Lewesdon Hill, with other poems :: :: University of Virginia Library

And often would he turn his arms
On those within his bosom bred,
And quell by fire the mighty swarms
That with his life-blood he had fed.
His person, cover'd o'er with glory,
In truth was little clean or nice;

168

And 'tis a question in his story,
Whether he kill'd more men or lice.

It is related of him, that in his march to the attack of Oczakow, he proceeded with such rapidity at the head of his men, that they began to murmur at the fatigues which they endured. The marshal, apprised of the circumstance, after a long day's march, drew up his men in a hollow square, and addressing them said, that “his legs had that day discovered some symptoms of mutiny, as they refused to second the impulses of his mind, which urged him forward to the attack of the enemy's fortress.” He then ordered his boots to be taken off, and some of the drummers to advance and flog his legs, which was done till they bled very considerably. He then put on his boots very coolly, expressing his hope that his legs would in future better know how to discharge their duty. His army afterwards marched on without a murmur.

Suworow affectoit beaucoup de simplicité et de rudesse. On le voyoit quelquefois ôter sa chemise au milieu des Cosaques, et la fain chauffer, en disant que c'etoit pour tuer ses poux. Vie de Catherine II. tome ii. p. 373.

The number of men slaughtered by this hero was at the rate of more than thirty a week, reckoning from the day of his birth to the age of 69 years, according to the account given in the history of his campaigns, by Frederic Anthing.