[33] Count Galeazzo Gualdo, a Venetian Roman Catholic, who spent some
years in both the Imperial and the Swedish armies, says of Gustavus
Adolphus that "he was tall, stout, and of such truly royal demeanor
that he universally commanded veneration, admiration, love, and fear.
His hair and beard were of a light-brown color, his eye large, but not
far-sighted. Eloquence dwelt upon his tongue. He spoke German, the
native language of his mother, the Swedish, the Latin, the French, and
the Italian languages, and his discourse was agreeable and lively.
There never was a general served with so much cheerfulness and
devotion as he. He was of an affable and friendly disposition, readily
expressing commendation, and noble actions were indelibly fixed upon
his memory; on the other hand, excessive politeness and flattery he
hated, and if any person approached him in that way he never trusted
him."