158 FEARFUL SCENE. 



Refused the privilege of a speedy death, he was crucified 

 with the most revolting barbarities. Torn from the cross, 

 and still palpitating with life, the cruelly mutilated hero 

 continued to exhort his countrymen to vengeance, and to 

 predict a fearful retaliation on their enemies, whom he defied 

 to shake his spirit, however they might torture his body. 

 Maddened with rage, the murderers proceeded to tear the 

 heart from the bosom of the victim, and finished the bloody 

 work by quartering and dismembering the body. And as 

 this unfortunate gentleman was included in the recent treaty, 

 the Swedes naturally viewed with trembling this first token 

 of their new King's perfidy and cruelty. 



Towards all other persons, however, he was exceedingly 

 mild and gracious, and promised the nobility and others, who 

 solicited favours, all they asked. In the meantime he played 

 his old game with the peasants ; for he not only distributed 

 largesses amongst them, but was constantly pointing out to 

 them that the cause of all the evils Sweden was then en- 

 during, was the ambition, the obstinacy, and the licentious- 

 ness of the nobles. And though there might be some truth 

 in what he said, his sole object in this was to win them to 

 his side, and thus to prepare them for the horrible tragedy 

 about to be enacted. 



Christian now sailed for Copenhagen, to consult with some 

 of his creatures, as to what steps were to be taken in regard 

 to Sweden, which was then wholly in his power. It was his 

 object to render her as Norway afterwards became a tri- 

 butary to Denmark. But this was impossible, so long as 

 the proud and warlike population had an equally proud and 

 warlike nobility for their leaders. It was therefore deter- 

 mined that all its most distinguished men, to whichever party 



