■WILLIAM AND MA11Y.

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There was no pursuit, though the sun was still high in theheaven when William crossed the Gette. The conquerors were -so much exhausted by marching and fighting that they couldscarcely move; and the horses were in even worse conditionthan the men. Their general thought it necessary to allow sometime for rest and refreshment. The French nobles unloadedtheir sumpter horses, supped gaily, and pledged one anotherin champagne amidst the heaps of dead; and, when night fell,whole brigades gladly lay down to sleep in their ranks on thefield of battle. The inactivity of Luxemburg did not escapecensure. None could deny that he had in the action showngreat skill and energy. But some complained that he wantedpatience and perseverance. Others whispered that he had nowish to bring to an end a war which made him necessary toa Court where he had never, in time of peace, found favour oreven justice.* Leu'is, who on this occasion was perhaps notaltogether free from some emotions of jealousy, contrived, itW’as reported, to mingle with the praise which he bestowed onhis lieutenant blame which, though delicately expressed, wasperfectly intelligible. “In the battle,” he said, “the Duke ofLuxemburg behaved like Conde; and since the battle the Princeof Orange has behaved like Turenne.”

In truth the ability and vigour with which William repairedhis terrible defeat might w r ell excite admiration. “In onerespect,” said the Admiral Coligni, “I may claim superiorityover Alexander, over Scipio, over Cresar. They won greatbattles, it is true. I have lost four great battles; and yetI show to the enemy a more formidable front than ever.” Theblood of Coligni ran in the veins of William; and with the blood

* Saint Simon mentions the reflections thrown on the Marshal. Feu-quifcres, a very good judge, tells us that Luxemburg was unjustly blamed,and that the French army was really too much crippled by Us losses to im-prove the victory.

CHAP.

XX.

1GU3.