SimilarburdenswereinflicteduponUlmandNuremberg，andtheentirecirclesofFranconiaandSwabia。ThehandoftheEmperorwasstretchedinterroroverallGermany。Thesuddenpreponderance，moreinappearance，perhaps，thaninreality，whichhehadobtainedbythisblow，carriedhimbeyondtheboundsevenofthemoderationwhichhehadhithertoobserved，andmisledhimintohastyandviolentmeasures，whichatlastturnedthewaveringresolutionoftheGermanprincesinfavourofGustavusAdolphus。InjuriousastheimmediateconsequencesofthefallofMagdeburgweretotheProtestantcause，itsremotereffectsweremostadvantageous。Thepastsurprisemadewayforactiveresentment，despairinspiredcourage，andtheGermanfreedomrose，likeaphoenix，fromtheashesofMagdeburg。
AmongtheprincesoftheLeipzigConfederation，theElectorofSaxonyandtheLandgraveofHessewerethemostpowerful；and，untiltheyweredisarmed，theuniversalauthorityoftheEmperorwasunconfirmed。
AgainsttheLandgrave，therefore，Tillyfirstdirectedhisattack，andmarchedstraightfromMagdeburgintoThuringia。Duringthismarch，theterritoriesofSaxeErnestandSchwartzburgwerelaidwaste，andFrankenhausenplunderedbeforetheveryeyesofTilly，andlaidinasheswithimpunity。Theunfortunatepeasantpaiddearforhismaster’sattachmenttotheinterestsofSweden。Erfurt，thekeyofSaxonyandFranconia，wasthreatenedwithasiege，butredeemeditselfbyavoluntarycontributionofmoneyandprovisions。
Fromthence，TillydespatchedhisemissariestotheLandgrave，demandingofhimtheimmediatedisbandingofhisarmy，arenunciationoftheleagueofLeipzig，thereceptionofimperialgarrisonsintohisterritoriesandfortresses，withthenecessarycontributions，andthedeclarationoffriendshiporhostility。SuchwasthetreatmentwhichaprinceoftheEmpirewascompelledtosubmittofromaservantoftheEmperor。Buttheseextravagantdemandsacquiredaformidableweightfromthepowerwhichsupportedthem；andthedreadfulfateofMagdeburg，stillfreshinthememoryoftheLandgrave，tendedstillfarthertoenforcethem。Admirable，therefore，wastheintrepidityoftheLandgrave’sanswer:"Toadmitforeigntroopsintohiscapitalandfortresses，theLandgraveisnotdisposed；
histroopsherequiresforhisownpurposes；asforanattack，hecandefendhimself。IfGeneralTillywantsmoneyorprovisions，lethimgotoMunich，wherethereisplentyofboth。"
TheirruptionoftwobodiesofimperialtroopsintoHesseCasselwastheimmediateresultofthisspiritedreply，buttheLandgravegavethemsowarmareceptionthattheycouldeffectnothing；andjustasTillywaspreparingtofollowwithhiswholearmy，topunishtheunfortunatecountryforthefirmnessofitssovereign，themovementsoftheKingofSwedenrecalledhimtoanotherquarter。
GustavusAdolphushadlearnedthefallofMagdeburgwithdeepregret；
andthedemandnowmadebytheElector，GeorgeWilliam，intermsoftheiragreement，fortherestorationofSpandau，greatlyincreasedthisfeeling。ThelossofMagdeburghadratheraugmentedthanlessenedthereasonswhichmadethepossessionofthisfortresssodesirable；andthenearerbecamethenecessityofadecisivebattlebetweenhimselfandTilly，themoreunwillinghefelttoabandontheonlyplacewhich，intheeventofadefeat，couldensurehimarefuge。
Afteravainendeavour，byentreatiesandrepresentations，tobringovertheElectortohisviews，whosecoldnessandlukewarmnessdailyincreased，hegaveorderstohisgeneraltoevacuateSpandau，butatthesametimedeclaredtotheElectorthathewouldhenceforthregardhimasanenemy。
Togiveweighttothisdeclaration，heappearedwithhiswholeforcebeforeBerlin。"Iwillnotbeworsetreatedthantheimperialgenerals，"
washisreplytotheambassadorswhomthebewilderedElectordespatchedtohiscamp。"Yourmasterhasreceivedthemintohisterritories，furnishedthemwithallnecessarysupplies，cededtothemeveryplacewhichtheyrequired，andyet，byalltheseconcessions，hecouldnotprevailuponthemtotreathissubjectswithcommonhumanity。
AllthatIrequireofhimissecurity，amoderatesumofmoney，andprovisionsformytroops；inreturn，Ipromisetoprotecthiscountry，andtokeepthewaratadistancefromhim。Onthesepoints，however，Imustinsist；andmybrother，theElector，mustinstantlydeterminetohavemeasafriend，ortoseehiscapitalplundered。"Thisdecisivetoneproducedadueimpression；andthecannonpointedagainstthetownputanendtothedoubtsofGeorgeWilliam。Inafewdays，atreatywassigned，bywhichtheElectorengagedtofurnishamonthlysubsidyof30，000dollars，toleaveSpandauintheking’shands，andtoopenCustrinatalltimestotheSwedishtroops。ThisnowopenallianceoftheElectorofBrandenburgwiththeSwedes，excitednolessdispleasureatVienna，thandidformerlythesimilarprocedureoftheDukeofPomerania；
butthechangedfortunewhichnowattendedhisarms，obligedtheEmperortoconfinehisresentmenttowords。
Theking’ssatisfaction，onthisfavourableevent，wasincreasedbytheagreeableintelligencethatGriefswald，theonlyfortresswhichtheImperialistsstillheldinPomerania，hadsurrendered，andthatthewholecountrywasnowfreeoftheenemy。
Heappearedoncemoreinthisduchy，andwasgratifiedatthesightofthegeneraljoywhichhehadcausedtothepeople。AyearhadelapsedsinceGustavusfirstenteredGermany，andthiseventwasnowcelebratedbyallPomeraniaasanationalfestival。Shortlybefore，theCzarofMoscowhadsentambassadorstocongratulatehim，torenewhisalliance，andeventoofferhimtroops。HehadgreatreasontorejoiceatthefriendlydispositionofRussia，asitwasindispensabletohisintereststhatSwedenitselfshouldremainundisturbedbyanydangerousneighbourduringthewarinwhichhehimselfwasengaged。Soonafter，hisqueen，MariaEleonora，landedinPomerania，withareinforcementof8000Swedes；
andthearrivalof6000English，undertheMarquisofHamilton，requiresmoreparticularnoticebecausethisisallthathistorymentionsoftheEnglishduringtheThirtyYears’War。
DuringTilly’sexpeditionintoThuringia，PappenheimcommandedinMagdeburg；
butwasunabletopreventtheSwedesfromcrossingtheElbeatvariouspoints，routingsomeimperialdetachments，andseizingseveralposts。Hehimself，alarmedattheapproachoftheKingofSweden，anxiouslyrecalledTilly，andprevaileduponhimtoreturnbyrapidmarchestoMagdeburg。
TillyencampedonthissideoftheriveratWolmerstadt；
Gustavusonthesameside，nearWerben，notfarfromtheconfluenceoftheHavelandtheElbe。HisveryarrivalportendednogoodtoTilly。
TheSwedesroutedthreeofhisregiments，whichwerepostedinvillagesatsomedistancefromthemainbody，carriedoffhalftheirbaggage，andburnedtheremainder。Tillyinvainadvancedwithincannonshotoftheking’scamp，andofferedhimbattle。Gustavus，weakerbyone-halfthanhisadversary，prudentlydeclinedit；andhispositionwastoostrongforanattack。Nothingmoreensuedbutadistantcannonade，andafewskirmishes，inwhichtheSwedeshadinvariablytheadvantage。
InhisretreattoWolmerstadt，Tilly’sarmywasweakenedbynumerousdesertions。FortuneseemedtohaveforsakenhimsincethecarnageofMagdeburg。
TheKingofSweden，onthecontrary，wasfollowedbyuninterruptedsuccess。
WhilehehimselfwasencampedinWerben，thewholeofMecklenburg，withtheexceptionofafewtowns，wasconqueredbyhisGeneralTottandtheDukeAdolphusFrederick；andheenjoyedthesatisfactionofreinstatingbothdukesintheirdominions。HeproceededinpersontoGustrow，wherethereinstatementwassolemnlytotakeplace，togiveadditionaldignitytotheceremonybyhispresence。Thetwodukes，withtheirdelivererbetweenthem，andattendedbyasplendidtrainofprinces，madeapublicentryintothecity，whichthejoyoftheirsubjectsconvertedintoanaffectingsolemnity。SoonafterhisreturntoWerben，theLandgraveofHesseCasselappearedinhiscamp，toconcludeanoffensiveanddefensivealliance；thefirstsovereignprinceinGermany，whovoluntarilyandopenlydeclaredagainsttheEmperor，thoughnotwhollyuninfluencedbystrongmotives。TheLandgraveboundhimselftoactagainsttheking’senemiesashisown，toopentohimhistownsandterritory，andtofurnishhisarmywithprovisionsandnecessaries。Theking，ontheotherhand，declaredhimselfhisallyandprotector；
andengagedtoconcludenopeacewiththeEmperorwithoutfirstobtainingfortheLandgraveafullredressofgrievances。Bothpartieshonourablyperformedtheiragreement。HesseCasseladheredtotheSwedishallianceduringthewholeofthistediouswar；andatthepeaceofWestphaliahadnoreasontoregretthefriendshipofSweden。
Tilly，fromwhomthisboldsteponthepartoftheLandgravewasnotlongconcealed，despatchedCountFuggerwithseveralregimentsagainsthim；
andatthesametimeendeavouredtoexcitehissubjectstorebellionbyinflammatoryletters。Butthesemadeaslittleimpressionashistroops，whichsubsequentlyfailedhimsodecidedlyatthebattleofBreitenfield。
TheEstatesofHessecouldnotforamomenthesitatebetweentheiroppressorandtheirprotector。
ButtheimperialgeneralwasfarmoredisturbedbytheequivocalconductoftheElectorofSaxony，who，indefianceoftheimperialprohibition，continuedhispreparations，andadheredtotheconfederationofLeipzig。
Atthisconjuncture，whentheproximityoftheKingofSwedenmadeadecisivebattleerelonginevitable，itappearedextremelydangeroustoleaveSaxonyinarms，andreadyinamomenttodeclarefortheenemy。
Tillyhadjustreceivedareinforcementof25，000veterantroopsunderFurstenberg，and，confidentinhisstrength，hehopedeithertodisarmtheElectorbythemereterrorofhisarrival，oratleasttoconquerhimwithlittledifficulty。BeforequittinghiscampatWolmerstadt，hecommandedtheElector，byaspecialmessenger，toopenhisterritoriestotheimperialtroops；eithertodisbandhisown，ortojointhemtotheimperialarmy；andtoassist，inconjunctionwithhimself，indrivingtheKingofSwedenoutofGermany。Whileheremindedhimthat，ofalltheGermanstates，Saxonyhadhithertobeenmostrespected，hethreatenedit，incaseofrefusal，withthemostdestructiveravages。
ButTillyhadchosenanunfavourablemomentforsoimperiousarequisition。
Theill-treatmentofhisreligiousandpoliticalconfederates，thedestructionofMagdeburg，theexcessesoftheImperialistsinLusatia，allcombinedtoincensetheElectoragainsttheEmperor。Theapproach，too，ofGustavusAdolphus，howeverslenderhisclaimsweretotheprotectionofthatprince，tendedtofortifyhisresolution。Heaccordinglyforbadethequarteringoftheimperialsoldiersinhisterritories，andannouncedhisfirmdeterminationtopersistinhiswarlikepreparations。
Howeversurprisedheshouldbe，headded，"toseeanimperialarmyonitsmarchagainsthisterritories，whenthatarmyhadenoughtodoinwatchingtheoperationsoftheKingofSweden，neverthelesshedidnotexpect，insteadofthepromisedandwellmeritedrewards，toberepaidwithingratitudeandtheruinofhiscountry。"ToTilly’sdeputies，whowereentertainedinaprincelystyle，hegaveastillplaineranswerontheoccasion。"Gentlemen，"saidhe，"IperceivethattheSaxonconfectionery，whichhasbeensolongkeptback，isatlengthtobesetuponthetable。Butasitisusualtomixwithitnutsandgarnishofallkinds，takecareofyourteeth。"
Tillyinstantlybrokeuphiscamp，and，withthemostfrightfuldevastation，advanceduponHalle；fromthisplaceherenewedhisdemandsontheElector，inatonestillmoreurgentandthreatening。Thepreviouspolicyofthisprince，bothfromhisowninclination，andthepersuasionsofhiscorruptministershadbeentopromotetheinterestsoftheEmperor，evenattheexpenseofhisownsacredobligations，andbutverylittletacthadhithertokepthiminactive。AllthisbutrendersmoreastonishingtheinfatuationoftheEmperororhisministersinabandoning，atsocriticalamoment，thepolicytheyhadhithertoadopted，andbyextrememeasures，incensingaprincesoeasilyled。WasthistheveryobjectwhichTillyhadinview？Wasithispurposetoconvertanequivocalfriendintoanopenenemy，andthustorelievehimselffromthenecessityofthatindulgenceinthetreatmentofthisprince，whichthesecretinstructionsoftheEmperorhadhithertoimposeduponhim？
OrwasittheEmperor’swish，bydrivingtheElectortoopenhostilities，togetquitofhisobligationstohim，andsocleverlytobreakoffatoncethedifficultyofareckoning？Ineithercase，wemustbeequallysurprisedatthedaringpresumptionofTilly，whohesitatednot，inpresenceofoneformidableenemy，toprovokeanother；andathisnegligenceinpermitting，withoutopposition，theunionofthetwo。
TheSaxonElector，rendereddesperatebytheentranceofTillyintohisterritories，threwhimself，thoughnotwithoutaviolentstruggle，undertheprotectionofSweden。
ImmediatelyafterdismissingTilly’sfirstembassy，hehaddespatchedhisfield-marshalArnheiminallhastetothecampofGustavus，tosolicitthepromptassistanceofthatmonarchwhomhehadsolongneglected。Thekingconcealedtheinwardsatisfactionhefeltatthislongwishedforresult。
"IamsorryfortheElector，"saidhe，withdissembledcoldness，totheambassador；"hadheheededmyrepeatedremonstrances，hiscountrywouldneverhaveseenthefaceofanenemy，andMagdeburgwouldnothavefallen。Now，whennecessityleaveshimnoalternative，hehasrecoursetomyassistance。Buttellhim，thatIcannot，forthesakeoftheElectorofSaxony，ruinmyowncause，andthatofmyconfederates。WhatpledgehaveIforthesincerityofaprincewhoseministerisinthepayofAustria，andwhowillabandonmeassoonastheEmperorflattershim，andwithdrawshistroopsfromhisfrontiers？Tilly，itistrue，hasreceivedastrongreinforcement；
butthisshallnotpreventmefrommeetinghimwithconfidence，assoonasIhavecoveredmyrear。"
TheSaxonministercouldmakenootherreplytothesereproaches，thanthatitwasbesttoburythepastinoblivion。
Hepressedthekingtonametheconditions，onwhichhewouldaffordassistancetoSaxony，andofferedtoguaranteetheiracceptance。
"Irequire，"saidGustavus，"thattheElectorshallcedetomethefortressofWittenberg，delivertomehiseldestsonsashostages，furnishmytroopswiththreemonths’pay，anddeliveruptomethetraitorsamonghisministry。"
"NotWittenbergalone，"saidtheElector，whenhereceivedthisanswer，andhurriedbackhisministertotheSwedishcamp，"notWittenbergalone，butTorgau，andallSaxony，shallbeopentohim；mywholefamilyshallbehishostages，andifthatisinsufficient，Iwillplacemyselfinhishands。ReturnandinformhimIamreadytodelivertohimanytraitorsheshallname，tofurnishhisarmywiththemoneyherequires，andtoventuremylifeandfortuneinthegoodcause。
ThekinghadonlydesiredtotestthesincerityoftheElector’snewsentiments。Convincedofit，henowretractedtheseharshdemands。
"Thedistrust，"saidhe，"whichwasshowntomyselfwhenadvancingtothereliefofMagdeburg，hadnaturallyexcitedmine；
theElector’spresentconfidencedemandsareturn。Iamsatisfied，providedhegrantsmyarmyonemonth’spay，andevenforthisadvanceIhopetoindemnifyhim。"
Immediatelyupontheconclusionofthetreaty，thekingcrossedtheElbe，andnextdayjoinedtheSaxons。Insteadofpreventingthisjunction，TillyhadadvancedagainstLeipzig，whichhesummonedtoreceiveanimperialgarrison。Inhopesofspeedyrelief，HansVonderPforta，thecommandant，madepreparationsforhisdefence，andlaidthesuburbtowardsHalleinashes。Buttheillconditionofthefortificationsmaderesistancevain，andontheseconddaythegateswereopened。
Tillyhadfixedhisheadquartersinthehouseofagrave-digger，theonlyonestillstandinginthesuburbofHalle:herehesignedthecapitulation，andhere，too，hearrangedhisattackontheKingofSweden。
Tillygrewpaleattherepresentationofthedeath’sheadandcrossbones，withwhichtheproprietorhaddecoratedhishouse；and，contrarytoallexpectation，Leipzigexperiencedmoderatetreatment。
Meanwhile，acouncilofwarwasheldatTorgau，betweentheKingofSwedenandtheElectorofSaxony，atwhichtheElectorofBrandenburgwasalsopresent。Theresolutionwhichshouldnowbeadopted，wastodecideirrevocablythefateofGermanyandtheProtestantreligion，thehappinessofnationsandthedestinyoftheirprinces。
Theanxietyofsuspensewhich，beforeeverydecisiveresolve，oppresseseventheheartsofheroes，appearednowforamomenttoovershadowthegreatmindofGustavusAdolphus。"Ifwedecideuponbattle，"saidhe，"thestakewillbenothinglessthanacrownandtwoelectorates。
Fortuneischangeable，andtheinscrutabledecreesofHeavenmay，foroursins，givethevictorytoourenemies。Mykingdom，itistrue，evenafterthelossofmylifeandmyarmy，wouldstillhaveahopeleft。
Farremovedfromthesceneofaction，defendedbyapowerfulfleet，awell-guardedfrontier，andawarlikepopulation，itwouldatleastbesafefromtheworstconsequencesofadefeat。Butwhatchancesofescapearethereforyou，withanenemysocloseathand？"GustavusAdolphusdisplayedthemodestdiffidenceofahero，whomanoverweeningbeliefofhisownstrengthdidnotblindtothegreatnessofhisdanger；
JohnGeorge，theconfidenceofaweakman，whoknowsthathehasaherobyhisside。Impatienttoridhisterritoriesassoonaspossibleoftheoppressivepresenceoftwoarmies，heburnedforabattle，inwhichhehadnoformerlaurelstolose。HewasreadytomarchwithhisSaxonsaloneagainstLeipzig，andattackTilly。
AtlastGustavusaccededtohisopinion；anditwasresolvedthattheattackshouldbemadewithoutdelay，beforethearrivalofthereinforcements，whichwereontheirway，underAltringerandTiefenbach。
TheunitedSwedishandSaxonarmiesnowcrossedtheMulda，whiletheElectorreturnedhomeward。
Earlyonthemorningofthe7thSeptember，1631，thehostilearmiescameinsightofeachother。Tilly，who，sincehehadneglectedtheopportunityofoverpoweringtheSaxonsbeforetheirunionwiththeSwedes，wasdisposedtoawaitthearrivalofthereinforcements，hadtakenupastrongandadvantageouspositionnotfarfromLeipzig，whereheexpectedheshouldbeabletoavoidthebattle。ButtheimpetuosityofPappenheimobligedhim，assoonastheenemywereinmotion，toalterhisplans，andtomovetotheleft，inthedirectionofthehillswhichrunfromthevillageofWahrentowardsLindenthal。Atthefootoftheseheights，hisarmywasdrawnupinasingleline，andhisartilleryplacedupontheheightsbehind，fromwhichitcouldsweepthewholeextensiveplainofBreitenfeld。TheSwedishandSaxonarmyadvancedintwocolumns，havingtopasstheLobernearPodelwitz，inTilly’sfront。
Todefendthepassageofthisrivulet，Pappenheimadvancedattheheadof2000cuirassiers，thoughaftergreatreluctanceonthepartofTilly，andwithexpressordersnottocommenceabattle。But，indisobediencetothiscommand，PappenheimattackedthevanguardoftheSwedes，andafterabriefstrugglewasdriventoretreat。Tochecktheprogressoftheenemy，hesetfiretoPodelwitz，which，however，didnotpreventthetwocolumnsfromadvancingandforminginorderofbattle。
Ontheright，theSwedesdrewupinadoubleline，theinfantryinthecentre，dividedintosuchsmallbattalionsascouldbeeasilyandrapidlymanoeuvredwithoutbreakingtheirorder；thecavalryupontheirwings，dividedinthesamemannerintosmallsquadrons，interspersedwithbodiesofmusqueteers，soasbothtogiveanappearanceofgreaternumericalforce，andtoannoytheenemy’shorse。ColonelTeufelcommandedthecentre，GustavusHorntheleft，whiletherightwasledbythekinginperson，opposedtoCountPappenheim。
Ontheleft，theSaxonsformedataconsiderabledistancefromtheSwedes，——
bytheadviceofGustavus，whichwasjustifiedbytheevent。
TheorderofbattlehadbeenarrangedbetweentheElectorandhisfield-marshal，andthekingwascontentwithmerelysignifyinghisapproval。HewasanxiousapparentlytoseparatetheSwedishprowessfromthatoftheSaxons，andfortunedidnotconfoundthem。
Theenemywasdrawnupundertheheightstowardsthewest，inoneimmenseline，longenoughtooutflanktheSwedisharmy，——
theinfantrybeingdividedinlargebattalions，thecavalryinequallyunwieldysquadrons。Theartillerybeingontheheightsbehind，therangeofitsfirewasovertheheadsofhismen。Fromthispositionofhisartillery，itwasevidentthatTilly’spurposewastoawaitratherthantoattacktheenemy；sincethisarrangementrendereditimpossibleforhimtodosowithoutexposinghismentothefireofhisowncannons。
Tillyhimselfcommandedthecentre，CountFurstenbergtherightwing，andPappenheimtheleft。TheunitedtroopsoftheEmperorandtheLeagueonthisdaydidnotamountto34，000or35，000men；theSwedesandSaxonswereaboutthesamenumber。Buthadamillionbeenconfrontedwithamillionitcouldonlyhaverenderedtheactionmorebloody，certainlynotmoreimportantanddecisive。ForthisdayGustavushadcrossedtheBaltic，tocourtdangerinadistantcountry，andexposehiscrownandlifetothecapriceoffortune。Thetwogreatestgeneralsofthetime，bothhithertoinvincible，werenowtobematchedagainsteachotherinacontestwhichbothhadlongavoided；andonthisfieldofbattlethehithertountarnishedlaurelsofoneleadermustdroopforever。
ThetwopartiesinGermanyhadbeheldtheapproachofthisdaywithfearandtrembling；andthewholeageawaitedwithdeepanxietyitsissue，andposteritywaseithertoblessordeploreitforever。
Tilly’susualintrepidityandresolutionseemedtoforsakehimonthiseventfulday。HehadformednoregularplanforgivingbattletotheKing，andhedisplayedaslittlefirmnessinavoidingit。
Contrarytohisownjudgment，Pappenheimhadforcedhimtoaction。
Doubtswhichhehadneverbeforefelt，struggledinhisbosom；
gloomyforebodingscloudedhisever-openbrow；theshadeofMagdeburgseemedtohoveroverhim。
Acannonadeoftwohourscommencedthebattle；thewind，whichwasfromthewest，blewthickcloudsofsmokeanddustfromthenewly-ploughedandparchedfieldsintothefacesoftheSwedes。Thiscompelledthekinginsensiblytowheelnorthwards，andtherapiditywithwhichthismovementwasexecutedleftnotimetotheenemytopreventit。
Tillyatlastlefthisheights，andbeganthefirstattackupontheSwedes；
buttoavoidtheirhotfire，hefiledofftowardstheright，andfellupontheSaxonswithsuchimpetuositythattheirlinewasbroken，andthewholearmythrownintoconfusion。TheElectorhimselfretiredtoEilenburg，thoughafewregimentsstillmaintainedtheirgrounduponthefield，andbyaboldstandsavedthehonourofSaxony。
ScarcelyhadtheconfusionbeganeretheCroatscommencedplundering，andmessengersweredespatchedtoMunichandViennawiththenewsofthevictory。
PappenheimhadthrownhimselfwiththewholeforceofhiscavalryupontherightwingoftheSwedes，butwithoutbeingabletomakeitwaver。
Thekingcommandedhereinperson，andunderhimGeneralBanner。
SeventimesdidPappenheimrenewtheattack，andseventimeswasherepulsed。
Hefledatlastwithgreatloss，andabandonedthefieldtohisconqueror。
Inthemeantime，Tilly，havingroutedtheremainderoftheSaxons，attackedwithhisvictorioustroopstheleftwingoftheSwedes。
Tothiswingtheking，assoonasheperceivedthattheSaxonswerethrownintodisorder，had，withareadyforesight，detachedareinforcementofthreeregimentstocoveritsflank，whichtheflightoftheSaxonshadleftexposed。GustavusHorn，whocommandedhere，showedtheenemy’scuirassiersaspiritedresistance，whichtheinfantry，interspersedamongthesquadronsofhorse，materiallyassisted。Theenemywerealreadybeginningtorelaxthevigouroftheirattack，whenGustavusAdolphusappearedtoterminatethecontest。
TheleftwingoftheImperialistshadbeenrouted；andtheking’sdivision，havingnolongeranyenemytooppose，couldnowturntheirarmswhereveritwouldbetothemostadvantage。Wheeling，therefore，withhisrightwingandmainbodytotheleft，heattackedtheheightsonwhichtheenemy’sartillerywasplanted。Gainingpossessionoftheminashorttime，heturnedupontheenemythefullfireoftheirowncannon。
Theplayofartilleryupontheirflank，andtheterribleonslaughtoftheSwedesinfront，threwthishithertoinvinciblearmyintoconfusion。
AsuddenretreatwastheonlycourselefttoTilly，buteventhiswastobemadethroughthemidstoftheenemy。Thewholearmywasindisorder，withtheexceptionoffourregimentsofveteransoldiers，whoneverasyethadfledfromthefield，andwereresolvednottodosonow。
Closingtheirranks，theybrokethroughthethickestofthevictoriousarmy，andgainedasmallthicket，wheretheyopposedanewfronttotheSwedes，andmaintainedtheirresistancetillnight，whentheirnumberwasreducedtosixhundredmen。WiththemfledthewreckofTilly’sarmy，andthebattlewasdecided。
Amidthedeadandthewounded，GustavusAdolphusthrewhimselfonhisknees；
andthefirstjoyofhisvictorygushedforthinferventprayer。Heorderedhiscavalrytopursuetheenemyaslongasthedarknessofthenightwouldpermit。Thepealingofthealarm-bellssettheinhabitantsofalltheneighbouringvillagesinmotion，andutterlylostwastheunhappyfugitivewhofellintotheirhands。ThekingencampedwiththerestofhisarmybetweenthefieldofbattleandLeipzig，asitwasimpossibletoattackthetownthesamenight。
Seventhousandoftheenemywerekilledinthefield，andmorethan5，000
eitherwoundedortakenprisoners。TheirwholeartilleryandcampfellintothehandsoftheSwedes，andmorethanahundredstandardsandcoloursweretaken。OftheSaxonsabout2，000hadfallen，whilethelossoftheSwedesdidnotexceed700。TheroutoftheImperialistswassocomplete，thatTilly，onhisretreattoHalleandHalberstadt，couldnotrallyabove600men，orPappenheimmorethan1，400——
sorapidlywasthisformidablearmydispersed，whichsolatelywastheterrorofItalyandGermany。
Tillyhimselfowedhisescapemerelytochance。Exhaustedbyhiswounds，hestillrefusedtosurrendertoaSwedishcaptainofhorse，whosummonedhimtoyield；butwho，whenhewasonthepointofputtinghimtodeath，washimselfstretchedonthegroundbyatimelypistol-shot。
Butmoregrievousthandangerorwoundswasthepainofsurvivinghisreputation，andoflosinginasingledaythefruitsofalonglife。
Allformervictorieswereasnothing，sincehehadfailedingainingtheonethatshouldhavecrownedthemall。Nothingremainedofallhispastexploits，butthegeneralexecrationwhichhadfollowedthem。
Fromthisperiod，heneverrecoveredhischeerfulnessorhisgoodfortune。
Evenhislastconsolation，thehopeofrevenge，wasdeniedtohim，bytheexpresscommandoftheEmperornottoriskadecisivebattle。
Thedisgraceofthisdayistobeascribedprincipallytothreemistakes；
hisplantingthecannononthehillsbehindhim，hisafterwardsabandoningtheseheights，andhisallowingtheenemy，withoutopposition，toforminorderofbattle。Buthoweasilymightthosemistakeshavebeenrectified，haditnotbeenforthecoolpresenceofmindandsuperiorgeniusofhisadversary！
TillyfledfromHalletoHalberstadt，wherehescarcelyallowedtimeforthecureofhiswounds，beforehehurriedtowardstheWesertorecruithisforcebytheimperialgarrisonsinLowerSaxony。
TheElectorofSaxonyhadnotfailed，afterthedangerwasover，toappearinGustavus’scamp。Thekingthankedhimforhavingadvisedabattle；
andtheElector，charmedathisfriendlyreception，promisedhim，inthefirsttransportsofjoy，theRomancrown。GustavussetoutnextdayforMerseburg，leavingtheElectortorecoverLeipzig。
FivethousandImperialists，whohadcollectedtogetherafterthedefeat，andwhomhemetonhismarch，wereeithercutinpiecesortakenprisoners，ofwhomagainthegreaterpartenteredintohisservice。
Merseburgquicklysurrendered；Hallewassoonaftertaken，whithertheElectorofSaxony，aftermakinghimselfmasterofLeipzig，repairedtomeettheking，andtoconcerttheirfutureplanofoperations。
Thevictorywasgained，butonlyaprudentuseofitcouldrenderitdecisive。
Theimperialarmiesweretotallyrouted，Saxonyfreefromtheenemy，andTillyhadretiredintoBrunswick。TohavefollowedhimthitherwouldhavebeentorenewthewarinLowerSaxony，whichhadscarcelyrecoveredfromtheravagesofthelast。Itwasthereforedeterminedtocarrythewarintotheenemy’scountry，which，openanddefencelessasfarasVienna，invitedattack。Ontheirright，theymightfallupontheterritoriesoftheRomanCatholicprinces，orpenetrate，ontheleft，intothehereditarydominionsofAustria，andmaketheEmperortrembleinhispalace。Bothplanswereresolvedon；andthequestionthatnowremainedwastoassignitsrespectiveparts。GustavusAdolphus，attheheadofavictoriousarmy，hadlittleresistancetoapprehendinhisprogressfromLeipzigtoPrague，Vienna，andPresburg。
AstoBohemia，Moravia，Austria，andHungary，theyhadbeenstrippedoftheirdefenders，whiletheoppressedProtestantsinthesecountrieswereripeforarevolt。Ferdinandwasnolongersecureinhiscapital:
Vienna，onthefirstterrorofsurprise，wouldatonceopenitsgates。
Thelossofhisterritorieswoulddeprivetheenemyoftheresourcesbywhichalonethewarcouldbemaintained；andFerdinandwould，inallprobability，gladlyaccede，onthehardestconditions，toapeacewhichwouldremoveaformidableenemyfromtheheartofhisdominions。Thisboldplanofoperationswasflatteringtoaconqueror，andsuccessperhapsmighthavejustifiedit。ButGustavusAdolphus，asprudentashewasbrave，andmoreastatesmanthanaconqueror，rejectedit，becausehehadahigherendinview，andwouldnottrusttheissueeithertobraveryorgoodfortunealone。
BymarchingtowardsBohemia，FranconiaandtheUpperRhinewouldbelefttotheElectorofSaxony。ButTillyhadalreadybeguntorecruithisshatteredarmyfromthegarrisonsinLowerSaxony，andwaslikelytobeattheheadofaformidableforceupontheWeser，andtolosenotimeinmarchingagainsttheenemy。Tosoexperiencedageneral，itwouldnotdotoopposeanArnheim，ofwhosemilitaryskillthebattleofLeipzighadaffordedbutequivocalproof；
andofwhatavailwouldbetherapidandbrilliantcareerofthekinginBohemiaandAustria，ifTillyshouldrecoverhissuperiorityintheEmpire，animatingthecourageoftheRomanCatholics，anddisarming，byanewseriesofvictories，thealliesandconfederatesoftheking？
WhatwouldhegainbyexpellingtheEmperorfromhishereditarydominions，ifTillysucceededinconqueringforthatEmperortherestofGermany？
CouldhehopetoreducetheEmperormorethanhadbeendone，twelveyearsbefore，bytheinsurrectionofBohemia，whichhadfailedtoshakethefirmnessorexhausttheresourcesofthatprince，andfromwhichhehadrisenmoreformidablethanever？
Lessbrilliant，butmoresolid，weretheadvantageswhichhehadtoexpectfromanincursionintotheterritoriesoftheLeague。Inthisquarter，hisappearanceinarmswouldbedecisive。Atthisveryconjuncture，theprinceswereassembledinaDietatFrankfort，todeliberateupontheEdictofRestitution，whereFerdinandemployedallhisartfulpolicytopersuadetheintimidatedProtestantstoaccedetoaspeedyanddisadvantageousarrangement。Theadvanceoftheirprotectorcouldaloneencouragethemtoaboldresistance，anddisappointtheEmperor’sdesigns。
GustavusAdolphushoped，byhispresence，tounitethediscontentedprinces，orbytheterrorofhisarmstodetachthemfromtheEmperor’sparty。Here，inthecentreofGermany，hecouldparalysethenervesoftheimperialpower，which，withouttheaidoftheLeague，mustsoonfall——here，intheneighbourhoodofFrance，hecouldwatchthemovementsofasuspiciousally；andhoweverimportanttohissecretviewsitwastocultivatethefriendshipoftheRomanCatholicelectors，hesawthenecessityofmakinghimselffirstofallmasteroftheirfate，inordertoestablish，byhismagnanimousforbearance，aclaimtotheirgratitude。
HeaccordinglychosetheroutetoFranconiaandtheRhine；
andlefttheconquestofBohemiatotheElectorofSaxony。
BookIII。
ThegloriousbattleofLeipzigeffectedagreatchangeintheconductofGustavusAdolphus，aswellasintheopinionwhichbothfriendsandfoesentertainedofhim。Successfullyhadheconfrontedthegreatestgeneraloftheage，andhadmatchedthestrengthofhistacticsandthecourageofhisSwedesagainsttheeliteoftheimperialarmy，themostexperiencedtroopsinEurope。Fromthismomenthefeltafirmconfidenceinhisownpowers——self-confidencehasalwaysbeentheparentofgreatactions。Inallhissubsequentoperationsmoreboldnessanddecisionareobservable；greaterdetermination，evenamidstthemostunfavourablecircumstances，amoreloftytonetowardshisadversaries，amoredignifiedbearingtowardshisallies，andeveninhisclemency，somethingoftheforbearanceofaconqueror。
Hisnaturalcouragewasfartherheightenedbythepiousardourofhisimagination。Hesawinhisowncausethatofheaven，andinthedefeatofTillybeheldthedecisiveinterferenceofProvidenceagainsthisenemies，andinhimselftheinstrumentofdivinevengeance。
Leavinghiscrownandhiscountryfarbehind，headvancedonthewingsofvictoryintotheheartofGermany，whichforcenturieshadseennoforeignconquerorwithinitsbosom。Thewarlikespiritofitsinhabitants，thevigilanceofitsnumerousprinces，theartfulconfederationofitsstates，thenumberofitsstrongcastles，itsmanyandbroadrivers，hadlongrestrainedtheambitionofitsneighbours；
andfrequentlyasitsextensivefrontierhadbeenattacked，itsinteriorhadbeenfreefromhostileinvasion。TheEmpirehadhithertoenjoyedtheequivocalprivilegeofbeingitsownenemy，thoughinvinciblefromwithout。Evennow，itwasmerelythedisunionofitsmembers，andtheintoleranceofreligiouszeal，thatpavedthewayfortheSwedishinvader。Thebondofunionbetweenthestates，whichalonehadrenderedtheEmpireinvincible，wasnowdissolved；
andGustavusderivedfromGermanyitselfthepowerbywhichhesubduedit。
Withasmuchcourageasprudence，heavailedhimselfofallthatthefavourablemomentafforded；andequallyathomeinthecabinetandthefield，hetoreasundertheweboftheartfulpolicy，withasmuchease，asheshatteredwallswiththethunderofhiscannon。
UninterruptedlyhepursuedhisconquestsfromoneendofGermanytotheother，withoutbreakingthelineofpostswhichcommandedasecureretreatatanymoment；andwhetheronthebanksoftheRhine，oratthemouthoftheLech，alikemaintaininghiscommunicationwithhishereditarydominions。
TheconsternationoftheEmperorandtheLeagueatTilly’sdefeatatLeipzig，wasscarcelygreaterthanthesurpriseandembarrassmentofthealliesoftheKingofSwedenathisunexpectedsuccess。Itwasbeyondboththeirexpectationsandtheirwishes。Annihilatedinamomentwasthatformidablearmywhich，whileitcheckedhisprogressandsetboundstohisambition，renderedhiminsomemeasuredependentonthemselves。HenowstoodintheheartofGermany，alone，withoutarivalorwithoutanadversarywhowasamatchforhim。
Nothingcouldstophisprogress，orcheckhispretensions，iftheintoxicationofsuccessshouldtempthimtoabusehisvictory。
IfformerlytheyhaddreadedtheEmperor’sirresistiblepower，therewasnolesscausenowtofeareverythingfortheEmpire，fromtheviolenceofaforeignconqueror，andfortheCatholicChurch，fromthereligiouszealofaProtestantking。Thedistrustandjealousyofsomeofthecombinedpowers，whichastrongerfearoftheEmperorhadforatimerepressed，nowrevived；andscarcelyhadGustavusAdolphusmerited，byhiscourageandsuccess，theirconfidence，whentheybegancovertlytocircumventallhisplans。Throughacontinualstrugglewiththeartsofenemies，andthedistrustofhisownallies，musthisvictorieshenceforthbewon；yetresolution，penetration，andprudencemadetheirwaythroughallimpediments。
Butwhilehissuccessexcitedthejealousyofhismorepowerfulallies，FranceandSaxony，itgavecouragetotheweaker，andemboldenedthemopenlytodeclaretheirsentimentsandjoinhisparty。
ThosewhocouldneitherviewithGustavusAdolphusinimportance，norsufferfromhisambition，expectedthemorefromthemagnanimityoftheirpowerfulally，whoenrichedthemwiththespoilsoftheirenemies，andprotectedthemagainsttheoppressionoftheirstrongerneighbours。
Hisstrengthcoveredtheirweakness，and，inconsiderableinthemselves，theyacquiredweightandinfluencefromtheirunionwiththeSwedishhero。
Thiswasthecasewithmostofthefreecities，andparticularlywiththeweakerProtestantstates。ItwasthesethatintroducedthekingintotheheartofGermany；thesecoveredhisrear，suppliedhistroopswithnecessaries，receivedthemintotheirfortresses，whiletheyexposedtheirownlivesinhisbattles。Hisprudentregardtotheirnationalpride，hispopulardeportment，somebrilliantactsofjustice，andhisrespectforthelaws，weresomanytiesbywhichheboundtheGermanProtestantstohiscause；whilethecryingatrocitiesoftheImperialists，theSpaniards，andthetroopsofLorraine，powerfullycontributedtosethisownconductandthatofhisarmyinafavourablelight。
IfGustavusAdolphusowedhissuccesschieflytohisowngenius，atthesametime，itmustbeowned，hewasgreatlyfavouredbyfortuneandbycircumstances。Twogreatadvantagesgavehimadecidedsuperiorityovertheenemy。WhileheremovedthesceneofwarintothelandsoftheLeague，drewtheiryouthasrecruits，enrichedhimselfwithbooty，andusedtherevenuesoftheirfugitiveprincesashisown，heatoncetookfromtheenemythemeansofeffectualresistance，andmaintainedanexpensivewarwithlittlecosttohimself。And，moreover，whilehisopponents，theprincesoftheLeague，dividedamongthemselves，andgovernedbydifferentandoftenconflictinginterests，actedwithoutunanimity，andthereforewithoutenergy；
whiletheirgeneralsweredeficientinauthority，theirtroopsinobedience，theoperationsoftheirscatteredarmieswithoutconcert；
whilethegeneralwasseparatedfromthelawgiverandthestatesman；
theseseveralfunctionswereunitedinGustavusAdolphus，theonlysourcefromwhichauthorityflowed，thesoleobjecttowhichtheeyeofthewarriorturned；thesoulofhisparty，theinventoraswellastheexecutorofhisplans。Inhim，therefore，theProtestantshadacentreofunityandharmony，whichwasaltogetherwantingtotheiropponents。Nowonder，then，iffavouredbysuchadvantages，attheheadofsuchanarmy，withsuchageniustodirectit，andguidedbysuchpoliticalprudence，GustavusAdolphuswasirresistible。
Withtheswordinonehand，andmercyintheother，hetraversedGermanyasaconqueror，alawgiver，andajudge，inasshortatimealmostasthetouristofpleasure。Thekeysoftownsandfortressesweredeliveredtohim，asiftothenativesovereign。Nofortresswasinaccessible；
norivercheckedhisvictoriouscareer。Heconqueredbytheveryterrorofhisname。TheSwedishstandardswereplantedalongthewholestreamoftheMaine:theLowerPalatinatewasfree，thetroopsofSpainandLorrainehadfledacrosstheRhineandtheMoselle。TheSwedesandHessianspouredlikeatorrentintotheterritoriesofMentz，ofWurtzburg，andBamberg，andthreefugitivebishops，atadistancefromtheirsees，suffereddearlyfortheirunfortunateattachmenttotheEmperor。
ItwasnowtheturnforMaximilian，theleaderoftheLeague，tofeelinhisowndominionsthemiserieshehadinflicteduponothers。
Neithertheterriblefateofhisallies，northepeacefuloverturesofGustavus，who，inthemidstofconquest，everheldoutthehandoffriendship，couldconquertheobstinacyofthisprince。
ThetorrentofwarnowpouredintoBavaria。LikethebanksoftheRhine，thoseoftheLeckeandtheDonauwerecrowdedwithSwedishtroops。
Creepingintohisfortresses，thedefeatedElectorabandonedtotheravagesofthefoehisdominions，hithertounscathedbywar，andonwhichthebigotedviolenceoftheBavariansseemedtoinviteretaliation。
Munichitselfopeneditsgatestotheinvinciblemonarch，andthefugitivePalatine，FrederickV。，intheforsakenresidenceofhisrival，consoledhimselfforatimeforthelossofhisdominions。
WhileGustavusAdolphuswasextendinghisconquestsinthesouth，hisgeneralsandalliesweregainingsimilartriumphsintheotherprovinces。
LowerSaxonyshookofftheyokeofAustria，theenemyabandonedMecklenburg，andtheimperialgarrisonsretiredfromthebanksoftheWeserandtheElbe。
InWestphaliaandtheUpperRhine，William，LandgraveofHesse，renderedhimselfformidable；theDukeofWeimarinThuringia，andtheFrenchintheElectorateofTreves；whiletotheeastwardthewholekingdomofBohemiawasconqueredbytheSaxons。
TheTurkswerepreparingtoattackHungary，andintheheartofAustriaadangerousinsurrectionwasthreatened。InvaindidtheEmperorlookaroundtothecourtsofEuropeforsupport；invaindidhesummontheSpaniardstohisassistance，forthebraveryoftheFlemingsaffordedthemampleemploymentbeyondtheRhine；invaindidhecallupontheRomancourtandthewholechurchtocometohisrescue。
TheoffendedPopesported，inpompousprocessionsandidleanathemas，withtheembarrassmentsofFerdinand，andinsteadofthedesiredsubsidyhewasshownthedevastationofMantua。
Onallsidesofhisextensivemonarchyhostilearmssurroundedhim。
WiththestatesoftheLeague，nowoverrunbytheenemy，thoserampartswerethrowndown，behindwhichAustriahadsolongdefendedherself，andtheembersofwarwerenowsmoulderinguponherunguardedfrontiers。
Hismostzealousalliesweredisarmed；MaximilianofBavaria，hisfirmestsupport，wasscarceabletodefendhimself。Hisarmies，weakenedbydesertionandrepeateddefeat，anddispiritedbycontinuedmisfortuneshadunlearnt，underbeatengenerals，thatwarlikeimpetuositywhich，asitistheconsequence，soitistheguaranteeofsuccess。Thedangerwasextreme，andextraordinarymeansalonecouldraisetheimperialpowerfromthedegradationintowhichitwasfallen。
Themosturgentwantwasthatofageneral；andtheonlyonefromwhomhecouldhopefortherevivalofhisformersplendour，hadbeenremovedfromhiscommandbyanenviouscabal。
SolowhadtheEmperornowfallen，thathewasforcedtomakethemosthumiliatingproposalstohisinjuredsubjectandservant，andmeanlytopressupontheimperiousDukeofFriedlandtheacceptanceofthepowerswhichnolessmeanlyhadbeentakenfromhim。
AnewspiritbeganfromthismomenttoanimatetheexpiringbodyofAustria；
andasuddenchangeintheaspectofaffairsbespokethefirmhandwhichguidedthem。TotheabsoluteKingofSweden，ageneralequallyabsolutewasnowopposed；andonevictoriousherowasconfrontedwithanother。Botharmieswereagaintoengageinthedoubtfulstruggle；andtheprizeofvictory，alreadyalmostsecuredinthehandsofGustavusAdolphus，wastobetheobjectofanotherandaseverertrial。ThestormofwargatheredaroundNuremberg；
beforeitswallsthehostilearmiesencamped；gazingoneachotherwithdreadandrespect，longingfor，andyetshrinkingfrom，themomentthatwastoclosethemtogetherintheshockofbattle。
TheeyesofEuropeturnedtothesceneincuriosityandalarm，whileNuremberg，indismay，expectedsoontolenditsnametoamoredecisivebattlethanthatofLeipzig。Suddenlythecloudsbroke，andthestormrolledawayfromFranconia，toburstupontheplainsofSaxony。
NearLutzenfellthethunderthathadmenacedNuremberg；
thevictory，halflost，waspurchasedbythedeathoftheking。
Fortune，whichhadneverforsakenhiminhislifetime，favouredtheKingofSwedeneveninhisdeath，withtherareprivilegeoffallinginthefulnessofhisgloryandanuntarnishedfame。
Byatimelydeath，hisprotectinggeniusrescuedhimfromtheinevitablefateofman——thatofforgettingmoderationintheintoxicationofsuccess，andjusticeintheplenitudeofpower。Itmaybedoubtedwhether，hadhelivedlonger，hewouldstillhavedeservedthetearswhichGermanyshedoverhisgrave，ormaintainedhistitletotheadmirationwithwhichposterityregardshim，asthefirstandonlyJUSTconquerorthattheworldhasproduced。Theuntimelyfalloftheirgreatleaderseemedtothreatentheruinofhisparty；buttothePowerwhichrulestheworld，nolossofasinglemanisirreparable。Asthehelmofwardroppedfromthehandofthefallinghero，itwasseizedbytwogreatstatesmen，OxenstiernandRichelieu。Destinystillpursueditsrelentlesscourse，andforfullsixteenyearslongertheflamesofwarblazedovertheashesofthelong-forgottenkingandsoldier。
ImaynowbepermittedtotakeacursoryretrospectofGustavusAdolphusinhisvictoriouscareer；glanceatthesceneinwhichhealonewasthegreatactor；andthen，whenAustriabecomesreducedtoextremitybythesuccessesoftheSwedes，andbyaseriesofdisastersisdriventothemosthumiliatinganddesperateexpedients，toreturntothehistoryoftheEmperor。
AssoonastheplanofoperationshadbeenconcertedatHalle，betweentheKingofSwedenandtheElectorofSaxony；assoonasthealliancehadbeenconcludedwiththeneighbouringprincesofWeimarandAnhalt，andpreparationsmadefortherecoveryofthebishopricofMagdeburg，thekingbeganhismarchintotheempire。Hehadherenodespicablefoetocontendwith。Withintheempire，theEmperorwasstillpowerful；
throughoutFranconia，Swabia，andthePalatinate，imperialgarrisonswereposted，withwhomthepossessionofeveryplaceofimportancemustbedisputedswordinhand。OntheRhinehewasopposedbytheSpaniards，whohadoverruntheterritoryofthebanishedElectorPalatine，seizedallitsstrongplaces，andwouldeverywheredisputewithhimthepassageoverthatriver。OnhisrearwasTilly，whowasfastrecruitinghisforce，andwouldsoonbejoinedbytheauxiliariesfromLorraine。
EveryPapistpresentedaninveteratefoe，whilehisconnexionwithFrancedidnotleavehimatlibertytoactwithfreedomagainsttheRomanCatholics。
Gustavushadforeseenalltheseobstacles，butatthesametimethemeansbywhichtheyweretobeovercome。ThestrengthoftheImperialistswasbrokenanddividedamongdifferentgarrisons，whilehewouldbringagainstthemonebyonehiswholeunitedforce。
IfhewastobeopposedbythefanaticismoftheRomanCatholics，andtheaweinwhichthelesserstatesregardedtheEmperor’spower，hemightdependontheactivesupportoftheProtestants，andtheirhatredtoAustrianoppression。TheravagesoftheImperialistandSpanishtroopsalsopowerfullyaidedhiminthesequarters；
wheretheill-treatedhusbandmanandcitizensighedalikeforadeliverer，andwherethemerechangeofyokeseemedtopromisearelief。
EmissariesweredespatchedtogainovertotheSwedishsidetheprincipalfreecities，particularlyNurembergandFrankfort。
Thefirstthatlayintheking’smarch，andwhichhecouldnotleaveunoccupiedinhisrear，wasErfurt。HeretheProtestantpartyamongthecitizensopenedtohim，withoutablow，thegatesofthetownandthecitadel。Fromtheinhabitantsofthis，asofeveryimportantplacewhichafterwardssubmitted，heexactedanoathofallegiance，whilehesecureditspossessionbyasufficientgarrison。Tohisally，DukeWilliamofWeimar，heintrustedthecommandofanarmytoberaisedinThuringia。HealsolefthisqueeninErfurt，andpromisedtoincreaseitsprivileges。TheSwedisharmynowcrossedtheThuringianforestintwocolumns，byGothaandArnstadt，andhavingdelivered，initsmarch，thecountyofHennebergfromtheImperialists，formedajunctiononthethirddaynearKoenigshofen，onthefrontiersofFranconia。
Francis，BishopofWurtzburg，thebitterenemyoftheProtestants，andthemostzealousmemberoftheLeague，wasthefirsttofeeltheindignationofGustavusAdolphus。AfewthreatsgainedfortheSwedespossessionofhisfortressofKoenigshofen，andwithitthekeyofthewholeprovince。Atthenewsofthisrapidconquest，dismayseizedalltheRomanCatholictownsofthecircle。
TheBishopsofWurtzburgandBambergtrembledintheircastles；
theyalreadysawtheirseestottering，theirchurchesprofaned，andtheirreligiondegraded。ThemaliceofhisenemieshadcirculatedthemostfrightfulrepresentationsofthepersecutingspiritandthemodeofwarfarepursuedbytheSwedishkingandhissoldiers，whichneithertherepeatedassurancesoftheking，northemostsplendidexamplesofhumanityandtoleration，everentirelyeffaced。
Manyfearedtosufferatthehandsofanotherwhatinsimilarcircumstancestheywereconsciousofinflictingthemselves。ManyoftherichestRomanCatholicshastenedtosecurebyflighttheirproperty，theirreligion，andtheirpersons，fromthesanguinaryfanaticismoftheSwedes。
Thebishophimselfsettheexample。Inthemidstofthealarm，whichhisbigotedzealhadcaused，heabandonedhisdominions，andfledtoParis，toexcite，ifpossible，theFrenchministryagainstthecommonenemyofreligion。
ThefurtherprogressofGustavusAdolphusintheecclesiasticalterritoriesagreedwiththisbrilliantcommencement。Schweinfurt，andsoonafterwardsWurtzburg，abandonedbytheirImperialgarrisons，surrendered；butMarienberghewasobligedtocarrybystorm。Inthisplace，whichwasbelievedtobeimpregnable，theenemyhadcollectedalargestoreofprovisionsandammunition，allofwhichfellintothehandsoftheSwedes。
ThekingfoundavaluableprizeinthelibraryoftheJesuits，whichhesenttoUpsal，whilehissoldiersfoundastillmoreagreeableoneintheprelate’swell-filledcellars；histreasuresthebishophadingoodtimeremoved。Thewholebishopricfollowedtheexampleofthecapital，andsubmittedtotheSwedes。Thekingcompelledallthebishop’ssubjectstoswearallegiancetohimself；
and，intheabsenceofthelawfulsovereign，appointedaregency，onehalfofwhosememberswereProtestants。IneveryRomanCatholictownwhichGustavustook，heopenedthechurchestotheProtestantpeople，butwithoutretaliatingonthePapiststhecrueltieswhichtheyhadpractisedontheformer。Onsuchonlyasswordinhandrefusedtosubmit，werethefearfulrightsofwarenforced；andfortheoccasionalactsofviolencecommittedbyafewofthemorelawlesssoldiers，intheblindrageofthefirstattack，theirhumaneleaderisnotjustlyresponsible。Thosewhowerepeaceablydisposed，ordefenceless，weretreatedwithmildness。ItwasasacredprincipleofGustavustosparethebloodofhisenemies，aswellasthatofhisowntroops。
OnthefirstnewsoftheSwedishirruption，theBishopofWurtzburg，withoutregardingthetreatywhichhehadenteredintowiththeKingofSweden，hadearnestlypressedthegeneraloftheLeaguetohastentotheassistanceofthebishopric。Thatdefeatedcommanderhad，inthemeantime，collectedontheWesertheshatteredremnantofhisarmy，reinforcedhimselffromthegarrisonsofLowerSaxony，andeffectedajunctioninHessewithAltringerandFugger，whocommandedunderhim。
Againattheheadofaconsiderableforce，Tillyburnedwithimpatiencetowipeoutthestainofhisfirstdefeatbyasplendidvictory。
FromhiscampatFulda，whitherhehadmarchedwithhisarmy，heearnestlyrequestedpermissionfromtheDukeofBavariatogivebattletoGustavusAdolphus。But，intheeventofTilly’sdefeat，theLeaguehadnosecondarmytofallbackupon，andMaximilianwastoocautioustoriskagainthefateofhispartyonasinglebattle。
Withtearsinhiseyes，Tillyreadthecommandsofhissuperior，whichcompelledhimtoinactivity。ThushismarchtoFranconiawasdelayed，andGustavusAdolphusgainedtimetooverrunthewholebishopric。
ItwasinvainthatTilly，reinforcedatAschaffenburgbyabodyof12，000menfromLorraine，marchedwithanoverwhelmingforcetothereliefofWurtzburg。
ThetownandcitadelwerealreadyinthehandsoftheSwedes，andMaximilianofBavariawasgenerallyblamedandnotwithoutcause，perhapsforhaving，byhisscruples，occasionedthelossofthebishopric。
Commandedtoavoidabattle，Tillycontentedhimselfwithcheckingthefartheradvanceoftheenemy；buthecouldsaveonlyafewofthetownsfromtheimpetuosityoftheSwedes。BaffledinanattempttoreinforcetheweakgarrisonofHanau，whichitwashighlyimportanttotheSwedestogain，hecrossedtheMaine，nearSeligenstadt，andtookthedirectionoftheBergstrasse，toprotectthePalatinatefromtheconqueror。
Tilly，however，wasnotthesoleenemywhomGustavusAdolphusmetinFranconia，anddrovebeforehim。Charles，DukeofLorraine，celebratedintheannalsofthetimeforhisunsteadinessofcharacter，hisvainprojects，andhismisfortunes，venturedtoraiseaweakarmagainsttheSwedishhero，inthehopeofobtainingfromtheEmperortheelectoraldignity。Deaftothesuggestionsofarationalpolicy，helistenedonlytothedictatesofheatedambition；
bysupportingtheEmperor，heexasperatedFrance，hisformidableneighbour；
andinthepursuitofavisionaryphantominanothercountry，leftundefendedhisowndominions，whichwereinstantlyoverrunbyaFrencharmy。Austriawillinglyconcededtohim，aswellastotheotherprincesoftheLeague，thehonourofbeingruinedinhercause。
Intoxicatedwithvainhopes，thisprincecollectedaforceof17，000men，whichheproposedtoleadinpersonagainsttheSwedes。Ifthesetroopsweredeficientindisciplineandcourage，theywereatleastattractivebythesplendouroftheiraccoutrements；andhoweversparingtheywereoftheirprowessagainstthefoe，theywereliberalenoughwithitagainstthedefencelesscitizensandpeasantry，whomtheyweresummonedtodefend。Againstthebravery，andtheformidabledisciplineoftheSwedesthissplendidlyattiredarmy，however，madenolongstand。
OnthefirstadvanceoftheSwedishcavalryapanicseizedthem，andtheyweredrivenwithoutdifficultyfromtheircantonmentsinWurtzburg；
thedefeatofafewregimentsoccasionedageneralrout，andthescatteredremnantsoughtacovertfromtheSwedishvalourinthetownsbeyondtheRhine。Loadedwithshameandridicule，thedukehurriedhomebyStrasburg，toofortunateinescaping，byasubmissivewrittenapology，theindignationofhisconqueror，whohadfirstbeatenhimoutofthefield，andthencalleduponhimtoaccountforhishostilities。Itisrelateduponthisoccasionthat，inavillageontheRhineapeasantstruckthehorseofthedukeasherodepast，exclaiming，"Haste，Sir，youmustgoquickertoescapethegreatKingofSweden！"
Theexampleofhisneighbours’misfortuneshadtaughttheBishopofBambergprudence。Toaverttheplunderingofhisterritories，hemadeoffersofpeace，thoughthesewereintendedonlytodelaytheking’scoursetillthearrivalofassistance。GustavusAdolphus，toohonourablehimselftosuspectdishonestyinanother，readilyacceptedthebishop’sproposals，andnamedtheconditionsonwhichhewaswillingtosavehisterritoriesfromhostiletreatment。Hewasthemoreinclinedtopeace，ashehadnotimetoloseintheconquestofBamberg，andhisotherdesignscalledhimtotheRhine。Therapiditywithwhichhefolloweduptheseplans，costhimthelossofthosepecuniarysupplieswhich，byalongerresidenceinFranconia，hemighteasilyhaveextortedfromtheweakandterrifiedbishop。Thisartfulprelatebrokeoffthenegotiationtheinstantthestormofwarpassedawayfromhisownterritories。NosoonerhadGustavusmarchedonwardsthanhethrewhimselfundertheprotectionofTilly，andreceivedthetroopsoftheEmperorintotheverytownsandfortresses，whichshortlybeforehehadshownhimselfreadytoopentotheSwedes。Bythisstratagem，however，heonlydelayedforabriefintervaltheruinofhisbishopric。
ASwedishgeneralwhohadbeenleftinFranconia，undertooktopunishtheperfidyofthebishop；andtheecclesiasticalterritorybecametheseatofwar，andwasravagedalikebyfriendsandfoes。
TheformidablepresenceoftheImperialistshadhithertobeenacheckupontheFranconianStates；buttheirretreat，andthehumaneconductoftheSwedishking，emboldenedthenobilityandotherinhabitantsofthiscircletodeclareinhisfavour。Nurembergjoyfullycommitteditselftohisprotection；andtheFranconiannobleswerewontohiscausebyflatteringproclamations，inwhichhecondescendedtoapologizeforhishostileappearanceinthedominions。ThefertilityofFranconia，andtherigoroushonestyoftheSwedishsoldiersintheirdealingswiththeinhabitants，broughtabundancetothecampoftheking。
ThehighesteemwhichthenobilityofthecirclefeltforGustavus，therespectandadmirationwithwhichtheyregardedhisbrilliantexploits，thepromisesofrichbootywhichtheserviceofthismonarchheldout，greatlyfacilitatedtherecruitingofhistroops；astepwhichwasmadenecessarybydetachingsomanygarrisonsfromthemainbody。
Atthesoundofhisdrums，recruitsflockedtohisstandardfromallquarters。
ThekinghadscarcelyspentmoretimeinconqueringFranconia，thanhewouldhaverequiredtocrossit。HenowleftbehindhimGustavusHorn，oneofhisbestgenerals，withaforceof8，000men，tocompleteandretainhisconquest。Hehimselfwithhismainarmy，reinforcedbythelaterecruits，hastenedtowardstheRhineinordertosecurethisfrontieroftheempirefromtheSpaniards；
todisarmtheecclesiasticalelectors，andtoobtainfromtheirfertileterritoriesnewresourcesfortheprosecutionofthewar。
FollowingthecourseoftheMaine，hesubjected，inthecourseofhismarch，Seligenstadt，Aschaffenburg，Steinheim，thewholeterritoryonbothsidesoftheriver。Theimperialgarrisonsseldomawaitedhisapproach，andneverattemptedresistance。InthemeanwhileoneofhiscolonelshadbeenfortunateenoughtotakebysurprisethetownandcitadelofHanau，forwhosepreservationTillyhadshownsuchanxiety。EagertobefreeoftheoppressiveburdenoftheImperialists，theCountofHanaugladlyplacedhimselfunderthemilderyokeoftheKingofSweden。
GustavusAdolphusnowturnedhiswholeattentiontoFrankfort，foritwashisconstantmaximtocoverhisrearbythefriendshipandpossessionofthemoreimportanttowns。Frankfortwasamongthefreecitieswhich，evenfromSaxony，hehadendeavouredtoprepareforhisreception；andhenowcalleduponit，byasummonsfromOffenbach，toallowhimafreepassage，andtoadmitaSwedishgarrison。
WillinglywouldthiscityhavedispensedwiththenecessityofchoosingbetweentheKingofSwedenandtheEmperor；for，whateverpartytheymightembrace，theinhabitantshadalikereasontofearfortheirprivilegesandtrade。TheEmperor’svengeancewouldcertainlyfallheavilyuponthem，iftheywereinahurrytosubmittotheKingofSweden，andafterwardsheshouldproveunabletoprotecthisadherentsinGermany。Butstillmoreruinousforthemwouldbethedispleasureofanirresistibleconqueror，who，withaformidablearmy，wasalreadybeforetheirgates，andwhomightpunishtheiroppositionbytheruinoftheircommerceandprosperity。
Invaindidtheirdeputiespleadthedangerwhichmenacedtheirfairs，theirprivileges，perhapstheirconstitutionitself，if，byespousingthepartyoftheSwedes，theyweretoincurtheEmperor’sdispleasure。
GustavusAdolphusexpressedtothemhisastonishmentthat，whenthelibertiesofGermanyandtheProtestantreligionwereatstake，thecitizensofFrankfortshouldtalkoftheirannualfairs，andpostponefortemporalintereststhegreatcauseoftheircountryandtheirconscience。Hehad，hecontinued，inamenacingtone，foundthekeysofeverytownandfortress，fromtheIsleofRugentotheMaine，andknewalsowheretofindakeytoFrankfort；
thesafetyofGermany，andthefreedomoftheProtestantChurch，were，heassuredthem，thesoleobjectsofhisinvasion；
consciousofthejusticeofhiscause，hewasdeterminednottoallowanyobstacletoimpedehisprogress。"TheinhabitantsofFrankfort，hewaswellaware，wishedtostretchoutonlyafingertohim，buthemusthavethewholehandinordertohavesomethingtograsp。"
Attheheadofthearmy，hecloselyfollowedthedeputiesastheycarriedbackhisanswer，andinorderofbattleawaited，nearSaxenhausen，thedecisionofthecouncil。
IfFrankforthesitatedtosubmittotheSwedes，itwassolelyfromfearoftheEmperor；theirowninclinationsdidnotallowthemamomenttodoubtbetweentheoppressorofGermanyanditsprotector。ThemenacingpreparationsamidstwhichGustavusAdolphusnowcompelledthemtodecide，wouldlessentheguiltoftheirrevoltintheeyesoftheEmperor，andbyanappearanceofcompulsionjustifythestepwhichtheywillinglytook。
ThegateswerethereforeopenedtotheKingofSweden，whomarchedhisarmythroughthisimperialtowninmagnificentprocession，andinadmirableorder。
Agarrisonof600menwasleftinSaxenhausen；whilethekinghimselfadvancedthesameevening，withtherestofhisarmy，againstthetownofHoechstinMentz，whichsurrenderedtohimbeforenight。
WhileGustavuswasthusextendinghisconquestsalongtheMaine，fortunecrownedalsotheeffortsofhisgeneralsandalliesinthenorthofGermany。Rostock，Wismar，andDoemitz，theonlystrongplacesintheDuchyofMecklenburgwhichstillsighedundertheyokeoftheImperialists，wererecoveredbytheirlegitimatesovereign，theDukeJohnAlbert，undertheSwedishgeneral，AchatiusTott。
Invaindidtheimperialgeneral，WolfCountvonMansfeld，endeavourtorecoverfromtheSwedestheterritoriesofHalberstadt，ofwhichtheyhadtakenpossessionimmediatelyuponthevictoryofLeipzig；
hewasevencompelledtoleaveMagdeburgitselfintheirhands。
TheSwedishgeneral，Banner，whowith8，000menremainedupontheElbe，closelyblockadedthatcity，andhaddefeatedseveralimperialregimentswhichhadbeensenttoitsrelief。CountMansfelddefendeditinpersonwithgreatresolution；buthisgarrisonbeingtooweaktoopposeforanylengthoftimethenumerousforceofthebesiegers，hewasalreadyabouttosurrenderonconditions，whenPappenheimadvancedtohisassistance，andgaveemploymentelsewheretotheSwedisharms。
Magdeburg，however，orratherthewretchedhutsthatpeepedoutmiserablyfromamongtheruinsofthatoncegreattown，wasafterwardsvoluntarilyabandonedbytheImperialists，andimmediatelytakenpossessionofbytheSwedes。
EvenLowerSaxony，encouragedbytheprogressoftheking，venturedtoraiseitsheadfromthedisastersoftheunfortunateDanishwar。
TheyheldacongressatHamburg，andresolveduponraisingthreeregiments，whichtheyhopedwouldbesufficienttofreethemfromtheoppressivegarrisonsoftheImperialists。TheBishopofBremen，arelationofGustavusAdolphus，wasnotcontentevenwiththis；
butassembledtroopsofhisown，andterrifiedtheunfortunatemonksandpriestsoftheneighbourhood，butwasquicklycompelledbytheimperialgeneral，CountGronsfeld，tolaydownhisarms。
EvenGeorge，DukeofLunenburg，formerlyacolonelintheEmperor’sservice，embracedthepartyofGustavus，forwhomheraisedseveralregiments，andbyoccupyingtheattentionoftheImperialistsinLowerSaxony，materiallyassistedhim。
ButmoreimportantservicewasrenderedtothekingbytheLandgraveWilliamofHesseCassel，whosevictoriousarmsstruckwithterrorthegreaterpartofWestphaliaandLowerSaxony，thebishopricofFulda，andeventheElectorateofCologne。IthasbeenalreadystatedthatimmediatelyaftertheconclusionofthealliancebetweentheLandgraveandGustavusAdolphusatWerben，twoimperialgenerals，FuggerandAltringer，wereorderedbyTillytomarchintoHesse，topunishtheLandgraveforhisrevoltfromtheEmperor。Butthisprincehadasfirmlywithstoodthearmsofhisenemies，ashissubjectshadtheproclamationsofTillyincitingthemtorebellion，andthebattleofLeipzigpresentlyrelievedhimoftheirpresence。Heavailedhimselfoftheirabsencewithcourageandresolution；inashorttime，Vach，MuendenandHoextersurrenderedtohim，whilehisrapidadvancealarmedthebishopricsofFulda，Paderborn，andtheecclesiasticalterritorieswhichborderedonHesse。
Theterrifiedstateshastenedbyaspeedysubmissiontosetlimitstohisprogress，andbyconsiderablecontributionstopurchaseexemptionfromplunder。Afterthesesuccessfulenterprises，theLandgraveunitedhisvictoriousarmywiththatofGustavusAdolphus，andconcertedwithhimatFrankforttheirfutureplanofoperations。
Inthiscity，anumberofprincesandambassadorswereassembledtocongratulateGustavusonhissuccess，andeithertoconciliatehisfavourortoappeasehisindignation。AmongthemwasthefugitiveKingofBohemia，thePalatineFrederickV。，whohadhastenedfromHollandtothrowhimselfintothearmsofhisavengerandprotector。Gustavusgavehimtheunprofitablehonourofgreetinghimasacrownedhead，andendeavoured，byarespectfulsympathy，tosoftenhissenseofhismisfortunes。
Butgreatastheadvantageswere，whichFrederickhadpromisedhimselffromthepowerandgoodfortuneofhisprotector；andhighasweretheexpectationshehadbuiltonhisjusticeandmagnanimity，thechanceofthisunfortunateprince’sreinstatementinhiskingdomwasasdistantasever。TheinactivityandcontradictorypoliticsoftheEnglishcourthadabatedthezealofGustavusAdolphus，andanirritabilitywhichhecouldnotalwaysrepress，madehimonthisoccasionforgetthegloriousvocationofprotectoroftheoppressed，inwhich，onhisinvasionofGermany，hehadsoloudlyannouncedhimself。
Theterrorsoftheking’sirresistiblestrength，andthenearprospectofhisvengeance，hadalsocompelledGeorge，LandgraveofHesseDarmstadt，toatimelysubmission。HisconnectionwiththeEmperor，andhisindifferencetotheProtestantcause，werenosecrettotheking，buthewassatisfiedwithlaughingatsoimpotentanenemy。
AstheLandgraveknewhisownstrengthandthepoliticalsituationofGermanysolittle，astoofferhimselfasmediatorbetweenthecontendingparties，Gustavususedjestinglytocallhimthepeacemaker。Hewasfrequentlyheardtosay，whenatplayhewaswinningfromtheLandgrave，"thatthemoneyaffordeddoublesatisfaction，asitwasImperialcoin。"