 | The Revolution of Sweden |  |
1
ACT I.
SCENE Gustavus's Camp.Enter Erici, follow'd by a number of Peasants.
Erici.
What is it ye demand? Ingrateful Swedes!
Have ye forgot the Sufferings, Toils, and Dangers,
Through which, for you, the brave Gustavus struggled?
Whilst tame and hopeless under your Oppressions,
He only durst attempt to rouse your Courage,
And led you on to Liberty and Conquest;
Ev'n this Gustavus whom ye basely wou'd abandon.
1st Peas.
We'll return to him when Harvest is over.
2d Peas.
We must not let our Families starve for him.
Erici.
For him! Is it for him you're arm'd against the Danes?
Were not your Wives, your Children, your own Lives,
At stake? Ye might indeed have had Permission
To labour each revolving Season, to bear
The Toil of Harvest, whilst the Danes enjoy'd
The Fruits; What use of them had ye, unless
To pay the Purchase of your Slavery?
Are the Oppressions we all groan beneath,
So light, or of so long a Date, to scape remembrance?
Oh my Countrymen they still are fresh!
And nothing but th'increase of Miseries
Each day brought with it, cou'd make the past forgot:
Look back on all the Cruelties we've born
Since that unhappy day, when (by the Death
Of our Administrator, slain at the Head
Of his Victorious Army) th'invading Danes
Gave the first Blow to Sweden's Liberty;
Gustavus then a Prisoner in Denmark,
By Treachery secur'd, none durst oppose
Th'Usurper's growing Pow'r, all Swede submitted
On Conditions which the Faithless King
No sooner made than broke, regarding neither
Treaties, Law, or Justice: But oh remember
That bloody Massacre which solemniz'd
2
And every worthy Citizen of Stockholm,
Butcher'd by the inhuman King's command;
That horrid Scene of Murders, Rapes and Rapine,
The Prelude to unparallell'd Barbarities
Committed daily since in every Province!
These are the Tyrannies, Gustavus arm'd ye
To avenge, and free your suffering Country:
But if ye'd still be Slaves.
1st Peas.
No, no, we're for Liberty.
All Peas.
Liberty, Liberty.
Erici.
Pursue your Conquests then,
Your Enemies are few and cannot scape ye,
Unless by your own treacherous Desertion.
Speak ye Dalecarlians, ye whose Mountains first
Gave shelter to Gustavus, when scap'd from Prison,
To ye he first reveal'd himself, and animated
By his Courage and noble Resolution,
Ye gave the heartless Nation first Example
To hope and make a Generous Attempt
For Liberty; and will ye now desert
Your glorious Cause, deceive your General's Trust,
And leave him to the Mercy of the Danes?
A Dalec.
We'll rather Dye than forsake him.
All Dalec.
We'll Dye for Liberty and Gustavus.
All Peas.
Down with the Tyrant,
Down with the Bloody Danes,
Long live Gustavus our brave Deliverer.
Enter Gustavus attended.
Gust.
Thanks to my Countrymen, Heav'n grant me Life
Till your entire Deliverance ratifie
That happy Title; I fear'd some Mutiny
Lieutenant, the Peasants oft repeated Acclamations
Alarm'd me hither, to enquire the Cause
Of this disorder'd Concourse.
Erici.
My Lord, the Peasants were importunate
To be dismiss'd, that they might take the Care
Of Harvest, each in their several Provinces.
Gust.
And why, Erici, was not their Request,
E'er now, brought to my hearing?
Erici.
Because, my Lord, I thought it a Request
As much unfit for you to hear, as grant.
Gust.
Unfit, Erici, wherefore is't unfit,
That these who give their voluntary Service
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Their Share in Nature's Bounty, th'Advantage of
The Season she allots to store her yearly Product,
Ev'n needful to our Being?
Can we cut off this common Privilege?
Deprive 'em of their Right, to make provision
For the Support of Life, their own, their Wives,
And Families? What cou'd the Danes do more
Tyrannick? Far be it from Gustavus
To forbid their Pious Purpose—Go,
My Friends, I here discharge ye till the end
Of Harvest, then as ye prize your Country, Laws,
And Liberty, return to their Defence.
1st Peas.
We will not fail, my Lord, Heav'n bless your Goodness.
2d Peas.
We'll bring the whole Country with us to serve you.
Gust.
Ye do not all depart?
A Dalec.
No, my good Lord,
Six hundred stout Dalecarlians we ingage
To guard you, who resolve to run your Fortune,
And never will forsake you.
Gust.
'Tis sufficient.
Well do my brave Dalecarlians justifie
My Confidence in them, I've put my Life
E'er this into your Hands, and from my Safety
And Success, found first in your Protection,
I take the Omen of our future Fortune.
Petri, give out my Orders to discharge
The Peasants, all save my own Troops of Horse,
And the six hundred resolute Dalecarlians,
They are reserv'd for my Security,
And the Defence of Upsal; see the rest dismiss'd.
1st Peas.
Heav'n preserve your Lordship.
(All)
Long Live Gustavus.
Exit Pedri with Peasants shouting
Gust.
A sullen Cloud hangs on the Brow, Erici,
That tells me thou'rt displeas'd with what I've done.
Erici.
No, I am only angry with my self,
For being more concern'd than you would have me,
In what regards your Safety; you've chid me oft
For loving you too well, and I was trying
To correct that Fault.
Gust.
Not for thy Love,
'Tis that (next to the Zeal thou bear'st thy Country)
Endears thee to me, but I cou'd wish thee
Less officious, more considerate in thy Service,
Some rash Effects of an untemper'd Zeal
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Plain Sincerity of thy well-meaning Heart.
Erici.
May you have never cause to wish you'd not rejected
The officious Service, I had now design'd you;
Never may you repent, or we deplore
The negligence you shew of your own safety.
Gust.
You tax me wrongfully.
Were I neglectful of my Life or Safety
Why sought I Refuge 'mong the Northern Mountains?
Why in the Mines, disguis'd and labouring like
The meanest Peasant, lay I so long conceal'd
Deceiving my Persuers? No, Erici,
When I expose my self to needless Dangers
Whilst yet I may be useful to my Country,
Whilst I can draw this Sword in its defence,
Condemn me as a Traytor.
Erici.
Yet, my Lord,
You have left your self unguarded, ev'n in view
Of that important City, which contains
The only Enemies you have to conquer.
Gust.
Erici, we
Who fight for Justice, for the Laws, the Rights
And Priviledges of our Nation, ought
To be most careful that the means we use
Be strictly just and pious as our Cause:
Suppressing Tyranny's an ill pretect
For our becoming Tyrants. Had it been just
To have detain'd these Men, who not induc'd
By mercenary Pay, no Obligation
On them but their Wills, have follow'd me
With chearful free Obedience, thro' all the Toils
And Hazards of the War? To whom I owe
Ev'n that Authority I shou'd have us'd
Against 'em.
Erici.
But what avails their Labours, Hazards
Or your Conquests, if in the full career
Of your Successes, retreating e'er the course
Is finish'd, they resign the Danes th'Advantage
You had gain'd?
Gust.
Not so, Erici,
We yet may reach the Goal e'er they retrieve
Th'Advantage they have lost. The King of Denmark
Grown hateful to his Subjects, by his Cruelty,
Injustice and Oppressions, they've refus'd
5
His Usurpation here;
And by their Murmurings and Cabals, he'll find
Himself too much embroil'd at Home, to think
Of Foreign Conquests.
Erici.
Yet the Viceroy seems
T'expect from thence a speedy Reinforcement;
At least th'Archbishop endeavours by that Promise
To retain the Swedes in their Subjection.
Gust.
Were that ambitious Prelate no more vigilant,
Or powerful, than the Viceroy, we had no further Work;
But by the Clergy's dependance upon him,
And influence on the People, he alone
Detains them from unanimously joining
With us.
Erici.
Whilst the voluptuous Viceroy, shut up
In Stockholm, e'er since he shamefully deserted
An Army posted to so great advantage,
Scarce knows of its defeat; forbidding any
To disturb his Pleasures with ill News.
As if he thought by keeping out Reports
He cou'd prevent the progress of your Arms.
Gust.
Our selves perhaps e'er long may carry him
The first and surest Tidings of his Ruin.
Erici.
I had such hopes, my Lord, when by approaching
Stockholm, you seemd t'intend a speedy Siege,
But see not now the means.
Gust.
Be satisfied, Erici, we shall have means:
Count Arwide, with the Forces he commands,
Are on their march to join us; and trust me I esteem
His single Aid, worth numbers of the Peasants.
Erici.
'Tis a brave Man,
Who by his Diligence and Resolution
In executing your Designs and Orders,
Has done such noble Service to his Country,
As merits much acknowledgment from both.
Gust.
Count Arwide owes no part of my Affection
To my acknowledgment; a Soul so great,
So generous, so just, so firm to Virtue,
VVith all that native mildness and render disposition,
Needs not th'addition of his Services
T'impress a Friendship most indelible.
Enter a Soldier.
Sol.
My Lord, the Canons lately come from Upsal
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To enter Stockstolm, if they have your permission.
Gust.
Most willingly, they have my full instructions,
These Canons have assur'd me, they've much influence
On the Arch-bishop of Upsal, and hope t'engage him
In our Int'rests.
Erici.
What need my Lord to court that Arrogant,
Ambitious Prelate, now when the desp'rate Fortune
Of his Party, and your encreasing Glory,
Assures our Countries Liberty without him?
Gust.
Yet may we purchase it at the expence
Of many Lives, which I wou'd save on any
Composition; nor wou'd destroy one Enemy
Whom I cou'd make a Friend; a Victory
More noble far, than the most glorious Battle.
Erici.
Excellant Man! Your Virtue ever thus
Constrains me to admire, what my ignobler
Thoughts condemn'd.
Gust.
No Flattery, Erici, thy kind Reproofs
Speaks better thy Affection. Merit I praise
For that my Thoughts are Human, for that I am a Man?
Enter Christina and Laura in Man's Cloaths.
Chris.
Hither I was directed to the General:
This I presume is the renown'd Gustavus.
Gust.
Wou'd you ought with me?
Chris.
My Lord, a most unhappy Youth, cast off
By all his Family, whom Fear, or Avarice
Engages to the Tyrants Interest,
Is for the honest Love he bears his Country,
Forc'd to implore your generous Protection;
Which I more hope for from your native Goodness,
Than the recommendation of this Letter;
Gust.
Christina!
Believe me, lovely Youth, thou cou'd'st not come
In any Name wou'd more assure thy Welcome.
I joyfully receive you, young Fredage,
After Reading the Letter.
(For so Christina calls you) and do account it;
To what before I ow'd that generous Lady,
That she entrusts her Nephew to my Ear.
Receive this Youth, Erici, as related
And dear to Fair Christina,
That Lady thou ha'st heard of, who when her Husband
Intended to betray me to the Danes,
Inform'd me of it, aided my Escape,
7
Erici.
All Sweden's Debtor to her for Gustavus;
And as my Services to this sweet Youth,
May speak my part of our acknowledgment,
None shall be more assiduously grateful.
Chris.
Accept my Thanks, in the Unfortunate
Christina's Name.
Gust.
Unfortunate!
Ye Pow'rs! exempt Christina's Life (amidst
The general Miseries) from all Misfortune.
Chris.
Alas, my Lord, she suffers a large share;
Scarce had you gain'd the Refuge she assign'd you,
When Beron, her ambitious, faithless Husband,
Return'd with a strong Party of the Danes;
But when he miss'd the Prey he thought secure,
Transported with the Rage of disappointed
Avarice and Ambition, and in the Thought
His Wife had been Confederate to your Flight,
He vow'd she publickly shou'd suffer Death,
The Penalty denounc'd on all who shou'd
Conceal Gustavus; dreading this fatal Vengeance,
With difficulty she escap'd his Pow'r,
To seek with her Relations some Retreat
Conceal'd from all your Enemies and Hers.
From which unknown Abode she sent this Letter,
To recommend a Youth to your Protection,
Almost the only of his Family,
Who does not wish your Ruin.
Gust.
Alas, Fredage, it wounds my Soul with Sorrow,
To find I've caus'd my generous Preserver
So much Unhappiness. But art thou sure
She's safe from Beron's Pow'r?
Chris.
Some search he made,
But having giv'n the Viceroy Information
Of your Design against him, he was soon
Sent for to Court; where by his subtlety
And natural Insinuation, he
Int'rely gain'd the Viceroy's Favour;
Who supinely trusting to his Faith and Conduct
Indulges freely to his lawless Pleasures,
In which his Favourite no less assists,
Than he relieves him from the publick Cares.
Gust.
We shortly shall disturb his ill-tim'd Pleasures.
Then if our hopes succeed, Christina shall
8
You are my welcome Charge. When you'd retire
Be pleas'd to use my Tent, till I give Orders
For your Accommodation in the Village,
Whether I am now going on Affairs
That will not long detain me.—You must with me, Erici,
To Constantia, she may have later News
Than ours from Count Arwide her Noble Lord,
Which it were fit to learn e're we dispose
Of the small Army left us, or determine
On Levying new Forces.
Erici.
What Fund have we, my Lord, for the expence
Of raising any Force considerable?
Gust.
My Patrimonial Fortune, upon which
My Ancestors so long maintain'd their Grandeur,
Shall more magnificently be expended
Now, in the publick Cause, for Liberty,
If we prevail.
My grateful Country will not let me starve;
If not, I've learnt in the Dabecarlian Mines
To Labour for my Bread; But, Oh! thou Pow'r Supream,
If our return to Slavery is decreed,
Ex. Gust. Erici, and Attend.
Grant that my Death my Countries Fate preceed.
Chris.
When I behold this Vertuous Lord, consider him
As our Deliverer, whose glorious Name
Posterity will Bless,
I feel a secret Joy for having been
The destin'd Author of his Preservation:
But when I view my self, driv'n like a Vagabond
About the World, flying a Husbands Cruelty;
A Wretch deny'd a Refuge by her nearest Friends,
Wandring in a disguise that ill becomes
Her Sex, to beg Protection from a Stranger;
But most, Oh Laura, when I think how all
May be interpreted to my dishonour
I must lament my Fate! Was there no means but this?
Why was I pointed out the Instrument?
Had Sweden been less happy in Gustavus,
If I had not been wretched for his Safety?
Lau.
Your Sufferings, Madam, are your greatest Glory;
Yet rather turn your Thoughts on your miraculous
Escape from Dangers, with which th'o'erruling Pow'r
Has Seal'd the Approbation of your Actions;
Enervating the Furious, and deceiving
9
Your Brother-in-Law believ'd your Journey was,
Intended too to your Husband, who he knew
Was fix'd at Court.
Chris.
Alas, I hop'd to find
An honourable Refuge with a dear Sister,
But, to our Misfortune, we're united
To two Brothers, not more ally'd by Blood
Than Temper, both Ambitious, Treacherous,
And Cunning.
Lau.
Yet you averted his Suspicions,
And were, I think, encharged with Letters from him
To his Brother.
Chris.
Flatter'd by his Ambition,
He hastily laid hold on this occasion,
Of recommending, by my Husband's Int'rest,
His Son into the Viceroy's Service, who being
At a College on my way, he beg'd
I'd take with me, in order to present him;
Warn'd by my Sister, I receiv'd his Charge,
And then resolv'd on this Disguise, lest he,
Advertis'd of my Flight, should soon pursue me.
Lau.
Bless'd be that Providence that intercepted
The Notice, which no doubt Beron wou'd send him
Of your absence.
Chris.
Yes, Laura, 'tis permitted me,
T'ascribe my Safety to the Care of Heav'n,
Since I've not involv'd my self in danger,
By ought that cou'd offend the awful Pow'r;
There's all the Consolation of my Sufferings,
That their Cause is truly noble, such
As, wer't again in my Election, I'd
Repeat, ev'n now assur'd of all the Miseries
I feel, or that which more than all I dread,
The blasting Censures of malicious Tongues;
Which our best Actions draw too oft against us.
A hard Condition;
And, Oh, how rare that solid Virtue which
Alone can stand so dangerous a Tryal?
Many preserve their Virtue for a Name,
But few for Virtue, wou'd abandon Fame.
[Exeunt.
10
Viceroy.
No more, the soothing Notes indulge my Spleen,
And add to the Disquiets of my Soul,
A Sense of Sadness not deriv'd from thence,
Rais'd only in this weak disturb'd Machine.
Ber.
What can be done to cure, if ev'n your Pleasures
Add to your Disquiet?
Vice.
Our feeble Frame, unable to support
Uninterrupted Sadness, or delight,
Alike oppress'd by both,
Sinks under the Completion of our Wishes,
And seeks Relief from Pleasure in disgust,
Sated with all my Appetite can ask, nay ev'n in the height
Of my Felicity, in spight of all
Thy Cares, my faithful Beron; This young Gustavus,
This victorious Rebel, come cross my Thoughts,
Checks my Delights, and leaves me now no other
Sense of Greatness, but as a painful Burden
Ready to crush me, sinking with its weight.
Enter a Servant.
Serv.
Th'Archbishop of Upsal attends your Excellence.
Viceroy.
Ha! my other Plague;
But he's a necessary one, admit him.
[Ex. Serv.
The Pride of this imperious Swede (who slights
His Equals, hates all that's superior) were insupportable,
Did not his Pow'r make him needful to us;
Yet I cou'd spare his presence, that turbulent
And restless Spirit entertains me ever
On some distastful Theme of Disappointments,
Sieges, Battles lost, and Towns surrender'd.
Enter the Archbishop.
Arch.
I fear'd to interrupt your Excellence
In some more grateful Entertainment
Than a Discourse of War, of Towns surrender'd.
Vice.
Whatever were the Subject,
Your Grace's Interruption must be to an Advantage.
Arch.
I wish, my Lord, such Subjects were less seasonable,
That we might dream away our thoughtless Lives,
Or drown our Cares in Luxury securely;
But 'tis not so, my Lord, Gustavus will not
Sleep, or trifle time away in complaisance
To our repose, nor Armies wait the close
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To know if we're at leisure to oppose 'em.
Vice.
I hope your Grace intends not to reproach me,
If I with short Delights relieve my mind
Oppress'd with Cares; The publick Business has
Not been neglected.
Arch.
No more of that, my Lord, the past forgot,
'Tis only of Importance to look forward, and with Care united,
Take all Precautions for our own Defence;
The murmuring City seems irresolute
T'indure a Siege.
Beron.
My Lord, 'tis sure the Rebels have no Fleet;
And whilst we're Masters of the Sea, our Strength
Can never be exhausted; from every part
Of the vast Globe, our Wants may be supply'd;
And what Recruits the King at any time
Shall send, securely may arrive into the Port,
And, without Opposition, be admitted.
Arch.
'Tis granted, Beron, yet the long delay
Of our expected Reinforcement, discourages
The People, scarce are they now restrain'd
By our Authority, from yielding up their Gates
Unsummon'd, e'er the Siege is yet begun.
Loudly they praise Gustavus, talk of his Moderation,
Justice, and Piety, yet when the Clergy
Exclaim against him as an Excommunicate,
Declare, that all who favour him are Rebels
To the Holy See, their Zeal and Reverence
Of the Spiritual Pow'r, awes 'em to silence,
And inflames their Courage to defend it:
This is our strongest Hold, which vigorously
Must be maintain'd.
Viceroy.
'Tis to your Grace's Vigilance and Credit,
We still must owe the Peoples firm Perswasion,
That Religion is our Cause, that useful Politick,
Which serv'd so well our Vengeance, and Ambition,
Is necessary to our Safety now.
Beron.
Nor can it fail to gull
The Superstitious Multitude, mov'd only
With the Name and Outside of Religion;
Be the Design but gilded o'er with that
Pretence, the glittering delusive Colour
Reflects a Brightness on the blackest Actions,
And darkens, on the side that's opposite,
The most illustrious Virtues.
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That I have not
Been wanting on my part to the King's Interests,
I need not tell you, wou'd he had less depended
On my Pow'r, or been less Dilatory
To assist it; The Pastors may retain
Their Flock in some Subjection,
But can our Rhetorick disarm Gustavus?
Can we perswade the Rebels to be conquer'd,
Or Preach 'em from our Gates?
Enter a Servant.
Serv.
My Lord, two Canons just arriv'd from Upsal,
Being known to the Archbishop, desire admittance
To your Excellence, while his Grace is present.
Arch.
From Upsal? my Lord, with your Permission—Let 'em Enter.
Welcome, my Friends: These reverend Canons have
[To the Vice.
Been faithful to us, and deserve your Favour.
Ent. 2 Can. they kneel to the Arch. who presents them to the Vice.
Vic.
They need not doubt of it, so recommended.
Has ought that I can serve you in, brought you from Upsal?
2 Can.
We'ad no intent in leaving it, but of
Arch. and 1st Canon talk apart.
Retreating to our Primate, from a City
Declar'd for his, and the King's Enemies.
Arch.
A Passport from Gustavus! Did he fear
Your Pow'r in the Diocess? or hope,
With fawning Arts, to gain you to his Party?
1st Can.
The Obligation we have to Gustavus,
Is not peculiar, or to be mention'd
With those unpresidented Instances
Of Generosity and Moderation
Which all are Objects of, where he has Pow'r,
Whoe'er had seen him when he enter'd Upsal,
Not suffering the meanest to be injur'd,
Had rather ta'en him for your Substitute,
The Peoples common Parent, the Guardian, than
The Conqueror of the City.
Arch.
Ha! Are you sent to be his Panegyrist?
Is not Rebellion too among his Virtues?
Must not that be display'd to court my Favour,
And move my Emulation?
1st Can.
My Lord, 'tis not,
I think, forbid to do a Rebel justice,
But for his Cause, let his own Letter speak,
Which with Submission he presents, entreating
Gives the Archb. a Letter.
You'd coolly and impartially peruse it.
Arch.
What does the Boy pretend, to School me from my purpose,
Or Flatter me to his?
13
No, I am to be Brib'd it seems—Ye Traytors!
Thus do you pay Allegiance to your King,
And render that Respect ye owe to me?
Viceroy.
What is't transports your Grace?
Arch.
Be judge, my Lord,
I'll have no secret Treaty with Gustavus,
Th'audacious Boy wou'd tempt me to his Party
With a Bribe; Upsal is offer'd,
All my Estate untouch'd, Submission, and
Obedience to my Councils; The fawning Sycophant!
I may command his Army too: It seems
This formidable Victor needs my Authority,
To confirm his new precarious Pow'r.
Shallow Politician!
Viceroy.
This humble Stile
Shews he is weaker than our Fears imagin'd;
None court an Enemy they hope to vanquish.
2d Can.
Some few there are, whose generous Dispositions
Incline 'em most to Peace, when most secure
Of Victory in War; some Spirits fram'd
To Mercy, who account their Enemies
Destruction, the most unhappy Triumph
Of their Fortune; nor take that last recourse
Of slighted Friendship, but with regret, and on
Necessity.
Arch.
Such, you'd insinuate,
Is your Gustavus; for ye are both confederate
In this Treason. My Reverend Ambassadors,
Hence to your Rebel Master, hence and tell him,
If he's for Bribing me effectually,
It must be with his Head, that's the sole grateful
Offer he can make me; nor have I other
Counsel for him, or Command to his
Plebian Subjects.
2d Can.
My Lord, It grieves me.
Arch.
I know it does, to have so ill succeeded;
You had been pleas'd, wou'd I have been the Scaffold
For Gustavus t'erect his Greatness on;
To be thrown down when he no longer needed
My Support. But did you hope it? No,
Ye know my Soul's abhorrent to the Man,
More than his Cause; this was but your Pretence,
Ye're sent for Spies, or to betray the City;
My Lord, let 'em be seiz'd and executed instantly,
As Spies and Traytors.
14
Beron, call my Guards.
Ber.
Permit me first to speak my cooler Thoughts,
Your Grace's Ear—My Lords, 'tis to be fear'd,
Shou'd ye proceed with Violence 'gainst these
Ecclesiasticks, the Body of the Clergy
[Canons talk apart.
Wou'd resent it as their common Cause;
And to offend them now, who are the sole
Supporters of our Party, were most Unpolitick.
1st Can.
We must resolve on this, or we are lost.
2d Can.
There's no deliberating in such an Exigence,
Be quick and resolute, I'll second you.
Arch.
I wou'd not be suspected of holding Correspondence
With the Rebels, they must not thus escape.
1st Can.
My Lords, wou'd your Resentment permit us
A short Audience, ye soon wou'd be convinc'd
We are no Traytors, but faithful to your Interests.
2d Can.
What can we offer in Excuse for bringing
This presumptuous Letter from Gustavus?
1st Can.
That had we not accepted it, we cou'd
Not have had means to give the Viceroy notice
O'th'sudden turn, and weakness of your Enemy's Condition.
Arch.
Ha! the sound is grateful to me,
Confirm it, give it proof, and be restor'd
To my most dear Affection.
2d Can.
'Tis not for us, whose Lives are in your Hands,
To sooth you with a Falsehood; so be we safe,
As is Gustavus, forsaken by his Army.
Vice.
Is't possible!
1st Can.
My Lord, most certain Truth,
The Peasants wou'd not be detain'd from Harvest,
Scarce are Five hundred left to guard his Person.
Vice.
My Blessing on them for it, we yet may breath
In Freedom then, spight of his threat'ned Siege.
Arch.
Is that sufficient? Gustavus breaths the Air
With equal Freedom. Give me, my Lord, what Forces
You can spare, my self will, at their Head,
Give this Dissembler answer to his Offers;
I'd trust no other Chief against Gustavus,
My Hate's alone superior to his Fortune.
Vice.
Four thousand Danes, the greatest part and Flow'r o'th'Garrison,
Shall be drawn out, and order'd to obey you.
Arch.
With speed and secresie, we must surprize him
E'er he's warn'd to 'scape us; now, now, my Lord,
Your Feasts, your Mirth and Harmony, will all be seasonable;
15
Our Victory, assur'd this dreaded Hero
In Chains, shall wait the Triumphs of this Night,
Or once more to the Mountains take his Flight.
[Exeunt omnes.
| The Revolution of Sweden | |