present affaires so as calling together his chiefe Councellours and the Prime Commanders of his Army and joyntly weighing the interests of their Forces there were some seconded in their opinion by Benard Waymar who persisted in their advise that they should turne their Forces to the utter subversion of the Roman Catholique Army they made good their opinions with these reasons That the field Forces being scattered Germany being a large and open Country the winning of Townes would be no hard matter which being weake in defence and abandoned by their Armies would strive rather to captivate the Kings good will by ready obedience than draw his anger upon them by their unwise pertinency that they should not do well to lose so much time in the taking in of places of small moment whilest the Enemy recruited and re-inforced his Army that the Austrians had no better friend then time that they had alwayes repaired their losses when either by cunning or otherwise they could fence themselves from the first violence that though the Emperours owne men and monies were well exhausted yet by the assistance of Spanish Gold and by recruites from Italy a Nation by experience knowne to be advantagious to Germany he might remit himselfe into his former condition that the Elector of Bavaria who was much concerned in the Austrians welfare wanted not a stocke of money and territories sufficient from whence to draw out Souldiers and regaine what he had lost And which was of greatest importance that the Generals place was conferred upon Walesteine who having gathered a mass of riches in the past warres being excessively ambitious of glory and great actions would not be failing in any thing that he knew might make him remarkable upon this occasion that they had the French on that side for friends who bringing their Forces upon their frontiers would hinder the Romanists from doing any thing prejudiciall to the Swedes that therefore they should leave off those machinations and rub the soare againe before it be healed But these reasons though they had much of influence upon all the Commanders and drew many of them to be of this opinion yet the King weighing them in the ballance of his wisedome was for his own interest sake inforced to oppose them saying That the Empire hung upon two strings the one composed of the selfe Austrian Forces the other of the Roman Catholique and Ecclesiasticall powers that they were to consider which of these two were to be tane away to overthrow this Chaos that he granted the reasons concerning the Spanish Gold Bavaria and Walesteine were very valid but that they were not to throw behinde their backes but rather intentively to looke upon the aid from Flanders the assistance of the Electors and Ecclesiastickes and of the Duke of Lorayne who being desirous of warre could not hereafter expect a better occasion then this to put himselfe in Armes that these men though they were new and not accustomed to warre yet were they so inheartened by their Princes courage and hope of good successe as seeing us retire they would resume the more courage and cause unto us such prejudice as usually is received from Enemies strengthened by strong impressions that it was requisite to extinguish the fire which increasing would not be so easily supprest before they should carry the Cumbustion elsewhere that the Spanish succours from Flanders was more considerable then from Italy for that compleat Arming would be found hard in Italy A Kingdome impoverished in people and the numbers whereof would be much lessened before they should passe over the Mountaines for that the rigid Climate of Germany and the Germans severe manner of lying in the field did not well agree with that Nation nurc'd up in the delights of Peace that for their money they might have men enow in the Low-Countryes that he knew the Treasury and Forces of the Elector of Bavaria was very considerable but that on the other side he knew he was not so lavish in laying out his monies nor his men so ready to take up Armes that Walesteine was a humerous Foole a fantasticall braine fit for Comedies reverenced for his wealth and fortune not for his wisedome and proper valour that he was envied by many a corrivall with Bavaria and not well thought of by the discreet Don for what concerned their hopes upon the French it was to be granted it would be advantagious to them if Princes were not ambitious of inlarging their dominions But since France was knowne to be no lesse intent to this then whatsoever other Kingdome he could not promise himselfe that the French would invert the proceedings of the Duke of Loraine and of the Ecclesiasticks against the Swedes but rather that leading their Forces upon their Frontiers and entring either as protectors of the one or arbitrators of the other he foresaw they would rather put in for themselves through the disagreement of the Swedes and Imperialists then assist the Protestants in their proceedings moreover that they ought to feare least if they once should get footing here they should following the policy of Princes who are friends as long as it makes for their owne good moderate the greatnesse of others and dissolve the League at any time when they should see the Swedes power grow to an excessive greatnesse Tod and Tuball would be sufficient to hold Tiffenbech and Ghetz play in Slesia that the Elector of Saxony being entred into Bohemia it would be no hard matter to disturbe Walesteines designes and that Bannier was sufficient to watch over Bavarias wayes that therefore they ought to secure themselves on this side for what was on their backs which being done the victory on the other side would easily be affected These reasons alleadged by the King made the Commanders aware that Councels then succeed best when they proceed from the hidden reasons of interests and that no resolution ought to be built upon the faire shewes of Princes the ground-worke of their demonstrations not being composed of any sound materials but coloured over as best seemes pleasing to the eye of the present conjuncture All of them therefore forgoing their first opinions they unanimously condescended to the King who seeing what need they had of a good Sanctuary whereunto upon any ill successe they might safely retreate as likewise how necessary it was to fence Franconia after he had diligently suryeyed all the nighbouring situations could find none more commodious then that Angle which is placed betwixt the Rhene and that part of the Mayne which is over against Mentz on the side of the Palatinate he therefore made a designe be there drawne in his owne presence of a Fort consisting of seven Royall Bulwarkes a Seat so availeable as lying in the midst between the State of Mentz and the Palatinate upon the sides of two Navigable Rivers it might be said to be the Key which opens and shuts the entrance and outgoing on both sides of the Rhene whereby he might continually
they see imbroyle the relation as not being of Capacity either to understand or to remember what hath hapned and so all foundations grounded thereupon prove vaine A batttle sought betweene the French and Spaniards will not without some alteration be related either by a Frenchman or a Spaniard Affection is of a nature not unlike to wine it tastes of the caske the private passion of the minde pertakes of the quality of Torrents it is troubled and growes cleare againe answerable to the raine by which it is fed If any shall say that pen takes a precipitate and dangerous course which writes of present emergencyes unbridled by adulation t is granted But he who writes in times when the government of the present Princes is not to be blamed need not feare to fall upon the unpleasing off-spring of truth The Princes of this age are knowne to be ruled by justice and governed by reason And if through the interest of state or by the advice of their councell they doe any thing which is not acceptable to all men they are not therein blameable for the greatnesse of men of might is not seene in the peacefullnesse of minde but is discerned in their sprightly thoughts and vast intents The Encomiums of the worthy Princes even of these ages are celebrated with no greater titles then so many Caesars or Alexanders Greatnesse loves greatnesse The Danuby Rhyne and Po are great because the concourse of many Rivers goes to make them great Principalityes are likewise plants which branch forth and increase in hight more or lesse accordingly as the ground is fertill where they are planted The desire of glory and greatnesse reignes not onely amongst the better but amongst the inferiour yea the basest sort of men The private who neighbours upon an inferiour rests not content till he hath joyned his neighbours land unto his owne Such a genious labours to get the priority amongst those who are esteemed lovers of rarityes the souldier fights and looseth his life to increase his fame amonst men humane desires not unlike to torrents by how much they are more swolne with the waters of glory the more headlong doe they run oft times breake the banks or bounds of faith and promises Those who have not been conversant in any other nation then their owne and yet governed by a certaine Sympathy professe themselves to side sometimes with this sometimes with that stranger may peradventure wry the neck when they shall heare of any bad accident which hath befallen one that they liked and may perchance say I am in some places too free spoken If it shall so fall out I would have them to know I writ not to give satisfaction to any one save to truth it selfe and that men write ill when they omitt writing what is ill fortune is not alwayes favourable and therefore when she frownes she cannot be said to smile Who apprehends the satisfying of all men does by his owne beliefe begin to prejudicate what he writes Bouldnesse in relation freedome in judgment discretion in words and wisedome in contriving are the reynes which ought to governe the pen of an Historian If others who may be of an opinion that such events as are written whilest the actors themselves are yet living are usually written partially and with adulation and not adaequate to the times and to the persons and shall therefore blame me for writing so early let them remember that the force and credit of truth is so much the greater by how much it hath the more witnesses That writings which are kept lockt up in a chest are like some plants which kept in their own originall earth never grow unles they be tane from thence and placed some where else no lesse then these ought past events in History to be transplanted whilest the bowes remaine in memory for that if any bastard plant be given for legitimate by the inocculation of amendment in the second impression it may become legitimate Nor is it at any time a fault which is occasioned by the faultinesse of an other I have thaught it fitting in these my labours to describe the conditions of such Princes and chiefe Commanders as have perished that they may serve for looking glasses to such as succeede them If it be objected I onely writ their praises and that Encomiums belong not to the weaving of a History I would have it knowne I make not use of such spectacles or prospective glasses whereby men discerne spots in the Moone That the praises fall not from my pen but from their merit And History requires the representation of such whose actions are the soule of discourse and the marrow of instruction Those who peradventure from the tribunall of their judgement shall give senâ—ence against me blaming either my stile my discriptions the composure of the narrative part the scarcity or superfluity of my words or what ever els they ought to know that I am a souldier and no perfect Scholler and that as such a one I appeale from their seate of judement so as the sentence rests null I have not stroven to adorne my writings by inventing eloquent and polished Orations made by Commanders and other gracefull digressions which not for that they are so in themselves but to shew thâ—ir quaint witts many use in their compositions as well for that I thinke those conceits fitter for the Schooles or chaire of an Orator to delight the hearers then for a campe where the generall doth usually infuse courage into his souldiers with succinct words conteyning in them only the hopes of reaping honour and advantage as also for that it seemes not sitting to me that the Maske wherewith a Tale is disguised should be applyed to the face of a serious truth I have done that I may not be to tedious to thee be contented to accept of metal drawne out of mine owne myne DOCTRINA PARIT VIRTUTEM THE Warres and other State-Affaires of the best part of Christendome from 1629. to 1640. THE I. BOOK The Contents of the First Booke The First Book relates the Originall of the War made by Gustavus King of Swethland against the Emperour Ferdinand the second What the Condition of Germany was at that time what Friendship and Intelligence the King had with Forraigne Princes before this War began his Military Preparations made in Swethland what Counsells he held and what Resolutions he put on His entrance into Germany his landing in the Isle of Rugen First entrance into Pomerania What confusion this unexpected novelty wrought among the Roman Catholiques The League between France and Swethland the Conditions and Advantages thereof Divers Proceedings Resolutions Counsells and Policies of all the concerned Parties Preparations in England to reinforce the Swedish Army The ill will born by Protestants towards the Austrian Ministers of State and their good affections towards the Swedes The taking of Franckfort upon the Oder and other advancements made by the King The Description of such Provinces Places or
Rivers as arâ— herein spoken of Tyllies proceedings to oppose the King His Counsells Resolutions and Considerations The Siege Taking and Dissolution of Magdeburg THE desire of glory did more and more encrease in the heart of Gustavus Adolphus King of Swethland a Prince of a vast Spirit after the many yeares Warre which by him was managed against the Crowne of Poland in which he purchased great Fame unto himselfe amongst those People but if his body were then unexercised his minde was not so which busied about high Designes did cheerefully covet to wage Warre against the House of Austria in Germany a Kingdome not onely divided by the dissonancy of Religion but exasperated by the new Government of the Austrian Officers of State who after the Peace made at Lubec though they seemed to have received some sort of reliefe by the Disbanding of Eighteene Thousand of Walestein's Souldiers which was done by the command of Caesar and at the Peoples intreaties yet notwithstanding there being great store of Forces remaining under the said Walestein and those dispersed through every Province with an unwonted forme of Government though feare kept the hatred and suffering of the Subjects concealed yet did not they as likewise the Princes cease to cast about how they might withdraw themselves from that yoake the Cruelties whereof they could not endure But the greater their Conceptions were the greater Consideration did they require which made the King for the present forbeare to act his Resolves and though by Walesteins aforesaid disbanding and the Polachs alike disbanding the German Forces he had furnish't himselfe with the best Souldiers of all those Troops and though he were fully informed of the condition strengths and inclinations of his neighbouring Potentates having himselfe in Person not many yeares before gone unknowne to search out the estate of Germany and other Provinces that he might discover how people stood affected and of what strength the Princes and Haunce Townes were yet he knew it was not yet time to take up those unripe resolutions which being unadvisedly undertaken by the Prince Elector Palatine by the King of Denmarke and others had not brought forth that good effect which doubtlesse was by many expected being made more cautious by the said examples though his desire painted forth these difficulties as slight ones and his hopes upheld by apparent grounds egg'd him on to this enterprise yet not suffering himselfe to be led by these affections out of the road of reason but moderating the ardency of his Genius by the remembrance of past errours he kept his Name and Fame as it were cancell'd out of the Germans memory But if the Fire of this Princes desires lay for some time wrapt up under the ashes of patience and simulation insomuch as there remained not the least suspition of him it is no wonder if afterward unexpectedly breaking forth and laying hold on the fittest occasions it were able to rekindle the inconstancy of those Provinces who under a feigned fidelity lived ill satisfied with the Austrian government for most part of the people remembring the liberty they had enjoyed and not able to tollerate the command and subjection of Roman Catholiques and more particularly of such as were strangers coveted nothing more then such like novelties The King this meane while held good Intelligence with diverse Officers and principall Protestants of Germany by whom hee was not onely faithfully advertised of the chiefe proceedings of the Imperialists but by frequent solicitations much importuned to the undertaking The King was likewise much troubled at any longer delay For his inclination leading him to Warre he could not content himselfe with peace but well weighing afterwards that to carrie his weake Forces into a Kingdome commanded by the Forces of Ferdinand the second which had been in so many actions victorious and which were all united under the Command of Albertus Walestein Duke of Fridland a Subject of high esteem beloved by the Souldiers feared by all the States and Princes of the Empire was almost an evident danger to give against the same Rocks upon which those had suffered ship-wrack which not long before contemning the Austrian Fortune had made the same Voyage banishing therefore from his breast all the incitations of his owne beliefe and laying aside the Cousnells and Invitations of those who were impatient of his delay he forbore to declare himselfe as yet Humane Resolutions varying with the times hee had afterwards this into particular consideration that not onely the Protestant Princes and people but the very Roman Catholiques were exasperated and fill'd with jealousie of the Emperours excessive greatnesse occasioned through Walesteines haughtinesse who thought by the Command at that time of more then a hundred Thousand foot and thirty Thousand Horse of divers Nations dispersed over all Germany he kept the Majesty of Caesar in reverence his Subjects in their obedience his Tributaries in their devotion and Strangers in feare yet treated he the Princes of Germany indifferently not as free Princes but as Subjects whereupon for that the excessive authority of private men and over-much greatnesse of Neighbouring Potentates is never liked by great ones the Electors which pretend to keep the Imperiall Condition within its limits could not suffer either the burthen they lay under upon this so just an occasion nor that so many souldiers should be maintained in Germany in the time of peace to the peoples so great grievance nor that the Throne of Caesar should be raised so high they therefore privately sought out all opportune meanes how they might unarme him take from the Empire such a support which if it had been made good many are of an opinion the King had come no further then Pomerania Walestein certified of these grievances and incens'd thereat gave not over his Imperious manner of treating and threatning But crying out the Emperour was betrayd and that the chiefest Jewell in Caesars Crowne was taken away onely to put him downe he justly fore-told the succeeding Calamities By this meanes discovery was made that this Commander was highly distasted and it was further foreseen that the reputation which those Forces had acquired by the Valour of Walestein being lessened notable prejudice was thereby betokened to the Caesarian Crowne The King likewise saw that by the Counsells of some Italian and Spanish Ministers of State chiefely by the advice of Caesar Duke of Vastella then Embassadour from the King of Spaine to the Emperour assisted to that purpose by Villany the Spanish Resident sent thither to moderate the greatnesse of Walesteines expeditions the Forces were divided part of them being sent into Lombardy under the Command of Count Rambaldo de Colalto who being desirous of such an employment was a meanes to Caesar that Walestein formerly declared Generall in Italy should be invested with the Dukedom of Mechelburg for that if that could be effected Walesteine had promised him hee would refuse the Command in Italy and procure the imployment for him
from Swabenland into Bavaria aswell to guard those places which were threatened by the Swedes as to stop the forwardnesse of the Austrian Country people about Lintz who making use of the Imperialists taking up Armes against the King of Swede and of their Princes troubles tooke the liberty to take up Armes and by way of insurrection to hinder the navigation upon the Danube by rifling the Barkes yet this their insurrection lasted but for a while for they no sooner knew that Iohn Went Colonell of the Catholique League was comming against them with foure Caesarian Regiments then as is usuall to basely minded people they laid downe their Armes and peaceably retired to their owne homes terrified at the Chastisement inflicted upon some of the heads of the sedition so as Walesteine seeing himselfe much weakened and totally overcome by the misfortune of warre for want of fitting accommodation in those Territories he resolved to go from thence towards Coburg to take that Towne and the Castle which were very considerable for it was seated in Franconia upon the Confines of Thuringia begirt with ancient Wals and in some places fortified with Rampiers and Ditches upon the River Asch which taking its rise from within that Province towards Thuringia after having made a small course fals into the Mayne whereby he might hinder the Swedes from setting upon him on the Flanke where at any time he should advance into Misnia to joyne with Holke and Gallasse The King was now at Newstat neere the Straij a River which taking its head from the County of Henneberg after having watered part of Franconia fals into the Mayne when hee was advertised that Walesteine having raised his Camp from the territories of Nurenberg and being parted from the Duke of Bavaria bent towards Coburg that afterwards he might proceed to prejudice Misnia wherein Holke had already taken some Townes as Gallasse had likewise done on the other side therefore having an eye to the Imperialists proceedings and finding that their end was to lead their Forces into Saxony thereby to force the Elector to accept of peace since they could not prevaile by their words and Treaties hee commanded Duke Waymer to march with part of the Army towards Sindlypach not farre from Nurenberg and that he should watch over Walesteines proceedings and not lose sight of him and that he should likewise have an eye to the comming of Pappenheim who being thereunto solicited by continuall expresses from Walesteine was returned from Flanders and was likewise gone towards Franconia and Misnia to set upon them on the other side The King having left the Duke of Beâ—kinfelt with a body of men raised by the said Duke of 5000 Foot and 2000 Horse to guard the Townes neer Bavaria marched with his Army towards Nurenberg where being advertised by the Citizens what dammage the Country thereabouts suffered by the Imperialists Garrison left by Walesteine in Lauff belonging to the jurisdiction of that Senat upon the Pignitz hee resolved by suddenly setting upon it to drive the Enemies Forces from thence he therefore came before it with his Cannon and set upon it which though at the first it seemed resolute to stand out in its owne defence yet at last resolved to submit to the Swedes discretion there still remained the Fort of Listenaw between Nurenberg and Fortheim but this proving a difficult businesse as being conveniently well fortified by Art strong by nature and well garrisoned so as some time would go to the winning of it the King thought it not good to make any stay there and lose his men whil'st his enemies were in the field strong in men and resolution Leaving therefore Colonell Sperater with 3000 men in those parts for satisfaction of the Senat of Nurenberg which began to conceive amisse of the Swedes proceedings that Citie being little lesse then destroyed for their sakes he led on his Army to Erfurt the Metropolitan of Thuringia divided by the River Iera which takes head in that Province and falls into Vnstrutz there to prevent Pappenheim before he should execute his designe of taking it in who having left Count Gronsfield in the Bishoprick of Hidelsheim a Country which extends it selfe from the River Glien to the Fuse in the Province of Braunswyck with 7000 Souldiers to besiege Newburg a strong place seated upon the side of Abre used much diligence in his marching away with the remainder of his men finding how irreparable an other Battell would be by reason of the being at hand of so great forces and for the scarcitie of Victualls in those parts unmanured for want of Inhabitants and abandoned by the Enemy who could not any longer suffer the incommodities thereof Great was the diligence that this Count used to prevent the Kings arrivall at Erfurt yet not such as could out-doe the King in speedy march for fearing the prejudice he might receive if he should therein be prevented by the Romanists he made his Vanguard march by day and his Rereguard by night loosing no more time then what was requisite in some sort to refresh the Souldier The King stayd two dayes in Erfurt to comfort his Army and more particularly his Foot who were very weary with so long marches in which time he understood how that Walesteine had wonne Coleburg how his Cannon playd upon the Castle to render his Forces the more secure by the taking thereof as likewise those of Pappenheim who was marching to joyne with him and what progresse Holke and Gallasse made to the prejudice of Saxony The Kings Forces and Waymars being joyned he call'd a Councell of Warre where he with his Chiefe Commanders consulted upon what course was best to be taken Wherein some wisely weighing the present condition of affaires were of opinion It was not fitting for them to bring themselves to such a passe as that they could not shunne a Battell upon disadvantagious termes that the Imperialists had a considerable greater number of Souldiers then they who were ambitious to win by their Swords Walesteines good opinion who was a large rewarder of gallant actions a thing worthy of consideration that the Enemy was protected by favourable situations fit places to retreat unto that the Swedes on the contrary were an Enemies Country and that devasted there being no appearance of Provisions sufficient for them to keep the Field against the Imperialists who were furnished with all things necessary from Bohemia that there was not any more commendable resolutions to be had in warfairing then such as did secure the keeping of what was already got and did maintaine the Souldier in strength and vigour that to doe so was more praise worthy in a Commander in Chiefe then the gaining of Townes that such resolutions were alwayes blamed and prejudiciall as were undertaken without having an eye to the event that the whole ought never to be endangered for a part that in the losse of one Battell the downfall of all their already wonne renowne their ruine their being
occasions hightens glory and gives proofe of loyalty no whit declining in his resolution but incouraging his men and gathering unto them those who were else-where disbanded and forsaken by their owne Commanders shewed himselfe miraculously worthy and made it appeare that in times of greatest danger generous minded men ought to give testimony of their valour This did abate the Enemies eagernesse and afforded Walesteine and Gallasse opportunity to re-order some confused Squadrons and to withstand the Swedes Charge who being acertained of their Kings death and the Imperialists being again reunited there falling at that very instant likewise which was about an houre before Sun-set a very thicke fog or mist which played the part of a charitable mediatresse they fearing lest by further ingaging themselves they might run upon some disadvantage resolved to make a stand and to make good their ground and presse no further forward Walesteine likewise finding himselfe abandoned by many of his Captaines some of which were fled some dead and some wounded and all his Camp full of confusion for Pappenheimes death who was generally beloved and that neither he nor his Commands were obeyed resolved to keep in his station without any further attempt so as the one and the other of them contenting themselves with the advantage of their situations they afterwards with-drew into their owne quarters Thus ended the Battaile of Lutzen fought on the 16th of November which was not partiall either to the one or to the other side for each of them kept master of their own ground and the losse was in a manner equall Yet was the Kings death prised by the Caesarians at as high a rate as whatsoever victory and so indeed it proved for with him perished the Swedes good fortune the Souldiers obedience ceased disorders sprung up dissentions were bred amongst Commanders and ambition of precedency diversity of opinions difference of Counsels envy of actions and dissonancy of confederacyes were stirred up There perished in this dayes fight of both sides about 10000 Souldiers it is not known of which side most and many Colonels and Commanders of esteem of which there were wounded of the Imperialists side who afterwards dyed Bartaldo Walesteine and Colonell Chiese and of the Swedes Brundesteim Winckell and divers others the action lasted from Sun rising to an houre before Sun set the greatest slaughter and execution was about noone the Imperialists left some pieces of great Cannon upon the field for want of horses to draw them off the Baggage was not touched either by the one or the other side yet 't is true the Imperialists baggage was much damnified by fire which lightning in the Ammunition blew up many and slew many that were the Guard thereof The end of the fourth Book DOCTRINA PARIT VIRTUTEM The Warres and other State-Affaires of the best part of Christendome THE V. BOOK The Contents of the Fifth Booke Herein is discovered the condition of the one partie and the other after the Battell of Lutzen The Swedes resolution to fight again with the Imperialists Walesteines retreat into Bohemia How the Protestants received the Kings death His conditions The Roman Catholiques sorrow for the losse of Pappenheim The Swedes taking of Lipsia Gustavus Horne his proceedings in Alsatia The death of Fredericke King of Bohemia Elector Palatine The restoring of Franchendall and other Townes of the Palatinat to his Sonnes Baudis his attempt against the Electorat of Cullen Aldringer his proceedings in Swabenland Reliefe brought to that Province by the Swedes The Imperialists retreat into Bavaria Inrodes made by the Austrians in Alsatia The Duke of Loraynes Achievements The indeavour of Peace with the Duke of Saxony set on foot againe by Walesteine The Imperialists proceedings in Slesia The Dyet held at Helbrune Preparations made by the Duke of Feria at Millan for the comming of the Infant of Spaine The Siege of Hagghenaw in Alsatia and also Filisborg Provisions made by the French in Rhetia A Treatie of Peace propounded to the Hollanders by the Spaniards The event of the Negotiation with Saxony and of the like with the Vnited Provinces THe Battell of Lutzen being thus ended the Swedish Commanders greatly confused for the losse of their King and very weary by reason of the pains they had taken resolved to withdraw themselves to Wisenfells where before they tooke any refreshment being all assembled together having each with other condoled their Kings death at last they paused and having dryed their teares they like undaunted Chiefetaines the constancy of their hearts not failing them for all this so important an accident nor having the clearenesse of their wisedome darkened by the gastlinesse of death and feare but rather which was worthy of remarke comforting each other and moderating each others griefe it was at last propounded by Duke Waymer whether they should hault in expectance of Saxony Laneberg and other Forces already on their march towards them or else before their heat were cooled or their Swords sheathed they should pursue the Enemy astonished through the deaths flight of their men the importancy of this businesse being very well weighed there were some that advised That without further consideration they ought to pursue Walesteine before by new recruits he might take to the Field againe that these were of the number of such advantagious occasions as were not to be let slip that the Swedes were inraged at their Kings death that revenge by pursuing of the Imperialists was that which by the generall applause of the Souldiers was desired and thirsted after that this the Souldiers daring was wonderfull advantagious that if their Prince were lost they ought not at least to abandon the Victory up on which the common good depended that it behoved them who loved the Kings life not to forget his death Whilst the greatest part of the Commanders were pondring such conceptions as these the out-cry of the Souldiers who like so many inraged men broke in asking where the King was thundring in the eares of the Generalls and every one agreeing in opinion of prosecuting the Enemy and this the rather for that the newes just then came of the Duke of Lunebergs arivall at Affendorfe a Village within foure houres march of them after they had cryed up and by the joynt applause of all the Militia chosen Duke Waymer for their Generall who was deservedly beloved by them all and a Prince both for birth and courage deserving such a charge it was resolved that that very night Offchirch should goe with some of the Horse into the Field to recover the Body and the Souldiers being refresh't with Victualls and Wine of which there was great store found in Wisenfells the Swedes appeared againe the next morning in Battell Array upon the same plaine The Sunne was two houres high before they could find the Kings Body which when they found was stript and so dis-figured and mangled with blood and the being trampled on by Horses as hardly could they know
the Table was the racke to wrest out secrets the net wherewithall to take affection and friendship hee no wayes coveted ceremonies nor complements and if any one not knowing his humour should use any such with him he would in a jesting manner bid them keep their Courtship for the Queens Ladyes for that he was in the field to teach to fight not to learne to dance he was very severe in punishing the Souldiers insolency very dilligent in providing for the safety of his owne men when he tooke any City belonging to any Roman-Catholique hee would answer such Commanders as would advise him to lay heavie taxes upon the Citizens and impose new lawes upon them This is now my City it belongs no more unto the Enemy I am come to unfetter every mans liberty not to imprison them let them live as best pleaseth them and as they have formerly done I change no lawes to such as know how to live in those lawes that Religion hath ingrafted in them new shooes doe often times pinch the foot too much He made no difference in his treatings between Protestants and Roman-Catholiques hee shewed himselfe equally affectionat to the one and to the orher affirming That they were all the workmanship of God that hee thought every one believed well that observed the Kings lawes that it was not the worke of a Prince to instruct his people how to keep out of hell but that it belonged to Ecclesiasticall persons and Ministers of Gods word to doe that whence it ensued that the Romanists losing nothing but their native Prince and that Protestants regaining their liberty of Conscience his Empire and dominion was desired by the one and by the other like a Philosophying Souldier to witnesse the greatnesse of his minde he never indeavoured the perfecting of any enterprise wherein his Souldiers might not run some hazard hee was angry with those who would advise him to be carefull of his life and person he thought the thought of death misbecame a Prince professing Armes that the fancies of saving ones selfe were Counsels proffered by feare he called them happy who dyed in their vocations said death was a Voluntier who tooke pay of those that feared him most Great were the designes of his taking up Armes but after the victory of Leypzig they grew very vast for he aspired at the Empire of Germany which when hee should have gotten he thought it too narrow a bounds to his Commands unlesse he should inlarge them over Italy and other regions of Europe yea peradventure over the Ottoman Empire The Lord Paule Tresborg who was his Leger Embassadour at Constantinople and in his returne homeward lay at my house told me the very Turkes began to apprehend the fortune and valour of this King he had wont oft times to say that our predecessors having had so valiant Commanders and effecting so great enterprises he wondered how now the world was impoverished of such men and that this was the reason why many undertakings failed of performance to which being answered that this was occasioned through the divers use of Armes and manner of waging warre and the goodnesse of strong holds hee replyed that the diversity of Armes was nothing to be esteemed but the diversity of hearts that all Alexanders enterprises might be effected Hanibals victories obteyned and Caesars progresses be made if the heart of Alexander the minde of Haniball and Caesars daring were to be found In two yeares space this valiant King drew over to side with him or else won two hundred ninty six Cities Fortresses and walled Townes which formerly obsequiously reverenced the Scepter of the Emperour Ferdinand the second Hee won many victories in the field but that of Leypzig crowned and immortalized his glory since therein he overcame the worthiest and most victorious Commander of this our age and an Army which growne gray-headed in Armes and sufferings knew not what it was to be worsted By how much the Protestant party was afflicted at this great losse and the rest who envyed the Austrian greatnesse so much were the Imperialists and Church-men consolated thereby for though many more curious then others listened with delight to the actions of the King applauding them rather as things unusuall the present times not having knowne a King who would himselfe in person fight in the first Files against his Enemy yet the feare of his proceedings the doubt of having their rest and riches turned into labour and misery the certainty of having great taxations and contributions laid upon them to sustaine the Caesarian unsinew'd authority were very fitting occasions to cancell the affection they bore to the worth of this King and to rekindle their hatred and envy of him as was seen by the demonstrations they made in bonefires musicke and all other outward shewes of joy which gave the Protestants occasion of much murmurre who said thus to rejoyce for the death of a man was barbarous execrable and inhumane yet many there were that slighted these Jubilies saying that his glory was the greater by how much more estimation they put upon his losse Yet amongst these mirths and jollities the Imperialists were not free from paying tribute of some teares for they were very sensible of the death of Godfrey Count Pappenheime and more particularly the Ecclesiasticall Princes about Westfalia who had been by him and his worth defended against the imminent inevitable dangers that threatned them bewailing as it became them the losse of a benefactor more then rejoycing at the like of an Enemy were much afflicted thereat Their lamentation could not be held backe by their rejoycing for the Kings death which not being thereby allayd shewes the force of their affection to this Commander Godfrey Count Pappenheime was by birth an Alman of noble Parentage and excellent education he applyed himselfe from his first yeares to the warres and passing though all degrees of preferment he at last arrived to the Command of being one of Caesars Colonels a place of great esteem and no small consequence the first proofes he gave of his worth and valour was in the defence of Riva di Chianena in the Valtaline which was playd upon by the French where he raised his renowne and made men curious to inquire after his future actions behaving himselfe afterwards no lesse couragiously in Germany he appeared more worthy to command then to serve and therefore being advanced to the place of Lieutenant-generall of the Catholique League he did more then satisfie the expectation that was had of him In the most difficult actions he was couragious in advers fortune not moved in making of matches politique in deliberation bold in Counsell well advised modest in victory severe in execution in his dealings affable in fine he was in all things vigilant expert valiant mercifull and magnanimous the many scarres wherewith his face was adorned were the Characters wherin his good service was written the love and reverence the Souldiers bore him testified his civill and noble