The troopers leapt from their horses and stripped his rich armour from him, and then, as they saw Steinboch's dragoons returning from their charge, they placed their pistols close to the king's head and fired, and then leaping on their horses fled.
Great was the grief when Malcolm, happening to ride near the body, recognized it as that of the king.

An instant later a regiment of Imperialist cavalry charged down, and a furious fight took place for some minutes over the king's body.

It was, however, at last carried off by the Swedes, so disfigured by wounds and by the trampling of the horses in the fray as to be unrecognizable.
The news of the fall of their king, which spread rapidly through the ranks, so far from discouraging the Swedes, inspired them with a desperate determination to avenge his death, and burning with fury they advanced against the enemy, yet preserving the most perfect steadiness and order in their ranks.
In vain did Wallenstein and his officers strive to stem the attack of the left wing, their bravery and skill availed nothing to arrest that furious charge.

Regiment after regiment who strove to bar their way were swept aside, the guns near the windmills were captured and turned against the enemy.

Step by step the Imperial right wing was forced back, and the centre was assailed in flank by the guns from the rising ground, while Stalhaus with the right wing of the Swedes attacked them on their left.
Hopeless of victory the Imperialist centre was giving way, when the explosion of one of their powder wagons still further shook them.
Attacked on both flanks and in front the Imperialist centre wavered, and in a few minutes would have been in full flight.