Page:Caledonia (Defoe).djvu/55

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Where ſhall we all their Ancient Glory trace,
The forward nations court the very Race:
Not Europe ventures to commence a War
But Caledonian Blood demands her Share,
And if 'tis bought or ſold, 'tis always very dear
[1] Leipſick—a Name in Fames red letter'd Roll
Matchleſs in War, where from the Frozen Pole
[2] Finland ſent Monſters, Strangers to the Sun,
Bred up to fight, by great Guſtave led on;
And yet by hardy [3] naked Scots out-done.

Voracious Tilly juſt made drunk with Blood,
At [4] Magdeburgh he raiſ'd the Crimſon Flood,
Tho gorg'd with Slaughter, yet a Thirſt for more,
Approach't, all Europe trembled at his Power.

In Leipſick Plain the dreadful Scene begun,

On brighter Deeds the Sun himſelf ne're ſhone.

  1. Particularly famous for the great Battle between the Imperialists and the Swedes, the 3d. of September, Anno—and afterwards for being the occasion of the great Battle at Lutzen, where the King of Sweden was slain, having made a long March to relieve this City then besieg'd by the Impertialists: But coming to late, he attack'd their Army, and over|threw 'em, but lost his Life.
  2. The Finland Horse in the Swedish Army grew a Terror to the Ger|mans by their Extraordinary Bravery and Discipline.
  3. The Scots at the Battle of Leipsick were very ill clothed, and had complain'd of it to their Officers, who had often promis'd 'em a Supply, and being just entring into the Battle, Sir John Hepburn, who commanded 'em, pointing to the Imperial Army, Jestingly told them, Their Clothes were come, Tilly had brought 'em en purpose for 'em, and if they would have 'em, they must fight for 'em.
  4. Tilly had just taken Magdeburgh by Storm, and in a terrible manner sacked and destroy'd the Town, put Seventeen thousand People to the Sword, Men, Women and Children, and aftewards burnt the whole City to Ashes, and made himself Terrible to all the Protestants in Europe.