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154 A History of Sweden
people. Nearly every year a Riksdag had been held, for
Gustavus Adolphus wished to consult with his Estates
in all matters of importance.
Solemn and touching was the moment when Gusta-
vus Adolphus for the last time addressed his Riksdag.
He held in his arms his little daughter Christina, now
in her fourth year. He called God to witness that he
entered upon this war, not for love of adventure or of
war, but to save the Swedish people and their brethren
in the faith. "And as usually happens," he said with
a strange foreboding, "the pitcher is carried to the
well till it finally breaks, so it may also go with me.
After having in many dangers for my country’s wel-
fare shed my blood, though hitherto by God’s gracious
protection my life has been spared, yet finally I may
have to yield it. Therefore, I would commend you all
to God’s gracious care, and pray that after this toil-
some life we may meet together in the heavenly and
eternal life." All eyes were suffused with tears. No
one knew what the future might bear in its bosom.
Gustavus Adolphus in Northern Germany. At mid-
summer time, 1630, the Swedish fleet anchored at
Usedom. Having landed on German soil, Gustavus
Adolphus knelt and invoked the blessing of God upon
his undertaking.
The king at onc$ secured the mouth of the Oder, for
it was along its banks he intended to advance into
Germany. Ever since the peace of Stolbova he had
controlled the Neva. The capture of Riga had made
him master of the Diina, and the truce with Poland
gave him the possession of the mouths of the Niemen,
the Pregel, and the Vistula. Now it concerned the next
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