oidably perish." The Swedish
peasantry, however, soon felt that the cruelty and tyranny of Christiern
were something more than a mere report.

460.

Imperial Charles, &c.

"Charles-Quint entroit dans les interets du Roi de Danemarck avec
une chaleur que la seule alliance ne produit guere entre les
potentats. On pretend que ce prince, le plus ambitieux de son
siecle, n'avoit accorde la princesse sa soeur a Christierne, qu'a
condition qu'il le reconnoitroit pour son successeur aux couronnes
du Nord, en cas qu'il mourat sans enfans. Cette succession etoit
une piece importante au dessein de la monarchiae universelle: on
sait assez que ce fut l'idole et la vision de ce Prince." P. 110,
Amst. ed.

489.

Ere Freedom light again her once extinguished ray.

I beg leave to quote the animated lines of Lord Byron:

A thousand years scarce serve to form a state:
An hour may lay it in the dust: and when
Shall man its shatter'd vigour renovate,
Recal its glories back, and vanquish Time and Fate?

539.

My spirit breath'd a purer prayer to thee--

Alluding to his profession of Lutheranism, which he probably embraced
while in Steen Sture's army.

564.

Scarce had he finish'd ----

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.

Rush'd instantaneous ----

For the use of this word, I have many authorities in cattie:

Flowers instantaneous spring--
With instantaneous gleam, illumed the vault of night--
An instantaneous change of thought--&c.

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.