388 THE DECLARATION. 



Avignon had allowed it, because the Flemings took part with the 

 pope Urban of Rome, and were regarded as heretics. Scarcely was 

 the oriflamme unfolded to the breeze, when the sun began to disperse 

 the fog, a circumstance attributed by the French to the miraculous 

 virtue of this holy banner, which they believed to have fallen from 

 the skies. Some also saw a white dove hovering over the king. In 

 short, all things contributed to inspire them with courage and confi- 

 dence. Before the fight began the duke of Burgundy, desirous of 

 sparing the blood of his future subject?, once more sent a herald to 

 propose a surrender, on condition of supplying a half-year's pay to 

 the French army. Scarcely had the Flemish heard the herald's mes- 

 sage read than they cried with one accord that they had right on 

 their side, and they would maintain their ancient chartered privileges. 

 On these conditions only could they listen to terms : their cause they 

 committed to the justice of God. 



" Seeing the Flemish advancing in a close column, the constable 

 disposed his army so as to surround them. Rude was the first onset. 

 They went straight to meet them, descending the hill with such fury 

 that the corps d'armee, where the king was posted, wavered on the 

 first shock. But soon the Flemings were attacked and surrounded in 

 flank, and their ranks became disordered. Artavelde fell nearly the 

 first. A horrible massacre ensued. The yeomen followed the 

 knights for pillage, and they despatched with their hangers their 

 fallen enemies. The rout was complete, and the victory cost but 

 little bloodshed to the French. 



" Thus was gained on the 29th of November, 1 382, this great battle 

 of Rosebeque, which saved the noblesse of France from the cruel lot 

 which threatened them a battle which may be said to have been gained 

 not only over the Flemings, but over the town of Paris and the com- 

 mons of France. Artavelde's body was searched for after the fight, 

 and a poor wounded Fleming on the field pointed it out among a 

 number of others of the men of Ghent, who had died fighting by his 

 side. The king and his retinue gazed for a moment on the face of 

 this famous regent of Flanders, and then he was hung on a tree. 

 The Fleming's life was offered him and remedies for his wounds, but 

 he obstinately refused to survive his lamented captain." 



THE DECLARATION. 



" MY charmer ! I could die for thee, 

 If thou would'st only live for me." 

 " Ah ! do ! " replies the dark-eyed elf, 

 " I never liked to die myself/' 



