an engagement be risked, or should the Constable, who had but indifferently accomplished his project and had introduced but an insignificant number of troops into the city, be allowed to withdraw with the rest of his army?  The fiery vehemence of Egmont carried all before it.  Here was an opportunity to measure arms at advantage with the great captain of the age.  To relinquish the prize, which the fortune of war had now placed within reach of their valor, was a thought not to be entertained.  Here was the great Constable Montmorency, attended by princes of the royal blood, the proudest of the nobility, the very crown and flower of the chivalry of France, and followed by an army of her bravest troops.  On a desperate venture he had placed himself within their grasp.  Should he go thence alive and unmolested?  The moral effect of destroying such an army would be greater than if it were twice its actual strength.  It would be dealing a blow at the very heart of France, from which she could not recover.  Was the opportunity to be resigned without a struggle of laying at the feet of Philip, in this his first campaign since his accession to his father’s realms, a prize worthy of the proudest hour of the Emperor’s reign?  The eloquence of the impetuous Batavian was irresistible, and it was determined to cut off the Constable’s retreat.

Three miles from the Faubourg d’Isle, to which that general had now advanced, was a narrow pass or defile, between steep and closely hanging hills.  While advancing through this ravine in the morning, the Constable had observed that the enemy might have it in their power to intercept his return at that point.  He had therefore left the Rhinegrave, with his company of mounted carabineers, to guard the passage.  Being ready to commence his retreat, he now sent forward the Due de Nevers, with four companies of cavalry to strengthen that important position, which he feared might be inadequately guarded.  The act of caution came too late.  This was the fatal point which the quick glance of Egmont had at once detected.  As Nevers reached the spot, two thousand of the enemy’s cavalry rode through and occupied the narrow passage.  Inflamed by mortification and despair, Nevers would have at once charged those troops, although outnumbering his own by nearly, four to one.  His officers restrained him with difficulty, recalling to his memory the peremptory orders which he had received from the Constable to guard the passage, but on no account to hazard an engagement, until sustained by the body of the army.  It was a case in which rashness would have been the best discretion.  The headlong charge which the Duke had been about to make, might possibly have cleared the path and have extricated the army, provided the Constable had followed up the movement by a rapid advance upon his part.  As it was, the passage was soon blocked up by freshly advancing bodies of Spanish and Flemish cavalry, while Nevers slowly and reluctantly fell back upon the Prince