ph ceas'd ----

This speech, and the whole intervention of the Guardian Genius of
Sweden, is introduced in order to elevate the subject, by ascribing the
calamities of Sweden to a supernatural arm, and by giving, as it were, a
divine direction to the sword of Gustavus. Its more immediate use is to
bring about the main design of the poem, by persuading Gustavus to
relinquish his design of self-banishment, and renew his patriotic
efforts.

544, 545.

Th' angelic Power his sacred arm applied
To push the vessel o'er the yielding tide--

Virg. AEn. 10.

584.

Norbi.

Soren Norbi (Gallice Severin), one of the most renowned adherents of
Christiern, was employed by him on many occasions, during the war with
Steen Sture. It was by his intercession that Christina, the widow of
that Governor, was saved from death. According to Vertot, he wished to
marry her, and, by the means of her influence and his master's
unpopularity, procure himself elected Administrator. He also concealed
many Swedish gentlemen from the rage of Christiern. He defeated the
generals of Gustavus in their first attempt upon Stockholm, and
afterwards routed one of that hero's armies in Finland. But his fleet
was at last burnt by the Lubeckers, under the command of Gustavus, and
he was compelled to retire to Gothland, where he purposed to erect an
independent kingdom of his own. This design being defeated, he continued
to harass Gustavus and the Lubeckers in various ways, 'till they at
length expelled him from Sweden. He now collected his remaining forces,
and retreated to Narva, where he was seized and imprisoned by the
Russians. After remaining some time in confinement, he was at length
released at the instance of Charles the Fifth of Germany, in whose
service he died, at the siege of Florence. According to Puffendorff, his
death happened in 1539.

BOOK THE THIRD.

Line 7.

---- sulphurous showers
Bursting on Calicut's perfidious towers.

Lusiad, Book 8.

24.

My first bold task ----

See Preface.

40.

Before him wide the dark-browed forests frown'd--

According to Pinkerton, forests are frequent in Dalecarlia. This remark
seemed necessary, to obviate the objection against placing woods in a
mineral soil.

92.

Gustavus.

Gustaf Wase, or Gustavus Vasa, was the son of Eric Vasa, governor of
Halland, and was cousin-german to Steen Sture. Being the grand nephew of
King Canutson, he