I beg leave to quote the animated lines of Lord Byron:
A thousand years scarce serve to form a state:
An hour may lay it in the dust: and when
Shall man its shatter'd vigour renovate,
Recal its glories back, and vanquish Time and Fate?
539.
My spirit breath'd a purer prayer to thee—
Alluding to his profession of Lutheranism, which he probably embraced while in Steen Sture's army.
564.
Scarce had he finish'd ——
The foregoing soliloquy is introduced for many reasons: first, to illustrate the character of the hero: secondly, to shew the difficulties which opposed, and were still destined to oppose, his memorable enterprize: thirdly, to account for his determination (Book ii. l. 509.) to leave his country: and, fourthly, to give the reader some idea of the prior calamities of Sweden, which are to be developed in a future book. These, and other motives, induced me to insert this soliloquy, which may appear rather long, but the prolixity of which the good-natured reader will excuse.
567.
Rush'd instantaneous ——