“That is not the way!” he cried. “You must put more fire in it, gentlemen.”
He placed himself at their head and led them against the musketeers.
The young officer stared at him, bewildered.
“Mynheer!” cried the Prince, “second me now and I will give you this company!”
The Frieslander roused himself and shouted a word of command.
The Dutch stood firm, then hurled themselves against the enemy.
Twice they were repulsed by the superior force, twice the Prince led them back; till the trampled grass grew so choked with dead that the living were divided by the slain.
William of Aylva surveyed the battle from the top of the incline.
“Does the Prince want to meet his death?” he muttered; then, “What is this but madness?” And he looked at the army of France that rolled almost as far as the horizon, and, though he was a brave man, his counsels were for a flight, saving such lives as they could.