Gustavus then, but with difficulty, said who he was. The troopers
leapt from their horses and stripped his rich armour from him, and
then, as they saw Steinboch's dragoons returning from their charge,
they placed their pistols close to the king's head and fired, and
then leaping on their horses fled.
Great was the grief when Malcolm, happening to ride near the body,
recognized it as that of the king. An instant later a regiment of
Imperialist cavalry charged down, and a furious fight took place
for some minutes over the king's body. It was, however, at last
carried off by the Swedes, so disfigured by wounds and by the
trampling of the horses in the fray as to be unrecognizable.
The news of the fall of their king, which spread rapidly through
the ranks, so far from discouraging the Swedes, inspired them with
a desperate determination to avenge his death, and burning with fury
they advanced against the enemy, yet preserving the most perfect
steadiness and order in their ranks.
In vain did Wallenstein and his officers strive to stem the attack of
the left wing, their bravery and skill availed nothing to arrest
that furious charge. Regiment after regiment who strove to bar their
way were swept aside, the guns near the windmills were captured
and turned against the enemy. Step by step the Imperial right wing
was forced back, and the centre was assailed in flank by the guns
from the rising ground, while Stalhaus with the right wing of the
Swedes attacked them on their left.
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