of one who was for years the naval sun of England, and from whom the young and enterprising caught the unextinguishable rays of patriotism and courage.
For actions and glory such as his, the female mind is not formed; but in the calm and active virtues of private life, which are almost equally honourable to the possessor, your Ladyship maintains the dignity of your race. I call to witness those whom you have soothed in affliction, and those whom you have honoured with your friendship. They will vindicate me from the charge of flattery, and support my assertion, that your patronage is as glorious to me, as any I could possibly have chosen.
With the hope, that the virtues of your excellent daughter, and your son, whom I am proud to call my friend, may answer your fullest expectations,
I remain, Your Ladyship's Most obliged And devoted Servant, W.S. WALKER.
PREFACE.
As the author of these Poems is only seventeen, some apology may be required for offering them to the public.
Many precedents may be quoted in favour of early publication; and the practice perhaps is not in itself blameable, except when the advice of good judges is unasked, or the work itself uncorrected and negligent. To neither of these charges is the author liable. These poems, as well as the design of publishing them, have been approved of by many sincere and judicious friends; and the work has been altered in many parts, in conformity to the advice of the same persons. The author has made no improper sacrifice to the Muse: he has deserted no duty, and neglected no necessary employment. Influenced by these motives, he appears before the bar of criticism, not indeed without diffidence, but unconscious of having deserved censure. If his verses are bad, he is content to sink into oblivion; and if the public confirms the favourable judgment of his friends, he does not deny that it will give him real satisfaction.—He is sensible, that if he delayed till time had matured his judgment, and reflection perfected his ideas, the "scribendi cacoëthes," perhaps an unfortunate inclination, would take a firm and unalterable possession of his mind. He is therefore determined to try the public opinion; that he may be enabled either to pursue his poetical studies under their encouragement, or to desist in time from an useless employment. This volume is not intended to challenge approbation, but to be the precursor of something which may challenge it in future: it is not an attempt to gain the prize, but a specimen of his powers, which may entitle him to the honour of standing candidate for that prize. The reader will here find the genuine effusions of a youthful fancy, free, yet not uncontrolled; a collection of pieces, exempt from negligence and inaccuracy, though not from the usual and inevitable faults of early compositions. To offer less than this would be arrogant, and to require more than this would be unreasonable.
"Gustavus Vasa" was originally planned (the reader will smile) at eleven years of age. When the author began to know what poetry was, his first design was to write an epic poem—no matter of what sort or character, so it was an epic poem. The subject was soon chosen; and the progress of the work was various: sometimes hurried on with all the ardour of hope and enterprize, sometimes relinquished for more lively pursuits, and left to sleep for months in the leaves of a portfolio. In this manner were six long cantos completed. At length the author, in his thirteenth year, perceived numerous faults and extravagances in his early composition. He destroyed the manuscript: and some time after recommenced his poem on a new and more rational plan. Accordingly, the first and part of the second book, were written in 1810, and the rest of the work which is published in this volume, principally in 1812. All that is yet completed of this production (except the sequel of the fourth book, and the whole fifth, which are yet uncorrected) is here presented to the public; and on its success the continuation of "Gustavus Vasa" depends.
It was designed to embrace the whole actions of the hero, from his first signalizing himself under Steen Sture, to his death in 1560; but as all this could not be regularly related without destroying the unity of the poem, it was thought most convenient to begin with his introduction among the Dalecarlians at Mora, and conclude with his first election to the royalty, in 1523; the rest being introduced by means of narration, anticipation, and episode.
It will be doubtless objected, that the enterprize is beyond his powers, and that he acted rashly in undertaking it. But this is no light scheme; no work, begun for want of other amusement, and deserted when a more specious or pleasing subject for poetry presented itself. He has considered it seriously; the subject appears full of poetical capabilities, and superior to many others which offered themselves; and if the opinion of the world coincides with his own in this point, he has resolved to make it the favourite employment of his maturer years, and to reduce it as far as possible to perfection. Part of his plan for continuing the poem, will be found in the Notes.
The smaller pieces are selected from a large number of original compositions; they are not chosen as his favourites, but as what he esteems most faultless. This appeared the safer method; since it is impossible that "the flimsy productions of a youth of seventeen," as Kirke White expresses it, should be free from considerable errors; and we are apt to think our most irregular flights, our most vigorous ones. On these pieces, however, he places little stress; his principal reliance is on "Gustavus Vasa." The Latin Poems have been honoured by the approbation of different Masters at Eton.
The Author may be accused of arrogance in saying too much of himself. But he felt strongly that early publication, and the design of writing a long epic poem, would naturally be censured by many well-meaning persons; he thought it his duty to state his motives; and was less solicitous to avoid the possible charge of self-conceit, than the certain one of folly and presumption.
Any resemblance to former writers, which may occur in the course of the work, are generally unintentional. Thus the lines—
were written before the author had seen Persius's description of a totally abandoned man:
The Author has to express his sincere gratitude for a numerous and respectable list of Subscribers. It is far beyond his expectations; and it encourages his hope, that the reception of the present volume will authorize his continuing in the same pursuit.
A LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS TO THE 1st MARCH, 1813.
Gustavus Vasa.
ARGUMENT.
State of Sweden at the commencement of the Poem—A Council—Trollio—Bernheim—Ernestus—Christiern proposes the reduction of Dalecarlia—Ernestus opposes him, is committed to prison—Christiern takes his measures to oppose a rebellion just arisen in Denmark.
Gustavus Vasa,
A POEM.
BOOK I.
BOOK II.
ARGUMENT.
Soliloquies of Ernestus and Harfagar in prison—Christiern in a conversation with his peers throws further light on the rebellion of Prince Frederic in Denmark—He employs Olaus to carry Ernestus and Harfagar, in a boat, into the sea, and there assassinate them—Death of Olaus and Harfagar—Ernestus is ordered by the genius of Sweden, to seek Gustavus Vasa, hero of the poem, in Dalecarlia—Character of Admiral Norbi.
BOOK II.
BOOK III.
ARGUMENT.
Ernestus enters Dalecarlia—View of the scene round Mora—Transition to Gustavus Vasa, who it represented as reclining under a tree near his friend, the pastor's house, and retracing past events in his mind—His soliloquy—After briefly recounting the late disasters of Sweden, and the arguments which induced him to resolve to quit his country, he concludes with a prayer—Ernestus then appears, and delivers his message from the Genius of Sweden—Gustavus treats his mission as a fiction, upbraids him as a traitor, and attempts his life, but is prevented by apparent prodigies, which, however, do not entirely convince him or alter his resolution.
BOOK III.
BOOK IV.
BOOK IV.
[The Argument to the Fourth Book, of which this is only the commencement, will be found in the Notes.]
SONG FOR THE FOURTH BOOK OF GUSTAVUS VASA:
SUPPOSED TO BE HEARD BY A DALECARLIAN HERMIT.
THE RIVER TICINUS:
FROM THE FOURTH BOOK OF SILIUS ITALICUS.
JUPITER THUNDERING IN DEFENCE OF ROME:
FROM THE TENTH BOOK.
FRAGMENT, IN IMITATION OF WALTER SCOTT.
THE EXILE:
A POEM.
—Superanda omnis fortuna ferendo est.
TO THE COMET, 1811.
WRITTEN ON ITS APPEARANCE.
Be ye not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. Jer. x. 2.
FROM THE ELEVENTH BOOK OF STATIUS' THEBAID.
Jamque in pulvereum, furiis hortantibus, æquor Prosiliunt, &c. 403—407, 409—423.
FROM THE NINTH BOOK OF KLOPSTOCK'S MESSIAH.
BEGINNING OF THE THIRTEENTH ILIAD,
TRANSLATED IN IMITATION OF WALTER SCOTT.
Ζεὺς δ' ἐπεὶ οὔν Τρῶάς τε καὶ Ἑκτορα νηυσὶ πέλασσε, &c.
LATIN POEMS.
I.
Ἤρπαζον—οὐκ ἔχοντός πω αἰσχύνην τούτου τοῦ ἔργου, φέροντος δέ τι, καὶ δόξης μᾶλλον. Thuc. Lib. 1.
Pirata loquitur.
II.
III.
DIVI PAULI CONVERSIO.
IV.
Cœlestis Sapientia. Hor.
NOTES ON GUSTAVUS VASA.
I have prefixed to this fragment the title of Epic Poem, though epic poems are growing out of fashion; because, in the structure, plan, and metre, the heroic model is followed. My authorities for facts, dates, and characters, are Vertot and Puffendorff. The latter I have only read in an English translation, dated 1702: the former I quote from a small Amsterdam edition, printed for Stephen Roger, in 2 vols. 1722.
BOOK THE FIRST.
Line 3.
Gustavus, by his prudent and vigorous measures, effectually abolished Popery in Sweden, and established the disciples and doctrine of Luther.
9, 10.
Many have attributed the efforts which Gustavus made use of to deliver his country, to ambition, and a desire of reigning. Yet, since his elevation produced much good to Sweden, and no evil, it is surely allowable, if not just, to attribute them to a purer motive: at any rate, a poet is at liberty to set his hero's character in the fairest light he can, consistently with history.
14.
Alluding to the celebrated massacre of Stockholm. For an account of it, see notes on the Third Book.
15.
Steen Sture, Poeticè Stenon, was the son of Suante Sture, administrator of Sweden, who reduced John the Second of Denmark to conclude a treaty with him, and who is greatly extolled by historians for the extraordinary spirit, skill, and moderation, with which he governed a turbulent kingdom for many years. Sture, though a young man, was admitted his successor, being duly elected on the 21st of July, 1513, after a violent struggle with his competitor, Eric Trolle, the senator, which laid the foundation of the enmity between him and Gustavus Trolle, the famous Primate of Sweden. On that prelate's arrival from Rome, however, he welcomed him to his see, and behaved to him in the most courteous manner. This behaviour was repaid by Trolle with almost open hostility; but the young administrator had spirit enough to resist his encroachments. Arcemboldi, the Pope's Legate, and merchant of indulgences, when passing through Sweden, in execution of his gainful office, was well received by Sture, who encouraged him in his exactions, from a political motive, and even exempted him from the duty which former venders of indulgences had been accustomed to pay to the Kings and Governors of Sweden. In the war commenced by Christiern the Second against Sweden, he signalized his courage and military talents on many occasions, and was killed in an engagement with Otho Crumpein's army, near Bogesund in East Gothland.
Inferior to his father as an Administrator, he appears to have equalled him only in courage and the art of war. He was one of those men who are born to adorn, though not defend, a declining state: and, in the words of the French writer, was "fitter to command a party, than govern an empire." His death happened in the beginning of 1519.
18.
Christiern the Second was perhaps the worst king that ever disgraced the Danish throne. It is difficult to find any thing estimable or admirable in his character; he had neither the moderation of a Pisistratus, the talents of a Cæsar, nor the political prudence of an Augustus. He succeeded his father John in 1512, and declared war against Sweden, in which he was assisted by Trolle. Having made a descent on the coast, he was repulsed by Steen Sture, and reduced to extremities. Wishing to treat with Sture, he demanded hostages for his safety; some of the principal nobles were sent to him in that quality, and among them Gustavus Vasa. With these he immediately sailed away, and on his return, confined them in the castle of Copenhagen, excepting Gustavus, who was committed to the custody of Eric Banner. He made a second attack upon Sweden, and, after the death of Steen Sture, was crowned King of Sweden. Under false pretences, he put to death the whole Swedish senate, and exercised innumerable barbarities on the townsmen and peasants. (Puffendorff, passim.) Being afterwards expelled from Denmark by his uncle Prince Frederick, and from Sweden by Gustavus Vasa, after many fruitless attempts to regain possession of either kingdom, he was at last seized by Frederick, August 2, 1532, and confined in the Castle of Coldinger, where he died some years after.
27.
This poem begins in January, 1521, immediately before the introduction of Gustavus in the assembly of Mora.
41.
Gustavus Trolle, son of Eric the rival of Steen Sture, was sent when young to Rome (where it is supposed he learned the art of political finesse), and was there consecrated Archbishop of Upsal by Leo the Tenth. On his return to Sweden, he treated with great haughtiness Steen Sture, who came to congratulate him on his elevation. He joined in Christiern's attempts on Sweden, and, being convicted of treason by the assembled Swedish States, retired from his archiepiscopal throne to a monastery. On the successes of Christiern, however, he quitted his retirement, and, regardless of his oaths of abdication, resumed his former office. His forcible deposition was one of the pretexts for the massacre of Stockholm. He opposed Gustavus Vasa in his patriotic endeavours, and once circumvented the hero with a troop of Danes, so that he narrowly escaped with his life. Vasa, however, soon retorted the same stratagem on his enemy; and he was at last obliged to retire into Denmark, where he with difficulty escaped death from the resentment of his master. A wound, received in an engagement with the troops of Christiern the Third, terminated the existence of one of the most restless caballers, and most accomplished statesmen, of his time.
119.
Otho Crumpein, one of the most celebrated generals of the North, was employed by Christiern in his war with Steen Sture, and gained many signal victories over the Danes; and afterwards, by his master's orders, invested Stockholm. He was at length removed to Denmark by the tyrant, who was jealous of his talents.
191.
Ernestus and Harfagar are fictitious characters. Puffendorff, however, reports that Steen Sture was killed by the treachery of one of his confidential friends.—The hint of the vision, l. 281-311, is taken from Lucan.
335.
Brask, Bishop of Lincoping, was secretly a partisan of Christiern's, and escaped the massacre of Stockholm by an artful contrivance. When the order for Trolle's arrest was signed by the Senate and Bishops, at the instigation of Steen Sture, he added his name to the rest, but secretly slipped under the seal a note, declaring his dissent: of this he informed Christiern, when under the edge of the axe. On Gustavus's insurrection, he at first remained neutral: afterwards, being besieged in his castle by Gustavus, he came over to him. But his invincible obstinacy and factious disposition were a great obstacle to Gustavus in the introduction of Lutheranism into his kingdom.
336.
Bernheim is a fictitious character.
337.
Theodore, Archbishop of Lunden, is thus characterized by Vertot:
"L'Archevêque de Lunden avoit beaucoup de part dans sa confiance. C'étoit un homme de basse naissance, sans érudition, et même sans habileté; mais savant dans l'art d'inventer de nouveaux plaisirs, et qui en connoissoit également tous les sécrèts et les assaisonnemens. Il étoit redevable de sa faveur et de son élevation à Sigebritte (the well-known mistress of Christiern): elle l'avoit d'abord introduit à la cour pour lui servir d'espion: il passa ensuite tout d'un coup (here we must suspect some exaggeration), par le crédit de cette femme, de la fonction de Barbier du Prince à la dignité d'Archevêque, et il se maintint dans sa faveur en presentant à Christierne des plaisirs qu'il savoit accommoder à son goût." P. 108, 109, Amst. ed.
Christiern, having first employed Theodore in an official commission, appointed him Administrator of Sweden in his absence. On the news of the Swedish rebellion, that prelate, fearful of losing the ample opportunities he now possessed of indulging his voluptuousness and rapacity, sent an immediate express to his master, who ordered him to assemble his army, and attack the insurgents. In conformity to these orders, he occupied an advantageous post on the banks of the river Brunebec: Gustavus was on the opposite side, and he intended to dispute the passage with him. But, through natural cowardice, or a sudden fit of alarm, he quitted his station, like Hector; and flying for safety from one fortress to another, was at last obliged, like Trolle, to take refuge in Denmark.
371.
While Christiern was exercising his cruelty towards the Swedes, the Danish nobility, offended at his usurping absolute power, combined against him under the auspices of Prince Frederic, and finally succeeded in expelling him from Denmark. The rebellion began in Jutland.
429.
Such is the character usually given of the inhabitants of Dælarne or Dalecarlia.
BOOK THE SECOND.
Line 300.
Klopstock, Book 3.
425, &c.
This passage may remind the reader of Burns's vest of Coila, in his "Vision, Duan First." The resemblance was unintentional.
475, 6.
The character here given of the Romish Bishops of Sweden at the time of the grand revolution, is supported by the historical accounts of Trolle, Brask, and others.
479, 480.
Gustavus was disturbed during the first years of his reign, by the restless machinations of Christiern and Trolle: but from 1532 to 1560, when he died (Sept. 29), the kingdom enjoyed a profound peace. The same may be said of the earlier part of his son Eric's reign.
537.
This speech, and the whole intervention of the Guardian Genius of Sweden, is introduced in order to elevate the subject, by ascribing the calamities of Sweden to a supernatural arm, and by giving, as it were, a divine direction to the sword of Gustavus. Its more immediate use is to bring about the main design of the poem, by persuading Gustavus to relinquish his design of self-banishment, and renew his patriotic efforts.
544, 545.
Virg. Æn. 10.
584.
Soren Norbi (Gallicè Severin), one of the most renowned adherents of Christiern, was employed by him on many occasions, during the war with Steen Sture. It was by his intercession that Christina, the widow of that Governor, was saved from death. According to Vertot, he wished to marry her, and, by the means of her influence and his master's unpopularity, procure himself elected Administrator. He also concealed many Swedish gentlemen from the rage of Christiern. He defeated the generals of Gustavus in their first attempt upon Stockholm, and afterwards routed one of that hero's armies in Finland. But his fleet was at last burnt by the Lubeckers, under the command of Gustavus, and he was compelled to retire to Gothland, where he purposed to erect an independent kingdom of his own. This design being defeated, he continued to harass Gustavus and the Lubeckers in various ways, 'till they at length expelled him from Sweden. He now collected his remaining forces, and retreated to Narva, where he was seized and imprisoned by the Russians. After remaining some time in confinement, he was at length released at the instance of Charles the Fifth of Germany, in whose service he died, at the siege of Florence. According to Puffendorff, his death happened in 1539.
BOOK THE THIRD.
Line 7.
24.
See Preface.
40.
According to Pinkerton, forests are frequent in Dalecarlia. This remark seemed necessary, to obviate the objection against placing woods in a mineral soil.
92.
Gustaf Wase, or Gustavus Vasa, was the son of Eric Vasa, governor of Halland, and was cousin-german to Steen Sture. Being the grand nephew of King Canutson, he was descended from the ancient kings of Sweden. Before his confinement by Christiern, he was one of the moving springs of the state; he assisted Sture with his counsels, which were bold and judicious, and gained a signal victory over the Danes. Christiern, receiving him as a hostage, caused him to be arrested and carried him to Denmark, where, by the request of Eric Banner, he was entrusted to the care of that nobleman. From his custody, however, he soon escaped, and traversed the various provinces of Sweden, in hopes of exciting at least some of them to assert their independence. His efforts, however, surprising and unwearied as they were, did not avail, 'till he arrived in the remote province of Dalecarlia. His unexpected appearance there among the peasants excited the whole province to revolt, and an army, assembled in haste, stormed the Governor's castle, and destroyed the greater part of the garrison. After this beginning, his successes gradually increased, and Angermanland, Helsingland, Gestricia, and other governments almost immediately came over to his party. He sustained a war against the whole powers of Christiern for some years in a most skilful and indefatigable manner, and succeeded at last in expelling Christiern, Trolle, and Norbi, from the land of which he was now elected monarch. A task, scarcely less difficult, remained—to extirpate the Catholic religion from Sweden. This he effected, and established Lutheranism on so firm a basis, that it has resisted all attempts to shake it. After a long and really glorious reign, he was succeeded by his son Eric the Fourteenth, in 1560. In him were combined all the qualities necessary to constitute a hero; he was enterprising, vigilant, proof against pleasures, brave, prudent, and generous. He erected Sweden to a degree of power and respectability unknown before, and laid the foundation for the victories of Gustavus Adolphus and Charles the Twelfth. For the particular events of his life and reign, see Vertot, Puffendorff, the Encyclopædia Britannica, and most modern histories.
128.
Haquin and Birger were common names among the earlier kings of Sweden.
135.
Margaret, who united the three northern kingdoms, and whose empire, like Alexander's, did not long survive after the death of its founder.
138.
The successor of Margaret. He is called the thirteenth by Vertot, though according to other accounts he was but the tenth or eleventh.
198.
The Massacre of Stockholm, as it is commonly called, happened on the 8th of November, 1520. Of this almost unparalleled act of baseness and cruelty, Vertot (p. 113, 114, 115, Amst. ed.) gives the following account, from Zigler, who was an eye-witness, and many other authors of credit. The pretext for this execution was the demolishing of Stecka, a castle belonging to the traitor Trolle, which the Swedish States had ordered to be rased, contrary to the bull of Leo the Tenth.
"Le nouveau Roi fit ensuite inviter tout ces Seigneurs à une fête magnifique qu'il fit dans le château, pour marquer la joie de son avènement a la couronne. Le Sénat en corps, et ce qu'il y avoit de Seigneurs de la première noblesse, à Stocolme, ne manquèrent pas de s'y rendre: ce ne fut pendant les deux premiers jours que festins, que jeux, que plaisirs; Christierne affectoit des manières pleines de bonté et de familiarité; il sembloit qu'on eût enseveli dans la bonne chère la haine et l'aversion que les deux parties avoient fait paroître si long-tems l'une contre l'autre; tout le monde s'abandonnoit tranquillement à la joie, lors que, le troisième jour, les Suédois furent tirés de cet excès de securité, d'une maniere bien funeste."
He then proceeds to relate the proceedings of the Danish Monarch against the Nobility, in the way of accusation, by means of his ministers the Danish Bishops, and the Pope's Bull; and having described their pleas, &c. thus continues:
"Ce Prince sortit ensuite de l'Assemblée, comme s'il cut voulu laisser la liberté aux commissaires de délibérer: mais en même tems on vit entrer une troupe de soldats de ses gardes, qui arrêtoient la veuve de l'Administrateur (Christina), les Senateurs, les Evêques même, et tout ce qui se trouva de Seigneurs et de Gentilshommes Suédois dans le château.
"Les Evêques Danois, commissaires du Pape, commencèrent à instruire leur procès comme à des héretiques, et comme s'ils eussent êté en pays d'inquisition; mais la procedure étant trop longue pour des gens qui étoient déjà condamnés, Christierne, dans la crainte qu'il ne se fît quelque revolte en leur faveur, leur envoya des bourreaux sans autre formalité, pour leur annoncer qu'il falloit mourir.
"Le huitième de Novembre fut destiné pour leur supplice; on entendit dès le matin des trompettes et des hérauts de la part du Prince, qui défendoient à qui que ce fût de sortir de la ville, sous peine de la vie: toute la garrison étoit sous les armes: il y avoit des corps de garde aux portes, et dans toutes les places. Le canon prêt à tirer étoit dans la grande place, la bouche tournée contre les principals rues; tout le monde étoit dans une profonde consternation; ou ne savoit à quoi aboutiroient ces mouvemens extraordinaires, lorsque sur le midi ou vit ouvrir les portes du château, et, au travers de deux files de soldats, des illustres prisonniers, la plupart encore avec les marques de leur dignité, conduits à la mort par des bourreaux.
"Si-tôt qu'ils furent arrivés au lieu de leur supplice, un officier Danois lût tout haut la bulle du pape, comme l'arrêt de leur condemnation, et il ajouta que dans le châtiment des coupables, le Roi ne faisoit rien que par l'ordonnance des commissaires apostoliques, et que suivant le conseil de l'Archevèque d'Upsal. Les Evêques condamnés, et les autres prisonniers, demandèrent avec instance des confesseurs; mais Christierne leur refusa cette consolation avec beaucoup d'inhumanité, soit que ce Prince trouvât un rafinement de vengeance à étendre son ressentiment sur les choses de l'autre vie, où qu'il ne voulût pas qu'on traitât en Catholiques des gens qu'on venoit de condamner comme héretiques: il sacrifia par la même politique ses amis et ses partisans, pour n'être pas soupçonné d'avoir fait périr ses ennemis: toute l'ardeur et tout le zêle que les Evêques de Stregnez et de Scara avoient fait paroître pour ses interêts, ne purent les exempter de la mort, la qualité de Sénateurs leur coûta la vie, et la signature qu'ils avoient mise à la condamnation de l'Archevêque avec les autres Sénateurs, fut la prétexte de leur supplice."
(He mentions here the stratagem of Bishop Brask, related in a former note.)
"On exécuta ensuite" (i.e. after the execution of the Bishops) "tous les Senateurs seculiers: on commença par Eric Vasa, père de Gustave; les Consules et les Magistrats de Stocolme, et quatre-vingt quatorze Senateurs, qui avoient été arrêtés dans le Chateau, eurent la même destinée.
"Le Roi n'apprit qu'avec un violent chagrin qu'on n'avoit pû faire périr quelques Seigneurs qu'il avoit proscrits particulièrement, et qu'on croyoit qu'ils étoient cachés dans la ville. La crainte qu'ils n'échappassent, et l'espérance de décourrir la rétraite de Gustave, qu'il soupçonnoit d'être caché dans Stocolme, lui fit confondre les innocens avec les coupables. Il abandonna la ville à la fureur de ses troupes: les soldats se jettèrent d'abord sur le peuple qui étoit accoura à ce triste spectacle: ils frappoient et ils tuoient indifferemment tous ceux qui étoient assez malheureux pour se rencoutrer à leur chemin: ils passèrent ensuite dans les meilleurs maisons de la ville, sous prétexte de chercher Gustave et les autres proscrits; ils poignardoient les bourgeois jusque dans les bras de leur femmes; les maisons furent mises au pillage, et la pudicité des femmes et des filles exposée à la brutalité des soldats. Rien ne fut épargué que la laideur et la pauvreté: tout le reste devint la proie du soldat furieux, qui, sous les ordres et à l'exemple de son souverain, se faisoit un mérite de sa fureur et de son emportement."
236.
All the transactions recorded in the Third Book are supposed to have taken place on the evening and night preceding the annual festival of Dalecarlia, a day so memorable in Swedish history.
364.
A most bloody engagement took place in 1464, on the lake Meler, when frozen over, between Bishop Catil and the partizans of the twice deposed Canutson. The Bishop was victorious.
371.
See the account of Steen Sture, in the note on line 15 of the First Book.
406.
My precedent for this is Lucan, who says of the soul of Pompey,
433.
Gustavus appeared in a public assembly of the Sudermanian Peasants, and exhorting them to revolt, was repulsed with the following answer: "We want neither salt nor herrings under the reign of the King of Denmark, and another King could not give us more: besides, if we take arms against so great a Prince, we shall unavoidably perish." The Swedish peasantry, however, soon felt that the cruelty and tyranny of Christiern were something more than a mere report.
460.
"Charles-Quint entroit dans les intèrêts du Roi de Danemarck avec une chaleur que la seule alliance ne produit guère entre les potentats. On prétend que ce prince, le plus ambitieux de son siècle, n'avoit accordé la princesse sa sœur à Christierne, qu'à condition qu'il le reconnoitroit pour son successeur aux couronnes du Nord, en cas qu'il mourât sans enfans. Cette succession étoit une pièce importante au dessein de la monarchiæ universelle: on sait assez que ce fut l'idole et la vision de ce Prince." P. 110, Amst. ed.
489.
I beg leave to quote the animated lines of Lord Byron:
539.
Alluding to his profession of Lutheranism, which he probably embraced while in Steen Sture's army.
564.
The foregoing soliloquy is introduced for many reasons: first, to illustrate the character of the hero: secondly, to shew the difficulties which opposed, and were still destined to oppose, his memorable enterprize: thirdly, to account for his determination (Book ii. l. 509.) to leave his country: and, fourthly, to give the reader some idea of the prior calamities of Sweden, which are to be developed in a future book. These, and other motives, induced me to insert this soliloquy, which may appear rather long, but the prolixity of which the good-natured reader will excuse.
567.
For the use of this word, I have many authorities in cattie:
PLAN FOR THE SEVEN NEXT BOOKS OF GUSTAVUS VASA.
BOOK THE FOURTH.
The Supreme Being commands the Genius of Sweden to lull the Danish garrison of Dalecarlia into false security, to invigorate the drooping spirits of the Dalecarlians, and to assist and increase the army of Prince Frederic of Denmark by means of various rumours, &c.—The Genius dispatches a fiend to execute the first commission, while he hastens to perform the second.—Transition to Gustavus.—He finds his sword, but misses Ernestus, by means of a storm which the whirlwind had excited.—His reflections.—Taking shelter under the roof of a cottage; he there overhears a party of young men, with Adolphus at their head, exclaiming against the dilatory measures of the seniors, and resolving on more vigorous plans.—He joins them, without disclosing himself, and bids them report to the council, that a stranger will appear in the public assembly of Dalecarlia, the following day, and notify things which may influence their counsels.—He retires: Adolphus follows him unseen.—The youths, returning to the assembly, find their elders watching the event of an augury, mentioned in the Third Book.—Its process described—the result.—The young men announce their message.—Reflections of the Dalecarlians on it.—Gustavus meets Ernestus, and prepares to attack him, but is prevented by a miraculous sign.—The Genius of Sweden, after having revived the spirits of the Dalecarlians, passes to Denmark, where he influences the Danes to join the standards of Prince Frederic of Oldenburg.—Description of that Prince's court, and of the state of Denmark.—The Genius returns through Sweden.—Account of what was passing there.
BOOK THE FIFTH.
The Genius arrives at Mora.—Gustavus is convinced of the truth.—His reflections on the occasion.—He concludes a friendship with Ernestus.—He meets Adolphus, whom he recognizes as one of his former soldiers, and whom he dispatches to the Danish fortress, to observe the motions of the enemy.—They return to the house of the Priest of Mora, under whose protection Gustavus then remained, and relate the recent events.—The Curate's reply.—They retire to rest.
The Dalecarlian convention described.—Their proceedings prior to the arrival of Gustavus among them.—He announces himself in the morning.—Their joy.—The augury miraculously fulfilled.—Gustavus takes measures to prevent the treacherous designs of some of the Dalecarlian tribes.—He is saluted king and general by the whole assembly.—They request him to relate his adventures.
BOOK THE SIXTH.
Gustavus recounts the causes of the war, and its progress, prior to the capitulation of Stockholm; which will afford much room for detail. This narration is necessary, to acquaint the reader with what happened before the commencement of the action, and is therefore similar in design to the second and third Æneid, and the four narrative books of the Odyssey. Christiern, Steen Sture, Archbishop Trolle, Otho, Norbi, and other distinguished characters, will make a figure in this relation. The hero describes the massacre of Stockholm, from the account of an eye-witness of that catastrophe.—He enlarges on the death of his father Eric. Some reflections on this event may be introduced, in imitation of Lucan.—Fate of Gustavus's wife and sister; whose death, and the intercession made by Christiern with Gustavus for their preservation, will afterwards form one of the principal episodes.—He then relates part of his numerous adventures in the different provinces of Sweden.
BOOK THE SEVENTH.
He continues his recital, and concludes with his arrival in Dalecarlia, and adventures there. He then exhorts them to assist in his patriotic design. (See his speech in Vertot.) The Dalecarlians applaud his harangue, which is also attended by favourable omens. A body-guard of 400 men is appointed him; Adolphus is chosen captain, having now returned, and disclosed the supineness and neglect of the Danish garrison. Gustavus declares his intentions of storming the castle; arranges the troops, and bids all be ready by midnight. They retire.
BOOK THE EIGHTH.
The proceedings of Christiern, Trolle, and Norbi, from the conclusion of Book 4, severally described.—Gustavus secretly dismisses the unfaithful tribes.—The Genius of Sweden appears to him in a dream; foretels his future exaltation, and the disgraceful end of Christiern and his party. He then shews him the reward of patriots in heaven.—Ancient Swedish kings and heroes.
BOOK THE NINTH.
He now shews him, "in a sort of Pisgah-sight," as Pope expresses it, but on a new plan, the future history of Sweden: its wars, arts, manners, &c.—Gustavus Adolphus.—Christina.—Charles the Twelfth.—Puffendorff, Oxenstiern, Linnæus, &c.—Part of the Danish history may be mentioned, as connected with that of Sweden.—Gustavas the Fourth.—Siege of Copenhagen by the English.—Bernadotte.—The Genius concludes with an exhortation, and directions for prosecuting the war.—Gustavus's prayer.—The army described.—Their leaders.
BOOK THE TENTH.
Parting of the Dalecarlians with their kindred: briefly delineated, like the scene in the 5th Lusiad. Some episode may naturally be here introduced.—The Genius blows his angelic trumpet, as a prelude to the war: its effects.—The army of Gustavus, increased on its way by new multitudes, reaches the castle at midnight.—Negligence of the guard.—Gustavus, Ernestus, and Adolphus, signalize themselves. Valour of the Governor.—The fort is stormed.—General slaughter of the Danes by the incensed Dalecarlians.—Clemency of Gustavus to the Governor, and all he could save from the fury of his soldiers.—The tribes who had adhered to Christiern, send intelligence to Stockholm of the revolt.—Trolle, in the absence of Christiern, calls a council.
The action, from the council in Book 1, to the taking of the castle, in Book 10, occupies four days.
The remaining books, ten or fourteen in number, will be occupied with a detail of the long and various war waged by Gustavus against Christiern, and the poem will conclude with his coronation. Many events afford great scope for poetry; such as the hero's constancy under his defeat by Trolle, his subsequent victory over that prelate, the adventures of Steen Sture's widow, the death of Gustavus's mother and sister, the burning of Norbi's fleet, the coronation of Gustavus, &c.
NOTES ON THE OTHER POEMS.
1. Where, in the midst of vast infinitude, &c.
This is the conclusion of the 9th hook of the Messiah, where Obaddon, or Sevenfold Revenge, one of the angels of death, carries the Soul of Judas Iscariot to hell.
Orig. "Where God has set bounds to infinitude:" an expression authorized by Milton: "stood vast Infinitude confined."
2. From Ida's peak high Jove beheld, &c.
An intelligent person suggested to the author, that to compose a new version of Homer, in the style and measure of Scott's Marmion, would be a feasible idea. He observed, that Scott's style, and his circumstantial descriptions, bore much resemblance to those of Homer and that the rapid flow of Scott's verse was happily accommodated to the swift succession of events, and fiery impetuosity of the Iliad; corresponding with the dactylic hexameter of the old poet. These hints induced the author to attempt the above translation.
3. Through these fair scenes, &c.
This description has been preferred to that of the fountain of Narcissus in Ovid. Crucius, Lives of the Roman Poets.
4. Quid nos Immeritâ, &c.
An ironical defence of piracy.
5. D. Pauli Conversio, 94. Quin etiam, ut perbibent, &c.
Alluding to his transportation into the third heaven.
The scripture phrase "eternal death."
He is said by some to have passed into Britain.
Alluding to the miracle on the coast of Melita.