Kings & rulers > History of Charles XII, King of Sweden

THE HISTORY OF
BOOK vm.
30*
actions, even those of his private life, border on the
marvellous. Perhaps he was the only man, most cer¬
tainly he was the only king, that ever lived without
failings. He carried all the virtues of the hero to
such an excess, as renders them no less dangerous
than the opposite vices. His resolution, hardened
into obstinacy, occasioned his misfortunes in the'Uk¬
raine, and detained him live years in Turkey. His
liberality, degenerating into profusion, ruined Sweden.
His courage, pushed the length of temerity, was the
cause of his death: and during the last years of his
reign the means he employed to support his authority
differed little from tyranny. His great qualities, any
one of which would have been sufficient to immortal¬
ize another prince, proved pernicious to his country.
He never was the aggressor; but in taking vengeance
on those who had injured him his resentment got the
better of his prudence, i- j was the first man who ever
aspired to the title of Conqueror without the least
desire of enlarging his dominions. His only end in
Subduing kingdoms was to have the pleasure of giving
them away. His passion for glory, for war, and re¬
venge, prevented him from being a good politician; a
quality without which the world had never before seen
any one a conqueror. Before a battle and after a
Victory, he was modest and humble; and after a defeat
firm and undaunted. Severe to himself as well as to
others, he too little regarded either his own life and
labours, or those of his subjects; an extraordinary ra¬
ther than a great man, and more worthy to be admir¬
ed than imitated. From the history of his life, how¬
ever, succeeding kings may learn, that a quiet and.
happy government is infinitely preferable to so much
glory.
Charles XII. was of a tall stature and portly figure*.