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

36 THE HISTORY OF
mount their horfes, and be ready upon all event!j|
They made fcveral regulations to appeafe the trouil
bles in Lithuania, and lUlltpore to diminifh the king*jl
authority, tho’ they had lefs reafon to be afraid CM
it, than that'o.f Charles.
Auguftus chofe rather to receive hard laws from hin
conqueror than his fubjedls. He determined to ailtt
peace of the king of Sweden, and would have conclutj
ed a private treaty with him. But he was obliged U
conceal this ftep front the fenate, whom he looked u
pon as an enemy Hill more untraflable. As the af
fair %vas delicate, he intruded it wholly to the Coun
tefs of Koniftnar, a Swedilh lady of great birth, tc
\vhom he was then attached. This Lady, who was fc it
famous in the world for her wit and beauty, was mot< t
capable than any minifter whatever to give fuccefs tc k
a negotiation. Befides, as (he had an ellate ir
Charles XTIth’s dominions, and had lived long it! t
his court, (he had a plaufible pretence of waiting ti
upon him. Site came then to the Swedilh camp in 1
Lithuania, and (freight applyed herfelf to Count
Piper, who too lightly promifed her an audience oi 1
his mailer. The countefs, among the perfection! t
which rendered her one of the molt agreeable perfoiM
in Europe, had a lingular talent of (peaking . the 1.
languages of feveral countries, which die had neve? i
feen, and with as much propriety as if (he had been a
born in them. She would fometimes amufe herfelf with (
writing French verfes, which might eatily have beeii a
millaken for the compofttion of a perfon brought tip i
at Verfailles. She made fome for Charles XII. which i
ought not to be forgotten in his hiftory. She intro- J
dueed the fabulous gods, commeuding his different U
virtues ; and the peace concluded thus, which (be* *.
ing rendered into Englilh) is.
The hero's afls while other gods proclaim, ( 3;.
yhid praife, and promife him immortal fame ;
Silent fit Bacchus, and the queen of love.