form troops equal to those of Sweden: the one glorious for having given away dominions; the other for having civilized his own; Charles, fond of dangers, and fighting for glory alone: Alexiowitz scorning to fly from danger, and never making war but from interested views: the Swedish monarch liberal from an innate greatness of soul[1]; the Muscovite never granting favors but in order to serve some particular purpose: the former a prince of uncommon sobriety and continence, naturally magnanimous, and never cruel but once; the latter having not yet worn off the roughness of his education, or the barbarity of his country, as much the object of terror to his subjects as of admiration to strangers, and too prone to excesses, which even shortened his days. Charles had the title of "Invincible," of which a single moment might deprive him; the neighboring nations had already given Peter Alexiowitz the name of "Great"; which, as he did not owe it to his victories, he could not forfeit by a defeat.
In order to form a distinct idea of this battle and the place where it was fought, we must figure
- ↑ We cannot perceive the least tincture of liberality or greatness of soul in Charles. He might indeed have made himself King of Poland by dint of violence; but the consequence of that violence would have prevented him from gratifying his revenge, which seems to have been the predominant passion of his soul. Had he ascended the throne of Poland, he must have maintained an army of Swedes in that kingdom, consequently he could not have advanced to the banks of the Boristhenes in pursuit of Peter Alexiowitz. We find in Charles an insensibility to danger, a contempt of wealth, a clownishness of manners, a brutality of disposition, an implacable thirst for revenge and dominion: without taste, sentiment, or humanity.—Translator's Note.
